Collocations with DEGREE
- Have you ever wondered whether you should “take,” “make,” or “earn” a degree?
- Do you know the difference between a “high degree” and a “large degree” when describing intensity?
- Are you unsure which prepositions to use when talking about academic qualifications?
Mastering degree collocations is essential for achieving a natural, native-like flow in both academic and professional English. Because the word “degree” functions differently depending on whether you are talking about education, temperature, or the intensity of a situation, learning the words that naturally “cluster” around it will help you avoid awkward translations and boost your CEFR level significantly.
Essential Collocations using DEGREE as a Noun
In modern English, “degree” is almost exclusively used as a noun. It carries three primary meanings: an academic qualification, a unit of measurement, and a level of intensity. Below are the most common ways native speakers pair words with “degree.”
Academic Qualifications (Education)
When discussing university education, the verbs and adjectives you choose determine how professional you sound.
- Earn a degree: She worked two jobs to earn a degree in biochemistry.
- Hold a degree: All applicants must hold a degree in a related field.
- Pursue a degree: He decided to pursue a degree in digital marketing later in life.
- Award/Confer a degree: The university will confer a degree upon the graduates this June.
- Honorary degree: The famous author was given an honorary degree for her services to literature.
- Postgraduate degree: Many students choose to specialize by completing a postgraduate degree.
Extent, Intensity, and Level
This sense of the word describes how much of a quality or emotion is present. It is highly common in business and academic writing.
- A high degree of: This position requires a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
- To a certain degree: I agree with your proposal to a certain degree, but I have some concerns about the budget.
- Varying degrees: The team members responded to the news with varying degrees of enthusiasm.
- A significant degree: There is a significant degree of risk involved in this investment.
- To some degree: Everyone is responsible to some degree for the project’s failure.
Measurement (Temperature and Angles)
In scientific and everyday contexts, “degree” refers to specific measurements.
- Drop/Rise by […] degrees: The temperature is expected to drop by ten degrees overnight.
- A 90-degree angle: Ensure the shelf is fixed at a 90-degree angle to the wall.
- Boiling/Freezing degree: Water reaches its boiling degree at 100 degrees Celsius.
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Earn a degree | Verb + Noun | To complete university studies successfully. |
| High degree of | Adjective + Noun | A large amount of a specific quality (e.g., skill). |
| To some degree | Prepositional Phrase | Partly, but not completely. |
| Hold a degree | Verb + Noun | To possess a specific qualification. |
| Varying degrees | Adjective + Noun | Different levels of something among a group. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Make a degree | Earn/Get a degree |
| A big degree of skill | A high degree of skill |
| By a certain degree (when meaning “partly”) | To a certain degree |
| Take a degree (less common in US) | Do a degree / Pursue a degree |
“When applying for the senior manager role, I knew I needed to demonstrate a high degree of leadership experience. Although I already hold a degree in business administration, I decided to pursue a postgraduate degree to stay competitive. The interview went well, and I felt confident to a certain degree, though I knew the other candidates also possessed varying degrees of expertise.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Degree Collocations
Do I say “degree in” or “degree of”?
You use “degree in” for a subject of study (e.g., a degree in Physics). You use “degree of” to describe the amount of a quality (e.g., a degree of certainty).
Is “take a degree” grammatically incorrect?
It is not incorrect, but it is more common in British English. In global and American English, “get a degree,” “earn a degree,” or “do a degree” are more frequently used in 2024.
What does “by degrees” mean?
“By degrees” is a fixed idiomatic phrase meaning “gradually” or “step by step.” For example: “The situation improved by degrees.”
Can “degree” be used as a verb?
Technically, “degree” can be a verb meaning to grade or mark with degrees, but this is extremely rare and specialized. For English learners and professional communication, always treat “degree” as a noun.
What is the difference between “a degree of” and “a level of”?
They are often interchangeable. however, “degree of” is frequently used with abstract qualities like “honesty,” “accuracy,” or “success,” whereas “level of” is common with measurable scales like “noise” or “difficulty.”
