EnglishVocabularyEnglish Collocations
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English Collocations
Collocations are very common in English, and learning them is important. A collocation is two or more
words that often go together, like "hard work" or "make a mistake". Collocations sound "right" or "natural"
to native speakers, so the more collocations you know and use, the more natural your English will sound.
The "father" of collocation is usually considered to be J.R. Firth, a British linguist who passed away in 1960.
It was he that first used the term "collocation" in its linguistic sense.
An easy way to remember the meaning of collocation: think of "co-" (together) and "location" (place) = place
together, locate together, go together
Some definitions:
to collocate (verb): to appear with another word more frequently than by chance - The word "white"
collocates with "coffee".
collocation (noun): the combination of two or more words more frequently than by chance
a collocation (noun): an example of collocation - "White coffee" is a collocation.
Note also (non-linguistic senses):
collocate (verb): place side by side or in relation
collocation (noun): the action of placing things side by side or in position
colocate/co-locate (verb): share a location or facility with someone or something
Here are a number of common collocations in English:
make the bed - I need to make the bed everyday.
do the homework - My son does his homework after dinner.
take a risk - Some people don't take enough risks in life.
give someone advice - The teacher gave us some advice on taking tests.
What are Collocations?
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It is important to learn collocations, because they are important for the naturalization of one’s speech.
Besides, they broaden one’s scope for expression. Collocation refers to how words go together or form
fixed relationships. A collocation is made up of two or more words that are commonly used together in
English. It is a combination of words that are usually used together; other combinations that may mean the
same thing would seem ‘unnatural’. Collocations include noun phrases like ‘stiff wind’ and ‘weapons of
mass destruction’, phrasal verbs such as ‘to get together’ and other stock phrases such as ‘the rich and
famous’
There are different kinds of collocations in English. Collocations may be strong or weak. Strong
collocations are where the link between the two words is quite fixed and restricted. Strong collocations are
word pairings that are expected to come together. Good collocation examples of this type of word pairing
are combinations with 'make' and 'do'. You make a cup of tea, but do your homework. are where a word
can collocate with many other words. Collocations are very common in business settings when certain
nouns are routinely combined with certain verbs or adjectives. For example, draw up a contract, set a price,
conduct negotiations, etc.
In short, A collocation is two or more words that often go together. On the other hand, other
combinations may be unnatural and just sound "wrong".
Look at these examples:
Natural English Unnatural English
the fast train the quick train
fast food quick food
a quick shower a fast shower
a quick meal a fast meal
Why learn collocations?
Your language will be more regular and more effortlessly understood.
You will have alternative and richer ways of expressing yourself.
It is easier for our brains to remember and use language in chunks or blocks rather than as single
words.
Examples of Collocations
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Here is a list of collocations to help get started:
Collocations starting with the verb ‘do’
o Do me a favour
o Do the cooking
o Do the housework
o Do the shopping
o Do the washing up
o Do your best
o Do your hair
o Do business
o Do nothing
o Do your best
o Do your hair
Collocations with the verb ‘have’
o Have a good time
o Have a bath
o Have a drink
o Have a haircut
o Have a holiday
o Have a problem
o Have a relationship
o Have lunch
o Have sympathy
Collocations with the verb ‘break’
o Break the law
o Break a leg
o Break a promise
o Break a record
o Break someone's heart
o Break the ice
o Break the news to someone
o Break the rules
Collocations with the verb ‘take’
o Take a break
o Take a chance
o Take a look
o Take a rest
o Take a seat
o Take a taxi
o Take an exam
o Take notes
o Take someone's place
Collocations with the verb ‘make’
o Make a difference
o Make a mess
o Make a mistake
o Make a noise
o Make an effort
o Make money
o Make progress
o Make room
o Make trouble
Collocations with the verb ‘catch’
o Catch the bus
o Catch a ball
o Catch a cold
o Catch a thief
o Catch fire
o Catch sight of
o Catch someone's attention
o Catch someone's eye
o Catch the flu
Collocations with the verb ‘pay’
o Pay respect
o Pay a fine
o Pay attention
o Pay by credit card
o Pay cash
o Pay interest
o Pay someone a visit
o Pay the bill
o Pay the price
o Pay your respects
