Unit 4: Finding and Working on Collocations in Texts
\nUnderstanding Collocations
\nCollocations are words that naturally go together in English. Advanced learners need collocations because they make speech and writing more fluent, accurate, and natural. Some collocations are weak, meaning many combinations are possible, while others are strong or fixed. For example, we say broad smile, deliriously happy, and adjourn a meeting. We also use longer expressions such as faces the challenge and provide entertainment.
\nCollocations can belong to different grammatical groups: verb + noun, adjective + noun, adverb + adjective, noun + noun, or fixed expressions. Writers and speakers use collocations to communicate efficiently because listeners expect familiar combinations.
\nExamples of useful academic and professional collocations include gaining the respect, winning the battle, underestimate the value, and make a difference. Travel and lifestyle texts often include expressions such as grab a seat and take a boat.
\nExercise 1 – Complete the Collocations
\n- \n
- _________ agreement \n
- _________ concern \n
- _________ challenge \n
- _________ smile \n
- _________ translation \n
- _________ amusement \n
- _________ weather \n
- _________ a meeting \n
Exercise 2 – Match the Halves
\n| A | B |
|---|---|
| 1. make | a. the challenge |
| 2. faces | b. a difference |
| 3. gaining | c. the battle |
| 4. winning | d. the respect |
| 5. provide | e. entertainment |
| 6. difficult to | f. pin down |
| 7. source of | g. fun |
| 8. take | h. a boat |
Exercise 3 – Rewrite Using a Collocation
\n- \n
- The new employee must earn everyone’s respect. \n
- The doctor said the operation was very difficult. \n
- We should stop the meeting now. \n
- She is extremely happy about the news. \n
- The actor entertained the audience brilliantly. \n
- He should not ignore the importance of teamwork. \n
- The weather was terrible during the trip. \n
- The journalist could not describe the feeling exactly. \n
Exercise 4 – Identify the Type of Collocation
\nWrite V+N, Adj+N, Adv+Adj, N+N, or Fixed Expression.
\n- \n
- broad accent \n
- burst into song \n
- vain hope \n
- stroke of luck \n
- deliriously happy \n
- pass up a chance \n
- take it easy \n
- snippet of information \n
Exercise 5 – Choose the Best Collocation
\n- \n
- She has (auburn / golden) agreement. \n
- We need to (adjourn / withstand) the meeting. \n
- He was (deliriously / recklessly) happy. \n
- The vest can (withstand / arise) pressure. \n
- There is mounting (fury / translation). \n
- The company drew up a (contract / barrage). \n
- We should not pass up the (impact / opportunity). \n
- The singer burst into (song / luck). \n
Exercise 6 – Personalised Sentences
\nWrite original sentences using these collocations:
\n- \n
- newly qualified \n
- milestone passed \n
- gift for languages \n
- grab a seat \n
- make a difference \n
- pending the results \n
- source of amusement \n
- winning the battle \n
Tip: Record collocations in groups rather than as isolated words.
\n\n
Further Practice with Collocations
\nCollocations appear in academic writing, news reports, conversations, and literature. Learning them in context improves listening and reading comprehension. Advanced learners should notice repeated word partnerships and practise them actively in speaking and writing.
\nExercise 1 – Gap Fill
\n- \n
- She has a _________ for languages. \n
- The lawyer drew up a _________. \n
- Educational standards have begun to _________. \n
- He failed _________ in the interview. \n
- The article gives an intensely _________ account. \n
- We should put the past _________ us. \n
- An opportunity suddenly _________. \n
- They managed to win the _________. \n
Exercise 2 – Correct the Errors
\n- \n
- She made a strong happiness. \n
- They adjourned the weather. \n
- He passed down a chance. \n
- The audience burst into music. \n
- She gave me a barrage of information. \n
- The plain hope was unrealistic. \n
- He drove miserably. \n
- They took a seat boat. \n
Exercise 3 – Multiple Choice
\n- \n
- Which collocation means “growing anger”?
a) broad smile b) mounting fury c) idle threat \n - Which expression means “unexpected luck”?
a) snippet of information b) barrage of insults c) stroke of luck \n - Which verb collocates with “chance”?
a) pass up b) withstand c) arise \n - Which adjective collocates with “hope”?
a) plain b) vain c) picturesque \n - Which phrase means “stop worrying and relax”?
a) burst into song b) pass up a chance c) take it easy \n - Which phrase means “be hard to describe”?
a) difficult to pin down b) broad agreement c) source of fun \n - Which phrase means “wait for official outcomes”?
a) newly qualified b) pending the results c) turn his thoughts \n - Which phrase relates to transport?
a) take a boat b) make a difference c) provide entertainment \n
Exercise 4 – Categorise the Collocations
\nPut each collocation into the correct category.
