Collocations

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Notes by Zafarullah

lexical studies.
topic: collocation and collocational
range

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 fast shower a quick shower

a fast meal a quick 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 are

Saying

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 in tears)

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.

On this page you can find a few short lists of common collocations to give you more of
an idea about them. Many good learner's dictionaries show collocations associated with
specific words. There are also dictionaries of collocations, though these are more
difficult to find.

Verb collocations

1. have do make

2. have a bath

3. have a drink

4. have a good time

5. have a haircut

6. have a holiday

7. have a problem

8. have a relationship

9. have a rest

10. have lunch

11. have sympathy

12. do business

13. do nothing

14. do someone a favour

15. do the cooking

16. do the housework

17. do the shopping

18. do the washing up

19. do your best

20. do your hair


21. do your homework

22. make a difference

23. make a mess

24. make a mistake

25. make a noise

26. make an effort

27. make furniture

28. make money

29. make progress

30. make room

31. make trouble

31.take break catch

32. take a break

33. take a chance

34. take a look

35. take a rest

36. take a seat

37. take a taxi

38. take an exam

39. take notes

40. take someone's place

41. take someone's temperature


42. break a habit

43. break a leg

44. break a promise

45. break a record

46. break a window

47. break someone's heart

48. break the ice

49. break the law

50. break the news to someone

51. break the rules

57. catch a ball

58. catch a bus

59. catch a chill

60. catch a cold

61. catch a thief

62. catch fire

63. catch sight of

67. catch someone's attention

68. catch someone's eye

69. catch the flu

70. pay save keep

71. pay a fine

72. pay attention


73. pay by credit card

74. pay cash

75. pay interest

76. pay someone a compliment

77. pay someone a visit

78. pay the bill

79. pay the price

80. pay your respects

81. save electricity

82. save energy

83. save money

84. save one's strength

85. save someone a seat

86. save someone's life

87. save something to a disk

88. save space

89. save time

90. save yourself the trouble

91. keep a diary

92. keep a promise

93. keep a secret

94. keep an appointment

95. keep calm


96. keep control

97. keep in touch

98. keep quiet

99. keep someone's place

100. keep the change

102. come go get

103. come close

104. come complete with

105. come direct

106. come early

107. come first

108. come into view

109. come last

110. come late

111. come on time

112. come prepared

113. come right back

114. come second

115. come to a compromise

116. come to a decision

117. come to an agreement

118. come to an end

119. come to a standstill

120. come to terms with


121. come to a total of

122. come under attack

123. go astray

124. go bad

125. go bald

126. go bankrupt

127. go blind

128. go crazy

129. go dark

130. go deaf

131. go fishing

132. go mad

133. go missing

134. go on foot

135. go online

136. go out of business

137. go overseas

138. go quiet

139. go sailing

140. go to war

141. go yellow get a job

142. get a shock

143. get angry

144. get divorced


145. get drunk

146. get frightened

147. get home

148. get lost

149. get married

150. get nowhere

151. get permission

152. get pregnant

153. get ready

154. get started

154. get the impression

155. get the message

156. get the sack

157. get upset

158. get wet

159. get worried

160. Miscellaneous collocations

161. Time Business English Classifiers

162. bang on time

163. dead on time

164. early 12th century

165. free time

166. from dawn till dusk

167. great deal of time


168. late 20th century

169. make time for

170. next few days

171. past few weeks

172. right on time

173. run out of time

174. save time

175. spare time

177spend some time

178. take your time

179. tell someone the time

180. time goes by

190. time passes

191. waste time annual turnover

192. bear in mind

193. break off negotiations

194. cease trading

195. chair a meeting

196. close a deal

197. close a meeting

198. come to the point

199. dismiss an offer

200. draw a conclusion

201. draw your attention to


202. launch a new product

203. lay off staff

204. go bankrupt

205. go into partnership

206. make a loss

207. make a profit

208. market forces

209. sales figures

210. take on staff a ball of string

211. a bar of chocolate

212. a bottle of water

213. a bunch of carrots

214. a cube of sugar

215. a pack of cards

216. a pad of paper

The End

Best of work

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