Choose the words that native speakers actually pair together: register and collocations.

At C1, precision means choosing words that fit the context — knowing when "get" is fine and when you need "obtain." It also means using natural word combinations (collocations) instead of literal translations from Spanish.

Why this matters This lesson connects directly to your progress: it covers informal vs. formal register; more register pairs; common advanced collocations. Mastering this content lets you move forward confidently, and reinforces patterns you'll use again later. Take time to review every example before moving to the assessment — repetition is what actually locks knowledge in long-term.

01

What will you be able to do?

The goals of this lesson.

02

Before you start

You already have a wide vocabulary. This lesson teaches register — choosing the right words and collocations for formal versus casual contexts, a skill native speakers apply instinctively.

03

Informal vs. formal register

Many everyday verbs have a more formal equivalent used in writing, presentations, and professional contexts.

Get
A neutral, informal verb meaning to obtain something.
Obtain
A more formal equivalent of 'get', used in professional writing.
Buy
A neutral verb for purchasing something.
Acquire
A formal equivalent of 'buy', often used for companies or assets.
Talk about
An informal way to say 'discuss'.
Address
A formal verb meaning to deal with or discuss a topic, especially a problem.
Find out
An informal phrasal verb meaning to discover information.
Ascertain
A very formal verb meaning to find out or determine something with certainty.

04

More register pairs

Continuing to build your sense of when to shift from casual to formal vocabulary.

Make better
An informal way to say 'improve'.
Enhance
A formal verb meaning to improve the quality of something.

05

Common advanced collocations

These verb + noun combinations are used constantly by fluent speakers — memorizing them as fixed chunks makes your English sound far more natural.

Reach a decision
To arrive at a conclusion, often after discussion.
Draw a conclusion
To form an opinion based on evidence.
Take into account
To consider something when making a decision.
Bear in mind
To remember or consider something.
Play a role
To have an influence or function in something.
Pose a threat
To represent a danger or risk.
Raise a concern
To mention a worry or problem.
Strike a balance
To find a compromise between two things.
Meet a deadline
To finish something by the required time.
Set a precedent
To establish an example that others will follow.
Have a profound impact
To affect something deeply or significantly.
Exercise caution
To be careful, especially in a formal context.

💪 You've completed C1.1! Review this lesson, or continue into C1.2 to keep sharpening your precision.

06

Fill in the Blanks

Usa las pistas para completar cada palabra en inglés. Sin calificar — repite las veces que quieras.

07

Key Points

The essentials of this lesson, summarized.

08

Vocabulary in This Lesson

Key terms to remember.

to get
verb

a neutral, informal verb meaning to obtain something

Extremely versatile and common in speech; in formal writing it is usually replaced by a more precise verb like "obtain" or "acquire".

Informal / neutral

Collocations: get something done, get hold of, get a hold on

Synonyms: obtain, acquire, receive

"Can you get the report to me by Friday?"
Traducciónobtener, conseguir
to obtain
verb

a more formal equivalent of 'get', used in professional writing

Signals a formal or written register; sounds unnatural in casual conversation, where "get" is preferred.

Formal

Collocations: obtain approval, obtain a copy, obtain permission

Synonyms: acquire, secure, procure

"Please obtain approval before proceeding."
Traducciónobtener
to buy
verb

a neutral verb for purchasing something

The everyday, unmarked verb for purchases; contrasts with the more formal "acquire", used for larger or corporate transactions.

Neutral

Collocations: buy something, buy in bulk, buy on credit

Synonyms: purchase, pick up, get

"We need to buy new equipment."
Traduccióncomprar
to acquire
verb

a formal equivalent of 'buy', often used for companies or assets

Common in business and legal contexts, especially for mergers and acquisitions; would sound overly formal for everyday shopping.

Formal / business

Collocations: acquire a company, newly acquired, acquire assets

Synonyms: purchase, take over, obtain

"The firm plans to acquire a smaller competitor."
Traducciónadquirir
to talk about
phrasal verb

an informal way to say 'discuss'

Common in spoken English and casual writing; would be replaced by "address" or "discuss" in a formal report.

Informal

Collocations: talk about it, talk about plans, talk about the issue

Synonyms: discuss, go over, bring up

"Let's talk about the schedule tomorrow."
Traducciónhablar de, hablar sobre
to address
verb

a formal verb meaning to deal with or discuss a topic, especially a problem

Used in professional and academic contexts to sound more deliberate and formal than "talk about".

Formal

Collocations: address the issue, address concerns, fail to address

Synonyms: tackle, deal with, discuss

"The report addresses several key concerns."
Traducciónabordar

09

Build the Sentence

Tap the words in the correct order to form the sentence. Ungraded — repeat as many times as you like.

10

Choose the Correct Verb

Tap the correct verb form to complete each sentence. The other options are conjugations from other tenses — on purpose, so you learn to tell them apart.

Pose threat

Make

Reach decision

Strike balance

Find

12

Assessment

You need at least 80% to unlock the next lesson. You can retake it as many times as you want — your best score is saved.

1. Which option matches: "Reach a decision"?

2. What does this mean: "Make better"?

3. "Set a precedent" — which one is correct?

4. Which option matches: "Have a profound impact"?

5. What does this mean: "Pose a threat"?

6. What does this mean: "Play a role"?

7. "Find out" — which one is correct?

8. Choose the equivalent of: "Buy"

9. Which option matches: "Draw a conclusion"?

10. "Exercise caution" — which one is correct?

Review — Lesson 52 What matches: "Walking down the street, I saw an old friend."?

Review — Lesson 52 What matches: "Working from home, employees save time on commuting."?

13

Summary and next step

You now match your vocabulary to formal or casual contexts. Next lesson: ellipsis and substitution, for avoiding repetition elegantly.

🗣️ Practice out loud

Use the conversational tutor to practice this topic.

Open the tutor

14

Games

Practice this lesson's vocabulary with a word search and flashcards. Ungraded — play as many times as you like.

Word Search

Tap the first and last letter of a hidden word to find it. Los términos de varias palabras van sin espacios en el tablero (ej. "give up" aparece como GIVEUP).

Flashcards

Elige la respuesta correcta. Si aciertas, la tarjeta queda lista por hoy; si fallas, vuelve a aparecer pronto para reforzarla. Tu progreso se guarda en este dispositivo.

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