Collocations List with Examples: Mastering Natural English

Understanding collocations is crucial for anyone striving for fluency and naturalness in English. Collocations are combinations of words that frequently appear together, and using them correctly makes your language sound more native-like.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to collocations, offering definitions, categories, examples, usage rules, common mistakes, practice exercises, and advanced insights. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this resource will help you master collocations and enhance your English communication skills.

This Collocations List post aims to help English learners of all levels, from those just beginning to explore the language to advanced speakers aiming to refine their grasp of idiomatic expressions. Grasping collocations will not only enrich your vocabulary but also significantly improve your ability to understand and produce natural-sounding English.

By mastering the principles outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the nuances of English communication with confidence and precision.

Table of Contents

• Definition of Collocations
• Structural Breakdown of Collocations
• Types and Categories of Collocations
• Examples of Collocations
• Usage Rules for Collocations
• Common Mistakes with Collocations
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics in Collocations
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Conclusion

Definition of Collocations

A collocation is a combination of two or more words that frequently go together in English. These combinations sound natural to native speakers and are often used without conscious thought. Unlike idioms, which have a figurative meaning different from the literal meaning of the individual words, collocations usually have a literal meaning, but the words are simply used together more often than other possible combinations.

Collocations are essential because they help you to speak and write more fluently and accurately. Using the correct collocations makes your English sound more natural and less forced.

Conversely, using incorrect collocations can make your English sound awkward or even unnatural, even if the individual words are correct.

For example, we say “make a mistake,” not “do a mistake,” even though “do” is a perfectly valid verb. This preference is based on common usage and established patterns in the English language.

Classification of Collocations

Collocations can be classified based on the grammatical relationship between the words. Common classifications include:

• Adjective + Noun: strong coffee, heavy rain
• Verb + Noun: take a photo, make a decision
• Noun + Verb: bombs explode, lions roar
• Adverb + Adjective: deeply saddened, utterly ridiculous
• Verb + Adverb: speak fluently, drive carefully

Function of Collocations

The primary function of collocations is to convey meaning in a natural and idiomatic way. They contribute to the flow and rhythm of the language, making it easier for native speakers to understand and relate to the communication.

Collocations also add nuance and precision to your language, allowing you to express yourself more effectively.

Contexts of Collocations

Collocations are used in all types of English communication, from everyday conversations to formal writing. The specific collocations used may vary depending on the context, but the principle of using natural word combinations remains the same.

For example, academic writing may use more formal collocations than casual conversation.

Structural Breakdown of Collocations

Understanding the structure of collocations involves recognizing the common patterns and relationships between the words that form them. These patterns often involve specific grammatical categories that frequently combine.

Adjective + Noun Collocations

This is one of the most common types of collocations. The adjective modifies the noun, providing more specific information about it. Some examples include bitter disappointment, burning desire, and golden opportunity. The adjective enhances the noun’s meaning and creates a more vivid image.

Verb + Noun Collocations

These collocations involve an action (verb) performed on or related to a noun. Examples include catch a cold, make progress, and break the ice. The verb and noun together create a specific action or state.

Noun + Verb Collocations

In these collocations, the noun performs an action (verb). Examples include bells ring, planes fly, and rivers flow. The noun is the subject of the verb, and the combination describes a natural occurrence or typical action.

Adverb + Adjective Collocations

The adverb intensifies or modifies the adjective. Examples include deeply concerned, highly successful, and utterly devastated. The adverb adds a degree of emphasis to the adjective, making the description more impactful.

Verb + Adverb Collocations

Here, the adverb modifies the verb, describing how the action is performed. Examples include speak softly, drive recklessly, and listen attentively. The adverb adds nuance to the verb, providing more detail about the action.

Types and Categories of Collocations

Collocations can be categorized based on their function and the types of words they combine. Understanding these categories can help you recognize and use collocations more effectively.

Lexical Collocations

Lexical collocations involve content words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs) that commonly occur together. These collocations often carry specific meanings that are not immediately obvious from the individual words.

Grammatical Collocations

Grammatical collocations involve a grammatical word (preposition, article, auxiliary verb) and a content word. These collocations are often determined by grammatical rules but still represent common word combinations.

Strong Collocations

Strong collocations are fixed and have very limited alternatives. The words are almost always used together, and replacing one word with a synonym would sound unnatural. Examples include rancid butter and burning ambition.

