100+ Common English Collocations with Examples | Class 10 CBSE Study Notes PDFCollocation Get PDF @ Rs. 99 – All Chapter Notes Get PDF @ Rs. 199 – Class 10 Notes CollocationsWhat 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 testsTypes of CollocationsFollowing are some of the combinations of collocations in English:Some Collocations Based on Common Verbs MakeDoHaveCollocations Based on BodyCollocations Based on MovementCollocations Based on ThinkingCollocations Based on BusinessCollocations Based on Education and KnowledgeCorrectIncorrectBreak the lawBreak the lawCrack the lawCrack the examCrack the examBreak the examCorrectIncorrectFast foodFast foodQuick foodQuick wittedQuick wittedFast wittedCatch a coldCatch a coldGrab a coldGrab a biteGrab a biteCatch a biteWatch TVWatch TVLook TVLook into the matterLook into the matterWatch into the matterAdjective and nounrich vocabulary, stark contrast, heavy traffic, sharp featuresVerb and nounaccept the offer, brew coffee, entrust responsibility, cry wolf, hold forthNoun and nounfuel tank, post office, soap bar, printer cartridge, round of applauseVerb and adverbcry bitterly, fail miserably, cost dearly, speak softly, guess correctlyAdverb and verbhappily married, highly paid, grossly misunderstood, vaguelyrememberhappily married, highly paid, grossly misunderstood, vaguelyrememberVerb with preposition and nounbeamed with pride, take after someone, burst into tearsNoun and verbflowers bloomed, plane taxied, bomb went offMake 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.Do ones 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.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!CollocationMeaningUsageHave an eye forGood at noticingShe has an eye for details.Keep an eye onObserveKeep an eye on the students lest they copy.Foot the billPay the billThe one who comes late foots the bill.Go hand in handGo togetherLying goes hand in hand with stealing.Head somethingLeadMarina headed the team.Nod one's headAgreeShe nodded her head in approval.Shake one's headDisagreeGeeta shook her head at her son's insolence.Raise an eyebrowSuspiciousHis sudden disappearance raised many eyebrows.Clear one's throatDraw attentionThe teacher cleared her throat in class.Fingers crossedHopeLet's keep our fingers crossed for the results.CollocationUsageWalked straight intoWalked straight intoHe walked straight into the library.He walked straight into the library.Run intoRun intoGeorge ran into a debt.George ran into a debt.Take offTake offThe guests took off after the lunch.The guests took off after the lunch.Push (something) acrossPush (something) acrossMartin pushed the bag across the table.Martin pushed the bag across the table.Charge atCharge atThe bull charged at the matador.The bull charged at the matador.Jumped atJumped atManisha jumped at the opportunity.Manisha jumped at the opportunity.Back downBack downThe enemies backed down in the face of opposition.The enemies backed down in the face of opposition.Hit the rocksHit the rocksMr and Mrs Sharma's marriage hit the rocks.Mr and Mrs Sharma's marriage hit the rocks.CollocationUsageThink out of the boxThink out of the boxWe need fresh ideas, so please think out of the box.We need fresh ideas, so please think out of the box.Nagging doubtNagging doubtMeena had a nagging doubt whether she locked the door.Meena had a nagging doubt whether she locked the door.Fuel speculationsFuel speculationsThe fight fuelled speculations that they are no longer friends.The fight fuelled speculations that they are no longer friends.Think deeplyThink deeplyI thought deeply about her question.I thought deeply about her question.Fertile imaginationFertile imaginationLittle children have a fertile imagination.Little children have a fertile imagination.Strongly believeStrongly believeArjun strongly believes that the watchman is the thief.Arjun strongly believes that the watchman is the thief.Bear in mindBear in mindPlease bear in mind that you will have to be vigilant.Please bear in mind that you will have to be vigilant.Wrestle with a thoughtWrestle with a thoughtLata wrestled with the thought of leaving her family.Lata wrestled with the thought of leaving her family.CollocationUsageRecord profitsRecord profitsRecord profitsThe company announced record profits this year.The company announced record profits this year.Pay rich dividendsPay rich dividendsPay rich dividendsA good decision will pay rich dividends later.A good decision will pay rich dividends later.CollocationUsage Make a profitMake a profitMake a profitThe company made profit in the last quarter.Dismiss an offerDismiss an offerDismiss an offerThe management dismissed Ganesh's offer.Go bankruptGo bankruptGo bankruptYasir went bankrupt after his last venture.Impose a dutyImpose a dutyImpose a dutyThe government should impose a higher duty on aluminium.Widespread assumptionWidespread assumptionWidespread assumptionRachna challenged the widespread assumption that girls are weak.Move up the ladderMove up the ladderMove up the ladderRamesh knew how to move up the social ladder through glib talk.Fierce competitionFierce competitionFierce competitionThe product faced fierce competition from local players.CollocationUsageGifted personGifted personGifted personShe is a gifted person since she possesses so many qualities.She is a gifted person since she possesses so many qualities.Thirst for knowledgeThirst for knowledgeThirst for knowledgeWhat drives him is his thirst for knowledge.What drives him is his thirst for knowledge.Fight illiteracyFight illiteracyFight illiteracyThe new government strives to fight illiteracy.The new government strives to fight illiteracy.Higher educationHigher educationHigher educationMaria left for USA for higher education.Maria left for USA for higher education.Vocational educationVocational educationVocational educationThe colleges imparted vocational education to the students.The colleges imparted vocational education to the students.Pass an examinationPass an examinationPass an examinationKrishna passed the examination with flying colours.Krishna passed the examination with flying colours. JOIN TELEGRAM CHANNEL Join Our WhatsApp Channel JOIN NOW