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Collocations: What Is A Collocation?

Collocations are combinations of two or more words that sound natural to native English speakers when used together, such as "fast food" or "quick shower". Learning collocations makes language more easily understood and allows for richer expression. It is easier for the brain to remember language in chunks rather than single words. Types of collocations include adverb + adjective, adjective + noun, noun + noun, noun + verb, verb + noun, verb + prepositional phrase, and verb + adverb.

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24 views1 page

Collocations: What Is A Collocation?

Collocations are combinations of two or more words that sound natural to native English speakers when used together, such as "fast food" or "quick shower". Learning collocations makes language more easily understood and allows for richer expression. It is easier for the brain to remember language in chunks rather than single words. Types of collocations include adverb + adjective, adjective + noun, noun + noun, noun + verb, verb + noun, verb + prepositional phrase, and verb + adverb.

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kela
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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From: http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/collocations-advanced.

htm
Retrieved on: January 24th, 2012

Collocations

What is a collocation?

A collocation is two or more words that often go together. These combinations just sound "right" to
native English speakers, who use them all the time. On the other hand, other combinations may be
unnatural and just sound "wrong". Look at these examples:

Natural English... Unnatural English...


the fast train the quick train
fast food quick food
a quick shower a fast shower
a quick meal a fast meal

Why learn collocations?


 Your language will be more natural and more easily understood.
 You will have alternative and richer ways of expressing yourself.
 It is easier for our brains to remember and use language in chunks or blocks rather than as
single words.

How to learn collocations


 Be aware of collocations, and try to recognize them when you see or hear them.
 Treat collocations as single blocks of language. Think of them as individual blocks or chunks,
and learn strongly support, not strongly + support.
 When you learn a new word, write down other words that collocate with it (remember
rightly, remember distinctly, remember vaguely, remember vividly).
 Read as much as possible. Reading is an excellent way to learn vocabulary and collocations in
context and naturally.
 Revise what you learn regularly. Practise using new collocations in context as soon as
possible after learning them.
 Learn collocations in groups that work for you. You could learn them by topic (time, number,
weather, money, family) or by a particular word (take action, take a chance, take an exam).
 You can find information on collocations in any good learner's dictionary. And you can also
find specialized dictionaries of collocations.

Types of Collocation

There are several different types of collocation made from combinations of verb, noun, adjective etc.
Some of the most common types are:

 Adverb + Adjective: completely satisfied (NOT downright satisfied)


 Adjective + Noun: excruciating pain (NOT excruciating joy)
 Noun + Noun: a surge of anger (NOT a rush of anger)
 Noun + Verb: lions roar (NOT lions shout)
 Verb + Noun: commit suicide (NOT undertake suicide)
 Verb + Expression With Preposition: burst into tears (NOT blow up in tears)
 Verb + Adverb: wave frantically (NOT wave feverishly)

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