Collocations: How to use them correctly

If you've been learning English for a while, you may have come across the term "collocation". But what exactly does it mean, and why are collocations important for English learners?

A collocation is a pair or group of words that commonly go together in a language, often with a specific meaning. For example, we say "heavy rain", not "strong rain", and "run a business", not "make a business". Collocations can be made up of any type of word, including nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.

So why is it important to learn collocations? One reason is that using the wrong word combination can make your English sound unnatural or confusing. For example, saying "big love" instead of "deep love" may not convey the meaning you intend. Collocations can also help you to expand your vocabulary and communicate more effectively.

Here are some common collocations and examplesto help you get started

Verbs

"I need to make a decision about which university to attend."

"I'm going to take a chance and apply for the job."

"I'm dreading having to break the news to him."

"I always try to do my best in school."

Nouns

"The forecast is calling for heavy rain this weekend."

"I prefer to use public transportation instead of driving."

"The real estate market isreally competitive right now."

"I'm going on a business trip next week."

Adjectives

"That was a big mistake, I shouldn't have done that."

"I try to avoid eating fast food because it's not healthy."

"I felt a sharp pain in my back when I lifted that box."

"I had a deep sleep last night and woke up feeling refreshed."

Adverbs

"I almost always go to the gym in the morning."

"His answer was completely wrong, he didn't even understand the question."

"I hardly ever eat dessert, I try to eat healthy."

"I quite often forget to take my keys with me."

Common mistakes with collocations

Using the wrong verb with a noun:saying "do an effort" instead of "make an effort".

Using the wrong adjective with a noun: saying "big mistake" instead of "huge mistake".

Using the wrong adverb with an adjective: saying "run fastly" instead of "run fast".

Using a non-collocating verb with a noun: saying "take a shower" instead of "have a shower".

Learning collocations can take time and practice, but with dedication and effort, you can improve your English and communicate more effectively. So, start paying attention to collocations today and see how they can enhance your language skills!

In all ILC English courses and summer schools, we are helping students to improve their communication skills. Our language schools in Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Colchester, Portsmouth and Southampton provide online, group and one-to-one language courses for adults,juniors and exam preparation.

‍