Weak Collocations

Weak collocations are more flexible, with a wider range of words that can be used together. The choice of words depends more on context and personal preference. Examples include make a suggestion (you could also “offer” a suggestion) and take a risk (you could also “run” a risk).

Fixed Expressions

These are collocations that are so common and well-established that they function almost like idioms. Examples include by and large, safe and sound, and ups and downs.

Examples of Collocations

The best way to understand collocations is to see them in action. The following tables provide examples of different types of collocations, categorized by their grammatical structure and function.

Adjective + Noun Collocations Examples

This table provides 30 examples of adjective + noun collocations. These collocations are common in both spoken and written English and can help you express yourself more vividly.

Adjective + Noun	Example Sentence
Heavy rain	We had heavy rain all day yesterday.
Strong coffee	I need a cup of strong coffee to wake up.
Bright future	She has a bright future ahead of her.
Bitter disappointment	His failure was a bitter disappointment.
Burning desire	He had a burning desire to succeed.
Golden opportunity	This is a golden opportunity you shouldn’t miss.
Close friend	She is a close friend of mine.
Great importance	Education is of great importance.
Major problem	We have a major problem to solve.
Complete surprise	The party was a complete surprise.
Utter chaos	The room was in utter chaos after the party.
Perfect match	They are a perfect match for each other.
Vast experience	He has vast experience in the field.
Key factor	Teamwork is a key factor in success.
Acid test	The project’s success will be the acid test of his abilities.
Slight chance	There is only a slight chance of rain today.
Undue influence	He used undue influence to get the contract.
Principal reason	The principal reason for the failure was lack of funding.
Decisive victory	The army won a decisive victory in the battle.
Formal request	He made a formal request for a meeting with the manager.
Valuable asset	Her knowledge of foreign languages is a valuable asset.
Joint venture	The two companies entered into a joint venture.
Hidden agenda	I suspect he has a hidden agenda.
Rough estimate	Here’s a rough estimate of the costs involved.
Mutual agreement	The decision was reached by mutual agreement.
Critical moment	This is a critical moment in the negotiations.
Sole survivor	She was the sole survivor of the plane crash.
Empty threat	His threats were just an empty threat.
Inherent risk	There’s an inherent risk in starting a new business.
Common knowledge	It’s common knowledge that smoking is harmful.

Verb + Noun Collocations Examples

This table provides 30 examples of verb + noun collocations. These collocations are essential for describing actions and events in a natural way.

Verb + Noun	Example Sentence
Make a decision	I need to make a decision soon.
Take a photo	Can you take a photo of us?
Break the ice	He tried to break the ice with a joke.
Catch a cold	I caught a cold last week.
Make progress	We are making progress on the project.
Pay attention	You need to pay attention in class.
Give advice	Can you give me some advice?
Keep a secret	I promise to keep your secret safe.
Miss a chance	Don’t miss this chance to succeed.
Set an example	Parents should set a good example for their children.
Reach a consensus	The committee was able to reach a consensus after a long discussion.
File a lawsuit	The company decided to file a lawsuit against its competitor.
Lend support	The community came together to lend support to the family.
Pose a threat	Climate change poses a threat to many coastal communities.
Take responsibility	He had to take responsibility for his actions.
Gain access	You need a password to gain access to the system.
Place an order	I would like to place an order for a new laptop.
Create awareness	The campaign aims to create awareness about environmental issues.
Conduct research	The scientists are conducting research on cancer.
Launch a campaign	The organization decided to launch a campaign to raise funds.
Make amends	He tried to make amends for his past mistakes.
Render assistance	The rescue team was able to render assistance to the stranded hikers.
Pay tribute	The nation paused to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers.
Forge an alliance	The two countries decided to forge an alliance.
Trigger a debate	The new policy triggered a debate among the public.
Shed light	The investigation aims to shed light on the mysterious events.
Wreak havoc	The hurricane wreaked havoc on the coastal towns.
Set a precedent	The court’s decision could set a precedent for future cases.
Elicit a response	The interviewer tried to elicit a response from the candidate.
Bear a grudge	She still bears a grudge against her former friend.

Noun + Verb Collocations Examples

This table provides 30 examples of noun + verb collocations. These collocations describe actions performed by nouns, often representing natural occurrences or typical behaviors.

