Powerful List of 100+ English Collocations – CBSE Class 10 Notes with Examples & Free PDF

Powerful List of 100+ English Collocations – CBSE Class 10 Notes with Examples & Free PDF

English Collocations

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Collocations

What are Collocations?

Collocations are groups of two or more words which are generally used together. A collocation is therefore a fixed combination of words which are used in order to convey a specific meaning. For example, the words ‘make’ and ‘belief’ are used together in order to mean ‘fake’.

Consider the following examples:

The words ‘break’ and ‘crack’ are synonyms. However, we always use ‘break’ and not ‘crack’ with ‘law’. Similarly, ‘crack’ is always used with ‘code’. This predetermined combination of words is known as collocation.

Importance of Collocations

  • A sound knowledge of collocations can be helpful in learning the vocabulary of the language.
  • It helps the learner grasp the finer nuances of the usage of the language.
  • It enriches the language by giving the speaker alternative ways of expressing the same idea. Example:
    • A variety of tests
    • A battery of tests

Types of Collocations

Following are some of the combinations of collocations in English:

Some Collocations Based on Common Verbs

  • Make
  • Do
  • Have

Collocations Based on Body

Collocations Based on Movement

Collocations Based on Thinking

Collocations Based on Business

Collocations Based on Education and Knowledge

Correct Incorrect
Break the law Break the law Crack the law
Crack the exam Crack the exam Break the exam
Correct Incorrect
Fast food Fast food Quick food
Quick witted Quick witted Fast witted
Catch a cold Catch a cold Grab a cold
Grab a bite Grab a bite Catch a bite
Watch TV Watch TV Look TV
Look into the matter Look into the matter Watch into the matter
Type Examples
Adjective and noun rich vocabulary, stark contrast, heavy traffic, sharp features
Verb and noun accept the offer, brew coffee, entrust responsibility, cry wolf, hold forth
Noun and noun fuel tank, post office, soap bar, printer cartridge, round of applause
Verb and adverb cry bitterly, fail miserably, cost dearly, speak softly, guess correctly
Adverb and adjective happily married, highly paid, grossly misunderstood, vaguely remember
Verb with preposition and noun beamed with pride, take after someone, burst into tears
Noun and verb flowers bloomed, plane taxied, bomb went off

Examples of Common Collocations with “Make”

  • Make arrangements: The staff made arrangements for the picnic.
  • Make a choice: The customer has already made a choice.
  • Make progress: Raju made great progress in his new business.
  • Make an effort: She made an effort to reach out to her friends.
  • Make a contribution: The tenants made contributions to the charity.
  • Make a call: Can I use your phone to make a call?
  • Make a change: She is ready to make changes in the presentation.
  • Make a comment: Lalitha made a comment on how companies can usher in a change.

Examples of Common Collocations with “Do”

  • Do one’s best: I will try to do my best to find your lost pet.
  • Do business: It is risky to do business with him.
  • Do harm: The humid weather did more harm than good.
  • Do damage: The rumours did considerable damage to his reputation.
  • Do (someone) a favour: My friend did me a favour by letting me lend his house.
  • Do good: The coastal air did her health some good.
  • Do research: The team did research on the deteriorating quality of the city’s air.
  • Do time (spend time in jail): He did time for an offence he committed in the 80s.
  • Do the dishes: Manu is in charge of doing the dishes.

Examples of Common Collocations with “Have”

  • Have an advantage: The company had an advantage over their competitors.
  • Have an appointment: Christina left early since she had an appointment with the doctor.
  • Have fun: The children had fun at the village fair.
  • Have an argument: The tenants had an argument over the destroyed flowerbed.
  • Have a breakthrough: Tim had a breakthrough during his time at the medical school.
  • Have a care (be careful): He warned him before he left, “Have a care.”
  • Have a conversation: Meena and Dev had a conversation over coffee.
  • Have a grudge: Sachin had a grudge against me over a trivial argument we had in school.
  • Have a heart: How could you be so cruel! Have a heart!
Collocation Meaning Usage
Have an eye for Good at noticing She has an eye for details.
Keep an eye on Observe Keep an eye on the students lest they copy.
Foot the bill Pay the bill The one who comes late foots the bill.
Go hand in hand Go together Lying goes hand in hand with stealing.
Head something Lead Marina headed the team.
Nod one’s head Agree She nodded her head in approval.
Shake one’s head Disagree Geeta shook her head at her son’s insolence.
Raise an eyebrow Suspicious His sudden disappearance raised many eyebrows.
Clear one’s throat Draw attention The teacher cleared her throat in class.
Fingers crossed Hope Let’s keep our fingers crossed for the results.
Collocation Usage
Walked straight into Walked straight into He walked straight into the library. He walked straight into the library.
Run into Run into George ran into a debt. George ran into a debt.
Take off Take off The guests took off after the lunch. The guests took off after the lunch.
Push (something) across Push (something) across Martin pushed the bag across the table. Martin pushed the bag across the table.
Charge at Charge at The bull charged at the matador. The bull charged at the matador.
Jumped at Jumped at Manisha jumped at the opportunity. Manisha jumped at the opportunity.
Back down Back down The enemies backed down in the face of opposition. The enemies backed down in the face of opposition.
Hit the rocks Hit the rocks Mr and Mrs Sharma’s marriage hit the rocks. Mr and Mrs Sharma’s marriage hit the rocks.
Collocation Usage
Think out of the box Think out of the box We need fresh ideas, so please think out of the box. We need fresh ideas, so please think out of the box.
Nagging doubt Nagging doubt Meena had a nagging doubt whether she locked the door. Meena had a nagging doubt whether she locked the door.
Fuel speculations Fuel speculations The fight fuelled speculations that they are no longer friends. The fight fuelled speculations that they are no longer friends.
Think deeply Think deeply I thought deeply about her question. I thought deeply about her question.
Fertile imagination Fertile imagination Little children have a fertile imagination. Little children have a fertile imagination.
Strongly believe Strongly believe Arjun strongly believes that the watchman is the thief. Arjun strongly believes that the watchman is the thief.
Bear in mind Bear in mind Please bear in mind that you will have to be vigilant. Please bear in mind that you will have to be vigilant.
Wrestle with a thought Wrestle with a thought Lata wrestled with the thought of leaving her family. Lata wrestled with the thought of leaving her family.
Collocation Usage
Record profits Record profits Record profits The company announced record profits this year. The company announced record profits this year.
Pay rich dividends Pay rich dividends Pay rich dividends A good decision will pay rich dividends later. A good decision will pay rich dividends later.
Collocation Usage
Make a profit Make a profit Make a profit The company made profit in the last quarter.
Dismiss an offer Dismiss an offer Dismiss an offer The company dismissed the offer from the rivals.
Gain access Gain access Gain access Only authorized personnel are allowed to gain access to the building.
Lay a charge Lay a charge Lay a charge The police laid a charge against the suspect.
Lead a life Lead a life Lead a life They lead a life of honesty and hard work.
Raise a question Raise a question Raise a question The question raised was difficult to answer.
Reach a verdict Reach a verdict Reach a verdict The jury reached a verdict after hours of deliberation.
Tell a joke Tell a joke Tell a joke He told a joke that made everyone laugh.
Waste time Waste time Waste time Don’t waste time on unimportant tasks.
Take a walk Take a walk Take a walk Let’s take a walk in the park.