1000+ Common collocations in English PDF

Common collocations in English. Collocations are the words that are most often used together. Here is a collection of collocations that are used in daily conversation. This is because a collocation is so often used in English speech and writing, so mastering the use of them is essential for you to be able to speak and write in a way that is both commonly understood, and grammatically correct.

What is a collocation?

Collocations are simple enough things to understand, and they’ll actually benefit you a great deal when you start to use them yourself.

This is important, because while there are other words available that certainly make sense, collocations are the words that are most often used together.

There are different types of collocations though, so we’ll take a look at some examples of these to better understand what a collocation really is.
Some typical collocation examples are “pay attention”, “fast food”, “make an effort”, and “powerful engine”.
Collocations make it easier to avoid overused or ambiguous words like “very”, “nice”, or “beautiful”, by using a pair of words that fits the context better and has a more precise meaning.
Using collocations will help your English sound naturally like a native speaker.

Common collocations examples with take, get, do, make, go…

He had intended to take a holiday in New York.
He wanted to see if he could get a job with us.
My goals were to go back to school and get a degree.
I’ll take a look at the website and let you know what I think.
He was beginning to get angry.
Couldn’t you do a favor and leave me alone?
She should make a right choice.
Could you do a report for me?
I might take a lesson from you.
We are to make a contract for a supply of raw silk with the company.
I like to do homework.
We need to make a deal for this project.
The company is about to go bankrupt.

Examples of collocations with Prepositions at, in, on, to, with…

I congratulate you on your new job!
I insist on Peter’s studying every day for two hours.
I feel very proud to be a part of the team.
People are scared to use the buses late at night.
It’s nice to know you.
You are blessed with many talents.
Don’t be careless with your ATM card.
The fall in retail sales is directly connected with the decline in employment.

How to Learn Collocations?

Collocations are important if you want to show yourself off to be somebody who truly understands the use of the English language in a way that is common.

You’ll see that certain words are combined in certain ways more often than others, so by copying them you will become used to the words that simply ‘sound right’ when put together and realize when words will ‘sound wrong’, so that you don’t use them anymore.