Words that Go Together
Words that are often used together are called “collocations”. Learning such word combinations will help you read and speak more fluently. This month, we look at collocations with the words “cut” and “slice”. By CLARE MAAS
Play and learn: the collocation game
EASY PLUS
1. Cut it out!
This month, we’re cutting out mistakes by taking a look at collocations with the words cut and slice. Read our tips on page 59 and decide whether the words and phrases in the list below collocate with “cut” or “slice”. Then match the collocations to the pictures. We have done the first one for you. When you’ve finished, try the exercise on the opposite page.
Tips cut
We use a sharp object, such as a knife or scissors, to cut something in order to make it smaller or divide it into pieces. We cut a ribbon to mark the opening of a new building. We cut a cake before serving it, or we cut the grass to make it shorter. If your hairdresser makes your hair shorter, you get a haircut.
A paper cut is a wound on your finger made by the sharp edge of a piece of paper. You might also
cut yourself whilst chopping something with a knife or whilst shaving.
The word cut can also be used metaphorically; for example, when shops cut their prices, or when we cut and paste things in electronic documents.
A power cut is a break in the electricity supply. If you cut corners, you do something the easiest or fastest way, even if this is not the best way. If you want to tell someone to stop doing something annoying, you can tell that person to cut it out (ifml.).
slice
To slice something means to “cut it into thin pieces”, such as slicing bread or vegetables.a
slice is a thin piece of something that has been cut, such as a slice of cheese or pizza.
To turn over food you are frying in a pan, you might use a tool with a wide, thin blade, which, in British English, is called a fish slice.
In the bakery, you might also buy a cream slice, a sweet, French pastry like a millefeuille. In tennis or golf, if you slice the ball, you hit it so that it spins.