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.

Collocations Lists
On this page you can find a few short lists of collocations to give you more of an idea about them. Many good learner's dictionaries show collocations associated with specific words. There are also dictionaries of collocations, though these are more difficult to find.

Some common verbs

have have a bath have a drink have a good time have a haircut have a holiday do do business do nothing do someone a favour do the cooking do the housework make make a difference make a mess make a mistake make a noise make an effort

have a problem have a relationship have a rest have lunch have sympathy

do the shopping do the washing up do your best do your hair do your homework

make furniture make money make progress make room make trouble

take break catch take a break break a habit catch a ball take a chance break a leg catch a bus take a look break a promise catch a chill take a rest break a record catch a cold take a seat break a window catch a thief take a taxi break someone's heart catch fire take an exam break the ice catch sight of take notes break the law catch someone's attention take someone's place break the news to someone catch someone's eye take someone's temperature break the rules catch the flu pay save save electricity pay a fine save energy pay attention save money pay by credit card save one's strength pay cash save someone a seat pay interest pay someone a compliment save someone's life save something to a disk pay someone a visit save space pay the bill save time pay the price save yourself the trouble pay your respects come come close come complete with come direct come early come first come into view come last come late come on time come prepared come right back come second come to a compromise come to a decision come to an agreement come to an end come to a standstill come to terms with go go abroad go astray go bad go bald go bankrupt go blind go crazy go dark go deaf go fishing go mad go missing go on foot go online go out of business go overseas go quiet go sailing keep keep a diary keep a promise keep a secret keep an appointment keep calm keep control keep in touch keep quiet keep someone's place keep the change get get a job get a shock get angry get divorced get drunk get frightened get home get lost get married get nowhere get permission get pregnant get ready get started get the impression get the message get the sack get upset

come to a total of come under attack

go to war go yellow Business English annual turnover bear in mind break off negotiations cease trading chair a meeting close a deal close a meeting come to the point dismiss an offer draw a conclusion draw your attention to launch a new product lay off staff go bankrupt go into partnership make a loss make a profit market forces sales figures take on staff

get wet get worried Classifiers

Miscellaneous
Time bang on time dead on time early 12th century free time from dawn till dusk great deal of time late 20th century make time for next few days past few weeks right on time run out of time save time spare time spend some time take your time tell someone the time time goes by time passes waste time

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