\nCollocations: broad agreement, withstand pressure, stunningly attractive, source of amusement, failed miserably, turn his thoughts, auburn hair, draw up a contract
\n| Verb + Noun | Adjective + Noun | Adverb + Adjective | Fixed Expression |
|---|---|---|---|
Exercise 5 – Sentence Transformation
\n- \n
- He is fully certified now. \n
- She entertained everyone at the party. \n
- The student managed to get a seat quickly. \n
- The manager postponed the meeting. \n
- The report made an important impact. \n
- He ignored the importance of exercise. \n
- The athlete faced a difficult challenge. \n
- The translator worked during the conference. \n
Exercise 6 – Creative Writing
\nWrite a short paragraph using all of the following collocations:
\n- \n
- faces the challenge \n
- gaining the respect \n
- qualify fully \n
- make a difference \n
- grab a seat \n
- source of fun \n
- provide entertainment \n
- turn his thoughts \n
\n
Extended Collocation Practice
\nStrong collocational knowledge helps learners sound more fluent and professional. Native speakers rely heavily on common word partnerships, and advanced learners should practise noticing patterns in reading texts and authentic speech.
\nExercise 1 – Find the Missing Word
\n- \n
- __________ concern \n
- vain __________ \n
- source of __________ \n
- withstand the __________ \n
- draw up a __________ \n
- burst into __________ \n
- plain __________ \n
- grab a __________ \n
Exercise 2 – Odd One Out
\n- \n
- broad agreement / broad smile / broad translation \n
- withstand pressure / withstand impact / withstand opportunity \n
- vain hope / idle threat / idle translation \n
- mounting concern / mounting fury / mounting contract \n
- source of amusement / source of fun / source of contract \n
- provide entertainment / provide translation / provide weather \n
- deliriously happy / stunningly attractive / stunningly agreement \n
- pass up a chance / draw up a contract / draw up a smile \n
Exercise 3 – Reading and Underlining
\nUnderline eight collocations in the text below:
\nAfter qualifying fully as a translator, Maria got the chance to work at an international conference providing simultaneous translation. She quickly gained the respect of her colleagues because she never underestimated the value of preparation. Although she faced the challenge of working under pressure, she still managed to provide entertainment during breaks and became a source of amusement for the team.
\nExercise 4 – Collocation Grid
\nMatch each verb with a suitable noun.
\n- \n
- draw up \n
- pass up \n
- grab \n
- take \n
- provide \n
- underestimate \n
- turn \n
- win \n
- \n
- the value \n
- a contract \n
- entertainment \n
- the battle \n
- a seat \n
- a chance \n
- a boat \n
- his thoughts \n
Exercise 5 – Complete the Dialogue
\nUse suitable collocations to complete the conversation.
\n- \n
- A: Did you enjoy the performance?
B: Yes, it really __________ entertainment. \n - A: Is Tom officially certified now?
B: Yes, he managed to __________ fully. \n - A: Why is she successful?
B: She has a real __________ for languages. \n - A: What happened after the exam?
B: We had to wait pending the __________. \n - A: Was the climb difficult?
B: Yes, but passing the final checkpoint was a huge __________. \n - A: Was the speech clear?
B: Not really. The meaning was difficult to __________ down. \n - A: Did he sit immediately?
B: Yes, he quickly grabbed a __________. \n - A: How did the team react?
B: They felt they were finally winning the __________. \n
Exercise 6 – Reflection Task
\nAnswer the questions in full sentences.
\n- \n
- Which collocations in this unit are most useful for academic English? \n
- Which collocations would help in professional situations? \n
- Which collocations are difficult to remember? \n
- How can reading improve collocation knowledge? \n
- Why are strong collocations important? \n
- What strategies can help you record collocations? \n
- Which collocation could you use this week in conversation? \n
- Which collocation do you personally like most? \n
