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:
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.
Exercise 1.
1 She
an effort to find out as many details about the issue as possible.
2 He is a very interesting person. I would never
the chance to meet him
again.
3 We have already started to
4 It's very important to
5 You should
6 Could you
plans for Christmas.
a good relationship with all our business partners.
a record of all your travel and food expenses on the trip.
a list of all the people we should invite to the conference?
7 We have to work together to
8 I disagree with you.
a solution to the problem.
me two good reasons why we should give him the
job.
9 Excuse me for a moment: I have to
a telephone call.
10 I am sorry, Mr. Green is out at the moment. Would you like to
a message
for him?
Exercise 2. Choose the best answer.
Question 1. In a formal interview, it is essential to maintain good eye
______ with the interviewers.
A. touch
B. contact
C. link
D. connection
Question 2. If we didn't ______ any measures to protect whales, they
would disappear forever.
A. take
B. make
C. do
D. use
Question 3. It is the ______ of stupidity to go walking in the mountains
in this weather.
A. height
B. depth
C. matter
D. source
Question 4. With this type of insurance, you're buying ______ of mind.
A. calmness
B. peace
C. contentment
D. satisfaction
Question 5. Vietnam U23 made not only Asia but also Europe keep a
close eye on them. They ______ internationally.
A. had made headlines
B. did headlines
C. have done headlines
D. have made headlines
Question 6. After congratulating his team, the coach left, allowing the
players to let their ______ down for a while.
A. hair
B. souls
C. hearts
D. heads
Question 7. It was no accident that he broke my glasses. He did it
______ purpose.
A. by
B. with
C. on
D. about
Question 8. Both universities speak ______ of the programme of student
exchange and hope to cooperate more in the future.
A. widely
B. strongly
C. highly
D. largely
Question 9. The players' protests ______ no difference to the referee's
decision at all.
A. caused
B. did
C. made
D. created
Question 10. The works of such men as the English philosophers John
Locke and Thomas Hobbes helped pave the way for academic
freedom in the modern sense.
A. incorporated
B. enhanced
C. prevented
D. terminate
Question 11. Alice said: "That guy is ______ gorgeous. I wish he would
ask me out."
A. jumped-up
B. drop shot
C. dead-centre
D. drop-dead
Question 12. People who take on a second job inevitably ______
themselves to greater stress.
A. place
B. field
C. subject
D. offer
Question 13. I read the contract again and again ______ avoiding
making spelling mistakes.
A. in terms of
B. in view of
C. by means of
D. with a view to
Question 14. My advice is that you get straight to the point in the next
report.
A. If I were you, I would not point out the next report.
B. If I were you, I would go straight to the bush in the next report.
C. If I were you, I would have the next report got started.
D. If I were you, I would not beat around the bush in the next
report.
Question 15. On the whole, the rescue mission was well executed.
A. In fact
B. In general
C. In particular
D. At once
Question 16. My neighbors are really tight with money. They hate
throwing away food, don't eat at restaurant, and always try to find the
best price.
A. to not like spending money
B. to not know the value of money
C. to save as much money as possible
D. to spend money too easily
Question 17. We were all in a ______ mood because the weather was
good and we were going on holiday the next day.
A. good
B. excellent
C. well
D. bad
Question 18. Please don't ______ a word of this to anyone else, it's
highly confidential.
A. mutter
B. pass
C. speak
D. breathe
Question 19. Could you ______ _ me a lift into town?
A. get
B. make
C. do
D. give
Question 20. The party leader travelled the length and ______ of the
country in an attempt to spread his message.
A. width
B. diameter
C. distance
D. breadth