Unit 9: Communicating

Key Collocations for Communication

Advanced English communication often depends on using the correct collocation. Native speakers naturally combine certain verbs with specific nouns and phrases. In this unit, you focus on communication verbs such as say, speak, talk, and tell, as well as more formal verbs including declare, notify, divulge, disseminate, and impart. These verbs are common in academic writing, journalism, business communication, and formal speech.

Say is usually followed by words or sentences. Speak often focuses on the act of speaking or languages. Talk is more conversational and informal, while tell normally requires an object such as a person.

Placeholder image: A student giving a speech while classmates discuss communication styles and note useful collocations.

Formal communication verbs create a more sophisticated tone. For example, instead of saying “tell everyone,” you can use disseminate information. Instead of “say officially,” you can use declare or state. Expressions such as break the news, talk sense, and get the message across are idiomatic collocations that appear frequently in advanced English.

Exercise 1 – Choose the Correct Verb

Please don’t ______ anyone about the surprise party.
She managed to ______ her ideas clearly during the presentation.
The professor ______ a few words before the ceremony began.
We need to ______ about your future plans.
He refused to ______ why he had resigned.
The journalist promised not to ______ confidential information.
Could you ______ me the time, please?
The manager ______ staff about the changes yesterday.

Exercise 2 – Match the Collocations

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

A	B
1. break	a. ignorance
2. profess	b. information
3. disseminate	c. the news
4. protest	d. your innocence
5. state	e. your goals
6. get	f. a lot of sense
7. talk	g. the message across
8. divulge	h. secrets

Placeholder image: A news reporter announcing important information to a large audience.

Exercise 3 – Rewrite Formally

She told everyone the results.
He said he was innocent.
The school spread the information quickly.
They told us about the delay.
She wouldn’t tell us her sources.
The speaker explained his goals clearly.
He said no when we invited him.
The doctor gave the family bad news.

Exercise 4 – Gap Fill

The lawyer continued to protest his ______.
The company will notify customers ______ the changes.
She talks a lot of ______.
The article disseminated useful ______.
I couldn’t get my message ______.
They broke the ______ gently.
The witness refused to divulge her ______.
The report clearly states the project’s ______.

Exercise 5 – Multiple Choice

Which verb is most formal? a) tell b) divulge c) say
Which collocation is correct? a) speak sense b) tell sense c) talk sense
Which means “officially announce”? a) declare b) chat c) whisper
Which means “communicate knowledge”? a) impart b) protest c) avoid
Which collocation is natural? a) break the news b) cut the news c) tear the news
Which verb usually takes a person object? a) tell b) say c) speak
Which means “refuse publicly”? a) notify b) protest c) state
Which means “spread widely”? a) disseminate b) hide c) erase

Placeholder image: Two colleagues in a business meeting discussing how to communicate effectively.

Exercise 6 – Short Writing

Answer each prompt in one or two complete sentences.

Describe a situation when someone broke bad news to you.
Explain how teachers can impart knowledge effectively.
Write about a time when you could not get your message across.
Describe someone who talks a lot of sense.
Explain why confidential information should not be divulged.
Describe how news spreads on social media.
Explain why formal communication matters in business.
Describe a public declaration you remember hearing about.

Unit 9 Further Practice

Advanced Usage Notes

Formal communication verbs often appear in newspapers, research papers, speeches, and legal contexts. The noun forms are also important. For example, declare becomes declaration, notify becomes notification, and disseminate becomes dissemination. Mastering both verb and noun forms improves writing sophistication.

Placeholder image: Formal press conference where officials declare important decisions and journalists take notes.

Many collocations in this unit involve metaphorical meanings. Break the news does not mean physically breaking anything; it means revealing important information. Similarly, get the message across means communicating effectively. Learning these expressions helps learners sound more natural and fluent.

Exercise 1 – Complete the Noun Forms

declare → ______
notify → ______
disseminate → ______
protest → ______
state → ______
inform → ______
communicate → ______
describe → ______

Exercise 2 – Error Correction

She said me the answer.
He talked French fluently.
The company divulged across the information.
Please tell about your plans.
They declared him guilty of innocence.
The teacher spoke us to remain quiet.
I can’t get across the message to.
She protested for her innocence loudly.

