Types of Collocations in English &
Examples
There are seven different types of collocations in English.
A collocation is a pair or group of words that are often used
together and seen as natural by a native speaker. These
combinations sound natural to native speakers, but students of
English have to make a special effort to learn them because they
are often difficult to guess. Some combinations just sound ‘wrong’
to native speakers of English. For example, the
adjective fast collocates with cars, but not with a glance
Type of
Collocation Description Example
A verb Make a decision,
followed by a take a shower,
Verb + Noun noun have a look
An adjective Bright light, strong
Adjective + followed by a coffee, tall
Noun noun building
Table tennis, job
Noun + Two nouns interview, holiday
Noun used together destination
Extremely tired,
An adverb highly
Adverb + modifying an recommended,
Adjective adjective surprisingly cold
An adverb Quickly run,
Adverb + modifying a loudly sing, easily
Verb verb do
A preposition In the morning, on
Preposition + followed by a the train, at the
Noun noun party
Types of Collocations in English
1. Adjectives and nouns
Notice adjectives that are typically used with particular nouns.
☛Emma always wears red or yellow or some other bright colour.
☛We had a brief chat about the exams but didn’t have time to discuss them properly.
☛Unemployment is a major problem for the government at the moment.
☛Improving the health service is another key issue for government.
2. Nouns and verbs
Notice how nouns and verbs often go together. The examples below are all to do with economics and business.
☛The economy boomed in the 1990s. [the economy was very strong] ☛The company has grown and
now employs 50 more people than last year.
☛The company has expanded and now has branches in most major cities.
☛The two companies merged in 2013 and now form one very large corporation.
☛The company launched the product in 2012. [introduced the product] ☛The price increase poses a
problem for us. [is a problem] ☛The internet has created opportunities for our business. [brought new
opportunities]
3. Noun + noun
There are a lot of collocations with the pattern a … of …
☛As Max read the lies about him, he felt a surge of anger. [literary: a sudden angry feeling] ☛Every
parent feels a sense of pride when their child does well or wins something.
☛I felt a pang of nostalgia when I saw the old photos of the village where I grew up.
4. Verbs and expressions with prepositions
Some verbs collocate with particular prepositional expressions.
☛As Jack went on stage to receive his gold medal for the judo competition you could see his
parents swelling with pride. [looking extremely proud] ☛I was filled with horror when I read the
newspaper report of the explosion.
When she spilt juice on her new skirt the little girl burst into tears. [suddenly started crying]
5. Verbs and adverbs
Some verbs have particular adverbs which regularly collocate with them.
☛She pulled steadily on the rope and helped him to safety. [pulled firmly and evenly] ☛He placed the
beautiful vase gently on the window ledge.
☛‘I love you and want to marry you,’ Dylan whispered softly to Madison.
☛She smiled proudly as she looked at the photos of her new grandson.
6. Adverbs and adjectives
Adjectives often have particular adverbs which regularly collocate with them.
☛They are happily married.
☛I am fully aware that there are serious problems. [I know well] ☛Harry was blissfully unaware that
he was in danger. [Harry had no idea at all, often used about something unpleasant]
Collocation & Expressions with MAKE
and DO
If you remember that the basic meaning of make is about producing something and the basic
meaning of do is about performing an action, then the collocations on this page may seem more
logical.
Collocation with MAKE and DO
MAKE DO
Make money Do research
MAKE DO
Make progress Do homework
Make a difference Do business
Make a mistake Do exercise
Make a decision Do damage
Make a phone call Do justice
Make a reservation Do well
Make a point Do wrong
Make a plan Do a favor
Make a change Do a job
Make a move Do a task
Make a living Do a survey
Make a statement Do a study
Make a claim Do a presentation
Make a request Do a workout
Make a purchase Do a service
Make a reservation Do a good deed
Make a list Do a test
Make breakfast Do a search
Make lunch Do a cleaning
MAKE DO
Collocation Examples with MAKE
Collocatio Definitio
n n Example
to
prepare
or
Make organize The school can make
Arrangem somethin arrangements for pupils
ents For g with special needs.
to alter or
Make a modify The new manager is
Change / somethin planning
Changes g to make some changes.
to select
or decide She had to make a
Make a between choice between her career
Choice options and her family.
to
express
Make a an
Comment opinion Would anyone like
/ or give to make any comments o
Comments feedback n the talk?
to give or
add
somethin
Make a g that is She made a
Contributi useful or useful contribution to the
on To helpful discussion.
Make a to come I’m glad it’s you who has
Decision to a to make the decision, not
conclusio
Collocatio Definitio
n n Example
n or
resolve me.
to try
hard or He is really making an
Make an exert effort with his maths this
Effort oneself term.
to
provide a
reason or
justificati
on for not
doing I’m too tired to go out
Make an somethin tonight. Let’s make an
Excuse g excuse and stay at home.
to form
social
relationsh
ips or
connectio
Make ns with She is very good
Friends others at making friends.
to
enhance
Make an or better Repainting the room has
Improvem somethin really made an
ent g improvement.
to do
somethin
g
wrongly
or
Make a incorrectl They’ve made a
Mistake y mistake in our bill.
Make a to dial I’ve got
Phone and speak to make some phone calls
Call with before dinner.
someone
Collocatio Definitio
n n Example
over the
phone
to
advance
or
improve
in a Holly
Make particular is making progress with
Progress area all her schoolwork.
=Collocation Examples with DO
Collocati
on Meaning Example
Conduct
investigatio
ns to gain
knowledge I’m doing research for
Do or my project on renewable
research information energy.
Complete
assigned
Do work I need
homewor outside of to do my homework bef
k class ore watching the movie.
Engage in We do business with
Do commercial several companies in the
business transactions UK.
Physical
activity to
maintain or
improve I usually do
Do physical exercise every morning
exercise fitness before breakfast.
Collocati
on Meaning Example
Do Inflict harm The storm did a lot
damage or injury of damage to the town.
Deal fairly
or act in
accordance
with what is
right or The court needs
Do justice lawful to do justice in this case.
Succeed or
perform She’s doing well in her
exceptionall studies and has already
Do well y received several awards.
Act
unethically
or in a
manner that I can’t believe
is harmful he did something
Do wrong or unjust so wrong.
Offer help
or
Do a assistance Can you do me a
favor to someone favor please?
Perform a
task or
complete a He’s a skilled person and
piece of can do any job with
Do a job work ease.
Complete a
specific I need to do the
piece of task assigned to me
Do a task work before tomorrow.
Do a Conduct a They are doing a
survey research survey about global
study to warming
gather
information
Collocati
on Meaning Example
from a
sample of
people
