Using collocations will improve your style of written and spoken English, and knowledge of collocations is often tested in examinations such as Cambridge FCE, CAE, CPE and IELTS. Learning correct word combinations will also help you avoid common learner errors.
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)
Here're some more examples and I want you to make your own example for each type and share it with others.
1. adverb + adjective
Invading (to enter forcefully as an enemy) that country was an utterly stupid thing to do.
We entered a richly decorated room.
2. adjective + noun
The doctor ordered him to take regular exercise.
The Titanic sank on its maiden voyage.
3. noun + noun
Let's give Mr Jones a round of applause.
The ceasefire agreement came into effect at 11am.
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.
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.
7. verb + adverb
She placed her keys gently on the table and sat down.
Mary whispered softly in John's ear.
Now, it's your turn. Your examples must be appeared as below,
1. (Adv+adj) Are you fully aware of the implications of your action?
2. (Adj+noun) He was writhing on the ground in excruciating pain.
3. (Noun+noun) Let's give Mr Jones a round of applause.
4. (Noun+verb) The bomb went off when he started the car engine.
5. (Verb+noun) He has been asked to give a presentation about his work.
6. (Verb+expression with preposition)Their behaviour was enough to drive anybody to crime.
7. (Verb+adverb) I vaguely remember that it was growing dark when we left.
Some common verbs are listed below to assist you with the activity.
ReplyDeleteCollocation with have
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
Collocations using do
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
collocations using make
make a mess
make a mistake
make a noise
make an effort
make furniture
make money
make progress
make room
make trouble
collocations using take
take break
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
collocations using 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
collocations using cathch
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
catch the flu
collocations using pay
pay
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
collocations using save
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
Collocations using keep
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
collocations using come
come close
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
collocations using go
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
collocations using get
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 collocations
Time
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
Business
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
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
Good luck then.
Adv+adj
ReplyDeleteHe went there in poor condition.
Adj+noun
the judge asked him to give his wife a regular instollment.
Noun+noun
The policy for retirement age is different from the last time.
noun+verb
It was hot when we decided to go out.
verb+noun
you are having dinner after watching T.V.
VERB+PREPOSITION
On the way back,I want you take in for three days.
verb+adv
You should put baby carefully into the pram.
1) I am going to have a bath before my favorite show starts tonight.
ReplyDelete2) They are still making progress my application.
3)I started having a relathionship with Matthew since last week.
4)I asked my hasband to keep a seacret but he broke a bromise and told one of his co-wokers.
5)Let's get a permision to have a long leave from out bos and go on holiday.
6)How about keeping a diary in English eveyday to improve you writing English.
7)I have watch my weight so I decided to have only a bar of chocolate today.
8)The lighting hit the power line and my room went dark
9) I got married last year and got pregrant last month. However I decided to get divorce with my husband last week then I got really upset. Now I get worried about our child future.
10) Time has been passing quickly since I arrived Brisbane from Japan. Because I do not want to wast time, I want to make time for studying English.
11) One of the biggest bank went bankrupt because it made a loss and annual turn over was high.
1. adverb + adjective
ReplyDeleteAre you fully aware of the implications of your action?
2. adjective + noun
The doctor ordered him to take regular exercise.
3. noun + noun
I'd like to buy 3 bars of soap.
4. noun + verb
The lion started to roar when it heard the dog barking.
5. verb + noun
I always do my homework in the morning
6. verb + expression with preposition
We had to return home because we had run out of money.
7. verb + adverb
He behaved badly so his mun punished him.
1)adverb + adjective
ReplyDeleteIt's totally different of what I heard before.
2)adjective + noun
Do you have any common sence of cooking?
3)noun + noun
I lost my sense of taste!
4)noun+ verb
The sun was shning last weekend.
5)verb + noun
Can you give me your hand?
6)verb + expression with preposition
He sings always out of tune.
7)verb + adverb
You should wash the dress carefully.
1. Adverb + Adjective
ReplyDeleteSome australian singers are HIGHLY RECOGNISED overseas.
2. Adjective + Noun
Lose weigth takes a LONG TIME.
3. Noun + Noun
The senate aproved the ECONOMIC POLICY to attack the crisis.
4. Noun + Verb
The POLICE was trying TO STOP the trouble makers.
5. Verb + Noun
I saw the bank rob on the BREAKING NEWS.
6. Verb + Expression with preposition
The politician thought that the question was MADE OUT OF PLACE.
7. Verb + Adverb
I SHOOK her hand SOFTLY when I first met her.
1. Adverb + Adjective
ReplyDeleteAre you interested in making money for yourself?
2. Adjective + Noun
He was running around with a pack of cards.
3. Noun + Noun
The nurse was taking temperature of patients.
4. Noun + Verb
He made a mess when mother was away.
5. Verb + Noun
He was asked to come early tomorrow for her birthday.
6. Verb + Expression with preposition
Their artwork will draw your attention as you pass by.
7. Verb + Adverb
I took a break because its getting late.
Hong good job, there are some spelling and grammar issues in your examples though.
ReplyDelete1. totally different from
2.sense
4. shining
5. give me a hand
6. He always sings..
1)I was extramely disappointed with the food in the new chinesse restaurant in the city
ReplyDelete2) My personal trainner ordered to me eat healthy food
3)The coffe machine was broken last night, when the waiter was cleanning it.
4)The doctor puted down my dog because it was very sick.
5)Normally I have a bath every dat at night.
6)I had to finish my presentation because I had run out of time.
7)Mina was running slowly in the last competition in the communwealth games.
Oliver, great job,
ReplyDelete1. Australaian
2. Losing weight
4. Police doesn't need article here.
5. robbery
6.
Octavio,
ReplyDeleteGood job but a few minor issues.
1. spelling extremely, Chinese
2. My persoanl trainer ordered me to eat...
3.The waiter broke the coffee machine while he was cleaning it.
4. put is irregular verb so no " ed" at the end
5.every night
6.I was run out time
7.Commonwealth
1.adverb+adjective
ReplyDeleteHe made a dinner yesterday that taste was quite good.
2.adjective+noun
I had a enjoyable time in our excursion.
3.noun+noun
He bought a bunch of flowers for his wife.
4.noun+verb
Sometimes, my apartment's lift brake down.
5.verb+noun
I make an appointment to see a docter on this Friday.
6.verb+expression with preposition
It was raining so our excursion put off the next week.
7.verb+adverb
My brain works slowly.
1.I visited a richly decorated hotel.
ReplyDelete2.The doctor advised him to take regular exercise.
3.I enjoy a free time.
4.Snow was falling as my plane took off.
5.I always do the housework in the afternoon.
6.we had return to home, because we had run out of money.
7.I touched softly my baby.
Yuki, great work just a few minor issues.
ReplyDelete1. made dinner that its taste was....
5.brakes down
6. we put off the excursion for the next week.
7. I think your brain works quite well. (Joking)
Anne, welcome to our weblog,
ReplyDelete1. nicely decorated is better.
3. no "a" for free time
6. We returned back home because we were run out of money.
7. I touched my baby softly.