Collocation

http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/collocations.htm

Collocation

definition: collocation defines a sequence of words or terms that co-occur more often than would be expected by chance. In other words, 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".

Examples

Natural English Unnatural English...the fast train the quick trainfast food quick food

a quick shower a fast showera quick meal a fast meal

1. Adverb + Adjective:

• completely satisfied (NOT downright satisfied)

• 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.

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 -1

have have a bath have a drinkhave a good time have a haircuthave a holiday have a problemhave a relationship have a resthave lunch have sympathy

Collocation Lists -2

dodo business do nothingdo someone a favor do the cookingdo the housework do the shoppingdo the washing up do your bestdo your hair do your homework

Collocation Lists -3

make a difference make a messmake a mistake make a noisemake an effort make furnituremake money make progressmake room make trouble

Collocation Lists -4

take a break take a chancetake a look take a resttake a seat take a taxitake an exam take notestake someone's place take someone's temperature

Collocation Lists -5

catch a ball catch a buscatch a chill catch a coldcatch a thief catch firecatch sight ofcatch someone's attentioncatch someone's eyecatch the flu

Collocation Lists -6

pay a fine pay attentionpay by credit card pay cashpay interestpay someone a complimentpay someone a visit pay the billpay the price pay your respects

Collocation Lists -7

save electricity save energysave money save one's strengthsave someone a seat save someone's lifesave something to a disksave space save timesave yourself the trouble

Collocation Lists -8

keep a diary keep a promisekeep a secret keep an appointmentkeep calm keep controlkeep in touch keep quietkeep someone's placekeep the change