Sample Collocations

There are several different types of collocation. Collocations can be adjective + adverb, noun + noun, verb + noun and so on. Below you can see seven main types of collocation in sample sentences. 1. adverb + adjective

Invading that country was an utterly stupid thing to do. We entered a richly decorated room. Are you fully aware of the implications of your action?

2. adjective + noun

The doctor ordered him to take regular exercise. The Titanic sank on its maiden voyage. He was writhing on the ground in excruciating pain.

3. noun + noun

Let's give Mr Jones a round of applause. The ceasefire agreement came into effect at 11am. I'd like to buy two bars of soap please.

4. noun + verb

The lion started to roar when it heard the dog barking. Snow was falling as our plane took off. The bomb went off when he started the car engine.

5. verb + noun

The prisoner was hanged for committing murder. I always try to do my homework in the morning, after making my bed. He has been asked to give a presentation about his work.

6. verb + expression with preposition

We had to return home because we had run out of money. At first her eyes filled with horror, and then she burst into tears. Their behaviour was enough to drive anybody to crime.

7. verb + adverb

She placed her keys gently on the table and sat down.

Mary whispered softly in John's ear. I vaguely remember that it was growing dark when we left.

Collocations Lists
On this page you can find a few short lists of collocations to give you more of an idea about them. Many good learner's dictionaries show collocations associated with specific words. There are also dictionaries of collocations, though these are more difficult to find.
Some common verbs

have have have have have have have have have have have a bath a drink a good time a haircut a holiday a problem a relationship a rest lunch sympathy take take take take take take take take take take a break a chance a look a rest a seat a taxi an exam notes someone's place break break break break break break break break break do do do do do do do do do do

do business nothing someone a favour the cooking the housework the shopping the washing up your best your hair your homework break a habit a leg a promise a record a window someone's heart the ice the law the news to someone make make make make make make make make make make

make a difference a mess a mistake a noise an effort furniture money progress room trouble catch catch a ball catch a bus catch a chill catch a cold catch a thief catch fire catch sight of catch someone's attention

take someone's temperature pay pay a fine pay attention pay by credit card pay cash pay interest pay someone a compliment pay someone a visit pay the bill pay the price pay your respects come come come come come come come come come come come come come come come come come come come come come close complete with direct early first into view last late on time prepared right back second to a compromise to a decision to an agreement to an end to a standstill to terms with to a total of under attack

break the rules

catch someone's eye catch the flu keep keep keep keep keep keep keep keep keep keep keep a diary a promise a secret an appointment calm control in touch quiet someone's place the change

save save save save save save save save save save save electricity energy money one's strength someone a seat someone's life something to a disk space time yourself the trouble

go go go go go go go go go go go go go go go go go go go go go abroad astray bad bald bankrupt blind crazy dark deaf fishing mad missing on foot online out of business overseas quiet sailing to war yellow get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get

get a job a shock angry divorced drunk frightened home lost married nowhere permission pregnant ready started the impression the message the sack upset wet worried

Miscellaneous

Time bang on time dead on time early 12th century free time from dawn till dusk great deal of time late 20th century make time for next few days past few weeks right on time run out of time save time spare time spend some time take your time tell someone the time time goes by time passes waste time

Business English annual turnover bear in mind break off negotiations cease trading chair a meeting close a deal close a meeting come to the point dismiss an offer draw a conclusion draw your attention to launch a new product lay off staff go bankrupt go into partnership make a loss make a profit market forces sales figures take on staff a a a a a a a

Classifiers ball of string bar of chocolate bottle of water bunch of carrots cube of sugar pack of cards pad of paper