Collocations

see also Collocations List

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

fast food

the quick train

quick food

a quick shower

a fast shower

a quick meal

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 downrightsatisfied)
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
(NOTblow 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,
aftermaking 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.
Verb collocations

have

have
have
have
have
have
have
have
have
have
have

do

a bath
a drink
a good time
a haircut
a holiday
a problem
a relationship
a rest
lunch
sympathy

take

take
take
take
take
take

do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do

make

business
nothing
someone a favour
the cooking
the housework
the shopping
the washing up
your best
your hair
your homework

break

a
a
a
a
a

break
chance
look
rest
seat

break
break
break
break
break

a
a
a
a
a

make
make
make
make
make
make
make
make
make
make

a difference
a mess
a mistake
a noise
an effort
furniture
money
progress
room
trouble

catch

habit
leg
promise
record
window

catch
catch
catch
catch
catch

a
a
a
a
a

ball
bus
chill
cold
thief

take a taxi
take an exam
take notes
take someone's place
take someone's
temperature

break someone's heart

break the ice
break the law
break the news to
someone
break the rules

catch fire
catch sight of
catch someone's
attention
catch someone's eye
catch the flu

pay

save

keep

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

save electricity
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

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

come

go

get

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

close
complete with
direct
early
first
into view
last
late
on time
prepared
right back
second
to a compromise

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

abroad
astray
bad
bald
bankrupt
blind
crazy
dark
deaf
fishing
mad
missing
on foot

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

a job
a shock
angry
divorced
drunk
frightened
home
lost
married
nowhere
permission
pregnant
ready

come
come
come
come
come
come
come

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

online
out of business
overseas
quiet
sailing
to war
yellow

get
get
get
get
get
get
get

started
the impression
the message
the sack
upset
wet
worried

Miscellaneous collocations

Time

Business English

Classifiers

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

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

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

Urbanizcion la floria mz k lote : 41 referencia : espaldas de l colegio maria

reyna . Prolongacin rio chirinos ..panaderia esquina ala izquiera hay un
parque ..a la derecha ..hay una caminoneta ploma