What Are Collocations in English?

Collocations in English are words that naturally go together. These word pairs or groups are common in everyday speech and writing. They help sentences sound more natural and fluent.

If you use correct collocations in English, your speaking and writing will sound more natural. You will also understand native speakers better.

For example:

• Make progress (not “do progress”)
• Take a seat (not “make a seat”)
• Strong tea (not “powerful tea”)

Learning collocations in English means you are not just memorizing words. You are also learning how words fit together in real communication. This will improve both your speaking and writing skills.

Common Types of Collocations in English

Collocations in English can be grouped into different types. Below are some common ones:

Verb + Noun

• Make progress
• Take a seat
• Have a party
• Give a speech
• Do housework
• Take a risk
• Catch a train
• Make an effort
• Have a chat
• Give directions

Adjective + Noun

• Strong tea
• Quick meal
• Heavy traffic
• Great idea
• Bright color
• High speed
• Wealthy person
• Bad habit
• Deep water
• Serious injury

Noun + Noun

• Road accident
• Train station
• Football game
• Rental agreement
• Kitchen door
• Job offer
• Language skills
• Business trip
• Shopping center
• Historical novel

Verb + Adverb

• Speak clearly
• Work late
• Drive slowly
• Study well
• Walk fast
• Think deeply
• Read quietly
• Sleep peacefully
• Run quickly
• Wait calmly

Adverb + Adjective

• Really bad
• Very sleepy
• Extremely excited
• Quite useful
• Very simple
• Rather hard
• Incredibly smart
• Totally new
• Seriously damaged
• Slightly worried

Verb + Preposition

• Look for
• Listen to
• Talk with
• Think of
• Dream about
• Work with
• Depend upon
• Agree on
• Focus on
• Wait at

Noun + Preposition

• Interest in
• Answer to
• Reason for
• Benefit of
• Knowledge about
• Experience with
• Opinion on
• View about
• Need for
• Connection to

Speak English Fluently in 90 Days!

Unlock your potential with Aditya Sir’s transformative English-speaking course. Gain confidence, fluency, and the skills you need to excel. Start your journey today!

Join Now

Collocations in English to Sound More Fluent

Below are useful collocations in English that will help you sound more natural.

Daily Life Collocations

• Take a shower
• Get ready
• Make coffee
• Take a short nap
• Catch a taxi
• Do chores
• Clean the floor
• Answer the phone
• Make the bed

Work and Study Collocations

• Make a report
• Do a project
• Take exams
• Write a letter
• Give a lecture
• Have a discussion
• Work full-time
• Attend a seminar
• Finish a job
• Study hard

Relationships Collocations

• Make new friends
• Have a disagreement
• Get engaged
• Break up with someone
• Learn about someone
• Fall for someone
• Stay in contact
• Spend time together
• Go on a trip
• Meet a stranger

Travel Collocations

• Take a vacation
• Go abroad
• Book a hotel
• Catch a flight
• Explore a city
• Go sightseeing
• Travel alone
• Check in at a hotel
• Apply for a visa
• Rent an apartment

Health and Fitness Collocations

• Do yoga
• Go jogging
• Take vitamins
• Eat fresh food
• Feel better
• Feel dizzy
• Have a fever
• Get an infection
• Stay active
• Gain muscle

Emotions and Feelings Collocations

• Feel relaxed
• Be in high spirits
• Make someone happy
• Have a good feeling
• Feel anxious
• Get annoyed
• Share emotions
• Show kindness
• Be thrilled about
• Be afraid of

Business and Meetings Collocations

• Make a proposal
• Sign a deal
• Give advice
• Hold a discussion
• Negotiate terms
• Meet expectations
• Run a store
• Offer a service
• Close negotiations
• Give a speech

Speak English Fluently in 90 Days!

Unlock your potential with Aditya Sir’s transformative English-speaking course. Gain confidence, fluency, and the skills you need to excel. Start your journey today!

Join Now

Shopping and Money Collocations

• Purchase something
• Spend wisely
• Save for later
• Pay with cash
• Get a bargain
• Visit a store
• Buy online
• Compare prices
• Pay by card
• Earn a salary

Nature and the Environment Collocations

• Take a stroll
• Go trekking
• Enjoy fresh air
• Pick fresh fruits
• Hike a hill
• Look at the moon
• Go fishing
• Grow a plant
• Watch the sunrise
• Conserve water

Time and Dates Collocations

• Have a short break
• Take some rest
• Book an appointment
• Spend quality time
• Forget the time
• Pause for a second
• Arrive early
• Be punctual
• Take a long time
• Miss a meeting

Food and Drink Collocations

• Make lunch
• Cook pasta
• Have a meal
• Eat at a restaurant
• Drink soda
• Order takeout
• Have a quick bite
• Taste a new dish
• Eat fresh food
• Serve a meal

Weather Collocations

• Experience a storm
• Heavy snowfall
• Bright sunshine
• Overcast sky
• Strong breeze
• Chilly weather
• Snow covers the ground
• Clear blue sky
• Mild weather
• Misty morning

Learning English Collocations

• Learn new words
• Join an English class
• Practice speaking daily
• Expand your vocabulary
• Study sentence structure
• Make steady progress
• Become fluent in English
• Listen to English songs
• Read simple English stories
• Write short paragraphs in English

How to Use Collocations

To use collocations in English well:

• Practice often: Try to use them when you talk or write.
• Listen to others: Watch shows, listen to talks, and notice how collocations in English are used.
• Read more: Reading books, news, or blogs will help you find common collocations in English.
• Use helpful tools: Many websites and apps teach collocations in English.
• Be patient: Learning takes time, so don’t give up.

Conclusion

• Learning collocations in English helps you speak more naturally.
• They make your sentences sound more like a native speaker’s.
• If you practice common collocations in English and use them daily, your language skills will improve, and you’ll feel more comfortable when speaking.

FAQ

Q1. What is a collocation?
A collocation is a pair or group of words that people often use together. Some examples are “pay attention”, “fast food”, “make an effort”, and “powerful engine”. Collocations help you choose better words instead of using common words like “very”, “nice”, or “beautiful”. They make your sentences clearer and more natural.

Q2. What are the seven types of collocations?
There are seven types of collocations in English:

• Noun + noun (e.g., “coffee shop”)
• Adjective + noun (e.g., “strong coffee”)
• Noun + verb (e.g., “dogs bark”)
• Verb + noun (e.g., “take a shower”)
• Adverb + adjective (e.g., “deeply sorry”)
• Verb + adverb (e.g., “speak clearly”)
• Verb + preposition (phrasal verb) (e.g., “give up”)

Q3. What are basic collocations in English?
Basic collocations are simple word pairs that people use often. Many common collocations use verbs like “make”, “do”, and “have” with different nouns. For example, “make a decision”, “do homework”, and “have fun” are basic collocations.

Q4. How can I learn collocations in English?
You can learn collocations by:

• Practicing them in sentences: Write and say sentences using collocations. This helps you remember them.
• Listening to native speakers: Pay attention to how native speakers use collocations in daily conversation.
• Reading English texts: Books, articles, and blogs will help you see common collocations in context.
• Using online tools: Many apps and websites teach collocations.