How to use Oxford Collocation Dictionary book for advanced English learning

Transform your English communication with the Oxford Collocation Dictionary, featuring 9,000+ headwords and over 150,000 natural word combinations used by native speakers daily. This systematic approach helps you master 50+ essential collocations per study session, building vocabulary recognition of 200+ advanced terms monthly while developing intuitive understanding of English word partnerships that elevate your speaking and writing to professional standards.

I. Introduction to Oxford Collocations Dictionary

1. General information

The Oxford Collocation Dictionary provides collocations (word combinations) - pairs of words that commonly go together, helping learners understand natural English expression patterns. The dictionary includes 9,000 words along with extensive common collocations associated with each entry, making it an indispensable tool for serious English students.

2. Targeted learner

PREP recommends the Oxford Collocation Dictionary book for intermediate to advanced English learners who want to achieve native-like fluency. This dictionary works best when you already possess solid grammar foundations and can confidently use basic vocabulary in daily conversations.

Intermediate learners (IELTS 5.0+) gain maximum benefit from systematic collocation study, as they can immediately apply new word combinations in speaking and writing practice. Advanced students use this resource to refine their expression and eliminate non-native patterns that reveal their foreign language background.

Beginners should focus on core grammar and basic vocabulary first before attempting collocation study.

II. Which collocations are included in the Oxford Collocation Dictionary?

The Oxford Collocation Dictionary organizes word combinations into comprehensive categories that reflect authentic English usage patterns:

• Collocation by Strength: The book provides collocations at varying strengths from fairly weak combinations (e.g., "see a movie") to medium-strength partnerships (e.g., "highly intelligent") to strongest and most restricted collocations (e.g., "burning ambition"), covering around 9,000 main words with related collocations.

• Collocations from Real Data: The word combinations derive from 100 million words of the British National Corpus, ensuring that selected collocations have been vetted for common usage to guarantee reliable learning outcomes based on authentic language patterns.

• Collocation by Domain: The dictionary includes the most important collocations in specific fields like law, healthcare, business communication, and topics expressing emotion or relationships, while also covering informal collocations commonly used in spoken language.

• Word Collocation: Exact word combinations that cannot be altered, such as "small fortune" which cannot be changed to "little fortune" although the words are synonyms, requiring precise memorization for natural usage.

• Category Collocation: Words that can be combined with others in conceptual categories or sets, such as time-related words like "three-minute" and "five-minute" that clearly belong together in a temporal category.

III. How to use Oxford Collocations Dictionary & learn collocations effectively

To enhance your collocation bank effectively utilizing the Oxford Collocation Dictionary book, consider 3 strategies below for learning collocations that will accelerate your vocabulary development:

1. Learn by word constituent: 

Specifically, learn fixed phrases corresponding to each verb, noun, or adjective systematically. For example, with the verb "break," learn fixed phrases like "break the news," "break a habit," and "break a record," which helps distinguish differences between phrases and avoid misuse.

2. Learn by vocabulary topic: 

In the Jobs topic, learn common phrases like "do an internship," "acquire experience," "competitive salary," and "promotion opportunity" together as thematic groups. This method not only helps remember phrases longer but also understand proper usage within specific contexts.

3. Mnemonics method: 

Associate new words by creating meaningful connections, making memorization easier through memory techniques that use cues to link something already in the learner's memory with external things they are trying to remember. For example, create a story about your career using phrases learned in the "Jobs" topic and common collocations.

IV. Where to access the Oxford Collocations Dictionary

You can access the Oxford Collocation Dictionary book through various channels to support your English learning journey:

V. Other collocation books for reference

Below are several collocation books with different learning approaches for your reference, offering comprehensive alternatives and supplements to the Oxford Collocation Dictionary:

1. English collocation in use

• Targeted level: This series suits those at intermediate level (5.0+ IELTS) or higher, consisting of two books: Collocation in Use Intermediate and Collocation in Use Advanced.

• Content: Published by Cambridge University Press, these books provide collocations like dictionaries while including exercises and instructions to help users practice collocations fluently through structured learning activities.

2. Understanding Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking and Writing

• Targeted level: This book targets intermediate-level (5.0+ IELTS) learners looking to improve their Lexical Resources score in IELTS Speaking and Writing sections.

• Content: It covers vocabulary and phrases across 16 common IELTS topics, applying Context Exploring methods to help students understand appropriate word and phrase usage according to specific contexts.

The Oxford Collocation Dictionary represents a foundational tool for serious English learners committed to achieving native-like fluency through systematic vocabulary development. Your dedication to mastering English collocations through structured study with this comprehensive resource will transform your language abilities, moving you beyond basic communication toward sophisticated, natural expression that impresses native speakers and achieves your academic or professional goals with confidence and precision.