Degree & Extent — Collocations
The C1 intensifier system — certainty, availability, and popularity, precisely paired. · Pattern: Adverb + Adjective · Level C1
completely satisfied
Totally content; nothing more needed.
Example: Customers are completely satisfied with the service.
⚠️ Not: “fully satisfied (possible — completely is sharper)” — say “completely satisfied”.
perfectly clear
Absolutely easy to understand; no doubt at all.
Example: The instructions are perfectly clear.
⚠️ Not: “completely clear (possible — perfectly clear also means 'honest': let me be perfectly clear)” — say “perfectly clear”.
absolutely certain
Completely sure, without any doubt.
Example: I'm absolutely certain this is the right road.
⚠️ Not: “totally certain (informal)” — say “absolutely certain”.
absolutely essential
Completely necessary.
Example: Sleep is absolutely essential for memory.
⚠️ Not: “very essential (essential already means total)” — say “absolutely essential”.
totally convinced
Completely persuaded that something is true.
Example: I'm totally convinced by her argument.
⚠️ Not: “fully convinced (possible, more formal)” — say “totally convinced”.
entirely possible
Completely possible; it could really happen.
Example: A surprise winner is entirely possible.
⚠️ Not: “fully possible” — say “entirely possible”.
largely unknown
Mostly not known by people.
Example: The singer was largely unknown outside Texas.
⚠️ Not: “mostly unknown (meaning close — largely is the written partner)” — say “largely unknown”.
increasingly popular
Becoming more and more popular over time.
Example: Online courses are increasingly popular.
⚠️ Not: “more popular day by day (meaning, not the collocation)” — say “increasingly popular”.
readily available
Easy to get; available without difficulty.
Example: Fresh water is readily available in the park.
⚠️ Not: “ready available” — say “readily available”.
well aware
Fully conscious of something (often a problem).
Example: Investors are well aware of the risks.
⚠️ Not: “good aware” — say “well aware”.
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