michael0585

Nov 245 min read

Common Collocations in English: What They Are and Avoiding Errors

plate of fish and chips with sauce and slice of lemon — fish and chips

Introduction

Want to sound more like a native English speaker?

Learning 'collocations' is a great way to do that.

Collocations are simply pairs or groups of words that naturally 'go together' in English.

Think of them as the 'perfect match' (a collocation) of words that sound right when used together.

I used another collocation there: 'go together'.

For example, we say 'heavy rain ' but not 'strong rain', and we 'do exercise' instead of 'make exercise'.

In this article, I’ll explore common collocations in English: what they are and how to use them correctly. And how to avoid making mistakes in using collocations.

So, if you want to write and speak like a native speaker, understanding collocations is key!

What Are Common Collocations in English?

Collocations are word combinations that just fit.

They come in many forms—verbs, nouns, adjectives, and adverbs—put together in ways that sound natural.

Mastering these combinations makes your English flow better and sound more authentic.

Types of Collocations

Here are the main types of collocations you'll come across.

Knowing these basic collocations is a great way to start writing and speaking more naturally in English.

The first three are most often used.

1. Verb + Noun: A verb followed by a noun. Example: do exercise.

Example: do exercise/ pay child support

These often include basic verbs like make, do, and have paired with common nouns. These simple combinations come up all the time.

For example:

· make a mistake / make a decision
· commit suicide
· have a conversation

Also: go bankrupt, get the message, have a holiday/break

2. Adjective + Noun: An adjective followed by a noun.

Examples: excruciating pain / late payment / strong opinion, absolute beginner

3. Verb + Adverb: A verb followed by an adverb.

Examples: wave frantically, pay promptly, speak fluently, talk slowly/quietly, look slyly.

4. Adverb + verb

Examples: badly damaged, badly/sorely needed, strongly argue, richly describe

5. Noun + Verb: A noun and verb combination.

Examples: lions roar, dogs bark, cows moo

Also: have a party, throw a party, sit an exam/test

6. Adverb + Adjective: An adverb followed by an adjective.

Examples: completely satisfied, absolutely delighted/necessary, actively involved, highly recommended, ridiculously easy, utterly alone, seriously injured, cautiously optimistic, virtually impossible, totally wrong, strictly forbidden

7. Noun + Noun: A combination of two nouns.

Examples: a surge of anger, abuse of power, accounting firm, advertising executive, gambling addiction

Also: c cats and dogs and black and white.

We don’t say pepper and salt, or chips and fish but salt and pepper and fish and chips.

ats and dogs”, “salt and pepper”, fish and chips” and “black and white”.

cats and dogs”, “salt and pepper”, fish and chips” and “black and white”.

8. Verb + Preposition: A verb combined with a preposition or a phrasal verb.

Examples: burst into tears

accuse (someone) of ([doing] something)

add (something) to (something else)

admire (someone) for ([doing] something)

agree on (topic)

agree with (someone)

look for, look at

9. Verb + Verb:

Example verbs: have, get, make, come, and go.

Examples: make do, get started, come running, go shopping, go fishing, go shopping, cut/copy and paste

These patterns reflect how words naturally combine in English. They can vary by context, culture, or region.

Collocations are what make English sound natural—so the more you learn, the smoother your language will become!

Common Collocation Mistakes

Using the wrong collocation can make your English sound awkward or even confusing.

Many learners make mistakes by using the wrong words together.

Non-native English speakers often make mistakes because they try to directly translate phrases from their native language.

So, choosing the right collocations is important for clear and natural communication.

Here are some common errors:

Incorrect: little fortune
Correct: small fortune (Although 'little' is a synonym for 'small', a small fortune means a big fortune.)

Incorrect: make a walk
Correct: take a walk

Incorrect: create pain
Correct: inflict pain

Incorrect: take an appointment ('take a number' is correct).
Correct: make an appointment

Getting these right will help you sound more like a native speaker!

Are There Rules for Collocations?

There aren't strict rules' for' collocations, but there are patterns.

Native speakers just know which words go together, often without thinking.

The key is to observe, practice, and use the right word pairings naturally over time.

For example, you could say to someone: “make a plan” (not ‘take a plan’).

But you could ask someone to “take a plan” if you wanted them to pick up a plan from a pile of plans so they might study it.

How to Get Better at Collocations

Here are some quick tips to help you learn and remember collocations:

1. Pay Attention: Start noticing collocations when you read or listen to English. They’re everywhere!

2. Learn in Chunks: Instead of memorizing words alone, learn them in pairs. For example, instead of just learning the word “surge”, learn “a surge of anger.”

3. Write Them Down: Writing down new collocations in a notebook helps you remember them better.

4. Practice, Practice, Practice: The more you use collocations, the more natural they’ll feel.

5. Read and Listen: Expose yourself to lots of English through:

books, newspapers, and magazines
podcasts
movies
and conversations.

Doing these activities regularly is crucial for learning collocations.

6. Go online to find examples.

Google 'collocations examples' and you will find many examples to collect and learn to use.

To find the meaning of a collocation online, use this search phrase: ‘meaning of [collocation]’

7. Use a Dictionary: Some dictionaries show common collocations, which can help you find the right word combinations.

Conclusion

In this article, I have explained why collocations are the building blocks of natural-sounding English.

By learning common word pairings, avoiding common mistakes, and practicing regularly (verb + adverb), you’ll improve your English and sound more fluent.

Keep an eye out for collocations in everyday English, and soon they’ll become second nature to you! (second nature - another collocation!)