Article 19: English Collocations: Master These 100 Essential Word Combinations
Collocations are combinations of words that naturally occur together in English. These word partnerships sound "right" to native speakers, while other combinations may sound unnatural even if they're grammatically correct. Mastering collocations is essential for achieving fluency and natural-sounding English. This comprehensive guide explores 100 of the most common and useful English collocations, providing clear explanations, example sentences, and practical usage tips to help you incorporate them naturally into your everyday English.
Understanding Collocations in English
Before diving into specific expressions, it's helpful to understand what collocations are and why they matter in language learning.
What Are Collocations?
Collocations are words that frequently appear together and form natural-sounding word combinations. For example, we say "heavy rain" (not "strong rain") and "make a mistake" (not "do a mistake"). While both alternatives might be understood, they would immediately sound unnatural to native speakers.
Key characteristics of collocations include:
- Frequency: These word combinations occur together more often than would happen by chance
- Naturalness: They sound "right" to native speakers
- Predictability: When one word appears, the other is likely to follow
- Cultural embedding: Many collocations reflect cultural concepts and ways of thinking
Types of Collocations
Collocations can be categorized based on the parts of speech involved:
- Verb + Noun: make a decision, take a photo, pay attention
- Adjective + Noun: heavy traffic, strong coffee, major problem
- Noun + Verb: time flies, prices rise, opportunity arises
- Noun + Noun: credit card, traffic jam, phone call
- Adverb + Adjective: completely different, highly successful, utterly ridiculous
- Verb + Adverb: apologize sincerely, argue heatedly, whisper softly
Why Learning Collocations Matters
Mastering collocations is valuable for several reasons:
- Natural expression: Using correct collocations makes your English sound more natural and native-like
- Fluency enhancement: Knowing which words go together helps you speak and write more fluently
- Vocabulary expansion: Learning words in collocations is more effective than learning isolated words
- Comprehension improvement: Understanding common word partnerships aids listening and reading comprehension
- Testing success: Many English proficiency exams assess collocation knowledge
Verb + Noun Collocations
These combinations of verbs and nouns form some of the most common and useful collocations in English.
1. Make a decision
Example: "After considering all options, we need to make a decision by tomorrow."
Usage tip: We "make" decisions, not "do" or "take" them. This collocation is used when choosing between options.
2. Take a photo/picture
Example: "Could you take a photo of us in front of the monument?"
Usage tip: In English, we "take" photos or pictures, not "make" them (though this is common in some other languages).
3. Do homework
Example: "The students need to do their homework before the next class."
Usage tip: Homework is "done," not "made." This applies to many types of assignments.
4. Pay attention
Example: "Please pay attention to the safety instructions."
Usage tip: We "pay" attention, not "give" or "make" it. This collocation implies focused concentration.
5. Make a mistake
Example: "Everyone makes mistakes when learning a new language."
Usage tip: Mistakes are "made," not "done." This collocation is used for errors of any kind.
6. Have a conversation
Example: "We had a long conversation about our future plans."
Usage tip: Conversations are "had," not "made" or "done." This collocation describes verbal exchanges.
7. Give advice
Example: "My mentor gave me valuable advice about my career."
Usage tip: Advice is "given," not "made." Note that "advice" is uncountable in English.
8. Take a break
Example: "After working for three hours straight, I need to take a break."
Usage tip: Breaks are "taken," not "made" or "had." This collocation describes pausing an activity.
9. Make an effort
Example: "He made a real effort to improve his pronunciation."
Usage tip: Efforts are "made," not "done." This collocation implies trying hard to accomplish something.
10. Keep a secret
Example: "Can you keep a secret? I'm planning a surprise party."
Usage tip: Secrets are "kept," not "held" or "maintained." This collocation implies not revealing information.
11. Set a goal
Example: "It's important to set realistic goals for language learning."
Usage tip: Goals are "set," not "put" or "place." This collocation is used for establishing objectives.
12. Save time
Example: "Using this app will save you time when organizing your schedule."
Usage tip: Time is "saved," not "kept" or "stored." This collocation implies efficiency.
13. Catch a cold
Example: "She caught a cold after getting wet in the rain."
Usage tip: Colds are "caught," not "got" or "received." This collocation is used for becoming ill.
