Intermediate · B1–B2
Collocations
Collocations are words that naturally go together in English. Learning them helps you sound fluent and avoid unnatural combinations that confuse native speakers.
What are collocations?
A collocation is a pair or group of words that habitually appear together. Native speakers use them automatically — and notice when they are wrong.
Correct vs. unnatural
make a mistake ✓ / do a mistake ✗
do homework ✓ / make homework ✗
heavy rain ✓ / strong rain ✗
fast food ✓ / quick food ✗
Types of collocation
| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Verb + noun | make a decision, take a break, give advice, pay attention, do damage, have a conversation |
| Adjective + noun | heavy traffic, strong coffee, light rain, deep sleep, high demand, sharp increase |
| Adverb + adjective | deeply concerned, highly recommended, fully aware, strongly opposed |
| Noun + noun | traffic jam, customer service, team player, time limit |
| Verb + adverb | speak fluently, work hard, sleep soundly, smile broadly |
Make vs. do
| Make | Do |
|---|---|
| make a decision, make a mistake, make an effort, make a plan, make progress, make noise, make a suggestion | do homework, do exercise, do damage, do research, do a job, do your best, do a favour |
Have vs. take
| Have | Take |
|---|---|
| have a meal, have a conversation, have a look, have a break, have fun, have an idea | take a photo, take a break, take a look, take a taxi, take an exam, take a risk |
Tip: When you learn a new noun, learn the verbs and adjectives that go with it. For example, don't just learn 'decision' — learn 'make a decision', 'take a decision' (BrE), 'reach a decision', 'reverse a decision'.