BIENNIO 1 WEEK 7 DOTT SSA WALLIS COLLOCATIONS

BIENNIO 1 WEEK 7 DOTT. SSA WALLIS COLLOCATIONS – ADVERBS AND ADJECTIVES

TOURISM 1. What are the pros and cons of tourism? 2. Have you ever visited a place that has been spoilt by tourism?

MODIFYING GRADABLE AND UNGRADABLE ADJECTIVES Some adjectives are gradable, this means that they can collocate with a variety of adverbs; a bit, a little, quite, really, very, extremely, in order to signify their level. Example It is quite cold today This film is a bit boring His story is extremely interesting

MODIFYING GRADABLE AND UNGRADABLE ADJECTIVES Other adjectives are ungradable, this kind of adjective only collocates with adverbs which have a complete meaning as the adjective is at the “maximum” level. Example It is absolutely freezing today This film is completely stultifying His story is totally fascinating (U. S only, and more common in oral rather than written discourse).

Exceptions Although QUITE is often used with gradable adjectives, as in “she is quite interested in modelling” it can also be used with ungradable adjectives as a way of emphasising, as in “ she is quite stunning”.

FORMAL VERSUS INFORMAL Do you think the following are formal, informal or both? Absolutely, fairly, totally, completely, terribly, dead, really, somewhat, very, pretty, quite, slightly, almost, virtually, rather, a bit, relatively

Are the following sentences correct or not? 1. It is totally obvious that tourism has many drawbacks. 2. It is absolutely important that the local people and the environment are protected. 3. The ecosystem of these islands is very unique. 4. Residents are deeply divided about the expansion of tourism. 5. Some of the islanders have become completely rich as a result of tourism. 6. But many are somewhat furious about what is happening. 7. They have formed an association which is dead opposed to further development.

Some adverbs are used in combination with certain adjectives only. Complete the text by choosing the adverb which collocates with the adjective in bold. Until recently, progress on the tiny African islands of Sao Tome and Principe has been (1)………… slow. For many years, the islands have been (2) …………. dependent on foreign aid. With the discovery of oil, however, life for the 140, 000 inhabitants is about to become (3)……………. different. 1. A, totally B, painfully 2. A, heavily B, bitterly 3. A, highly B, seriously C, absolutely C, most C, utterly

Not all the changes are likely to be (4)………. . beneficial. The islanders are (5)……… attached to their unspoiled beaches and rainforest, and some people worry the islands’ (6)………. . balanced environment will become (7)…………. polluted. The government has drawn up (8)………. . publicised plans on how the new income from the (9) …………… valuable discovery will be spent on improving education and health, for which funds are currently (10)………… inadequate. 4. A, heavily B, entirely C, perfectly 5. A, completely B, seriously C, deeply 6. A, perfectly B, totally C, painfully 7. A, highly B, totally C, heavily 8. A, entirely B, widely C, deeply 9. A, seriously B, heavily C, highly 10. A, terribly B, totally C, heavily

A few residents remain (11)………. . opposed to the development, fearing that the consequences will be (12)…………. disastrous. However, the majority are looking forward to becoming (13) ………… wealthy in the near future. 11. A, bitterly 12. A, painfully 13. A, highly B, painfully B, utterly B, perfectly C, widely C, deeply C, seriously

A few residents remain (11)………. . opposed to the development, fearing that the consequences will be (12)…………. disasterous. However, the majority are looking forward to becoming (13) ………… wealthy in the near future. 11. A, bitterly 12. A, painfully 13. A, highly B, painfully B, utterly B, perfectly C, widely C, deeply C, seriously

Try to complete the following text with an appropriate adverb/adjective collocation. My uncle was (1)…………. . when a restaurant belonging to a well-known global chain opened next door to his. The prices at the new place were (2)………… compared to his. The following week, his restaurant was (3) ……………. as his regular customers went to try the new restaurant. After a couple of weeks, however, he was (4)…………. . when his business started to return. Now both restaurants co-exist happily together. Cautious people tend to choose the chain, knowing that the decor will be (5)………… to others they have visited and that the production line food will be (6) …………. . Others prefer my uncle’s place, as his personal style of decoration is (7)……………. . And his food, based on his family’s secret recipes, is (8)…………. . .

My uncle was absolutely/ completely furious when a restaurant belonging to a well-known global chain opened next door to his. The prices at the new place were pretty/fairly/quite cheap compared to his. The following week, his restaurant was virtually empty. as his regular customers went to try the new restaurant. After a couple of weeks, however, he was rather/pretty pleased when his business started to return. Now both restaurants coexist happily together. Cautious people tend to choose the chain, knowing that the decor will be fairly/quite/pretty similar to others they have visited and that the production line food will be almost/virtually identical. Others prefer my uncle’s place, as his personal style of decoration is quite/slightly/somewhat unusual and his food, based on his family’s secret recipes, is totally unique.

Conclusion They are very difficult but clearly show an advanced level of language. Try to incorporate them into your speaking and written discourse (however, don’t overdo it in your writing – it can sound very emotive – informal). You will make mistakes but don’t worry, I will correct you…