14. Make progress
Example: "You've made significant progress in your English studies."
Usage tip: Progress is "made," not "done." This collocation describes improvement over time.
15. Take responsibility
Example: "Leaders must take responsibility for their team's actions."
Usage tip: Responsibility is "taken," not "made" or "had." This collocation implies accepting accountability.
16. Pay a compliment
Example: "He paid her a compliment on her presentation skills."
Usage tip: Compliments are "paid," not "given" or "made." This collocation describes offering praise.
17. Make an appointment
Example: "I need to make an appointment with the dentist."
Usage tip: Appointments are "made," not "do" or "take." This collocation is used for scheduling meetings.
18. Take advantage
Example: "You should take advantage of the free resources available online."
Usage tip: Advantage is "taken," not "made." This can be positive (using opportunities) or negative (exploiting someone).
19. Give permission
Example: "Parents must give permission for children to participate in the field trip."
Usage tip: Permission is "given," not "made" or "done." This collocation implies authorizing something.
20. Make a phone call
Example: "I'll make a phone call to confirm our reservation."
Usage tip: Phone calls are "made," not "do" or "give." This collocation describes initiating a call.
Adjective + Noun Collocations
These combinations of adjectives and nouns create precise and natural descriptions.
21. Heavy traffic
Example: "We were delayed by heavy traffic on the highway."
Usage tip: Traffic is "heavy," not "strong" or "big." This collocation describes congested roads.
22. Strong coffee
Example: "I need a cup of strong coffee to wake up in the morning."
Usage tip: Coffee is "strong," not "heavy" or "powerful." This collocation describes intense flavor or caffeine content.
23. Major problem
Example: "The company faces a major problem with its supply chain."
Usage tip: Problems can be "major," indicating significance, rather than "big" which sounds less formal.
24. Key issue
Example: "Security is a key issue for the new software release."
Usage tip: Important issues are often described as "key," not "main" or "central" in professional contexts.
25. Heavy rain
Example: "The heavy rain caused flooding in several neighborhoods."
Usage tip: Rain is "heavy," not "strong" or "big." This collocation describes intense precipitation.
26. High temperature
Example: "The patient had a high temperature and needed medication."
Usage tip: Temperatures are "high," not "big" or "large." This collocation describes elevated heat.
27. Deep sleep
Example: "After the long hike, I fell into a deep sleep."
Usage tip: Sleep is "deep," not "heavy" or "strong." This collocation describes profound, restful sleep.
28. Broad smile
Example: "She greeted us with a broad smile."
Usage tip: Smiles are "broad," not "wide" or "large." This collocation describes a full, expansive smile.
29. Strong accent
Example: "He speaks English well but has a strong Italian accent."
Usage tip: Accents are "strong," not "heavy" or "big." This collocation describes a pronounced accent.
30. Common mistake
Example: "A common mistake for English learners is confusing 'its' and 'it's'."
Usage tip: Mistakes that occur frequently are "common," not "usual" or "normal." This collocation describes widespread errors.
31. Terrible headache
Example: "I have a terrible headache and need to lie down."
Usage tip: Headaches are often "terrible" or "severe," not "hard" or "strong." This collocation describes intense pain.
32. Fast food
Example: "We stopped for fast food on our road trip."
Usage tip: This type of quickly prepared food is "fast," not "quick" or "rapid." This is a fixed collocation.
33. Heavy smoker
Example: "He was a heavy smoker for twenty years before quitting."
Usage tip: Someone who smokes a lot is a "heavy" smoker, not a "strong" or "big" smoker.
34. Bitter disappointment
Example: "The team's loss was a bitter disappointment for the fans."
Usage tip: Intense disappointment is "bitter," not "sour" or "harsh." This collocation describes profound letdown.
35. Vast majority
Example: "The vast majority of students passed the exam."
Usage tip: A very large majority is "vast," not "big" or "huge." This collocation is common in formal contexts.
36. Vicious circle
Example: "Lack of sleep leads to stress, which causes more sleeplessness—it's a vicious circle."
Usage tip: A situation where one problem causes another, which makes the first problem worse, is a "vicious" circle, not a "bad" or "negative" circle.
37. Golden opportunity
Example: "This scholarship is a golden opportunity to study abroad."
