Collocations:
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
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 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.
Types of Collocation
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)
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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)
(1) adjective + noun addled eggs, blithering idiot, heavy smoker, sheer folly
(2) noun + verb (a) disaster strikes, negotiations collapse, prices fall
(3) verb + noun you commit a crime, you give a lecture, you impose taxes
(4) verb + adverb you deeply meditate, you defend something vigorously
(5) adverb + adjective readily available, perfectly capable, utterly absorbed
a) pure idioms - they are completely opaque and invariable, e.g. red tape
b) figurative idioms - they are slightly variable and have one figurative and one
literal interpretation, e.g. green fingers
c) restricted collocations - they have one figurative and one literal element and there
is an arbitrary combinability restriction on one of the elements with other elements
outside the combination, e.g. dry cow
d) open collocations - they consist of elements which are both used in their literal
sense and they are freely combinable, e.g. thunderous applause.
unforgettable winter moments
good winter holidays
fabulous winter specialities
prominent winter sport dorados
fine winter's day
sunny winter days
Adjectives + "Money"
easy
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He thinks working in marketing is easy money. I think he'll find it's quite a different
story.
bonus, extra
If you complete the project before next Tuesday, there'll be some bonus money.
hard-earned
The best way to feel good about any purchase is if it's been made with hard-earned
money.
government, public, taxpayers'
It's not right to waste taxpayers' money on projects that benefit those who are already
wealthy.
pocket, spending
Would you like a little extra pocket money this weekend?
gas, lunch, petrol, rent, etc
Could you lend me some lunch money today?
prize, grant, scholarship
They won a lot of grant money for their research into DNA.
stolen, dirty, bribe, ransom
I don't want your dirty money!
hush, protection
That gang is demanding protection money from every store on the street. It's scandalous!
pension, retirement
We plan to move to Hawaii with our retirement money.
counterfeit, fake
Established author
Unshakeable belief
Gentle breeze
Insatiable curiosity
Insurmountable difficulty
Strenuous exercise
Nice guy
Invaluable help
Sweeping reform
Deep respect
Close shave
Crisp snow
9. Voluntary work
10. Obey the law
11. Various facets
12. Rural dwellers
13. Money laundering
14. Continue unabated
collective bargaining
Complete ignorance
Vivid illustration
False impression
Overwhelming joy
Pressing matter
Selfish motive
Unsolved mystery
Grand opera
Doubtful origin
Rough outline
Utter perfection
Enormous pressure
Abandoned property
Stubborn stain
Distorted vision
Sharp wit
entirely convinced
consistently successful
utterly (amazed,
successful)
absoluely adore
barely see
bitterly regret
distinctily remember
dramatically increase
eagerly await
fully investigate
heavily rely on
profusely apologize
seriously wonder
soundly sleep
strongly (suggest,
recommend)
thoroughly investigate
completely useless
virtually impossible
fake money
1. Digital divide
2. Waste
management
3. Political parties
4. Real challenges
5. Empower women
6. Silver bullet
7. Do a search
8. Integral part
15. Resources abuse
16. Viable solutions
17. water and
sanitation
18. A compelling
story
19. Broad spectrum
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Some common verbs
Have/do/make
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
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take/break/catch
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
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 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
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
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
pay
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
respectssave
electricity
come/go/get
come complete with
come direct
come early
come first
come into view
come last
come late
come on time
come prepared
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 abroad
go astray
go bad
go bald
go bankrupt
go blind
go crazy
go dark
go deaf
go fishing
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 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
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
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 staffa 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