7.3 Collocations, Phrasal Verbs, Fixed Phrases & Quantifiers

Common Collocations, Fixed Prepositional Phrases & Quantifiers

In English, words do not combine in isolation according to grammatical rules alone; they combine according to conventional partnerships known as collocations. In TOEIC Bridge Reading Part 1, vocabulary questions frequently test multi-word combinations that native speakers use automatically. For example, while both make and do express action, English speakers make a reservation but do business. Selecting an unnatural verb or preposition instantly marks a sentence as incorrect.

Furthermore, Part 1 assesses your mastery of quantifiers and determiners—words that indicate quantity and strictly depend on whether a noun is countable or uncountable. Learning high-yield collocations, fixed prepositional idioms, and quantifier agreement gives test takers an immediate structural advantage.

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Core Verb-Noun Collocations

Part 1 items regularly ask candidates to choose the correct verb to complete a standard commercial or administrative phrase.

Collocations with Make and Do

The verbs make and do are frequently tested in workplace contexts:

• Make typically denotes creating, producing, deciding, or initiating communication:
  • Make a reservation: Book a seat, room, or table in advance. ("We made a reservation for four at the bistro.")
  • Make a decision: Choose an option or resolve an issue after consideration. ("The committee will make a decision today.")
  • Make a phone call: Dial and speak with someone by telephone. ("He stepped outside to make a phone call.")
  • Make an inquiry / appointment / suggestion: Initiate formal contact or propose an idea.
• Do typically relates to performing routine tasks, work duties, or obligations:
  • Do business: Engage in commercial trade or corporate partnerships. ("Our firm does business with regional retailers.")
  • Do research: Carry out systematic study or investigation. ("The analysts are doing market research.")
  • Do a favor / do maintenance: Perform a helpful task or routine equipment servicing.

Collocations with Take and Give

• Take:
  • Take a break: Pause working to rest or eat. ("Staff take a 15-minute break at 3:00 PM.")
  • Take a seat: Sit down on an available chair. ("Please take a seat in the waiting lounge.")
  • Take a message: Write notes from a telephone caller for an absent coworker. ("May I take a message for Ms. Lee?")
  • Take notes: Record key points during a presentation or meeting.
  • Take effect: Become active, operational, or enforceable. ("The new policy will take effect next month.")
• Give:
  • Give a presentation: Deliver an informative talk or slideshow. ("Dr. Patel will give a presentation on data security.")
  • Give a discount: Offer a price reduction to a customer. ("The vendor gives a 10% discount on bulk purchases.")
  • Give feedback / directions: Provide evaluation or instructions.

Other Essential Professional Collocations

• Place an order: Submit a formal purchase request for merchandise or supplies. ("The manager placed an order for office supplies.")
• Attend a seminar / conference / workshop: Be present at an instructional or professional meeting. Note that attend is transitive and does not take to ("attend a seminar", not "attend to a seminar").
• Meet a deadline: Finish required work on or before the due date. ("The team worked efficiently to meet the deadline.")
• Hold a meeting: Organize and host a formal gathering. ("The directors will hold a meeting tomorrow.")

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Fixed Prepositional Phrases

Many Part 1 sentence completions test prepositional phrases that operate as set adverbial expressions. Replacing the preposition produces an error.

Expressions of Time & Punctuality

• In advance: Beforehand or prior to an event. ("Please register at least two weeks in advance.")
• On time vs. In time:
  • On time means precisely at the scheduled hour, according to the timetable. ("The flight departed on time at 8:00 AM.")
  • In time means early enough before a deadline or start time. ("We arrived in time to set up our materials before the presentation.")

Expressions of Commercial Condition & Status

• On sale vs. For sale:
  • On sale means offered at a discounted promotional price. ("All office chairs are on sale at 20% off.")
  • For sale means available for purchase. ("The property on Maple Street is for sale.")
• At all times: Continuously, without exception. ("Badges must be worn at all times.")
• By mistake: Accidentally or through human error. ("The clerk sent the wrong attachment by mistake.")
• Under construction / Under warranty:
  • Under construction: Currently being built or renovated. ("The lobby is under construction until June.")
  • Under warranty: Protected by a manufacturer guarantee covering repair costs. ("The printer is under warranty, so repairs are free.")
• At your earliest convenience: As promptly as your schedule allows (a polite formal request in emails and letters). ("Please reply at your earliest convenience.")

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Phrasal Verbs: Verb + Particle

A phrasal verb is a verb plus a small word (a particle) such as up, out, on, off, back or in. The two words together have one meaning, often different from the verb alone. ETS's sample Reading test includes an item where four phrasal verbs compete for a blank before the form (pay back, try on, fill out, give away), and only fill out works with a form.

To answer a phrasal-verb item:

1. Find the object or context (the form, the shoes, the meeting).
2. Ask which phrasal verb collocates with that object: you fill out a form, try on shoes and put off a meeting.
3. Read the whole sentence for purpose: Please ____ the form and take it to the counter describes something you do before giving the form to someone.

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Quantifiers & Determiners: Count vs. Non-Count Nouns

Quantifiers specify quantity and obey strict rules based on noun countability:

• Countable Nouns: Entities that can be counted individually and have singular and plural forms (one desk $\rightarrow$ two desks, one report $\rightarrow$ several reports).
• Uncountable (Mass) Nouns: Concepts, materials, or general categories that cannot be counted directly and lack plural forms (information, equipment, furniture, luggage, software, advice).

Quantifier Concordance Rules

Usage Note: A few and a little indicate a small positive amount (some); few and little indicate an insufficient amount (almost none).

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Distractor Analysis on Quantifier Errors

Test items exploit common quantifier confusions:

1. Using much with plural count nouns: Distractors often combine much with countable nouns ("much employees"). Always use many or several with plural count nouns.
2. Using every or each with plural nouns: Every and each must modify a singular count noun and govern a singular verb ("Every employee receives a badge", not "Every employees receive").
3. Adding plural -s to uncountable nouns: Uncountable workplace nouns (equipment, furniture, luggage) never take -s. Distractors like "furnitures" are ungrammatical.

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Realistic Part 1 Illustrated Walkthrough

Test Item:
Although the marketing team experienced unexpected delays, they were able to ______ the deadline for the summer promotional campaign.
(A) make
(B) take
(C) meet
(D) give

Step-by-step diagnostic breakdown:

1. Analyze Context & Collocation: The blank contains a transitive verb governing the direct object "the deadline for the summer promotional campaign".
2. Evaluate the Options:
   • In English collocation, the conventional verb for completing work by a target date is meet a deadline.
   • Make pairs with decision, reservation, or phone call.
   • Take pairs with a break, a seat, or notes.
   • Give pairs with a presentation or a discount.
3. Conclusion: Meet the deadline is the established professional collocation. Option (C) is correct.