Noun + Verb	Example Sentence
Bombs explode	Bombs explode without warning.
Lions roar	Lions roar in the jungle.
Bells ring	Bells ring to signal the start of the class.
Planes fly	Planes fly across the sky.
Rivers flow	Rivers flow towards the sea.
Birds sing	Birds sing in the morning.
Engines roar	The engines roar as the race begins.
Volcanoes erupt	Volcanoes erupt spewing lava and ash.
Tears stream	Tears stream down her face.
Clocks tick	Clocks tick away the seconds.
Leaves rustle	Leaves rustle in the autumn breeze.
Waves crash	Waves crash against the shore.
Rain falls	Rain falls heavily during the monsoon season.
Sun shines	The sun shines brightly in the summer.
Wind blows	The wind blows fiercely during the storm.
Hearts beat	Hearts beat faster when we’re nervous.
Babies cry	Babies cry when they are hungry or uncomfortable.
Buses stop	Buses stop at designated bus stops.
Doors creak	Doors creak in old houses.
Guns fire	Guns fire during the military parade.
Alarms sound	Alarms sound in case of an emergency.
Sirens wail	Sirens wail as the ambulance rushes by.
Bells chime	Bells chime at the top of the hour.
Flags flutter	Flags flutter in the wind.
Stars twinkle	Stars twinkle in the night sky.
Computers crash	Computers crash unexpectedly sometimes.
Ideas spread	Ideas spread quickly through social media.
Rumors circulate	Rumors circulate around the office.
Emotions run	Emotions run high during intense debates.
Memories fade	Memories fade over time.

Adverb + Adjective Collocations Examples

This table provides 30 examples of adverb + adjective collocations. These collocations are used to intensify or modify adjectives, adding nuance to descriptions.

Adverb + Adjective	Example Sentence
Deeply saddened	I was deeply saddened by the news.
Utterly ridiculous	That idea is utterly ridiculous.
Highly successful	She is a highly successful businesswoman.
Fully aware	I am fully aware of the risks involved.
Largely responsible	He is largely responsible for the project’s success.
Perfectly clear	It is perfectly clear what needs to be done.
Seriously injured	He was seriously injured in the accident.
Slightly different	The two versions are slightly different.
Totally unexpected	The outcome was totally unexpected.
Widely known	It is widely known that he is a talented artist.
Bitterly disappointed	She was bitterly disappointed when she didn’t get the job.
Readily available	The information is readily available online.
Clearly evident	It was clearly evident that he was lying.
Closely related	The two species are closely related.
Distinctly remember	I distinctly remember seeing her at the party.
Eerily quiet	The town was eerily quiet after the storm.
Faintly ridiculous	The idea seemed faintly ridiculous at first.
Fully justified	His actions were fully justified under the circumstances.
Generally accepted	The theory is generally accepted by scientists.
Highly controversial	The new law is highly controversial.
Incredibly grateful	I am incredibly grateful for your help.
Largely dependent	The economy is largely dependent on tourism.
Perfectly capable	She is perfectly capable of handling the task.
Seriously concerned	The doctors are seriously concerned about his condition.
Slightly worried	I am slightly worried about the upcoming exam.
Totally different	The two cultures are totally different.
Widely recognized	He is widely recognized as an expert in his field.
Wholly inadequate	The response was wholly inadequate to the crisis.
Roundly condemned	The actions of the politician were roundly condemned by the public.
Sharply critical	The review was sharply critical of the new film.

Verb + Adverb Collocations Examples

This table provides 30 examples of verb + adverb collocations. These collocations describe how actions are performed, adding nuance to the verb’s meaning.

Verb + Adverb	Example Sentence
Speak softly	Please speak softly in the library.
Drive recklessly	He was fined for driving recklessly.
Listen attentively	You should listen attentively in class.
Work hard	She works hard to achieve her goals.
Run quickly	He can run quickly to catch the bus.
Think carefully	You should think carefully before making a decision.
Plan meticulously	They planned meticulously for the event.
Sing beautifully	She sings beautifully in the choir.
Dance gracefully	The ballerina danced gracefully on the stage.
Wait patiently	Please wait patiently for your turn.
Laugh heartily	They laughed heartily at the comedian’s jokes.
Complain bitterly	The customers complained bitterly about the poor service.
Apologize profusely	He apologized profusely for his mistake.
Whisper quietly	They whispered quietly so no one would hear them.
Stare blankly	He stared blankly at the wall, lost in thought.
Smile warmly	She smiled warmly at her guests.
Greet enthusiastically	The children greeted enthusiastically their parents.
Protest vehemently	The citizens protested vehemently against the new law.
Argue persuasively	The lawyer argued persuasively in court.
Deny vehemently	He denied vehemently the charges against him.
Reject outright	The committee rejected outright the proposal.
Dismiss lightly	The manager dismissed lightly the employee’s concerns.
Praise lavishly	The critics praised lavishly the actor’s performance.
Condemn strongly	The international community condemned strongly the violence.
Support wholeheartedly	The community supported wholeheartedly the new initiative.
Welcome warmly	The team welcomed warmly the new member.
Oppose fiercely	The residents opposed fiercely the construction of the new factory.
Resist strenuously	The soldiers resisted strenuously the enemy’s attack.
Believe firmly	I believe firmly in the power of education.
Trust implicitly	She trusts implicitly her best friend.