Placeholder image: Student correcting grammar mistakes on a classroom whiteboard.

Exercise 3 – Sentence Transformation

The minister officially announced new policies. (Use declare)
The article spread information rapidly. (Use disseminate)
He said he knew nothing. (Use profess)
She explained the facts clearly. (Use impart)
They informed us about the event. (Use notify)
She refused to reveal her sources. (Use divulge)
The speaker communicated effectively. (Use get the message across)
The doctor told the family the sad news. (Use break the news)

Exercise 4 – Dialogue Completion

Complete each conversation naturally.

A: Did he explain the problem? B: Yes, he ______ his concerns clearly.
A: Did the company tell staff? B: Yes, they officially ______ everyone yesterday.
A: Did she reveal the secret? B: No, she refused to ______ anything.
A: Was his speech effective? B: Yes, he really got the message ______.
A: Did the witness deny it? B: Yes, she protested her ______.
A: Did the teacher share useful ideas? B: Yes, she imparted a lot of ______.
A: Was the information shared widely? B: Yes, it was disseminated very ______.
A: Did the journalist make the story public? B: Yes, she broke the ______ this morning.

Exercise 5 – Collocation Sorting

Place each phrase into the correct category: Formal / Neutral / Informal.

talk sense
declare support
chat about
divulge secrets
break the news
notify customers
talk to friends
disseminate information

Placeholder image: Office workers receiving an official notification email from management.

Exercise 6 – Extended Response

Write about a famous speech that got an important message across.
Explain why governments disseminate public information.
Describe a situation where someone protested their innocence.
Explain why journalists must protect confidential sources.
Describe how teachers can improve classroom communication.
Write about a misunderstanding caused by poor communication.
Explain the difference between formal and informal speech.
Describe a time when you had to notify someone of important news.

Unit 9 Communication Mastery

Communicating Effectively

Strong communication skills involve accuracy, tone, clarity, and collocation awareness. Advanced learners should recognize the subtle differences between similar verbs. For example, notify is more formal than tell, while divulge implies revealing something secret or confidential. Professional communication often depends on choosing the most precise expression.

Placeholder image: International conference where speakers communicate ideas through presentations and discussion.

In public speaking and academic writing, expressions such as state your goals clearly, make a declaration, and disseminate information create a formal and persuasive style. Informal conversation, however, may rely more on phrases such as talk sense or say a word.

Exercise 1 – Synonym Match

declare = ______
divulge = ______
notify = ______
disseminate = ______
impart = ______
protest = ______
speak = ______
talk = ______

Exercise 2 – Fill in the Missing Collocation

He refused to give his ______.
She broke the ______ gently.
The teacher imparted useful ______.
They disseminated the ______ online.
I couldn’t get my message ______.
The politician declared his ______.
She protested her ______.
The report stated its ______ clearly.

Placeholder image: Student presenting a persuasive argument in front of a classroom audience.

Exercise 3 – Formal or Informal?

Write F for formal or I for informal.

talk a lot of sense
divulge confidential details
chat with friends
notify customers
say a word
declare independence
break the news
disseminate information

Exercise 4 – Create Sentences

Write one original sentence for each expression.

declare support
talk sense
break the news
impart wisdom
notify staff
divulge secrets
get the message across
state your goals

Placeholder image: Journalist interviewing a public official after an important declaration.

Exercise 5 – Reading and Response

Read the short situation and answer the questions.

“A company spokesperson declared that customer information had been leaked online. The company immediately notified users and disseminated security advice through email and social media.”

Who made the declaration?
What information was revealed?
How were users informed?
What was disseminated?
Why was quick communication important?
Which collocation sounds most formal?
What could happen if information was hidden?
How should companies communicate in emergencies?

Exercise 6 – Reflection Questions

How can people become better listeners?
Why is tone important in communication?
Describe a time when formal language was necessary.
Why do misunderstandings happen?
How does social media affect communication today?
What makes a speech memorable?
Why is clarity important in professional communication?
How can learners improve spoken English fluency?

English Collocations in Use Advanced Luyện tập: Make and verbs that mean make

English Collocations in Use Advanced