What are collocations?

Collocations are combinations of words that commonly occur together in a language. These are more than just individual words or phrases, but rather they are a set of words that are used together in a specific way. Collocations are an essential aspect of language learning as they make your speech or writing sound more natural and authentic.

Why are collocations important?

Learning collocations is important for several reasons.

Reason 1:

They can help you to improve your overall fluency in the language, as using the correct collocation can make your speech or writing sound more natural and authentic.

Reason 2:

They can help you to express your ideas more clearly and effectively, as using the correct collocation can give your words a specific connotation or nuance.

Reason 3:

Collocations can help you to understand the language better, as they provide insights into how native speakers of the language use and think about words.

Here’s a table that summarizes the different types of collocations and provides examples for each:

Type of Collocation	Examples
Adjective-noun	heavy rain, bright future, hot coffee, bitter cold
Verb-noun	make a decision, take a break, have a shower, meet a deadline, do a double-take
Adverb-adjective	completely wrong, utterly ridiculous, totally absurd
Preposition-noun	in the end, on the other hand, at the same time
Verb-adverb	run quickly, walk slowly, speak clearly
Noun-noun	business partner, traffic jam, coffee shop

Note that these are just a few examples of collocations for each type, and there are many more that exist in the English language.

There are many online resources available that can help you to learn and practice collocations, such as collocation dictionaries, quizzes, and exercises. These can be a useful supplement to your regular language learning activities.

Ozdic is a great collocation dictionary that you can use to learn and practice collocations

Grammar Practice

Level of difficulty:

Drag and drop the correct word using your mouse or your finger

Level of difficulty: ⭐⭐

Level of difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐

Underline the collocations in the text below.

When I woke up this morning, it was raining heavily outside. I decided to take a break from my usual routine and make a cup of hot coffee. As I sat down to enjoy my coffee, I realized that I had a lot of work to do. I needed to make a decision about whether to accept a job offer that I had received yesterday. I knew that I had to do my best to make the right decision. I opened my laptop and started working on my tasks, making sure to complete everything on time. My colleague called me and we had a conversation about our project. We have been working together for over five years and we know each other very well. We always keep in touch and try to meet up whenever possible. I finished my work and decided to go for a run. However, I was running late for my meeting, so I had to hurry. I made a mental note to myself to plan my time better in the future.

Find the answers at the bottom of this page

Speaking Practice

Level of difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐

Answers: raining heavily, take a break, cup of coffee, make a decision, do my best, complete everything on time, had a conversation, keep in touch, running late, mental note.

Writing is an essential skill for anyone learning a new language, and it’s no different for English learners.

Whether you’re studying English for work, education, or personal growth, improving your writing abilities is crucial for success.

Unfortunately, many learners struggle with knowing what writing tasks they should be able to complete at different levels, as well as the grammar topics and vocabulary they need to master in order to write effectively.

That’s why I’ve put together this table, which outlines the writing tasks, grammar topics, and vocabulary needed for each level of the Cambridge tests. Whether you’re just starting out at A2 (pre-intermediate) or are working towards C2 proficiency (high-advanced), this table will help you identify the skills you need to improve your writing and achieve your language learning goals.

Exam name	Level	Writing Tasks	Grammar Topics	Vocabulary	Specific Writing Task
A2 Key	A2 Pre-intermediate	Short messages and notes; Form filling; Informal emails or letters	Simple present and past tenses; Be, do, have, can, and other auxiliary verbs; Personal pronouns; Basic prepositions and conjunctions	Everyday vocabulary (e.g. family, hobbies, weather, shopping); Common verbs and adjectives; Basic question words (e.g. who, what, where, when, why)	Write a postcard to a friend about your holiday plans. Write a short email to your teacher asking for information about an assignment Write a short email to your friend telling him/her what you did on your last holidays
B1 Preliminary	B1 Intermediate	Descriptive texts (e.g. postcards, blog entries); Emails, letters, or reports giving information, opinions, and suggestions	Present, past, and future tenses; Modal verbs (e.g. can, could, should, would); Adjectives and adverbs; Relative clauses; Indirect speech	Common expressions and idioms; Academic vocabulary (e.g. education, environment, technology); Phrases for giving opinions and making suggestions	Write a letter to a pen pal describing your city. Write an email to a colleague about a project proposal. Write a short story using the narrative tenses.
B2 First	B2 High-Intermediate	Essays or articles expressing opinions or presenting arguments; Reports or reviews summarizing and evaluating information	Passive voice; Conditionals; Reported speech; Gerunds and infinitives; Phrasal verbs	Advanced vocabulary related to specific topics (e.g. politics, economics, culture); Formal and informal vocabulary (e.g. synonyms for common words); Technical terms and jargon	Write a report on the advantages and disadvantages of social media. Write a review of a book you’ve recently read. Write an essay arguing for or against the use of technology in education. Write a report evaluating the effectiveness of a new marketing campaign Write a review of a book or movie.
C1 Advanced	C1 Advanced	Discursive essays, proposals, or letters arguing a point of view; Reports, reviews, or critiques analyzing and evaluating complex information	Subjunctive mood; Complex sentence structures (e.g. cleft sentences, inversion, fronting); Conjunctions and connectors (e.g. however, despite, furthermore); Reduced relative clauses; Indirect questions	Advanced and specialized vocabulary for academic and professional contexts; Register and style appropriate to the audience and purpose	Write a formal letter to a government official addressing a social issue. Write an essay analyzing a literary work. Write a research paper on the effects of climate change. Write a report analyzing the impact of social media on society.
C2 Proficiency	C2 High-advanced	Essays or research papers on complex topics with an original thesis and well-supported arguments; Formal reports, proposals, or reviews demonstrating advanced research skills and academic rigor.	Advanced grammar structures (e.g. conditional perfect, passive with two objects); Complex noun phrases and sentence patterns; Discourse markers and cohesive devices; Register and style (e.g. formal and informal language, hedging, and mitigation)	Sophisticated and precise vocabulary appropriate for academic and professional contexts; Nuanced and idiomatic expressions; Terminology and jargon specific to a field of study or profession	Write a research article on a topic in your field of study. Write a professional report on a business proposal. Write a thesis statement for a masters/doctoral dissertation.

With this table, you now have a clear roadmap of the writing tasks, grammar topics, and vocabulary needed for each level of the Cambridge tests. Use it as a guide to focus your studies and improve your writing skills in English.

Remember, practice makes progress, so don’t be afraid to write, revise, and get feedback from qualified English teachers or tutors. With dedication and hard work, you can become a proficient writer in English and open up new opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Teacher Julieta

English for Life

Tag: C1 Advanced

Collocations