Collocation

Collocation is a word or phrase that is often used with another word or phrase, in a way that sounds correct to people who have spoken the language all their lives, but might not be expected from the meaning.

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

                        1.      Adverb + Adjective

·        Completely satisfied (NOT downright satisfied)

·        Are you fully aware of the implications of your action?

2.      Adjective + Noun

·        Excruciating pain (NOT excruciating joy)

·        The doctor ordered him to take regular exercise.

3.      Noun + Noun ( Such as collective noun)

·        A surge of anger (NOT a rush of anger)

·        I'd like to buy two bars of soap please.

4.      Noun + Verb

·        Lions roar (NOT lions shout)

·        Snow was falling as our plane took off.

5.      Verb + Noun

·        Commit suicide (NOT undertake suicide)

·        He has been asked to give a presentation about his work.

6.      Verb + Expression with Preposition

·        Burst into tears (NOT blow up in tears)

·        We had to return home because we had run out of money.

7.      Verb + Adverb

·        Wave frantically (NOT wave feverishly)

·        Mary whispered softly in John's ear.

Why should we learn collocation? The first reason is to make our language will be more natural and more easily understood. The second reason is we can have alternative and richer ways of expressing yourself and the last reason is collocation is easier for our brains to remember and use language in chunks or blocks rather than as single words.