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.
20 collocations that you can use to improve your essay in IELTS
Writing Task 2
1. To play/have a(n) important/key/vital/crucial role in (doing)
something to play an important part in something
University education plays a crucial role in improving the quality of
the human workforce.
2. To make significant/substantial/valuable/great/outstanding
contribution to sth
Medical advances have made outstanding contributions to the
public’s health care.
3. To solve the problem
Whoever created this problem should solve it.
4. To be key factors influencing something
The number of vehicles used is the key factors influencing
pollution.
5. To reap the benefits (of something) – gain benefit from
something/ make the most of something
The customers reap the benefits of globalization.
6. To be a contributing factor: to be one of the main causes of
something
The vaccination program has been a contributing factor in the
improvement of health standards.
7. To contribute to something
Alcohol contributes to 100,000 deaths a year in the US.
8. To gain/derive benefit (from sth)
Many students derived enormous benefit from the course.
9. To have a right to do something = to be entitled to do something
Everyone should have the right to freedom of expression.
Full-time employees are entitled to receive health insurance.
10. To benefit greatly/enormously/considerably from something
Many thousands have benefited considerably from the new
treatment.
11. To have/enjoy/achieve a huge/great success in doing something
We want all our students to achieve huge success in the exam
12. To launch a full-scale investigation into something
The authorities are planning to launch a full-scale investigation into
the crash.
13. To meet the need of/demand
The charity exists to meet the needs of elderly people.
14. To fulfil a role/duty/function/ an aim/a goal/an
objective/dream/ambition/hope
Visiting Disneyland has fulfilled a boyhood dream.
15. To fulfil a requirement/condition/obligation
Britain was accused of failing to fulfil its obligation under the EU
Treaty.
16. To fulfil a promise/pledge = to keep a promise
I’d like to see him fulfil his promise to reorganize the army.
17. To satisfy somebody’s needs/demands/desires/requirements
The program is designed to satisfy the needs of adult learners.
18. To have/gain knowledge/understanding of something
The need to gain knowledge about birth control.
19. To have/make common cause (with/against)
S officials expect other Western governments to make common
cause with them over the arrests.
20. To cause somebody to do something
What caused you to change your mind?