Usage tip: An excellent opportunity is "golden," not "gold" or "yellow." This collocation implies exceptional value.
38. Heated debate
Example: "The proposal led to a heated debate among committee members."
Usage tip: Intense debates are "heated," not "hot" or "warm." This collocation implies passion and possibly anger.
39. Rapid growth
Example: "The company has experienced rapid growth in the past year."
Usage tip: Fast development is "rapid," which sounds more formal than "quick" or "fast" growth.
40. Remote possibility
Example: "There's only a remote possibility that the flight will be canceled."
Usage tip: An unlikely possibility is "remote," not "far" or "distant." This collocation implies improbability.
Adverb + Adjective Collocations
These combinations create precise descriptions of qualities and conditions.
41. Deeply concerned
Example: "We are deeply concerned about the environmental impact."
Usage tip: "Deeply" intensifies "concerned" more naturally than "very" or "greatly."
42. Highly recommended
Example: "This book is highly recommended for advanced English learners."
Usage tip: "Highly" collocates with "recommended" to express strong endorsement.
43. Completely different
Example: "The final version was completely different from the initial draft."
Usage tip: "Completely" emphasizes the totality of difference more naturally than "totally" in many contexts.
44. Utterly ridiculous
Example: "His explanation for being late was utterly ridiculous."
Usage tip: "Utterly" intensifies "ridiculous" more effectively than "very" or "really."
45. Fully aware
Example: "I am fully aware of the consequences of this decision."
Usage tip: "Fully" collocates with "aware" to express complete knowledge or understanding.
46. Bitterly disappointed
Example: "The team was bitterly disappointed by the last-minute defeat."
Usage tip: "Bitterly" intensifies "disappointed" more effectively than "very" or "extremely."
47. Blissfully unaware
Example: "He was blissfully unaware of the surprise party being planned."
Usage tip: "Blissfully" collocates with "unaware" to describe happy ignorance.
48. Painfully shy
Example: "As a child, she was painfully shy and avoided social gatherings."
Usage tip: "Painfully" intensifies "shy" to indicate extreme discomfort in social situations.
49. Happily married
Example: "They have been happily married for over thirty years."
Usage tip: "Happily" collocates with "married" to describe a successful, content marriage.
50. Deeply ashamed
Example: "He was deeply ashamed of his behavior at the party."
Usage tip: "Deeply" intensifies "ashamed" more effectively than "very" or "really."
Verb + Adverb Collocations
These combinations describe how actions are performed.
51. Apologize sincerely
Example: "I want to apologize sincerely for the misunderstanding."
Usage tip: "Sincerely" collocates with "apologize" to emphasize genuineness.
52. Strongly disagree
Example: "I strongly disagree with the proposed solution."
Usage tip: "Strongly" intensifies "disagree" more effectively than "very much" or "really."
53. Firmly believe
Example: "I firmly believe that education is the key to success."
Usage tip: "Firmly" collocates with "believe" to express conviction.
54. Deeply regret
Example: "We deeply regret any inconvenience caused."
Usage tip: "Deeply" intensifies "regret" more naturally than "very" or "greatly."
55. Wholeheartedly support
Example: "The committee wholeheartedly supports the new initiative."
Usage tip: "Wholeheartedly" collocates with "support" to express complete endorsement.
56. Categorically deny
Example: "The politician categorically denied the allegations."
Usage tip: "Categorically" collocates with "deny" to express absolute rejection.
57. Vaguely remember
Example: "I only vaguely remember meeting him at the conference."
Usage tip: "Vaguely" collocates with "remember" to describe unclear recollection.
58. Greatly appreciate
Example: "We greatly appreciate your assistance with this project."
Usage tip: "Greatly" collocates with "appreciate" to express significant gratitude.
59. Thoroughly enjoy
Example: "The audience thoroughly enjoyed the performance."
Usage tip: "Thoroughly" collocates with "enjoy" to express complete pleasure.
60. Heartily recommend
Example: "I can heartily recommend this restaurant for its authentic cuisine."
Usage tip: "Heartily" collocates with "recommend" to express enthusiastic endorsement.
Noun + Verb Collocations
These combinations describe typical actions associated with specific subjects.
61. Time flies
Example: "Time flies when you're having fun."
