Grammar and Vocabulary: Context and Collocation
What the Grammar and Vocabulary component tests
The ECCE grammar and vocabulary items test B2 control of English structures and lexis in context. They appear as multiple-choice sentences or short texts and focus on verb tense and aspect, articles, prepositions, conditionals, modals, word forms, collocation, phrasal verbs, and word choice.
Core rules
- Read the whole sentence before choosing; the missing word often depends on a word before or after the gap.
- For tense, find time markers ("by the time", "since", "already") and decide whether the action is finished, ongoing, or repeated.
- For conditionals: if + present -> will; if + past -> would; if + past perfect -> would have.
- For prepositions, learn dependent patterns: depend on, interested in, capable of, apologize for.
- For vocabulary, use collocation: make a decision, heavy rain, strong coffee, take a photo.
- For word formation, identify the part of speech needed (noun, adjective, adverb) and check prefix/suffix.
Worked example
"By the time we ______ the station, the train ______." A) reached / had left B) had reached / left C) reach / leaves D) were reaching / has left Answer: A. "By the time" introduces the later past action ("we reached"), which takes the simple past. The earlier action ("the train leave") takes the past perfect: "had left." B reverses the order; C is present; D mixes past progressive with present perfect and does not fit the sequence.
Traps that cost marks
- Choosing a word that is common but does not collocate ("do a decision").
- Ignoring subject-verb agreement when a phrase separates subject and verb ("The list of items is...").
- Using "would" in the if-clause ("If I would go...").
- Confusing "used to do" with "be used to doing".
- Choosing a false friend or a word with the wrong register.