English collocations are words that naturally go together to form common phrases or expressions. These combinations sound correct to native and fluent English speakers because they follow the patterns of natural language use. For example, we say "strong coffee" instead of "powerful coffee" and "fast food" instead of "quick food." While both alternatives might seem grammatically correct, they don't reflect how English is typically spoken.
Collocations are essential for sounding more fluent and natural in English. They help non-native speakers move beyond basic vocabulary and learn how words are used in context. By mastering collocations, learners can better understand native speakers, improve their writing and enhance their overall communication skills. For instance, rather than simply knowing the word "make," learning collocations like "make a decision" or "make a mistake" gives learners a broader sense of how the word fits into real-life conversations.
Here Are Some More Collocations and Examples
Many people might say that they will 'do' (v) a 'meeting' (n), but that verb + noun combination does not collocate and will sound strange or funny to a native or fluent English speaker, who has an intuitive knowledge of what collocates in English. The correct choice of verbs that go with the noun 'meeting' is one of the following:
Collocations: Verb + Meeting (n)
have, hold | arrange, call, convene, organise, schedule, summon
The CEO has called a meeting to discuss the upcoming trade fair.
| attend | declare open, open
The chairman declared the meeting open.
| close, declare closed | adjourn, break up | call off, cancel | postpone | host | chair, conduct, preside over
I've got to chair a meeting next week.
| call to order
The chairman called the meeting to order.
| participate in | address
She always spoke as if she were addressing the president.
| ban | boycott | disrupt.
One effective way to improve your knowledge of English collocations is to read and listen to authentic English materials—such as books, newspapers, podcasts and movies—paying attention to word pairings. Keeping a list of interesting collocations and practicing them in sentences can also be very helpful. Of course, this website is dedicated to providing subject specific collocation dictionaries, which will provide a much more focused, efficient and valuable guidance.
With time and practice, incorporating collocations into your speech and writing will make your English flow more naturally and confidently!
