ENGLISH COLLOCATIONS

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.

Look at these examples:

Natural English	Unnatural English
the fast train  fast food	the quick train  quick food
a quick shower           a quick meal	a fast shower  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’
  • Do me a favour
  • Do the cooking
  • Do the housework
  • Do the shopping
  • Do the washing up
  • Do your best
  • Do your hair
  • Do business
  • Do nothing
  • Do your best
  • Do your hair
  Collocations with the verb ‘have’
  • Have a good time
  • Have a bath
  • Have a drink
  • Have a haircut
  • Have a holiday
  • Have a problem
  • Have a relationship
  • Have lunch
  • Have sympathy
  Collocations with the verb ‘break’
  • Break the law
  • Break a leg
  • Break a promise
  • Break a record
  • Break someone's heart
  • Break the ice
  • Break the news to someone
  • Break the rules
  Collocations with the verb ‘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
  Collocations with the verb ‘make’
  • Make a difference
  • Make a mess
  • Make a mistake
  • Make a noise
  • Make an effort
  • Make money
  • Make progress
  • Make room
  • Make trouble
  Collocations with the verb ‘catch’
  • Catch the bus
  • Catch a ball
  • Catch a cold
  • Catch a thief
  • Catch fire
  • Catch sight of
  • Catch someone's attention
  • Catch someone's eye
  • Catch the flu
  Collocations with the verb ‘pay’
  • Pay respect
  • Pay a fine
  • Pay attention
  • Pay by credit card
  • Pay cash
  • Pay interest
  • Pay someone a visit
  • Pay the bill
  • Pay the price
  • Pay your respects
  Collocations with the verb ‘keep’
  • Keep the change
  • Keep a promise
  • Keep a secret
  • Keep an appointment
  • Keep calm
  • Keep in touch
  • Keep quiet
  • Keep someone's place
  Collocations with the verb ‘save’
  • Save yourself the trouble
  • Save electricity
  • Save energy
  • Save money
  • Save someone a seat
  • Save someone's life
  • Save something to a disk
  • Save time
  • Save space
  Collocations with the verb ‘go’
  • Go bald
  • Go abroad
  • Go astray
  • Go bad
  • Go bankrupt
  • Go blind
  • Go crazy
  • Go fishing
  • Go on foot
  • Go yellow
  • Go mad
  • Go missing
  • Go online
  • Go out of business
  • Go overseas
  • Go quiet
  • Go sailing
  • Go to war
  Collocations with the verb ‘come’
  • Come under attack
  • Come close
  • Come direct
  • Come early
  • Come first
  • Come into view
  • Come complete with
  • Come last
  • Come late
  • Come on time
  • Come prepared
  • Come right back
  • 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
  Collocations with the verb ‘get’
  • Get the sack
  • Get the message
  • Get a life
  • Get a job
  • Get a shock
  • Get angry
  • Get divorced
  • Get drunk
  • Get frightened
  • Get home
  • Get lost
  • Get married
  • Get permission
  • Get ready
  • Get started
  • Get the impression
  • Get upset
  • Get wet
  • Get worried
  Collocations related to time
  • Bang on time
  • Dead on time
  • Free time
  • From dawn till dusk
  • Great deal of time
  • Early/late 15th century
  • Make time for
  • Next few days
  • Past few weeks
  • Right on time
  • Run out of time
  • Time goes by
  • Time passes
  • Waste time
  • from dawn till dusk
  • save time
  • spare time
  • spend some time
  • take your time
  • tell someone the time
  Collocations related to business English
  • Annual turnover
  • Keep in mind
  • Break off negotiations
  • Close a deal
  • Close a meeting
  • Come to the point
  • Dismiss an offer
  • Draw a conclusion
  • Draw your attention to
  • Launch a new product
  • Go bankrupt
  • Go into partnership
  • Make a profit/loss
  • bear in mind
  • cease trading
  • chair a meeting 
  • draw your attention to
  • launch a new product
  • lay off staff
  • 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
    
    

    Types of Collocations

    
    
  • 

  • Adverbs and Adjectives

    Adverb + Adjective Collocation Examples
    Examples:
  • Ben and Jane are happily married.
  • You are fully aware that there are serious problems.
  • George was blissfully unaware that he was in danger.
  • It’s deeply competitive and transparent.
  • I’m deeply worried about you.
  • The train system has been deeply affected.
  • I was deeply unhappy.
    

  • Adjectives & Nouns

  • Adjective + Noun Collocation Examples
    Examples:
    • Joe always wears blue or white or some other bright color.
    • We had a brief chat about Iraq but didn’t have time to discuss it properly.
    • Unemployment is a major problem for the government these days.
    • Jake was my big brother and I admired him.
    • His dying was not any big surprise.
    • This audition is a big deal for Joey.
    • The nonprofit shelters often seem like a big improvement.
    • John won big money in Vegas last year.
      

      Nouns & Nouns

      Noun + Noun Collocation Examples
      There are a lot of collocation with pattern a … of …
      Examples:
      • 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.
      • Do you know your exact departure time?
      • We interviewed the head teacher of the local school.
      • Banks get paid retailers each time a debit card is used.
      • Young people have gone away to college and taken desk jobs.
        

        Verbs Collocations

        Verb + Noun (Verb Collocations) Examples
        Examples:
        • They launched the production 1998.
        • The price increase poses a problem for them.
        • The internet has created opportunities for his company.
        • I like to sit down and do the crossword.
        • It’s been a pleasure to do business with you.
        • Did the flood do much damage?
        • I really enjoy doing exercise everyday.
        • In my business, we have to do experiments everyday.
        • She loves to do laundry.
          

          Verbs & Prepositions

          Verb + Preposition Collocation Examples
          Examples:
          • As Bob went on stage to receive his medal you could see his sister swelling with pride.
          • I was filled with horrorwhen I read the newspaper report of the war.
          • When she spilt apple-juice on her new blue skirt the little girl burst into tears.
          • He works for an engineering company.
          • I want to apologize for my mistakes.
          • I must write and thank Mary for the present.
          • A hotel room is being prepared for them.
          • I always ask for an extra tomato sauce on my pizza.
            

            Nouns & Prepositions

            Noun + Preposition Collocation Examples
            Examples:
            • What’s the reason for your unhappiness?
            • Nobody seems to have responsibility for the budget.
            • The police inquiry into the theft continues.
            • His fear of flying made travel difficult.
            • I have only a limited understanding of French.
            • One major disadvantage of the area is the lack of public transport.
            • He was the first to see the possibilities of the plan.
              

              Adjectives & Prepositions

              Adjective + Preposition Collocation Examples
              Examples:
              • The town is famous for its cheese.
              • I’m quite good at English but I’m bad at maths and I’m terrible at physics.
              • You’ll be responsible to the head of the Finance department.
              • Some among us were talented in hunting.
              • They were successful in winning the contract.
              • I don’t feel comfortable in high heels.
              • He’s very experienced in looking after animals.
              • He’s usually quite polite in my presence.
              • My mother is very skilled in dressmaking.
              • https://youtu.be/QNq4H4U1l3g
              • https://7esl.com/english-collocations/
              • We can search for the other collocations in this website below.
              • http://www.ozdic.com/collocation-dictionary