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 so important for sounding natural in English?

What is a collocation?

A collocation is a pair or group of words that are often used together. For example, we say heavy rain, not strong rain, and make a decision, not do a decision. There is often no grammar rule that explains why; native speakers simply use these combinations.

Why are collocations important?

Using the wrong combination can make your English sound unnatural, even when your grammar is perfect. Learning collocations helps you speak and write more fluently and naturally, and it is important for exams like IELTS and Cambridge, where natural vocabulary use earns higher marks.

Common collocations

Verb + noun

• make a decision, a mistake, a phone call, progress
• do homework, your best, business, research
• take a chance, a photo, a break, an exam
• break the news, a promise, a record

Adjective + noun

• heavy rain, heavy traffic
• strong coffee, strong wind
• deep sleep, deep love
• fast food, quick shower

Adverb + adjective

• highly recommended
• deeply concerned
• completely different
• fully aware

How to learn collocations

• Learn words in chunks: when you learn a new word, note the words it goes with.
• Use a learner's dictionary: the Cambridge and Oxford learner's dictionaries show common collocations.
• Read and listen widely, and notice word combinations.
• Use new collocations in your own speaking and writing straight away.

Learn natural English with ILC

Our teachers help you use English naturally in every lesson. ILC has English schools in Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Colchester and Portsmouth, offering group and one-to-one courses, online lessons, exam preparation and junior summer schools.