Communication & Discussion — B2 Essential Words

discuss /dɪˈskʌs/ verb B2 Communication

Meaning: To talk about something with another person, sharing ideas and opinions.

Example: Let's discuss the plan tomorrow.

Another example: The team discussed the problem for an hour.

Collocations: discuss the issue · discuss with · discuss in detail

Synonyms: talk about, debate, consider

Word family: discussion (n)

⚠ Common mistake: Discuss takes a direct object with NO 'about': discuss the plan (never 'discuss about'). The noun takes about: a discussion about the plan.

🗣 In spoken American English: Meetings run on it: 'Let's discuss this offline' moves a topic to a smaller talk.

Register: Neutral — meeting essential.

explain /ɪkˈspleɪn/ verb B2 Communication

Meaning: To make something clear and easy to understand by giving details or reasons.

Example: Can you explain this rule to me?

Another example: The teacher explained the problem slowly.

Collocations: explain to · explain how · explain the reason

Synonyms: clarify, describe, show

Antonyms: confuse

Word family: explanation (n) · explanatory (adj)

⚠ Common mistake: Explain something TO someone (never 'explain me'). Explain HOW/WHY/WHAT + clause is the teaching pattern.

🗣 In spoken American English: 'Let me explain' begins ten thousand helpful (and some not-so-helpful) speeches.

Register: Neutral — classroom and life essential.

argue /ˈɑːrɡjuː/ verb B2 Communication

Meaning: To speak angrily to someone because you disagree; also to give reasons for an opinion in a calm, formal way.

Example: The brothers argue about money every year.

Another example: She argued that the law should change.

Collocations: argue with · argue about · argue that

Synonyms: disagree (stronger: fight), debate, reason

Antonyms: agree, accept

Word family: argument (n) · arguable (adj)

⚠ Common mistake: Two tones: argue WITH someone (conflict) vs argue THAT something is true (essays, law). Know which room you're in.

🗣 In spoken American English: Parents' rule everywhere: 'Stop arguing!' — the kids' version is always the loud one.

Register: Neutral — everyday and academic.

complain /kəmˈpleɪn/ verb B2 Communication

Meaning: To say that you are unhappy or annoyed about something.

Example: Customers complain about the noise.

Another example: He complained to the manager about the bill.

Collocations: complain about · complain to · complain of (formal, illness)

Synonyms: protest, grumble, object

Antonyms: praise, compliment

Word family: complaint (n) · complainer (n)

⚠ Common mistake: Complain ABOUT the problem TO the person in charge. The noun is complaint: file a complaint is the official phrase.

🗣 In spoken American English: Service culture runs on it — polite complaints get results: 'I'd like to complain about…' opens the formal version.

Register: Neutral — service essential.

suggest /səˈdʒest/ verb B2 Communication

Meaning: To offer an idea or plan for someone to consider.

Example: I suggest taking the train instead.

Another example: She suggested a new restaurant for dinner.

Collocations: suggest that · suggest doing · strongly suggest

Synonyms: propose, recommend, offer

Word family: suggestion (n)

⚠ Common mistake: Suggest + -ing (I suggest leaving) or suggest THAT + subject + base verb (I suggest that he leave). Never 'suggest me/to do'.

🗣 In spoken American English: 'Can I suggest something?' is the polite door-opener in meetings everywhere.

Register: Neutral — polite professional staple.

recommend /ˌrekəˈmend/ verb B2 Communication

Meaning: To say that something is good and worth doing, buying, or choosing.

Example: I recommend the seafood pasta here.

Another example: Doctors recommend 30 minutes of daily exercise.

Collocations: recommend that · highly recommend · recommend against

Synonyms: suggest, advise, endorse

Antonyms: warn against

Word family: recommendation (n) · recommended (adj)

⚠ Common mistake: Same grammar family as suggest: recommend + -ing or recommend THAT. In the US, 'recommend me something' is a common learner error — say 'recommend something to me'.

🗣 In spoken American English: Reviews made it the internet's verb: 'Highly recommend!' under every good experience.

Register: Neutral — reviews and advice essential.

mention /ˈmenʃən/ verb B2 Communication

Meaning: To say or write something briefly, without many details.

Example: She mentioned her trip to Denver.

Another example: Did he mention the price?

Collocations: mention that · mention briefly · as mentioned

Synonyms: note, refer to, bring up

Word family: mentioned (adj) · mention (n)

⚠ Common mistake: Mention is BRIEF by nature — long explanations are not mentions. 'Don't mention it' is also the classic reply to thanks.

🗣 In spoken American English: 'As mentioned earlier…' is the email phrase that points back politely.

Register: Neutral — email and conversation staple.

describe /dɪˈskraɪb/ verb B2 Communication

Meaning: To say or write what someone or something is like.

Example: Describe your hometown in three sentences.

Another example: Witnesses described the car to the police.

Collocations: describe as · describe in detail · hard to describe

Synonyms: explain, portray, depict

Word family: description (n) · descriptive (adj)

⚠ Common mistake: Describe + direct object (describe the place) and describe AS for character: described as friendly. Never 'describe about'.

🗣 In spoken American English: Job and dating profiles live on it: 'Describe yourself in one sentence.'

Register: Neutral — school and work essential.

express /ɪkˈspres/ verb B2 Communication

Meaning: To show or communicate a feeling, idea, or opinion through words, art, or actions.

Example: She finds it hard to express her feelings.

Another example: The poem expresses hope beautifully.

Collocations: express yourself · express an opinion · express feelings

Synonyms: communicate, voice, convey

Antonyms: hide, suppress

Word family: expression (n) · expressive (adj)

⚠ Common mistake: Express YOURSELF is the key reflexive phrase. The noun expression also means a face look ('a sad expression') and an idiom ('a common expression').

🗣 In spoken American English: 'Express yourself' is America's advice for feelings, fashion, and essays alike.

Register: Neutral — feelings and writing staple.

debate /dɪˈbeɪt/ noun / verb B2 Communication

Meaning: A formal discussion where people give different opinions about a subject; to take part in such a discussion.

Example: The class held a debate about school uniforms.

Another example: Scientists still debate the cause.

Collocations: hold a debate · debate about · under debate

Synonyms: discussion, argument, controversy

Antonyms: agreement

Word family: debatable (adj) · debater (n)

⚠ Common mistake: A debate is ORGANIZED (sides, turns, rules) — arguing on the street is not a debate. Debate club is a classic US school activity.

🗣 In spoken American English: Election season = debate season: 'the presidential debate' is a national TV event.

Register: Neutral to formal — school and politics.