What is a Collocation?
A collocation is two or more words that are frequently used together, e.g., catch a cold. The combination of these words sounds normal to a native English speaker who typically learns collocations when learning to talk. Whereas, these combinations may be unnatural to English Language Learners (ELL or ESL); they will most likely need to be taught collocations through explicit instruction.
Common Collocations
The table below contains a list of common collocations, specifically related to the following words: break, catch, come, do, get, go, have, keep, make, pay, save and take.
| Words | Collocation |
|---|---|
| break | break a habit |
| break | break a leg |
| break | break a promise |
| break | break a record |
| break | break a window |
| break | break someone's heart |
| break | break the ice |
| break | break the law |
| break | break the news |
| break | break the rules |
| catch | catch a ball |
| catch | catch a cold |
| catch | catch a movie |
| catch | catch a train |
| catch | catch a crook |
| catch | catch a bus |
| catch | catch a chill |
| catch | catch a thief |
| catch | catch fire |
| catch | catch sight of |
| catch | catch someone's attention |
| catch | catch someone's eye |
| catch | catch the flu |
| come | come close |
| come | comes complete with |
| come | come early |
| come | come first |
| come | come into view |
| come | come last |
| come | come late |
| come | come on time |
| come | come prepared |
| come | come right back |
| come | come to a compromise |
| come | come to a decision |
| come | come to an agreement |
| come | come to an end |
| come | come to a standstill |
| come | come to terms with |
| come | come under attack |
| do | do damage |
| do | do research |
| do | do justice |
| do | do harm |
| do | do business |
| do | do nothing |
| do | do someone a favor |
| do | do the cooking |
| do | do the housework |
| do | do the shopping |
| do | do your best |
| do | do your best |
| do | do your hair |
| do | do your homework |
| get | get a job |
| get | get angry |
| get | get divorced |
| get | get frightened |
| get | get home |
| get | get lost |
| get | get married |
| get | get permission |
| get | get pregnant |
| get | get ready |
| get | get started |
| get | get the impression |
| get | get the message |
| get | get upset |
| get | get wet |
| get | get worried |
| go | go abroad |
| go | go astray |
| go | go to bed |
| go | go bald |
| go | go bankrupt |
| go | go blind |
| go | go crazy |
| go | go deaf |
| go | go fishing |
| go | go mad |
| go | go missing |
| go | go on foot |
| go | go online |
| go | go out of business |
| go | go overseas |
| go | go quiet |
| go | go sailing |
| go | go to war |
| have | have a headache |
| have | have lessons |
| have | have an operation |
| have | have a baby |
| have | have a party |
| have | have breakfast |
| have | have fun |
| have | have a break |
| have | have a drink |
| have | have a good time |
| have | have a problem |
| have | have a relationship |
| have | have lunch |
| have | have sympathy |
| keep | keep a diary |
| keep | keep a secret |
| keep | keep a promise |
| keep | keep an appointment |
| keep | keep calm |
| keep | keep control |
| keep | keep in touch |
| keep | keep quiet |
| keep | keep the change |
| make | make preparations |
| make | make a decision |
| make | make a discovery |
| make | make a call |
| make | make a noise |
| make | make a promise |
| make | make a complaint |
| make | make progress |
| make | make an effort |
| make | make a comment |
| make | make a suggestion |
| make | make a list |
| make | make a connection |
| make | make a difference |
| make | make a mess (made a mess) |
| make | make a mistake |
| make | make money |
| make | make progress |
| make | make room |
| make | make trouble |
| pay | pay a fine |
| pay | pay attention |
| pay | pay by credit card |
| pay | pay cash |
| pay | pay interest |
| pay | pay someone a compliment |
| pay | pay someone a visit |
| pay | pay the bill |
| pay | pay the price |
| pay | pay your respects |
| save | save electricity |
| save | save energy |
| save | save money |
| save | save one's strength |
| save | save someone a seat |
| save | save someones life |
| save | save it |
| save | save space |
| save | save time |
| save | save yourself |
| take | take a bath |
| take | take lessons |
| take | take a test |
| take | take a look |
| take | take a picture |
| take | take a exam |
| take | take a break |
| take | take a break |
| take | take a chance |
| take | take a rest |
| take | take a seat |
| take | take a taxi |
| take | take notes |
| take | take someone's place |
| take | take someone's temperature |
If we missed a common collocation, please use our comment section below to let us know.
Hi,
All of the “to run” collocations are missing: run out, run on, run-on sentence, run into, runaround, run at, run a business, run a car, run the show, run a classroom, run a school, run a store, run a restaurant, run a department, run the government, run your life, run his life, run the organization, run into the ground, run your mind, run your mouth, run the water, run the refrigerator, run the dishwasher…
I can’t think of more at the moment, but I’m sure there must be. Love your site.
Melissa