The key idea
The learner can choose precise, less common words and strong collocations that fit the topic and the register.
What is it for?
Learn to choose precise words and natural word combinations for clear, effective writing.
What you need to know
- Replace general words with precise alternatives when they add useful information.
- Learn words in natural combinations called collocations.
- Choose words with the right positive, neutral or negative meaning.
- Avoid vague words and repeated expressions when a clearer choice exists.
- Keep simple words when they communicate the message better.
- Compare your choices with the A2 to C1 upgrades page.
1. Choose words that carry more information
General words often hide the exact meaning. A precise word tells readers more with fewer words. Choose it when it fits your message. Do not replace every simple word.
- Important can become crucial or pivotal when something strongly affects the result.
- Show can become demonstrate or illustrate when the meaning is clear.
- Problem can become obstacle or drawback when you mean a specific difficulty.
- Keep the original word if the stronger word changes your meaning.
Regular breaks are crucial for tired workers.
Crucial shows that breaks are especially important.
The chart illustrates changes in food costs.
Illustrates describes what the chart helps readers understand.
The main drawback is the long journey.
Drawback identifies one negative feature.
2. Learn words in natural combinations
Some words usually appear together. These combinations are called collocations. Correct combinations make your writing sound natural. Learn the full phrase, not only one word.
- Draw a conclusion means to decide what information shows.
- Pose a threat means to create a possible danger.
- A growing body of evidence means more evidence is becoming available.
- Raise awareness means to help more people notice an issue.
- A marked improvement means a clear, noticeable change for the better.
After comparing the prices, we drew a conclusion.
Draw a conclusion is the natural combination.
Poor lighting poses a threat to road safety.
Pose a threat describes a possible danger.
The new timetable brought a marked improvement.
Marked improvement describes a noticeable positive change.
3. Check the feeling behind each word
Words can describe similar things but give different impressions. Some sound positive, some neutral, and others negative. Choose the feeling that matches your meaning.
- Slim often sounds positive when describing someone's body.
- Skinny can suggest that someone is too thin.
- Determined usually praises a person who continues working towards a goal.
- Stubborn often criticises someone who refuses to change.
- Check the situation before choosing a word with a strong feeling.
Maya is determined to finish her training.
Determined presents her effort positively.
Leo was stubborn and ignored every suggestion.
Stubborn presents his behaviour negatively.
The shop sells slim, comfortable trousers.
Slim describes the shape without suggesting poor health.
4. Remove vague and overused words
Words such as thing, get and a lot of can hide your meaning. Words such as very, really and good can also become repetitive. Replace them when a more exact choice helps.
- Replace thing with the exact object, problem or idea.
- Replace get with receive, become, obtain or understand when suitable.
- Replace a lot of with many, substantial or numerous when suitable.
- Replace good with effective, useful or reliable when these fit.
- Do not remove a simple word just to sound advanced.
The new system improved delivery times.
Improved gives more information than made things better.
We received a detailed report on Monday.
Received gives a clearer meaning than got.
The repair was simple and inexpensive.
Simple words work well when they are exact.
5. Choose words for the reader and purpose
The best word depends on the text. A work report needs clear, precise language. A message to a friend can sound more relaxed. Advanced writing is not a list of difficult words.
- Use precise terms when they help readers understand your point.
- Use familiar words when the meaning is already clear.
- Avoid rare expressions that slow readers down.
- Check the A2 to C1 upgrades page for more examples.
The repair caused a substantial delay in delivery.
Substantial suits a formal report about a serious delay.
The repair took much longer than expected.
This simpler version is clear and natural.
The team demonstrated considerable progress this month.
Demonstrated and considerable suit a work update.
How to do it, step by step
- Identify the exact idea you want to express.
- Replace vague words with precise alternatives when useful.
- Check whether your word combination is natural.
- Check the feeling and formality of each choice.
- Read the sentence again and remove unnecessary difficult words.
Formulas and key language
| Use it for | Example | Another example |
|---|---|---|
| important → crucial / pivotal | Clear instructions are crucial for new staff. | Timing played a pivotal role in the decision. |
| show → demonstrate / illustrate | The results demonstrate a clear improvement. | This example illustrates the main problem. |
| problem → obstacle / drawback | The high price remains a major obstacle. | The main drawback is the limited opening time. |
| draw a conclusion | We drew a conclusion after checking the figures. | The team drew a conclusion from the customer feedback. |
| pose a threat | Unsafe wiring poses a threat to workers. | The damaged roof poses a threat to the building. |
| a growing body of evidence | A growing body of evidence supports the new method. | A growing body of evidence points to better results. |
| raise awareness | The leaflet raises awareness of food waste. | The meeting raised awareness of workplace safety. |
| a marked improvement | The new schedule brought a marked improvement. | There was a marked improvement in delivery times. |
| determined / stubborn | She remained determined to complete the course. | He was stubborn and refused to discuss other options. |
| a substantial amount of / many | The repair required a substantial amount of time. | Many customers requested clearer instructions. |
UK / US: British and American English sometimes use different words. Check the spelling and word choice for your readers. Both varieties use many of the collocations in this lesson.