Usage Rules for Collocations

Using collocations correctly involves understanding the specific rules and patterns that govern their usage. While there are no hard-and-fast rules, there are guidelines that can help you choose the right collocations in different contexts.

Contextual Appropriateness

The choice of collocations should be appropriate for the context. Formal writing may require more formal collocations, while casual conversation may allow for more relaxed and informal combinations.

Register Considerations

Consider the register of the language you are using. Some collocations are more common in specific fields, such as academic writing, business communication, or legal documents.

Using the appropriate register will enhance the clarity and credibility of your communication.

Exceptions and Special Cases

Like all aspects of language, there are exceptions and special cases to consider. Some collocations may have subtle nuances or idiomatic meanings that are not immediately obvious.

Pay attention to these nuances and learn from context.

Common Mistakes with Collocations

One of the biggest challenges in learning collocations is avoiding common mistakes. These mistakes often arise from using words that are grammatically correct but do not naturally combine with other words in English.

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
Do a mistake	Make a mistake	“Make” is the correct verb to use with “mistake.”
Strong rain	Heavy rain	“Heavy” is the correct adjective to use with “rain.”
Fastly running	Running fast	“Fast” is an adverb that doesn’t require “-ly”.
Give an advice	Give advice	“Advice” is an uncountable noun, so it doesn’t take “an.”
Take a decision	Make a decision	“Make” is the correct verb to use with “decision.”
High success	Great success	“Great” is the correct adjective to use with “success.”
Openly disagree	Strongly disagree	“Strongly” is the correct adverb to use with “disagree.”
Commit a crime	Make a crime	“Commit” is the correct verb to use with “crime.”
Big problem	Major problem	“Major” is often used to emphasize the significance of the problem.
Say the truth	Tell the truth	“Tell” is the correct verb to use with “truth.”

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of collocations with these practice exercises. Each exercise focuses on a different type of collocation and includes a variety of question types.

Exercise 1: Adjective + Noun Collocations

Choose the correct adjective to complete the following collocations:

Question	Options	Answer
1. ______ coffee	(a) Strong (b) Powerful (c) Forceful	(a) Strong
2. ______ rain	(a) Heavy (b) Big (c) Large	(a) Heavy
3. ______ future	(a) Bright (b) Shiny (c) Light	(a) Bright
4. ______ disappointment	(a) Bitter (b) Sour (c) Unpleasant	(a) Bitter
5. ______ opportunity	(a) Golden (b) Silver (c) Bronze	(a) Golden
6. ______ friend	(a) Close (b) Near (c) Tight	(a) Close
7. ______ problem	(a) Major (b) Big (c) Large	(a) Major
8. ______ surprise	(a) Complete (b) Total (c) Full	(a) Complete
9. ______ experience	(a) Vast (b) Wide (c) Broad	(a) Vast
10. ______ factor	(a) Key (b) Main (c) Important	(a) Key

Exercise 2: Verb + Noun Collocations

Choose the correct verb to complete the following collocations:

Question	Options	Answer
1. ______ a decision	(a) Make (b) Do (c) Take	(a) Make
2. ______ a photo	(a) Take (b) Get (c) Catch	(a) Take
3. ______ the ice	(a) Break (b) Cut (c) Smash	(a) Break
4. ______ a cold	(a) Catch (b) Take (c) Get	(a) Catch
5. ______ progress	(a) Make (b) Do (c) Create	(a) Make
6. ______ attention	(a) Pay (b) Give (c) Lend	(a) Pay
7. ______ advice	(a) Give (b) Offer (c) Provide	(a) Give
8. ______ a secret	(a) Keep (b) Hold (c) Save	(a) Keep
9. ______ a chance	(a) Miss (b) Lose (c) Drop	(a) Miss
10. ______ an example	(a) Set (b) Give (c) Show	(a) Set

