Advanced Vocabulary & Collocations

 are ones that have a positive effect

or help show how to make things better. We often see this in the expression “constructive
criticism,” meaning criticism that’s presented in a kind way in order to help improve
 are ones that are clear and sharp, that
directly communicate the reality of the situation
 are ones that show good insight and
understanding
 are clever and funny
On the negative side, we have:

 , ones that are “sharp” and hurt

others’ feelings
 , ones that communicate very harsh
and intense criticism
 , ones that
communicate strong disrespect in a nasty way
 , ones that are offensive to
common standards of decency, such as talking explicitly about sex.

Sometimes comments are clear, and other times they are , which is the opposite –
cryptic comments are mysterious and hard to understand or interpret.
A is one that produces a reaction in people – this may be positive,
inspiring thought or action, or it may be negative, producing controversy or anger.
Reporters often ask famous people for their opinions on issues, and the celebrity might

(meaning politely say they will not comment). Other times, they might make

an , meaning one that is informal, spontaneous, not planned or

prepared.
We can have an one that is full of energy, emotion, and often

gestures. The opposite would be a , one that is done in quiet voices,

often because we don’t want other people to – accidentally

listen to it.
Let’s turn our attention to conversation. When we’re participating in a conversation, we can say
we’re . If the conversation is intense and we’re really focused

on it, then we’re .

We can have an one that is full of energy, emotion, and often

gestures. The opposite would be a one that is done in quiet voices,

often because we don’t want other people to – accidentally

listen to it.
A is one that holds our interest and we

enjoy paying attention to it. However, if it’s an – one that seems to

continue on forever – we might eventually get tired of it. It’s also unpleasant if one person or one
topic tends to dominate the conversation, meaning control it and take up all the time.
When we’re in a place where we don’t know anyone, we can try to

(start a conversation) with someone new. This will probably be

– friendly and civilized.

Sometimes it’s hard to keep a conversation going with someone we don’t know, and there might
be , meaning a natural pause.
Some people are very uncomfortable in social situations, and these folks might
have , meaning ones that have a lot of unnatural
pauses and awkward moments.
How about the word “speech”? Someone might give an when

receiving an award, a prize, a promotion or new role, etc. There’s also a

when someone is saying goodbye or leaving a place or position.

At a conference or event, the main speech is often called the and the person who

gives it is the . Those things are planned far in advance.

On the other hand, an is given spontaneously. For example, you might

stand up and give an impromptu speech at your friend’s wedding – you hadn’t planned it ahead of
time, but you felt inspired in the moment to address the group.
An is one that uses words very effectively. Someone could also give

an meaning the speaker has a lot of emotion, or

a meaning the speech inspires emotion or action in the

listeners.
Unfortunately, sometimes the speaker is meaning he or she talks too long, and

the speech seems – like it will never end.

Those expressions were referring to more formal speeches, but the word speech is also used to
describe someone’s manner of speaking in general. If someone’s it
means they’re not pronouncing things clearly and it’s hard to understand. Drunk people often have
slurred speech.
Some people are born with a , meaning they
naturally have problems speaking clearly, often the result of some medical issue. Often with therapy,
they can learn to (clearly/understandably).
The verb “speak” collocates with many adverbs, such as:
 , meaning to speak with nice, pleasant, positive
emotions about something. I speak fondly about the dog my family had when I was a child.
 , meaning to speak in a powerful, reliable way, with
authority. My friend is an experienced lawyer, so she can speak authoritatively about the law.
 , meaning you speak with hesitation, maybe because you are
reluctant to share your opinion, or you’re worried about the other person’s reaction.
 , meaning you’re sincere, honest, and serious about the topic.

have a positive effect or help show how to make things

better

are clear and sharp, communicate the reality of the

situation

show good insight/understanding

are clever and funny

are “sharp” and hurt others’ feelings

very harsh and intense criticism

show strong disrespect in a nasty way

are offensive to common standards of decency

mysterious and hard to interpret

produces a reaction in people (positive, negative, or

controversial)

politely say you will not comment

one that’s informal, spontaneous, not prepared

participating in conversation

VERY focused and involved in conversation

full of energy, emotion, gestures

in quiet voices

accidentally listen to it

holds our interest and we enjoy paying attention

seems to continue forever and we get tired of it

control it and take up all the time

start a conversation

friendly and civilized conversation

a natural pause

have a lot of unnatural pauses and awkward moments

given when receiving an award, prize, promotion, etc.

given when saying goodbye or leaving a position

main speech at a conference or event

given spontaneously

uses words very effectively

speaker has a lot of emotion

inspires emotion or action in listeners

talks too long

feels like it will never end (negative connotation)

not pronouncing things clearly

problems speaking clearly due to a medical issue

speak clearly/understandably

with nice, pleasant, positive emotions

in a powerful, reliable way, with authority

speak with reluctance; wait to speak because you’re

nervous

speak sincerely, honestly, seriously

Quiz –
Complete each sentence with a word from the box.

1. Even when my husband's co-workers get together socially, issues from

their job often ____________________ the conversation.

2. He was fired after making racist and ______________ comments

about his co-workers from other countries.

3. I _____________ a conversation with the couple sitting next to me on

the train, and we chatted the whole ride.

4. We had a ______________ conversation on the airplane while

everyone else was sleeping.

5. I'll talk to him later - I don't want to interrupt him while he's

______________ in conversation.

6. In the last part of the movie, the general gives a ______________

speech to his soldiers.

7. I've had a few ________________ conversations lately that have

really sparked some new ideas.

8. John tried to make a ____________ remark to defuse the tense

situations, but nobody laughed.

9. Most of the conference attendees didn't fill out the survey, but a few

made _______________ comments that really showed us how to improve

next year's event.

10. My daughter is a vegetarian and speaks _______________ about the

importance of treating animals well.

11. Nowadays you have to be careful even when making

________________ comments, because someone might film you and post

it online.

12. The staff pressed the manager for details about the upcoming

company reorganization, but she _____________ to comment.

13. Ugh, I hate sitting meetings all day listening to my bosses'

__________________ debates about what to do.

14. When asked, I spoke __________________ about my plans for next

year since I hadn't completely committed to them yet.

15. I still remember that ______________ conversation when my

ex-boyfriend said he no longer had feelings for me, after we’d just moved

in together.

16. My parents always say nice things about me - except for a couple

____________ remarks about how I never could keep my room clean.

Writing Exercises Write at least 100- 150 words for each topic
1. Talk about a time you gave or received constructive criticism.
2. Describe a perceptive comment you recently heard or read.
3. Write about a time someone made a cutting or scathing remark to you. How did you react?
4. The last time you were deep in conversation, who were you talking to and what was the
topic?
5. Have you ever overheard an interesting or funny conversation? What was it about?
6. When you're with your family or friends, what topics tend to dominate the conversation?
7. When's the last time you struck up a conversation with a stranger?
8. If you were invited to be the keynote speaker at an event, what would you speak about?
9. What's the best way to get out of a conversation with someone who's long-winded?
10.What's something you often speak warmly about?