Speak Like a Native: Mastering Advanced Collocations

keystone keystone
Oct 21, 2025
3 min read

If you’ve reached the C1 level in English, congratulations! You’ve already climbed most of the mountain. Now, it’s time to polish your skills—and one powerful way to do that is by using advanced collocations.

🤔 What Are Collocations?

A collocation is a natural combination of words that native speakers tend to use together. For example:

✅ "Make a decision"
❌ "Do a decision"

Both are grammatically correct, but only one sounds natural.

At C1 level, you should aim to go beyond basic collocations (like “strong coffee” or “fast car”) and start using advanced phrases like:

take a stand
bear the brunt
raise concerns
face the consequences
draw a conclusion

Let’s explore some of these in context.

"The sight of an astronaut surrounded by fireflies truly captures the imagination."

1. Take a stand (on/against something)

Meaning: To publicly express a strong opinion or position, especially on a controversial issue.

Example: The CEO took a stand against unethical business practices.

2. Bear the brunt (of something)

Meaning: To experience the worst part of something unpleasant.

Example: Low-income families often bear the brunt of economic downturns.

3. Raise concerns (about something)

Meaning: To express doubts or worries about a particular issue.

Example: Doctors have raised concerns about the side effects of the new drug.

4. Face the consequences

Meaning: To deal with the results of one’s actions, often negative.

Example: Anyone caught cheating in the exam will have to face the consequences.

5. Draw a conclusion

Meaning: To make a judgment based on evidence or reasoning.

Example: From the data, we can draw the conclusion that sales are falling.

6. Make a breakthrough

Meaning: To achieve significant progress, especially after difficulty.

Example: Scientists have made a breakthrough in cancer research.

7. Meet expectations

Meaning: To perform in a way that satisfies anticipated standards.

Example: The product failed to meet customer expectations.

8. Hold someone accountable (for something)

Meaning: To make someone responsible for their actions.

Example: The board must hold the manager accountable for the budget deficit.

9. Take something for granted

Meaning: To assume something will always be available or unchanged, often without appreciation.

Example: Many people take clean water for granted until it runs out.

10. Come to terms with (something)

Meaning: To accept a difficult or unpleasant reality.

Example: She is still coming to terms with the loss of her job.

Advanced Collocations – Fill in the Blanks

Instructions: Complete the following sentences using the correct collocation from the box below. You may need to change the tense or form.

Collocation Box:

take a stand
bear the brunt
raise concerns
face the consequences
draw a conclusion
make a breakthrough
meet expectations
hold accountable
take for granted
come to terms with

Sentences:

After weeks of research, the medical team finally managed to __________________ in developing a potential vaccine.
The athlete failed to __________________ and was dropped from the national team.
Several experts have __________________ about the safety of artificial intelligence in military use.
She was devastated by the news, but eventually managed to __________________ it.
If you break the law, you must be prepared to __________________.
In the debate, the student was the only one brave enough to __________________ on the issue of climate change.
The poorest communities will __________________ of the new tax increase.
After reviewing all the evidence, the judge was able to __________________.
We often __________________ our health until we experience a serious illness.
The public expects leaders to be transparent and to __________________ when mistakes are made.

Answer Key:

make a breakthrough
meet expectations
raised concerns
come to terms with
face the consequ
take a stand
bear the brunt
draw a conclusion
take for granted
hold accountable