46
61 Number and frequency
Commenting on how much or how many
These adjectives collocate
strongly with both number and
amount. Try to use them instead
of small or large where
appropriate.
Talking about numbers
minute /main'juit/
enormous
substantial
y
tiny-
NUMBER, AMOUNT
significant
surprising
considerable
collocation
odd/even numbers
a decline/drop in
the number of
an increase/rise in
the number of
come to a total of
birth rate rises/falls
a unit of currency/
measurement
example
51 is an odd number - 50 is an even
number

If someone repeatedly does something that annoys you, you can use the expression keeps
asking, keeps interrupting, keeps hitting, etc. This is common in informal spoken English:
Please don't keep interrupting me when I'm trying to work.
The children keep asking me when we're going to buy a new computer.
Constant and continual also convey the idea of something happening repeatedly:
I couldn't get on with my work today because of constant interruptions - the phone kept
ringing every five minutes.
It was a mistake to go on holiday with them. Their continual complaining drove us mad.
Describing graphs and charts
Profits rose sharply/steeply in July, but fell sharply/steeply in September.
There was a dramatic rise/fall in the number of students applying to university this year.
Numbers of mature students have increased steadily/gradually since the 1960s.
The number of crimes committed in the city has remained constant/stable since 2001.
96 English Collocations in Use
Exercises
46.1 Use adjectives from A opposite instead of the underlined words to complete the collocations.
1 I only put a very small amount of chilli in the soup but it was still too hot for some people.
2 There was an extremely large amount of information to read, 5,000 pages, which was far
too much for one person to absorb.
3 We can't ignore the fact that a small but important number of people disagree with the plan.
4 There was an unexpected number of people at the meeting who had never voted in their lives.
5 The government's new budget will mean that a rather large number of people will have to
pay more in taxes. (Give two answers.)
46.2 Choose the correct collocation.
1 17, 29 and 395 are all strange / odd / unequal numbers.
2 Many European countries use the euro as their standard unit of money I value f currency.
3 26, 8 and 192 are all equal I level I even numbers.
4 The bill comes /arrives I gets to a total of 287 dollars.
5 The unemployment rate is falling / decreasing / lowering.
46.3 Use words from the box to complete the news reports. You may use the words more than once.

continue to support research.'
46.4 Write sentences describing the sales figures in the chart. Use all the collocations from D.
Sales of mobile phones
35000
30000
25000
20000
15000
10000
5000
•111IHI..1I
I II 1 1 1 1 I II I I I
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
English Collocations in Use 97
1
Movement and speed
Synonyms of fast
adjective
fast
quick
rapid*
speedy*
swift*
prompt*
brisk
hasty
collocations
car, train, lane, computer, pace
look, glance, answer, decision,
shower, lunch

* these are more formal
Note also these collocations with speed:
This car has a top speed of 180 kilometres per hour, [maximum speedj
He drove at breakneck speed along the motorway and was soon stopped by the police.
(carelessly fast and dangerous]
Slow movement and stopping
It was fascinating to see the winning goal again in slow motion.
We were stuck in slow-moving traffic for an hour on our way to the airport.
After the accident the traffic slowed to a crawl and then finally came to a standstill.
He always does everything in an unhurried manner, (slow; implies slight criticism]
We got up late and had a leisurely breakfast, [done in a relaxed way, without hurrying]
I'm trying to learn the violin, but my progress is painfully slow.
Changes in speed, movement and direction
As it left the city, the train gathered/picked up speed and headed north.
We took a shortcut through a narrow side-street and saved ourselves a 15-minute walk.
Several roads were closed, so we had to make/take a detour, [a different or indirect route]
I lost my balance and fell off my bike.
I lost my footing and fell down the bank into the river.
I tried to steer the conversation away from my terrible exam results, [change the subject]
She took a few steps towards the bus, then changed her mind and decided not to go after al
I turned my bike upside down and tried to repair it.
One of the packages I posted went astray and never arrived, [got lost]
98 English Collocations in Use
Exercises
47.1 Look at A. Choose the correct collocation.
1 Joe gave Lynne a speedy I fast I quick glance to see if she was OK.
2 If you come to a hasty I prompt I brisk decision, it may well be the wrong one.
3 I marked my e-mail as urgent so I hope I get a brisk /prompt / rapid response.
4 The missile attacks provoked a fast I swift I hasty reaction from the other side.
5 There has been a fast J rapid / quick increase in the number of tourists visiting the city

English Collocations in Use 99
Change
Ways of talking about change
Small changes
I made a few adjustments to the gears and my bike works much better now.
We've had to make a slight alteration to our plans for the evening.
We've made a few modifications to the software so that it suits our systems better.
We've decided to adopt a new approach to the parking problem.
I've lost some weight - I need to have some of my clothes altered.
Major changes
It is often much more difficult than you'd expect to break a habit.
The organisation helps alcoholics who want to kick the habit, [informal]
The Internet has revolutionised the way people do research.
Her grandparents converted to Christianity in the last century.
Yoga has the power to transform the way we feel, [make a positive change]
Other collocations with change
collocation
change places/seats
change jobs/schools/
doctors, but move house
NOT change house
change your mind
change the subject
change the beds
change the baby
change your clothes
example
Would you like to change places/seats with me — then you can sit next to
your friend.
Jack is going to change jobs next year so they'll have to move house and