Collocations with the verb ‘keep’
o Keep the change
o Keep a promise
o Keep a secret
o Keep an appointment
o Keep calm
o Keep in touch
o Keep quiet
o Keep someone's place
Collocations with the verb ‘save’
o Save yourself the trouble
o Save electricity
o Save energy
o Save money
o Save someone a seat
o Save someone's life
o Save something to a disk
o Save time
o Save space
Collocations with the verb ‘go’
o Go bald
o Go abroad
o Go astray
o Go bad
o Go bankrupt
o Go blind
o Go crazy
o Go fishing
o Go on foot
o Go yellow
o Go mad
o Go missing
o Go online
o Go out of business
o Go overseas
o Go quiet
o Go sailing
o Go to war
Collocations with the verb ‘come’
o Come under attack
o Come close
o Come direct
o Come early
o Come first
o Come into view
o Come complete with
o Come last
o Come late
o Come on time
o Come prepared
o Come right back
o Come to a decision
o Come to an agreement
o Come to an end
o Come to a standstill
o Come to terms with
o Come to a total of
Collocations with the verb ‘get’
o Get the sack
o Get the message
o Get a life
o Get a job
o Get a shock
o Get angry
o Get divorced
o Get drunk
o Get frightened
o Get home
o Get lost
o Get married
o Get permission
o Get ready
o Get started
o Get the impression
o Get upset
o Get wet
o Get worried
Collocations related to time
o Bang on time
o Dead on time
o Free time
o From dawn till dusk
o Great deal of time
o Early/late 15th century
o Make time for
o Next few days
o Past few weeks
o Right on time
o Run out of time
o Time goes by
o Time passes
o Waste time
o from dawn till dusk
o
o save time
o spare time
o spend some time
o take your time
o tell someone the time
Collocations related to business English
o Annual turnover
o Keep in mind
o Break off negotiations
o Close a deal
o Close a meeting
o Come to the point
o Dismiss an offer
o Draw a conclusion
o Draw your attention to
o Launch a new product
o Go bankrupt
o Go into partnership
o Make a profit/loss
o bear in mind
o cease trading
o chair a meeting
o draw your attention to
o launch a new product
o lay off staff
o sales figures
o take on staff
Classifiers
o a ball of string
o a bar of chocolate
o a bottle of water
o a bunch of carrots
o a cube of sugar
o a pack of cards
o a pad of paper
Types of Collocations
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There are several different types of collocation made from combinations
of verb, noun, adjective etc. Some of the most common types are:
o adverb + adjective: completely satisfied (NOT downright satisfied)
o adjective + noun: excruciating pain (NOT excruciating joy)
o noun + noun: a surge of anger (NOT a rush of anger)
o noun + verb: lions roar (NOT lions shout)
o verb + noun: commit suicide (NOT undertake suicide)
o verb + expression with preposition: burst into tears (NOT blow up in tears)
o verb + adverb: wave frantically (NOT wave feverishly)
There are several different types of collocation. Collocations can be adjective + adverb, noun + noun,
verb + noun and so on. Below you can see seven main types of collocation in sample sentences.
1. adverb + adjective
Invading that country was an utterly stupid thing to do.
We entered a richly decorated room.
Are you fully aware of the implications of your action?
2. adjective + noun
The doctor ordered him to take regular exercise.
The Titanic sank on its maiden voyage.
He was writhing on the ground in excruciating pain.
3. noun + noun
Let's give Mr John a round of applause.
The ceasefire agreement came into effect at 11 am.
I'd like to buy two bars of soap please.
4. noun + verb
The lion started to roar when it heard the dog barking.
Snow was falling as our plane took off.
The bomb went off when he started the car engine.
5. verb + noun
The prisoner was hanged for committing murder.
I always try to do my homework in the morning, after making my bed.
He has been asked to give a presentation about his work.
6. verb + expression with preposition
We had to return home because we had run out of money.
At first her eyes filled with horror, and then she burst into tears.
Their behaviour was enough to drive anybody to crime.
7. verb + adverb
She placed her keys gently on the table and sat down.
Mario whispered softly in Jamie's ear.
I vaguely remember that it was growing dark when we left.
How to learn Collocations
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If we look deeper into collocations, we find that not only do the words "go together" but there is a degree
of predictability in their association. Usually, in any collocation, one word will "call up" another word in the
mind of a native speaker.
How to learn Collocations:
1. Try to recognize collocations when you see or hear them.
2. Treat collocations as single blocks of language. Consider them as individual blocks or chunks,
and learn strongly support, not strongly + support.
3. When you learn a new word, write down other words that collocate with it (remember rightly,
remember vaguely, remember distinctly, remember vividly).
