Collocations with PRIVILEGE
- Do you ever wonder if you should say “have the privilege to” or “have the privilege of”?
- Are you unsure how to describe social advantages using the word “privilege” naturally?
- Did you know that “privilege” can be used as a verb in professional and academic settings?
Mastering privilege collocations is a vital step for any English learner aiming for fluency. In English, words rarely travel alone; they live in “word partnerships” called collocations. Understanding these pairs helps you move past literal translation and start speaking with the natural rhythm of a native speaker, significantly reducing “Language Anxiety” in professional or social environments.
Essential Collocations using PRIVILEGE as a Noun
In its noun form, “privilege” refers to a special right, advantage, or immunity granted to a particular person or group. This is the most common usage you will encounter in daily life and news media.
Verbs that pair with Privilege
These verbs describe the act of receiving, using, or losing an advantage.
- Have the privilege: “I had the privilege of working with the world’s best surgeons.”
- Enjoy the privilege: “Senior members enjoy the privilege of free club entry.”
- Exercise a privilege: “The president exercised his executive privilege to keep the documents private.”
- Grant a privilege: “The school granted him the privilege of leaving early for sports practice.”
- Abuse a privilege: “If you abuse your privileges, they will be taken away.”
- Revoke a privilege: “The judge decided to revoke his driving privileges after the incident.”
Adjectives that describe Privilege
These adjectives help specify what kind of advantage is being discussed.
- Special privilege: “Diplomats have special privileges when traveling abroad.”
- Rare privilege: “It was a rare privilege to see the solar eclipse from the observatory.”
- Undue privilege: “Critics argue the tax breaks give undue privilege to large corporations.”
- Social/White/Male privilege: “The seminar discussed how social privilege affects career paths.”
- Absolute privilege: “Statements made in Parliament are protected by absolute privilege.”
Common Prepositional Phrases
Using the correct preposition is crucial for sounding like a native speaker.
- The privilege of (+ -ing): “I had the privilege of meeting the Prime Minister.”
- A privilege to (+ verb): “It is a privilege to be here today.”
- Privilege for: “Education should be a right, not a privilege for the wealthy.”
Common Collocations with PRIVILEGE as a Verb
In academic, legal, and sociological contexts, “privilege” is often used as a verb. It means to give a special advantage or priority to one thing over another. This is highly sophisticated English used in 2024 professional discourse.
Contexts for using Privilege as a Verb
- Privilege (something) over (something else): “The current healthcare system privileges private insurance over public health initiatives.”
- Privilege a viewpoint: “The curriculum shouldn’t privilege one culture while ignoring others.”
- Privilege a group: “Tax laws often privilege those who own property.”
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Have the privilege of | Noun + Prep | To have the opportunity to do something special. |
| Abuse a privilege | Verb + Noun | To use an advantage in a bad or dishonest way. |
| Privilege (X) over (Y) | Verb | To treat one thing as more important than another. |
| Grant a privilege | Verb + Noun | To officially give someone a right or advantage. |
| Special privilege | Adj + Noun | An advantage not available to everyone. |
| Revoke a privilege | Verb + Noun | To take away a right or advantage. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| I have the privilege for meeting you. | I have the privilege of meeting you. |
| The boss gave me the privilege to leave. | The boss granted me the privilege of leaving. |
| He uses his privilege in a bad way. | He abuses his privilege. |
| It is my privilege for being here. | It is my privilege to be here. |
Contextual Story
“As the keynote speaker, I felt I had the privilege of addressing a room full of innovators. I reminded them that with their social privilege comes a responsibility to help others. We must ensure that our new technologies don’t privilege certain groups while leaving others behind. If we abuse the privilege of our positions, we lose the trust of the public. It is truly a rare privilege to lead such a talented team toward a fairer future.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Privilege Collocations
Which is correct: “Privilege to” or “Privilege of”?
Both are correct but used differently. Use “privilege to” followed by a base verb (e.g., “a privilege to meet you”). Use “privilege of” followed by a gerund or noun (e.g., “the privilege of meeting you” or “the privilege of your company”).
Can I use “privilege” for everyday things?