Thank you! I was just wondering about 'confer a degree.' Is that something only universities do, or can individuals 'confer' something too? It seems quite formal.
You're spot on, Sophie! 'Confer a degree' is indeed a formal phrase used almost exclusively from the perspective of an institution (like a university) bestowing a degree. While an individual can 'confer' a title or an honor (meaning to grant or bestow), in the context of academic qualifications, it's the institution that confers the degree.
I'm always looking for ways to boost my CEFR level, and understanding these collocations is definitely a path. This article is very clear and straight to the point!
That's wonderful to hear, Hiroshi! Mastering collocations is indeed a significant step towards achieving higher CEFR levels, as it demonstrates a more sophisticated and natural command of English. Keep up the fantastic effort, and you'll definitely see your fluency improve!
The article mentioned 'a unit of measurement.' Could you give a quick example of a common collocation with 'degree' in that context, beyond just temperature?
Certainly, Maria! Beyond temperature ('degrees Celsius/Fahrenheit'), 'degree' is also used for angles in geometry ('a 90-degree angle') or sometimes even longitude and latitude ('30 degrees North latitude'). The collocations are often numerical adjectives or prepositions like 'at' or 'of'. Excellent question!
This is a lifesaver for someone like me preparing for IELTS! I need to sound natural, and these nuances are exactly what I need to practice. Any tips for remembering which verb goes with 'degree'?
Fantastic that this helps with your IELTS prep, Oliver! A great tip for remembering is to associate the verb with the action: 'earn' = hard work/achievement; 'pursue' = actively studying; 'hold' = currently possessing the qualification. Practice making sentences with each, and you'll solidify them! Good luck with your exam!
I often see 'bachelor's degree' or 'master's degree.' Does the apostrophe 's' imply possession, and is it always necessary?
That's a sharp observation, Ling! Yes, the apostrophe 's' in 'bachelor's degree' and 'master's degree' does imply a type or kind of degree, often linked to the holder. It's conventional and almost always necessary in formal writing and common usage to distinguish these specific academic qualifications from a general 'bachelor' or 'master'.
Awesome content! I always learn something valuable here. This specific topic on 'degree' collocations is fantastic because it's so common in academic and professional settings. Keep it up!
Your enthusiasm is contagious, David! We're so pleased to know our content is hitting the mark for you. Mastering these practical distinctions truly elevates one's English proficiency. Thank you for your continued support and kind words!
I'm still a bit confused about when to use 'degree' in sentences like 'to a high degree of accuracy' versus 'with a high degree of accuracy.' Are both acceptable?
That's a great question, Isabella! Both 'to a high degree of accuracy' and 'with a high degree of accuracy' are acceptable and very commonly used. 'To a high degree' often describes the extent something is done (e.g., 'analyzed to a high degree of accuracy'), while 'with a high degree' often describes the manner or characteristic of something (e.g., 'performed the task with a high degree of accuracy'). They are very close in meaning and often interchangeable!
This article really clarifies why certain phrases feel 'right' and others don't, even if grammatically correct. It's all about natural usage, isn't it? Collocations are a game-changer.
You've hit the nail on the head, Kai! Collocations are absolutely crucial for achieving that natural, native-like fluency. They're not just about correctness, but about sounding authentic. We're delighted to help you make that leap in your English learning journey!
I've noticed that sometimes 'degree' is followed by 'of' even when it's not a unit of measurement. For example, 'to some degree.' Is this related to its intensity meaning?
Excellent observation, Fatima! Yes, 'to some degree' directly relates to 'degree' as a level of intensity or extent. Phrases like 'to some degree,' 'to a high degree,' 'to what degree' all use 'degree' to refer to an amount or level, often abstractly. You've got a great grasp of it!
So, if I want to sound really professional when talking about my education, 'earn a degree' is usually the safest and most formal verb to use, correct?
Precisely, Sofia! 'Earn a degree' is an excellent choice for professionalism, as it conveys effort, accomplishment, and formal recognition. It's widely understood and respected across academic and professional circles. Well done!