Level up: Replace basic words (good, very, nice) with stronger ones. See our A2 to C1 upgrades page.
Model text
Before and After: A Workplace Update
Before: General vocabulary
The team had a good result this month. We showed that the new plan worked. There were a lot of problems at first. One thing made the work difficult. People got confused because the instructions were not clear. The team made things better by changing the schedule. The new plan was really good for everyone. It also helped people understand the work. We think the plan is important for future projects.
This version repeats general words. Readers understand the message, but some details remain unclear.
After: Precise vocabulary
The team achieved a substantial improvement this month. The results demonstrate that the revised plan works effectively. Several obstacles appeared during the first week. Unclear instructions caused considerable confusion among staff. The team addressed these problems by adjusting the schedule. This change produced a marked improvement in daily work. What helped most was the clearer division of tasks. Staff members also gained a better understanding of their responsibilities. These results suggest that the revised plan could play a pivotal role in future projects. However, further review is needed before the team draws a final conclusion.
This version uses precise words and natural collocations. It also avoids claiming more than the results show.
Common mistakes
✗ The change made a strong improvement.
✓ The change made a marked improvement.
Marked improvement is the natural combination.
✗ The delay did a threat to safety.
✓ The delay posed a threat to safety.
Pose a threat is the correct collocation.
✗ She is stubborn about finishing her training.
✓ She is determined to finish her training.
Determined praises effort, while stubborn often criticises behaviour.
✗ The report gave awareness of the problem.
✓ The report raised awareness of the problem.
Raise awareness is the natural expression.
✗ The results drew an improvement.
✓ The results showed an improvement.
Show an improvement is natural, while draw an improvement is not.
✗ The evidence poses a conclusion.
✓ The evidence supports a conclusion.
Support a conclusion is natural, while pose a conclusion is not.
Plan it, then check it
Plan
- Write the main idea in simple words first.
- Circle vague or repeated words.
- Choose precise alternatives that fit the meaning and tone.
- Check collocations in a trusted dictionary or learner resource.
- Read the full paragraph to check clarity and flow.
Check
- Does each advanced word express my exact meaning?
- Have I used natural combinations of words?
- Do my words have the right positive or negative feeling?
- Have I removed vague and repeated expressions?
- Can my reader understand the message without extra effort?
Practice
Choose the precise word
Choose the word or phrase that best completes each sentence.
1.Regular safety checks are ___ for preventing serious accidents.
Crucial means extremely important for a result.
2.The chart ___ how food prices changed during the year.
Illustrates means that something explains an idea through an example or picture.
3.The lack of storage space remains a major ___.
An obstacle is something that makes progress difficult.
4.The damaged cable ___ a threat to workplace safety.
Pose a threat is the correct word combination.
5.The new timetable led to a ___ improvement in punctuality.
Marked means clear enough to notice.
6.After reviewing the figures, the manager ___ a conclusion.
Draw a conclusion means to reach a decision from information.
Match the B2 and C1 phrases
Match each general phrase with its more precise alternative.
1.very important
2.show an idea
3.cause danger
4.make people notice an issue
5.a clear improvement
6.decide from the information
Complete the collocations
Complete each phrase with the missing word.
1.After checking the figures, we drew a .
Draw a conclusion is a natural phrase for a decision based on information.
2.The damaged stairs pose a to visitors.
Pose a threat describes a possible danger.
3.The campaign aims to raise of food waste.
Raise awareness means to help people notice an issue.
4.The new system produced a marked .
Marked improvement describes a clear positive change.
5.A growing body of supports the new method.
A growing body of evidence means more supporting information is available.
6.The broken lock poses a to home security.
Threat is the correct noun after poses a.
Correct one small mistake
Change only the word or words needed to make each sentence correct.
1.The new schedule caused a marked progress.
Marked improvement is the natural collocation for a clear positive change.
2.The broken step posed a conclusion to safety.
Pose a threat describes danger, while pose a conclusion is incorrect.
3.The report raised attention of food waste.
Raise awareness is the standard collocation.
4.Mina was stubborn and kept practising every day.
Determined expresses steady effort without the usual negative meaning of stubborn.
5.The results draw a conclusion about the new schedule.
Results can support a conclusion, but they do not draw one.
Now write
Your task
Rewrite this paragraph using more precise words and natural collocations. Keep all six ideas. You may change sentence order if it improves the flow. Original paragraph: Working from home is a good thing for many people. It helps them get more time for their families. There are a lot of problems with this way of working. One problem is that people do not talk to their work friends much. Another thing is that they can feel tired. Some people think working from home is very good, but others do not like it. Your new paragraph should sound suitable for a work report. Do not add facts that the original paragraph does not give.
Word bank
substantial benefitsignificant drawbackcrucialdemonstrateillustrateobstaclemarked improvementraise awarenessmaintain contactwork-life balanceconsiderableeffectivein contrastconsequentlysuggest
Sentence starters
- Working from home offers...
- One significant benefit is...
- However, a key drawback is...
- Reduced contact with colleagues may...
- Another concern is...
- Overall, the available information suggests...