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: Natural English... Unnatural English...

the fast train the quick train fast food quick food a quick shower a quick meal a fast shower 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.

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.

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 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 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 come come close come complete with come direct come early come first come into view 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 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 save save save save save save save save save save save electricity energy money one's strength someone a seat someone's life something to a disk space time yourself the trouble 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 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 keep keep keep keep keep keep keep keep keep keep keep a diary a promise a secret an appointment calm control in touch quiet someone's place the change

go go abroad go astray go bad go bald go bankrupt go blind

get get a job get a shock get angry get divorced get drunk get frightened

come come come come come come come come come come come come come come

last late on time prepared right back second to a compromise to a decision to an agreement to an end to a standstill to terms with to a total of under attack

go go go go go go go go go go go go go go

crazy dark deaf fishing mad missing on foot online out of business overseas quiet sailing to war yellow

get get get get get get get get get get get get get get

home lost married nowhere permission pregnant ready started the impression the message the sack upset wet 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 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 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 a a a a a a

ball of string bar of chocolate bottle of water bunch of carrots cube of sugar pack of cards pad of paper