Seminar 4 Multi-Word Units in English

Set expressions
(fixed expressions, idioms)
- the word-groups consisting of two or more words, combination of which is integrated as one unit with specialised non-literal meaning of the whole
E.g. to sleep like a log, Can a leopard change its spots?, to be busy as a bee.

Classification according to the function
Set expressions functioning like nouns
E.g. white elephant, a skeleton in the cupboard, brains trust, dog days
Set expressions functioning like verbs
Special group – phrasal verbs
E.g. the cap fits , to bark up the wrong tree, to keep up with the Jonses; to give up, to make (sth) up, to put (sb) up

Classification according to the function
Set expressions functioning like adjectives. A lot of them are similes - expressions of comparison.
E.g. like a bull in a china shop, as old as the hills, as mad as a hatter
Set expressions functioning like adverbs
E.g. once in a blue moon, time and again, to drink like a fish
Set expressions functioning like interjections
E.g. Bless (one’s) soul!, God bless me!, Hang it (all)!

Phrases, Proverbs, Quotations
Set phrases
E.g. Tell it to the horse marines. His bark is worse than his bite.
Proverbs – wise sayings, often warnings, which have been passed from generation to generation. Their advice will never be out of date (adages).
E.g. It’s no use crying over spilt milk. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
Familiar quotations
E.g. Shakespeare: “Frailty, thy name is woman.”
Caesar: “The die is cast.”

Collocations
Words can usually be combined (collocated) only with certain words.
If we want to master a language properly we should know what words of the language are most likely to occur together – what are the typical collocations.
E. g. the noun rain may be collocated with adjectives: driving, heavy, pouring, soaking, torrential, freezing, intermittent, light, steady.

Classification of collocations
A verb + a noun/pronoun.
E.g. reach a verdict, fly a kite, execute a will, reverse a decision, revoke a licence
These collocations are highly important for polysemantic nouns.
E.g. perform an operation (in a hospital), carry out (conduct) an operation (on the battlefield).
An adjective + a noun.
E.g. warm, warmest (not “hot”), kind, kindest, best (not “good”) regards; a rough estimate; a formidable challenge