Usage tip: "Time" collocates with "flies" to describe rapid passage of time, not with "runs" or "goes."
62. Opportunity arises
Example: "Apply for the position when the opportunity arises."
Usage tip: "Opportunity" collocates with "arises" or "presents itself," not with "comes" or "happens."
63. Problem occurs
Example: "If any problem occurs during installation, contact technical support."
Usage tip: "Problem" collocates with "occurs" more formally than with "happens."
64. Accident happens
Example: "Accidents happen, so it's important to have insurance."
Usage tip: "Accident" collocates naturally with "happens" rather than "occurs" in casual speech.
65. Prices rise
Example: "Housing prices rise when demand exceeds supply."
Usage tip: "Prices" collocate with "rise" (or "increase," "go up"), not with "grow" or "get higher."
66. Storm breaks
Example: "We reached shelter just before the storm broke."
Usage tip: "Storm" collocates with "breaks" to describe sudden onset, not with "starts" or "begins."
67. Rumor spreads
Example: "The rumor spread quickly throughout the office."
Usage tip: "Rumor" collocates with "spreads," not with "extends" or "moves."
68. Evidence suggests
Example: "The evidence suggests that the theory is correct."
Usage tip: "Evidence" collocates with "suggests" or "indicates," not with "tells" or "says."
69. Rules apply
Example: "These rules apply to all participants without exception."
Usage tip: "Rules" collocate with "apply," not with "work" or "function."
70. Memory fades
Example: "Over time, even the strongest memory fades."
Usage tip: "Memory" collocates with "fades," not with "disappears" or "goes away."
Prepositional Collocations
These combinations of words with specific prepositions form important patterns.
71. Depend on
Example: "The success of the project depends on everyone's cooperation."
Usage tip: "Depend" collocates with "on," not "of" or "from."
72. Interested in
Example: "She's particularly interested in marine biology."
Usage tip: "Interested" collocates with "in," not "about" or "with."
73. Afraid of
Example: "Many people are afraid of public speaking."
Usage tip: "Afraid" collocates with "of," not "from" or "about."
74. Good at
Example: "He's really good at explaining complex concepts."
Usage tip: "Good" collocates with "at" when describing skills, not "in" or "with."
75. Aware of
Example: "Are you aware of the changes to the schedule?"
Usage tip: "Aware" collocates with "of," not "about" or "on."
76. Responsible for
Example: "Who is responsible for organizing the conference?"
Usage tip: "Responsible" collocates with "for," not "of" or "about."
77. Familiar with
Example: "I'm not familiar with this author's earlier works."
Usage tip: "Familiar" collocates with "with," not "to" or "of."
78. Worried about
Example: "Parents are often worried about their children's safety."
Usage tip: "Worried" collocates with "about," not "for" or "of."
79. Succeed in
Example: "She succeeded in winning the championship despite the injury."
Usage tip: "Succeed" collocates with "in," not "at" or "with."
80. Consist of
Example: "The committee consists of five experienced professionals."
Usage tip: "Consist" collocates with "of," not "in" or "from."
Fixed Expressions and Phrases
These multi-word collocations form common expressions in English.
81. Make a good impression
Example: "Dress professionally to make a good impression at the interview."
Usage tip: We "make" impressions, not "do" or "give" them.
82. Do someone a favor
Example: "Could you do me a favor and pick up my package?"
Usage tip: Favors are "done," not "made" or "given."
83. Take into account
Example: "The design takes into account the needs of all users."
Usage tip: This expression means to consider something, and the preposition "into" is fixed.
84. Pay attention to detail
Example: "Success in this job requires paying attention to detail."
Usage tip: We "pay" attention, and it often collocates with "to detail."
85. Jump to conclusions
Example: "Don't jump to conclusions before hearing all the facts."
Usage tip: We "jump to" conclusions, not "jump at" or "jump into."
86. Keep in mind
Example: "Keep in mind that the deadline is approaching."
Usage tip: This expression means to remember something, and the preposition "in" is fixed.
87. Take place
Example: "The ceremony will take place in the main hall."
Usage tip: Events "take place," they don't "make place" or "do place."
88. Come to an end
Example: "The long negotiation finally came to an end."
Usage tip: Things "come to an end," they don't "go to an end" or "reach an end" (though "reach the end" is possible).
