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Collocation S

A collocation is a combination of two or more words that frequently occur together and sound natural to native speakers. There are various types of collocations, including adverb + adjective, adjective + noun, noun + noun, noun + verb, verb + noun, verb + expression with preposition, and verb + adverb. The document provides examples of each type to illustrate how collocations function in English.

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33 views3 pages

Collocation S

A collocation is a combination of two or more words that frequently occur together and sound natural to native speakers. There are various types of collocations, including adverb + adjective, adjective + noun, noun + noun, noun + verb, verb + noun, verb + expression with preposition, and verb + adverb. The document provides examples of each type to illustrate how collocations function in English.

Uploaded by

isalinva
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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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 unnatural
English... English...

the fast train the quick train


fast food quick food

a quick a fast shower


shower a fast meal
a quick meal

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)
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.

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