4. Reading is an excellent way to learn vocabulary and collocations in context and naturally.
5. Revise and Practise using new collocations in context as soon as possible after learning them.
6. You could learn collocations by topic (time, number, weather, money, family) or by a particular
word (take action, take a chance, take an exam).
7. You can find information on collocations in specialized dictionaries of collocations.
Collocations Exercise
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Fill in the blanks with appropriate Time and do/make Collocations and
complete the quiz.
1. You'll forget it _________ by.
2. My husband __________ the grocery shopping.
3. What do you do in your __________ time?
4. What do yo__________ u for a living?
5. Can you __________ for me this weekend?
6. They have no time. They work __________ dusk.
7. We couldn't finish because we __________ time
8. Have you __________ your homework yet?
9. The Internet was developed in the __________ century.
10. There have been several burglaries in the __________ weeks.
11. Have you __________ a decision yet?
12. I __________ time, and now doth time waste me.
13. Amber __________ badly in her geography exam.
14. If we take this short cut we'll __________ some time.
15. The children __________ a mess in the kitchen.
16. We are having guests tonight, so please __________ your bed.
17. I only __________ one mistake in my English test.
18. I'd like to ask you to __________ me a favour.
19. He arrived exactly at 11am, __________ on time.
Collocations
What is a collocation?
A collocation is two or more words that often go together. These combinations
just sound "right" to native English speakers, who use them all the time. On
the other hand, other combinations may be unnatural and just sound "wrong".
Look at these examples:
natural English... unnatural English...
the fast train the quick train
fast food quick food
a quick shower a fast shower
a quick meal a fast meal
Why learn collocations?
Your language will be more natural and more easily understood.
You will have alternative and richer ways of expressing yourself.
It is easier for our brains to remember and use language in chunks or
blocks rather than as single words.
How to learn collocations
Be aware of collocations, and try to recognize them when you see or
hear them.
Treat collocations as single blocks of language. Think of them as
individual blocks or chunks, and learn strongly support, not strongly +
support.
When you learn a new word, write down other words that collocate with
it (remember rightly, remember distinctly, remember vaguely, remember
vividly).
Read as much as possible. Reading is an excellent way to learn
vocabulary and collocations in context and naturally.
Revise what you learn regularly. Practise using new collocations in
context as soon as possible after learning them.
Learn collocations in groups that work for you. You could learn them
by topic (time, number, weather, money, family) or by a
particular word(take action, take a chance, take an exam).
You can find information on collocations in any good learner's
dictionary. And you can also find specialized dictionaries of collocations.
Tell me who you go with and I'll tell you who you
areSaying
Types of collocation
There are several different types of collocation made from combinations of
verb, noun, adjective etc. Some of the most common types are:
adverb + adjective: completely satisfied (NOT downright satisfied)
adjective + noun: excruciating pain (NOT excruciating joy)
noun + noun: a surge of anger (NOT a rush of anger)
noun + verb: lions roar (NOT lions shout)
verb + noun: commit suicide (NOT undertake suicide)
verb + expression with preposition: burst into tears (NOT blow up
intears)
verb + adverb: wave frantically (NOT wave feverishly)
Sample Collocations
There are several different types of collocation. Collocations can be adjective
+ adverb, noun + noun, verb + noun and so on. Below you can see seven
main types of collocation in sample sentences.
1. adverb + adjective
Invading that country was an utterly stupid thing to do.
We entered a richly decorated room.
Are you fully aware of the implications of your action?
2. adjective + noun
The doctor ordered him to take regular exercise.
The Titanic sank on its maiden voyage.
He was writhing on the ground in excruciating pain.
3. noun + noun
Let's give Mr Jones a round of applause.
The ceasefire agreement came into effect at 11am.
I'd like to buy two bars of soap please.
4. noun + verb
The lion started to roar when it heard the dog barking.
Snow was falling as our plane took off.
The bomb went off when he started the car engine.
5. verb + noun
The prisoner was hanged for committing murder.
I always try to do my homework in the morning, after making my bed.
He has been asked to give a presentation about his work.
6. verb + expression with preposition
We had to return home because we had run out of money.
At first her eyes filled with horror, and then she burst into tears.
Their behaviour was enough to drive anybody to crime.
7. verb + adverb
She placed her keys gently on the table and sat down.
Mary whispered softly in John's ear.
I vaguely remember that it was growing dark when we left.
