Collocation Mini-Lessons

Time & Attention

Lesson 49  ·  General Communication

B1 – B2

Register Key

General Casual News Professional Workplace
4 phrases  ·  5 example sentences each  ·  See how each phrase is used across different real-world contexts.

1 take a break
Example Sentences
  • Working without stopping might feel productive, but taking a break actually improves focus.General
  • You've been staring at that screen for hours — just take a break for ten minutes.Casual
  • Doctors are urging workers to take regular breaks to reduce the risk of burnout.News
  • Staff are entitled to take a break of at least thirty minutes during shifts longer than six hours.Professional
  • The team leader reminded workers to take their scheduled break before the next production run.Workplace
2 take notes
Example Sentences
  • Taking notes during a conversation helps you remember the details that matter most.General
  • Are you taking notes, or are you just pretending to look busy?Casual
  • Journalists took notes throughout the press conference, which lasted nearly two hours.News
  • All attendees were advised to take notes during the training session as no materials would be distributed.Professional
  • During the induction, new staff are expected to take notes on all safety-related information.Workplace
3 take time
Example Sentences
  • Good work takes time — the pressure to rush everything is one of the biggest obstacles to quality.General
  • Just take the time to do it properly — it'll save you from having to redo it later.Casual
  • The peace process is taking time, but negotiators remain cautiously optimistic.News
  • Building strong client relationships takes time, but the investment is always worth it.Professional
  • Some tasks take more time than others — factor that into your planning at the start of each shift.Workplace
4 pay attention
Example Sentences
  • Paying attention to the small details is often what separates good work from great work.General
  • Can you please pay attention? I'm only going to explain this once.Casual
  • The report urged citizens to pay attention to official guidance during the emergency period.News
  • Managers should pay attention to early signs of stress or disengagement in their teams.Professional
  • Always pay attention during safety briefings — the information could save your life.Workplace
Bonus

lose track of time