Collocations

Collocations
• Collocations
• Tell me who you go with and I'll tell you who
you are. 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:
examples
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.
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:
Types of Collocation
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.
Collocation Lists
• On this page you can find a few

short lists of 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.
Some common verbs
• Have
• have a bath
have a drink
have a good time
have a haircut
have a holiday
have a problem
have a relationship
have a rest
have lunch
have sympathy
do
• do business
do nothing
do someone a favour
do the cooking
do the housework
do the shopping
do the washing up
do your best
do your hair
do your homework
make
• make a difference
make a mess
make a mistake
make a noise
make an effort
make furniture
make money
make progress
make room
make trouble
take
take a break
take a chance
take a look
take a rest
take a seat
take a taxi
take an exam
take notes
take someone's place
take someone's temperature
break
• break a habit
break a leg
break a promise
break a record
break a window
break someone's heart
break the ice
break the law
break the news to someone
break the rules
catch
• catch a ball
catch a bus
catch a chill
catch a cold
catch a thief
catch fire
catch sight of
catch someone's attention
catch someone's eye
catch the flu
pay
• pay a fine
pay attention
pay by credit card
pay cash
pay interest
pay someone a compliment
pay someone a visit
pay the bill
pay the price
pay your respects
save
• save electricity
save energy
save money
save one's strength
save someone a seat
save someone's life
save something to a disk
save space
save time
save yourself the trouble
keep
• keep a diary
keep a promise
keep a secret
keep an appointment
keep calm
keep control
keep in touch
keep quiet
keep someone's place
keep the change
come
• come close
come complete with
come direct
come early
come first
come into view
come last
come late
come on time
come prepared
come
• come right back
come second
come to a compromise
come to a decision
come to an agreement
come to an end
come to a standstill
come to terms with
come to a total of
come under attack
go
• go abroad
go astray
go bad
go bald
go bankrupt
go blind
go crazy
go dark
go deaf
go fishing
go
go mad
go missing
go on foot
go online
go out of business
go overseas
go quiet
go sailing
go to war
go yellow
get
• get a job
get a shock
get angry
get divorced
get drunk
get frightened
get home
get lost
get married
get nowhere
get
• permission
get pregnant
get ready
get started
get the impression
get the message
get the sack
get upset
get wet
get worried
Miscellaneous
Time
• bang on time
dead on time
early 12th century
free time
from dawn till dusk
great deal of time
late 20th century
make time for
next few days
past few weeks
Miscellaneous
Time
• right on time
run out of time
save time
spare time
spend some time
take your time
tell someone the time
time goes by
time passes
waste time
Business English
• annual turnover
bear in mind
break off negotiations
cease trading
chair a meeting
close a deal
close a meeting
come to the point
dismiss an offer
draw a conclusion
Business English
draw your attention to
launch a new product
lay off staff
go bankrupt
go into partnership
make a loss
make a profit
market forces
sales figures
take on staff
Classifiers
a ball of string
a bar of chocolate
a bottle of water
a bunch of carrots
a cube of sugar
a pack of cards
a pad of paper
Collocations
• 1. I saw a ............... of bees flying over the
churchyard.
2. We need twenty ……………of beer for the
wedding-reception.
3. We were driving along a country road
when we were cut off by a …of sheep.
4. I coudn't find Mary at the concert. It was
just a …………of faces.
5. We were afraid to cross the field because a
………………..of cows chased us.
Collocations
• 6. Her house was immaculate. There
wasn't a ...................... of dust anywhere.
7. This room needs a …………………..of
paint. It hasn't been decorated for years.
8. John is a …………of information. He
knows about every subject under the sun.
9. Mary is a born liar. There is never a
……………… of truth in anything she says.
10. We saw a……………. of whales
swimming off the coast of Gibraltar.

Collocations

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Collocations

Your language will be more natural and more

Be aware of collocations, and try to

• When you learn a new word, write down other

There are several different

• There are several different

Invading that country was an

The doctor ordered him to

Let's give Mr Jones a

The lion started to roar

• The prisoner was hanged for

We had to return home

She placed her keys gently

• On this page you can find a few

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