Practice
Types of collocations: common word partnerships
Sign in to saveYou may know both words in a sentence and still choose a combination that sounds unusual. Collocations help you learn which words English speakers commonly put together.
Recognize five common collocation patterns and choose the words that usually go together in a B1 sentence.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
We need to make a decision before Friday. /wiː niːd tə meɪk ə dɪˈsɪʒən bɪˈfɔː ˈfraɪdeɪ/
The short answer
There are several common types of collocations. Start by noticing the job of each word: make a decision is a verb plus noun pattern, while heavy rain is an adjective plus noun pattern.
We need to make a decision before Friday.
Why it works: Make and decision commonly form a verb plus noun collocation.
4 more examples
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Heavy rain delayed the football match.
Heavy rain is a common adjective plus noun collocation.
Not this:
Strong raindelayed the football match. What changes: Strong has other uses, but heavy is the usual adjective for a large amount of rain. -
It is highly likely that the train will be late.
Highly likely is an adverb plus adjective collocation.
Not this:It is
strongly likelythat the train will be late. What changes: Strongly can modify some words, but highly is the usual partner for likely. -
The company arranged a business meeting for Monday.
Business meeting is a noun plus noun partnership that names a type of meeting.
Not this:The company arranged a
commerce meetingfor Monday. What changes: Commerce is a noun, but business is the usual word before meeting in this meaning. -
Mina apologized sincerely for the mistake.
Apologize sincerely is a verb plus adverb collocation.
Not this:Mina
apologized heavilyfor the mistake. What changes: Heavily can modify some actions, but sincerely is the usual adverb for an apology.
Read the full guide
Do not try to translate every word partnership directly from another language. First, look at the pattern in the sentence. Then learn the complete partnership, including a short example. This makes it easier to choose a natural word when you speak or write.
Use a verb with a noun
Many collocations pair an action with a thing, event, or idea. Common verbs in these patterns include make, take, have, give, and do. Learn the verb and noun together.
We need to make a decision before Friday.
Make a decision is the usual partnership. Do a decision is not the normal choice.
I took a short break after the meeting.
Take a break is another verb plus noun collocation.
Which verb usually goes with a decision: make or do?
Use make a decision.
Use an adjective with a noun
An adjective plus noun collocation describes a person, thing, event, or idea with a usual partner. The adjective can be understandable with another noun, but the common pairing is worth learning.
Heavy rain delayed the football match.
Heavy commonly describes a large amount of rain.
She gave me useful advice about the interview.
Useful advice is a common pairing when the advice helps someone.
Which adjective usually goes with rain when there is a lot of it?
Use heavy rain.
Use an adverb with an adjective
An adverb can strengthen or limit an adjective. Some adverbs have common adjective partners. Notice the whole pair because a similar adverb may sound less natural.
It is highly likely that the train will be late.
Highly often comes before likely when you mean that something has a strong chance of happening.
The instructions were completely clear.
Completely clear means clear in every part.
Which adverb commonly comes before likely: highly or heavily?
Use highly likely.
Notice noun plus noun partnerships
Two nouns can work together when the first noun explains the type or purpose of the second noun. These partnerships often name familiar places, events, jobs, or objects.
The company arranged a business meeting for Monday.
Business tells you what kind of meeting it is.
We met at the bus stop near the library.
Bus stop is a familiar noun plus noun partnership for a place where buses stop.
In business meeting, which noun tells you the type of meeting?
Business tells you the type of meeting.
Use a verb with an adverb
A verb plus adverb collocation explains how an action happens. The adverb can change the tone or degree of the action, so choose one that people commonly use with that verb.
Mina apologized sincerely for the mistake.
Sincerely shows that the apology was honest and serious.
Please listen carefully to the safety instructions.
Listen carefully is a common partnership for paying close attention.
Which adverb is a usual partner for apologize when the apology is honest?
Use apologize sincerely.
Before you go
Remember this
Collocations are common word partnerships. Check the pattern before you choose a word: verb plus noun, adjective plus noun, adverb plus adjective, noun plus noun, or verb plus adverb. Save the whole partnership with a short example so you can use it again.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Types of collocations: common word partnerships"
What is a collocation?
A collocation is a combination of words that English speakers use together often. Make a decision, heavy rain, and highly likely are common examples. Learning the partnership as a group can help you choose more natural words in a sentence.
We need to make a decision before Friday.
What are common types of collocations?
Common patterns include verb plus noun, adjective plus noun, adverb plus adjective, noun plus noun, and verb plus adverb. For example, make a decision is verb plus noun, and heavy rain is adjective plus noun. Other patterns are possible too.
We need to do a decision before Friday.
Why is do a decision unusual?
The sentence is understandable, but English normally uses make with decision. Collocations are about common partnerships, so the usual phrase is make a decision. Learn the whole phrase and then change its tense when the sentence needs it.
Heavy rain delayed the football match.
Can one word have more than one collocation?
Yes. One word can have several common partners. You can make a decision and make a mistake, while you can take a break and take a photo. The surrounding meaning helps you choose the partnership that fits the sentence.
Strong rain delayed the football match.
How can I learn collocations?
Write down a complete partnership with a short example, rather than saving one word alone. Group your notes by pattern, such as adjective plus noun or verb plus adverb. When you read or listen, notice repeated word partnerships and add useful ones to your list.
It is highly likely that the train will be late.