Technically yes, but it usually implies something special or formal. For example, “It’s a privilege to use your car” sounds much more formal and grateful than “Thanks for letting me use your car.”
What does it mean to “privilege” one thing over another?
As a verb, it means to give priority or more value to one thing. For example, “The law privileges safety over speed,” meaning safety is considered more important than going fast.
Is “privilege” always a positive word?
Not always. While having a privilege is positive for the individual, collocations like “abuse a privilege” or “undue privilege” carry negative connotations, suggesting unfairness or corruption.
What is the difference between a “right” and a “privilege”?
In English, a “right” is something everyone is entitled to by law (like the right to speak), while a “privilege” is a special benefit that can be taken away (like the privilege of a driving license).
The 'language anxiety' point really resonated with me. Knowing these fixed expressions helps a lot with confidence in professional settings. Any tips for remembering so many collocations?
We're glad that point resonated, Chen! Overcoming 'Language Anxiety' is a key goal of ours. For remembering collocations, try creating flashcards (word + common partners), using them immediately in sentences of your own, or looking for them in English media you consume. Contextual learning is very effective! And remember, consistency is more important than speed.
To all fellow learners, don't be afraid to try using these new collocations in your writing or speaking! That's how we truly master them. This article makes it so much easier to start. Thank you, Translateen.com!
Is 'take advantage of a privilege' a common collocation, or is it more natural to say 'exercise a privilege'? I want to make sure I don't sound clunky.
That's a fantastic point about sounding natural, David! 'Exercise a privilege' is definitely more common and natural when referring to using a right or an official advantage one possesses. 'Take advantage of a privilege' is also grammatically correct, but it can sometimes carry a subtle connotation of exploiting that privilege, or using it perhaps unfairly or to its fullest extent for personal gain. So, for a neutral context, 'exercise' is usually preferred. Well observed!
It's fascinating how 'privilege' can swing between a positive 'advantage' and a potentially negative 'unearned advantage' in different discussions. Understanding the collocations helps clarify which meaning is intended, which is crucial for international learners!
The examples for verbs are great. Could you perhaps give some more examples of adjectives or nouns that commonly pair with 'privilege'? For instance, 'special privilege' vs 'exclusive privilege'?
Of course, Isabelle! Beyond 'special' and 'exclusive,' here are some common collocations: Adjectives: 'undue privilege' (an unfair advantage), 'inherited privilege' (advantage passed down), 'unearned privilege,' 'executive privilege' (specific to a president), 'digital privilege' (access to technology). Nouns: 'the privilege *of access*,' 'the privilege *of membership*,' 'the privilege *of privacy*.' These show how 'privilege' pairs with various concepts to describe specific types of advantages.
I used to think 'privilege' was only a noun. Thanks for showing me its verb form! I'm constantly learning new things about English here. This article has really opened my eyes.
What about 'confer a privilege'? Is that synonymous with 'grant a privilege' or are there subtle differences in context or formality? Great article, by the way!
Another excellent question, Chloe! While 'confer a privilege' and 'grant a privilege' are very similar, 'confer' often implies a more formal, official, or ceremonial bestowal of a right, honor, or advantage. It's frequently used in academic (e.g., 'confer a degree'), legal, or governmental contexts. 'Grant' is more general and can be used in a wider range of situations. So, yes, a subtle difference in formality and context!
This blog is a lifesaver! Every time I read an article, I learn something new that makes me feel more confident. Thank you for making English learning so accessible!
So, if I'm saying 'I was given a special pass,' I could also say 'I was accorded the privilege of a special pass,' right? Or is 'accorded' too formal there?
You're absolutely correct, Kenji! 'I was accorded the privilege of a special pass' is grammatically sound and means essentially the same thing. 'Accorded' does lean towards more formal or official language, often used in legal, academic, or bureaucratic contexts. For everyday conversation, 'given the privilege' or 'had the privilege of a special pass' might sound slightly more natural, but your phrasing is perfectly fine and conveys a respectful tone.
In my language, we often use a direct translation for 'privilege,' but it doesn't always carry the same nuanced meaning. This explanation of 'word partnerships' really highlights why literal translation often fails. Thanks for the clarity!