What is a collocation?
A collocation is a term used to describe common and regular word combinations in English. While these words that go together sound natural to native speakers, students of English often struggle to make sense of them. Fear no more!
You are going to learn 50 collocations to help you on English examinations, at the office, or everyday life while using English to communicate with others. Using collocations demonstrates your deep understanding of the language and culture. When you learn a language, you are immersed in that culture and you naturally learn more about its people.
Usage of collocations by native speakers is both common and predictable. In time, using this book, you too will be able to recognize collocations in texts, conversations with friends and colleagues, and while watching movies or listening to the radio. Study these 50 collocations every day and using collocations will become second nature.
How to study collocations
Learning collocations expands your English vocabulary. Not only can you communicate your ideas and thought more precisely, you can liven up your writing by adding collocations for variety. Vivid writing makes your arguments more compelling and therefore more persuasive. For example, instead of just writing disappointed, write instead bitterly disappointed to make your point finer and create an image in the mind of the reader.
Beyond this book, look for collocations in texts you read and in movies and newscasts. Write down the word combination and add it to a list. When you have a few number, create flash cards using either regular index cards or go to quizlet.com to create your own digital cards. Plus, you can also find other collocations from users there. Review the flash cards and then test yourself. Copy the sentence with the collocation or write your own! When we write down ideas in our own notes, we tend to remember them!
There are thousands of collocations. As your English studies progress, you will no doubt learn more. Make these word combinations a part of your vocabulary and use them naturally. The following 50 collocations are a great start. Get comfortable using these collocations and you will find it easier to learn others.
Types of Collocations
There are seven (7) main types of collocations. Be aware of these patterns and you will be able to readily notice collocations when used.
(1) Adjectives and Nouns: Notice which adjectives typically go with certain nouns.
Ex: best friend, chief complain, main issue
(2) Nouns and Verbs: Notice how certain nouns and verbs are found together.
Ex: The oil industry boomed in south Texas last year. (the industry was strong).
(3) Noun + Noun: Watch for collocations in this pattern – a....of.....
Ex: Luis accepted Roland’s advice with a grain of salt. (hardly accepted it at all!)
(4) Verbs and Expressions with Prepositions: Notice verbs and prepositions go together.
Ex: Myrna fell into despair when she failed her algebra test. (became sad)
(5) Adverbs and Adjectives: Some adjectives have particular adverbs that form collocations.
Ex: It was completely useless to argue with the boss over a pay raise. (worthless)
(6) Verbs and Adverbs: Some verbs have certain adverbs that form collocations.
Ex: The price of gold decreased considerably with a new discovery in Zambia. (the price fell a lot)
(7) Short Phrases with a Specific Word Order: Be aware of these types of combinations.
Ex: Jazmine was head and shoulders above the rest of the class with good grades.