List of Collocations You Should Know




In English, a collocation is two or more words that go together naturally. Learning collocations is essential for making your English sound fluent and natural!

It is important to learn collocations, because they are important for the naturalization of one’s speech. Besides, they broaden one’s scope for expression. Collocation refers to how words go together or form fixed relationships. A collocation is made up of two or more words that are commonly used together in English. It is a combination of words that are usually used together; other combinations that may mean the same thing would seem ‘unnatural’. 


Collocation with word BIG
The word big is often used in collocations with a happening or event, for example:
  • a big accomplishment
  • a big decision
  • a big disappointment
  • a big failure
  • a big improvement
  • a big mistake
  • a big surprise
Collocation with Word GREAT
The word great is often used in collocations with feelings or qualities.

Great + feelings

  • great admiration
  • great anger
  • great enjoyment
  • great excitement
  • great fun
  • great happiness
  • great joy
Great + qualities
  • in great detail
  • great power
  • great pride
  • great sensitivity
  • great skill
  • great strength
  • great understanding
  • great wisdom
  • great wealth
Collocation with word LARGE
The word large is often used in collocations involving numbers and measurements.
  • a large amount
  • a large collection
  • a large number (of)
  • a large population
  • a large proportion
  • a large quantity
  • a large scale

Collocation with word STRONG
The word strong is often used in collocations with facts and opinions:

Strong + facts/opinions
  • strong argument
  • strong emphasis
  • strong evidence
  • a strong contrast
  • a strong commitment
  • strong criticism
  • strong denial
  • a strong feeling
  • a strong opinion (about something)
  • strong resistance
Strong + senses
  • a strong smell
  • a strong taste

Collocation with word DEEP
The word deep is used for some strong feelings:
  • deep depression
  • deep devotion
  • It is also used in these expressions:
  • in deep thought
  • in deep trouble
  • in a deep sleep (when the person won’t wake up easily)

Collocation with word HEAVY
Heavy is used for some weather conditions…
  • heavy rain
  • heavy snow
  • heavy fog
The word heavy is also used for people with bad habits:
  • a heavy drinker
  • a heavy smoker
  • a heavy drug user
There’s also the expression “a heavy sleeper” – that’s not someone who sleeps a lot; instead, it’s a person who doesn’t wake up easily when sleeping.

The word heavy is also used in collocations with two unpleasant things: TRAFFIC and TAXES!
  • heavy traffic
  • heavy taxes

Collocations with word DO
  • Do me a favour
  • Do the cooking
  • Do the housework
  • Do the shopping
  • Do the washing up
  • Do your best
  • Do your hair
  • Do business
  • Do nothing
  • Do your best
  • Do your hair

Collocations with word HAVE
  • Have a good time
  • Have a bath
  • Have a drink
  • Have a haircut
  • Have a holiday
  • Have a problem
  • Have a relationship
  • Have lunch
  • Have sympathy

Collocations with word BREAK
  • Break the law
  • Break a leg
  • Break a promise
  • Break a record
  • Break someone's heart
  • Break the ice
  • Break the news to someone
  • Break the rules

Collocations with word TAKE
  • Take a break
  • Take a chance
  • Take a look
  • Take a rest
  • Take a seat
  • Take a taxi
  • Take an exam
  • Take notes
  • Take someone's place

Collocations with word MAKE
  • Make a difference
  • Make a mess
  • Make a mistake
  • Make a noise
  • Make an effort
  • Make money
  • Make progress
  • Make room
  • Make trouble

Collocations with word CATCH
  • Catch the bus
  • Catch a ball
  • Catch a cold
  • Catch a thief
  • Catch fire
  • Catch sight of
  • Catch someone's attention
  • Catch someone's eye
  • Catch the flu

Collocations with word PAY
  • Pay respect
  • Pay a fine
  • Pay attention
  • Pay by credit card
  • Pay cash
  • Pay interest
  • Pay someone a visit
  • Pay the bill
  • Pay the price
  • Pay your respects

Collocations with word KEEP
  • Keep the change
  • Keep a promise
  • Keep a secret
  • Keep an appointment
  • Keep calm
  • Keep in touch
  • Keep quiet
  • Keep someone's place

Collocations with the word SAVE
  • Save yourself the trouble
  • Save electricity
  • Save energy
  • Save money
  • Save someone a seat
  • Save someone's life
  • Save something to a disk
  • Save time
  • Save space

Collocations with word GO
  • Go bald
  • Go abroad
  • Go astray
  • Go bad
  • Go bankrupt
  • Go blind
  • Go crazy
  • Go fishing
  • Go on foot
  • Go yellow
  • Go mad
  • Go missing
  • Go online
  • Go out of business
  • Go overseas
  • Go quiet
  • Go sailing
  • Go to war

Collocations with word COME
  • Come under attack
  • Come close
  • Come direct
  • Come early
  • Come first
  • Come into view
  • Come complete with
  • Come last
  • Come late
  • Come on time
  • Come prepared
  • Come right back
  • Come to a decision
  • Come to an agreement
  • Come to an end
  • Come to a standstill
  • Come to terms with
  • Come to a total of

Collocations with word GET
  • Get the sack
  • Get the message
  • Get a life
  • Get a job
  • Get a shock
  • Get angry
  • Get divorced
  • Get drunk
  • Get frightened
  • Get home
  • Get lost
  • Get married
  • Get permission
  • Get ready
  • Get started
  • Get the impression
  • Get upset
  • Get wet
  • Get worried

Collocations related to TIME
  • Bang on time
  • Dead on time
  • Free time
  • From dawn till dusk
  • Great deal of time
  • Early/late 15th century
  • Make time for
  • Next few days
  • Past few weeks
  • Right on time
  • Run out of time
  • Time goes by
  • Time passes
  • Waste time
  • from dawn till dusk
  • save time
  • spare time
  • spend some time
  • take your time
  • tell someone the time

Collocations related to BUSINESS ENGLISH
  • Annual turnover
  • Keep in mind
  • Break off negotiations
  • Close a deal
  • Close a meeting
  • Come to the point
  • Dismiss an offer
  • Draw a conclusion
  • Draw your attention to
  • Launch a new product
  • Go bankrupt
  • Go into partnership
  • Make a profit/loss
  • bear in mind
  • cease trading
  • chair a meeting 
  • draw your attention to
  • launch a new product
  • lay off staff
  • sales figures
  • take on staff

CLASSIFIERS
  • a ball of string
  • a bar of chocolate
  • a bottle of water
  • a bunch of carrots
  • a cube of sugar
  • a pack of cards
  • a pad of paper

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