100 Examples of Collocations in English

The collocationsIn English they are frequent combinations of two or more words that are commonly used together. For example: heavy rain(heavy rain),sit for a test(take an exam).

The collocations They constitute the “natural” and correct way of combining words. They are specific to the language and may lack meaning or coherence if they are translated into Spanish literally: do the dishes(what does it mean "do the washing up" and not “doing the dishes”).

However, some collocations They have a literal equivalent in Spanish: make the bed(make the bed). But in no case can words be replaced by others, even if they are synonymous, since it would be an incorrect form of expression. For example, it would be incorrect to say do the bed, although so much make as do They translate as “do.”

The collocations They do not follow fixed criteria or rules, and that is why they must be memorized, since they are a natural and inherent part of the language. Its correct use makes the correct expression in the English language.

• It may help you: Expressions with “get”

Examples of collocationsin English with nouns

Some collocationsfrequent with adjective + noun(or noun + noun) are:

white lie reasonable lie	set menu fixed menu	board game board game
black eye purple eye	strong point strong point	hard work hard work
sharp pain acute pain	strong character strong character	bright future Brilliant Future
clear sky clear sky	clove of garlic garlic clove	light meal light meal
low budget low budget	high expectations high expectations	heavy traffic heavy traffic
major problem big problem	brilliant student brilliant student	fresh water sweet water

Examples of collocations in English with verbs

Some collocations frequent with verb + noun are:

pay attention pay attention	fall in love fell in love	attend a class attend a class
blow your nose blow your nose	meet a deadline meet a deadline	beat a record break a record
play a part fulfill a role	press a key press a key	pay a visit visit
book a flight Reserve a flight	set an alarm set an alarm	play an instrument play an instrument
hold a meeting to have a meeting	say sorry ask for forgiveness	set a date fix a date
apply for a job apply for a job	quit a job quit a job	solve a problem solve a problem
get a point understand a point	earn a living earn a living	go deaf become deaf
spend time spend time	cast a spell cast a spell	jump to conclusions jump to conclusions
conduct research carry out an investigation	keep a promise keep a promise	draw a contract write a contract
set foot set foot in	catch a glimpse glimpse	go online connect to the Internet
wage war make the war	reach a verdict reach a verdict	set fire fire
yield results give results	strike on balance reach a balance	raise money save money
light a fire light a fire	hold office hold public office	fight a fire fight a fire
get angry annoy	cast a vote cast a vote	boost morale boost morale
put pressure press	kill (the) time killing time	draw a conclusion reach a conclusion
come to an agreement reach an agreement	hold a belief have a belief	reach an agreement reach an agreement
go walking go for a walk	run a risk take a risk	go missing disappear
have a picnic have a picnic	take no notice ignore	gain experience gain experience
give a presentation give a presentation	catch a cold catch a cold	set to standard set a standard

Examples of collocations with makein English

Some collocations frequent with the verb make are:

make an effort make an effort	make progress progress	make a wish make a wish
make a decision make a decision	make a difference make difference	make an appointment make an appointment
make a fuss Make a fuss	make a deal make a deal	make a mistake make a mistake
make a suggestion make a suggestion	make sure make sure	make a choice choose
make a good impression make a good impression	make an excuse make an excuse	make a mess make a mess
make an arrangement make an arrangement	make a profit get benefits	make a guess guess

Examples of collocations with do in English

Some collocations frequent with the verb do are:

do the homework do homework	do paperwork do a procedure	do business do business
do in favor to do a favor	do your best do the best	do the laundry laundry
do the shopping do the shopping	do exercise do exercise	do a good job do a good job
do a degree get a degree	do research investigate	do good do good

Examples of collocations with take in English

Some collocations frequent with the verb take are:

take a shower get a shower	take a risk take a risk	take a break Take a break
take a seat take a seat	take a look have a look	take a rest rest
take offense get offended	take time take time	take part participate, be part
take place take place, take place	take a nap to take a nap	take into account consider

Sentences with collocations in English

1. I have missed my flight.
   I lost my flight.
2. They fell in love instantly.
   They fell in love instantly.
3. I usually drink a cup of strong coffee in the morning to wake me up.
   I usually have a cup of strong coffee in the morning to wake up.
4. The company needs to get better results next year.
   The company needs to achieve better results next year.
5. I need to take a break from work to recharge my batteries.
   I need to take a break from work to recharge my batteries.
6. You must take responsibility for your own actions.
   You must take responsibility for your own actions.
7. Could you answer the door, por favor?
   Could you open the door please?
8. Item took I forever to finish the report.
   It took me forever to finish the report.
9.  will you do nothing about this problem?
   Won't you do anything about this problem?
10. You just can't break the rules.
    You can't break the rules.
11. The bank has gone bankrupt.
    The bank has gone bankrupt.
12. We prefer to catch the train.
    We prefer to take the train.
13. My parents don't allow me to eat junk food.
    My parents don't allow me to eat junk food.
14. can you keep a secret?
    Can you keep a secret?
15. I'm sure you made the right choice.
    I'm sure you made the right decision.
16. The famous chef prepared a delicious set menu for the occasion.
    The famous chef prepared a delicious set menu for the occasion.
17. The actor has been awarded two prizes.
    The actor has received two awards.
18. The company's mission is to make a difference in people's lives.
    The company's mission is to make a difference in people's lives.
19. The teacher gave us a lot of homework to do over the weekend.
    The teacher gave us a lot of homework to do over the weekend.
20. We decided to refuse the invitation.
    We decided to decline the invitation.

Follow with:

• Useful phrases in English
• Verb phrases in English
• Prefixes and suffixes in English
• Description of a situation in English
• “Compound nouns”: Compound nouns in English

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