Exercise 3: Noun + Verb Collocations

Match the noun with the correct verb to form a collocation:

Question	Options	Answer
1. Bombs ______	(a) Roar (b) Explode (c) Sing	(b) Explode
2. Lions ______	(a) Fly (b) Ring (c) Roar	(c) Roar
3. Bells ______	(a) Ring (b) Flow (c) Beat	(a) Ring
4. Planes ______	(a) Fly (b) Fall (c) Crash	(a) Fly
5. Rivers ______	(a) Beat (b) Flow (c) Tick	(b) Flow
6. Birds ______	(a) Sing (b) Rustle (c) Crash	(a) Sing
7. Engines ______	(a) Roar (b) Twinkle (c) Creak	(a) Roar
8. Tears ______	(a) Stream (b) Flutter (c) Sound	(a) Stream
9. Clocks ______	(a) Erupt (b) Tick (c) Wail	(b) Tick
10. Leaves ______	(a) Flutter (b) Rustle (c) Shine	(b) Rustle

Exercise 4: Adverb + Adjective Collocations

Choose the correct adverb to complete the following collocations:

Question	Options	Answer
1. ______ saddened	(a) Deeply (b) Highly (c) Fully	(a) Deeply
2. ______ ridiculous	(a) Utterly (b) Highly (c) Fully	(a) Utterly
3. ______ successful	(a) Highly (b) Deeply (c) Fully	(a) Highly
4. ______ aware	(a) Fully (b) Deeply (c) Highly	(a) Fully
5. ______ responsible	(a) Largely (b) Highly (c) Fully	(a) Largely
6. ______ clear	(a) Perfectly (b) Highly (c) Deeply	(a) Perfectly
7. ______ injured	(a) Seriously (b) Highly (c) Fully	(a) Seriously
8. ______ different	(a) Slightly (b) Deeply (c) Highly	(a) Slightly
9. ______ unexpected	(a) Totally (b) Highly (c) Deeply	(a) Totally
10. ______ known	(a) Widely (b) Highly (c) Fully	(a) Widely

Exercise 5: Verb + Adverb Collocations

Choose the correct adverb to complete the following collocations:

Question	Options	Answer
1. Speak ______	(a) Softly (b) Loudly (c) Quickly	(a) Softly
2. Drive ______	(a) Recklessly (b) Carefully (c) Slowly	(a) Recklessly
3. Listen ______	(a) Attentively (b) Casually (c) Briefly	(a) Attentively
4. Work ______	(a) Hard (b) Hardly (c) Easy	(a) Hard
5. Run ______	(a) Quickly (b) Slowly (c) Lazily	(a) Quickly
6. Think ______	(a) Carefully (b) Quickly (c) Briefly	(a) Carefully
7. Plan ______	(a) Meticulously (b) Quickly (c) Roughly	(a) Meticulously
8. Sing ______	(a) Beautifully (b) Badly (c) Quietly	(a) Beautifully
9. Dance ______	(a) Gracefully (b) Awkwardly (c) Roughly	(a) Gracefully
10. Wait ______	(a) Patiently (b) Impatiently (c) Briefly	(a) Patiently

Advanced Topics in Collocations

For advanced learners, exploring the nuances and complexities of collocations can further enhance their language skills. This section delves into more advanced aspects of collocations, including idiomatic expressions, figurative language, and cross-cultural considerations.

Idiomatic Expressions and Figurative Language

Many collocations are part of idiomatic expressions and figurative language, where the meaning is not immediately obvious from the individual words. Understanding these expressions requires a deeper knowledge of cultural and linguistic context.

Cross-Cultural Considerations

Collocations can vary significantly across different cultures and languages. What is a natural collocation in one language may sound awkward or nonsensical in another.

Being aware of these differences is crucial for effective cross-cultural communication.

Collocations in Specialized Fields

Certain fields, such as law, medicine, and technology, have their own specialized collocations. Mastering these collocations is essential for professionals working in these areas.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

Mastering collocations is a key step towards achieving fluency and naturalness in English. By understanding the definition, structure, types, and usage rules of collocations, you can significantly improve your ability to communicate effectively in English.

Remember to practice regularly, pay attention to context, and be aware of common mistakes. With dedication and effort, you can master collocations and enhance your English communication skills.