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Collocations

The document discusses the linguistic term "collocation" and the disagreement around its definition. It distinguishes between lexical collocations, where a word forms a predictable connection with another word, and grammatical collocations, where a word must be followed by a particular preposition or verb form. Examples are provided of different types of collocations involving adverbs, adjectives, nouns and verbs.

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Emmanuel Anticona
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49 views2 pages

Collocations

The document discusses the linguistic term "collocation" and the disagreement around its definition. It distinguishes between lexical collocations, where a word forms a predictable connection with another word, and grammatical collocations, where a word must be followed by a particular preposition or verb form. Examples are provided of different types of collocations involving adverbs, adjectives, nouns and verbs.

Uploaded by

Emmanuel Anticona
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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COLLOCATIONS

The term "collocation" in its linguistic sense is relatively new (dating from the 1950s) and not all linguists agree on its definition. In fact there is considerable disagreement and even some confusion. Some linguists treat fixed phrases as extended collocations (as far as I'm concerned, not on your life, rather you than me, under the weather, if you've got the time). Others suggest that when a sequence of words is 100% predictable, and allows absolutely no change except possibly in tense, it is not helpful to treat it as a collocation. Such sequences they generally treat as fixed expressions ("prim and proper") or idioms ("kick the bucket").

Lexical and Grammatical Collocations


A distinction may if wished be made between lexical collocations and grammatical collocations. A lexical collocation is a type of construction where a verb, noun, adjective or adverb forms a predictable connection with another word, as in: y y y y Adverb + Adjective: completely satisfied (NOT downright satisfied) Adjective + Noun: excruciating pain (NOT excruciating joy) Noun + Verb: lions roar (NOT lions shout) Verb + Noun: commit suicide (NOT undertake suicide)

A grammatical collocation is a type of construction where for example a verb or adjective must be followed by a particular preposition, or a noun must be followed by a particular form of the verb, as in: y y y Verb + Preposition: depend on (NOT depend of) Adjective + Preposition: afraid of (NOT afraid at) Noun + Particular form of verb: strength to lift it (not strength lifting it)

EXAMPLES 1. adverb + adjective y Invading that country was an utterly stupid thing to do. y We entered a richly decorated room. y Are you fully aware of the implications of your action? 2. adjective + noun y The doctor ordered him to take regular exercise. y The Titanic sank on its maiden voyage. y He was writhing on the ground in excruciating pain. 3. noun + noun y Let's give Mr Jones a round of applause. y The ceasefire agreement came into effect at 11am. y I'd like to buy two bars of soap please. 4. noun + verb y The lion started to roar when it heard the dog barking. y Snow was falling as our plane took off. y The bomb went off when he started the car engine. 5. verb + noun y The prisoner was hanged for committing murder. y I always try to do my homework in the morning, after making my bed. y He has been asked to give a presentation about his work.

6. verb + expressionwithpreposition y We had to return home because we had run out of money. y At first her eyes filled with horror, and then she burst into tears. y Their behaviour was enough to drive anybody to crime. 7. verb + adverb y She placed her keys gently on the table and sat down. y Mary whispered softly in John's ear. y I vaguely remember that it was growing dark when we left.

ADJECTIVE + PREPOSITION
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. absorbed in accomplished in accountablefor (thing) accountableto (person) affectionateto alarmed at aliento anxiousfor applicableto easy of eligiblefor envious of equalto exposedto faithfulto false of familiar with loyalto madwith mindful of moved by/to obedientto obligedto overcomewith/by overwhelmedwith/by

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