Collocation

Collocation

What is a collocation?

A collocation is two or more words that often go together. These combinations just sound "right" to native English speakers, who use them all the time. On the other hand, other combinations may be unnatural and just sound "wrong".

In corpus linguistics, collocation defines a sequence of words or terms that co-occur more often than would be expected by chance.

Look at these examples:

natural English...	unnatural English...
the fast train fast food	the quick train quick food
a quick shower a quick meal	a fast shower a fast meal

Why learn collocations?

Ø  Your language will be more natural and more easily understood.

Ø  You will have alternative and richer ways of expressing yourself.

Ø  It is easier for our brains to remember and use language in chunks or blocks rather than as single words.

Types of Collocation

There are several different types of collocation made from combinations of verb, noun, adjective etc. Some of the most common types are:

• Adverb + Adjective: completely satisfied (NOT downrightsatisfied)
• Adjective + Noun: excruciating pain (NOT excruciating joy)
• Noun + Noun: a surge of anger (NOT a rush of anger)
• Noun + Verb: lions roar (NOT lionsshout)
• Verb + Noun: commit suicide (NOTundertake suicide)
• Verb + Expression With Preposition:burst into tears (NOT blow up intears)
• Verb + Adverb: wave frantically (NOT wave feverishly)

Example Collocation

Have

• have a bath
• have a drink
• have a good time
• have a haircut

DO

• do business
• do nothing
• do someone a favor
• do the cooking

MAKE

• make a difference
• make a mess
• make a mistake
• make a noise

Take

• take a break
• take a chance
• take a look

BREAK

• break a habit
• break a leg
• break a promise
• break a record
• break a window