What are Collocations?

November 29, 2022 1:01 PM
In the English language, collocation refers to a natural combination of words that are closely affiliated with each other. Some examples are "pay attention", "fast food", "make an effort", and "powerful engine".
Definition : 

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A collocation is a combination of two or more words that are often used together. Collocations are not just random combinations of words, but combinations that are considered natural or standard in a language.

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SpeakoClub Tip : 

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Some common English collocations are "a big deal," "give me a break," "hardly ever," and "used to."

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Examples : 

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In English we say : 

  1.  "make a decision,"
  2.  "take a risk,"
  3. "have a conversation."
  4. We don't say "make a risk" or "take a decision." 
  5. He's a very talented musician.
  6. She's a brilliant doctor.
  7. They make a great team.
  8. I had a terrible headache.

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These combinations of words are called collocations.

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Types of Collocations : 

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There are different types of collocations:

1. Verb + noun: make a decision, take a risk, have a conversation

2. Adjective + noun: strong coffee, beautiful sunset, delicious meal

3. Noun + noun: traffic jam, power outage, love affair

4. Adverb + verb: work quickly, drive slowly, think carefully

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Rules : 

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There are some rules for using collocations:

1. Don't use a collocation if it sounds strange or unnatural.

2. If you can't think of a collocation, try using a different word.

3. Be careful with collocations that are only used in specific situations or contexts.

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Conclusion : 

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Collocations are an important part of language learning. By learning common collocations, you can sound more natural and fluent in your speaking and writing.

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The following collocation conclusion is based on the data and information presented in the article.

The use of collocations can help improve students' writing skills.

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