Advanced Prepositions & Collocations (C1/C2)
📌 Lesson Contents
🎯 Lesson goal (C1/C2)
At C1/C2 level, mastering prepositions is no longer only about movement or place (e.g. *in, at, on*). It is about handling **fixed collocations** and **formal prepositional phrases** that give your writing and speaking a confident, formal tone. 🚀
🌟 Advanced Fixed Collocations
Collocations are natural word partnerships that native speakers almost always use together. Using the wrong preposition or verb in a collocation makes your English sound unnatural.
| Collocation | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| In accordance with | Following / in line with | The company acted in accordance with the law. |
| Adverse to / Averse to | Against / strongly opposed to | He is averse to taking risks. |
| To be detrimental to | To be harmful to | Stress is detrimental to health. |
⏱️ Prepositional Phrases (Formal)
These expressions often replace simple linking words or common verbs to make your language more formal:
- With a view to + -ing: With the aim of (e.g. *I’m saving money with a view to buying a house*).
- On the grounds that: Because of the fact that (e.g. *He resigned on the grounds that he wasn’t supported*).
- In view of / In light of: Considering (e.g. *In light of recent events, the meeting was cancelled*).
🔗 Dependent prepositions (Verb/Adj + Prep)
Learning these dependent prepositions is vital for the *Use of English (Part 2)* exam task:
- Sympathetic to: (Supportive of / feeling sympathy for) – He is sympathetic to the cause.
- Subject to: (Depending on / affected by) – The plan is subject to approval.
- Conducive to: (Helpful for / encouraging) – A quiet environment is conducive to study.
🚫 Common mistakes to avoid
| C1/C2 mistake ❌ | Correct ✅ |
|---|---|
| With a view to buy. | With a view to buying. (After ‘to’ in this structure we use the -ing form!) |
| Interested on the topic. | Interested in the topic. (Fixed preposition with ‘interested’!) |
| Based on the fact that he said… | On the grounds that he said… (‘Based on’ does not introduce a clause, but ‘On the grounds that’ does!) |
1. Gap Fill & Translation (C1/C2)
Complete the sentences with the correct preposition or expression.
2. Extra: Sentence Builder 🧩
Put the words in order to make the correct sentences!