89. Make sense
Example: "His explanation doesn't make sense to me."
Usage tip: Things "make sense," they don't "do sense" or "have sense."
90. Catch someone's attention
Example: "The bright colors caught the children's attention."
Usage tip: We "catch" attention, not "grab" or "take" it (though "grab attention" is becoming more common).
Academic and Business Collocations
These combinations are particularly useful in professional and educational contexts.
91. Conduct research
Example: "The university conducts research on climate change."
Usage tip: Research is "conducted," not "made" or "done."
92. Reach a conclusion
Example: "After analyzing the data, we reached the conclusion that the hypothesis was correct."
Usage tip: Conclusions are "reached," not "arrived at" or "got to."
93. Implement a strategy
Example: "The company will implement a new marketing strategy next quarter."
Usage tip: Strategies are "implemented," not "applied" or "put."
94. Achieve goals
Example: "With proper planning, you can achieve your academic goals."
Usage tip: Goals are "achieved," not "reach" or "arrive at."
95. Submit an application
Example: "Candidates must submit their applications before the deadline."
Usage tip: Applications are "submitted," not "send" or "give."
96. Raise an issue
Example: "The report raises several important issues about data security."
Usage tip: Issues are "raised," not "lift" or "bring."
97. Draw a conclusion
Example: "It's too early to draw conclusions from the preliminary results."
Usage tip: Conclusions are "drawn," not "make" or "take."
98. Meet requirements
Example: "The proposal doesn't meet all the requirements specified in the guidelines."
Usage tip: Requirements are "met," not "fulfill" or "satisfy" (though "satisfy requirements" is also possible).
99. Gather information
Example: "The team is gathering information for the market analysis."
Usage tip: Information is "gathered," not "collect" or "accumulate" (though "collect information" is also possible).
100. Allocate resources
Example: "Management needs to allocate resources effectively to maximize productivity."
Usage tip: Resources are "allocated," not "distribute" or "assign" (though these may be used in different contexts).
Tips for Learning and Using Collocations Effectively
Mastering collocations requires more than memorization. Here are strategies to incorporate them naturally into your English.
Context-Based Learning
Understanding when and where to use collocations appropriately:
- Read extensively: Expose yourself to authentic English through books, articles, and websites
- Notice patterns: Pay attention to word combinations in native speaker speech and writing
- Study in context: Learn collocations within sentences or paragraphs, not as isolated pairs
- Use corpus tools: Explore how words are used together in large collections of texts
Practice Strategies
Effective approaches to incorporate collocations into your language:
- Collocation notebooks: Record new collocations with example sentences
- Substitution tables: Practice combining different words that collocate with the same base word
- Gap-fill exercises: Complete sentences with appropriate collocating words
- Paraphrasing practice: Rewrite sentences using different collocations with similar meanings
- Production activities: Use new collocations in your own speaking and writing
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Pitfalls when using collocations:
- Direct translation: Avoid translating collocations directly from your native language
- Thesaurus errors: Remember that synonyms often don't share the same collocations
- Overgeneralization: Don't assume that words with similar meanings collocate in the same way
- Register confusion: Be aware that some collocations are formal while others are informal
- Fixed expressions: Recognize that some collocations have fixed forms that cannot be changed
Conclusion: Incorporating Collocations Into Your English
Mastering these 100 common English collocations will significantly enhance your fluency and natural expression. Native speakers use these word combinations constantly in conversation, writing, media, and business communication. By understanding and appropriately using collocations, you'll sound more natural and connect more effectively with English speakers.
Remember that learning collocations is a gradual process. Start by focusing on recognizing these expressions when you hear or read them. Then begin incorporating them into your own English, starting with the ones most relevant to your common conversation topics.
With practice and exposure, you'll find yourself naturally using these word partnerships, adding precision and authenticity to your English communication. As you become more comfortable with these 100 essential collocations, you'll discover many more, continuing to enrich your English expression and understanding.
Additional Resources
- Oxford Collocations Dictionary - Comprehensive reference for English collocations
- Just The Word - Online tool for finding common word combinations
- Ozdic - Collocation dictionary for English learners
- Lextutor Concordancer - Tool for exploring word usage in context
- English Collocations in Use - Practice book series from Cambridge