So you’ve mastered the basics of collocations—now what? If you’re aiming for more natural, fluent, and professional-sounding English, then stepping into advanced collocations is the next smart move.
In this guide, I’ve compiled 50 advanced English collocations, grouped by category and packed with examples, so you can learn them in context. Whether you’re prepping for IELTS, writing reports, or just leveling up your language game, these will make a real difference.
What Makes a Collocation “Advanced”?
Advanced collocations often include:
- Academic, business, or formal vocabulary
- Less intuitive pairings that sound odd if mixed up
- Common in essays, reports, debates, and professional writing
Examples:
How to Use This List
- Read the collocation aloud
- Note the structure (verb + noun, adjective + noun, etc.)
- Pay attention to the context
- Try writing your own example sentence
List of 50 Advanced English Collocations
Here is the list of 50 advanced collocations in English.
Academic & Formal Writing
Draw a conclusion – to form an opinion or make a decision based on evidence
Establish a connection – to prove or show a relationship between things
Pose a question – to ask or present a question for consideration
Present an argument – to put forward reasons or evidence to support a viewpoint
Reach a consensus – to achieve general agreement among a group
Conduct research – to carry out systematic investigation or study
Raise awareness – to increase public knowledge or understanding about something
Lend support – to provide help, assistance, or backing
Offer insight – to provide understanding or perspective about something
Demonstrate understanding – to show clear comprehension or knowledge
Business & Professional English
Bear responsibility – to accept accountability or be held accountable for something
Reach an agreement – to come to a mutual understanding or compromise
Meet expectations – to fulfill what is anticipated or required
Gain a competitive edge – to obtain an advantage over competitors
Take initiative – to act independently and proactively without being told
Set a precedent – to establish a standard or example for future reference
Deliver results – to produce or achieve desired outcomes
Address an issue – to deal with or tackle a problem
Face a challenge – to confront or deal with a difficult situation
Implement a strategy – to put a plan or method into action
Describing People and Behavior
Hold a grudge – to maintain resentment or anger toward someone for a long time
Bear a resemblance – to look similar to someone or something
Play a role – to have an influence or be a factor in something
Exert control – to use power or influence to manage or dominate
Show appreciation – to express gratitude or recognition
Harbor doubts – to secretly maintain uncertainty or suspicion
Take pride in – to feel satisfaction or pleasure about something
Display courage – to show bravery or fearlessness
Foster trust – to encourage or develop confidence and reliability
Win approval – to gain acceptance or endorsement
Emotions & Reactions
Feel compelled – to feel forced or strongly motivated to do something
Experience discomfort – to feel unease, pain, or awkwardness
Suppress anger – to hold back or control feelings of rage
Express concern – to communicate worry or anxiety about something
Convey emotion – to communicate or show feelings
Nurture hope – to carefully maintain and encourage optimism
Trigger anxiety – to cause or set off feelings of nervousness or worry
Radiate confidence – to project or display self-assurance strongly
Relieve tension – to reduce stress or strain
Instill fear – to cause or create feelings of fear in someone
The dictator’s policies instilled fear in the population.
Nature, Society, and Abstract Concepts
Pose a threat – to present a danger or risk
Cause concern – to create worry or anxiety
Spark controversy – to ignite debate or disagreement
Warrant attention – to deserve or require consideration
Offset the impact – to counterbalance or reduce the effect of something
Yield results – to produce or generate outcomes
Exceed expectations – to surpass what was anticipated
Bridge a gap – to connect or reduce the difference between two things
Tackle inequality – to address or work to solve unfair differences
Trigger a reaction – to cause or provoke a response
Tips to Master Advanced Collocations
- Review regularly: Use flashcards or apps like Anki to review.
- Write them out: Use 5 new collocations in sentences each day.
- Listen for them: Spot these collocations in podcasts, TED Talks, and news reports.
- Mimic natural use: Copy phrases from high-quality sources and use them in your writing.
- Group by context: Learn by topic (business, emotions, education) instead of by word type.
Final Thoughts
Advanced collocations are a small change with a big impact. They help you move from “good English” to great English—the kind that impresses in job interviews, academic papers, and day-to-day conversations.
Pick 5–10 from this list to focus on each week. Use them in writing. Speak them out loud. Before you know it, they’ll be a natural part of your vocabulary.