List of Most Common Collocations
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.
Collocation with Have and Do
These are some of the most common collocations in English with have and do
| have | do |
| have a bath | do business |
| have a drink | do nothing |
| have a good time | do someone a favour |
| have a haircut | do the cooking |
| have a holiday | do the housework |
| have a problem | do the shopping |
| have a relationship | do the washing up |
| have a rest | do your best |
| have lunch | do your hair |
| have sympathy | do your homework |
Collocations with Take and Break
These are some of the most common collocations in English with Take and Break
| take | break |
| take a break | break a habit |
| take a chance | break a leg |
| take a look | break a promise |
| take a rest | break a record |
| take a seat | break a window |
| take a taxi | break someone’s heart |
| take an exam | break the ice |
| take notes | break the law |
| take someone’s place | break the news to someone |
| take someone’s temperature | break the rules |
Collocation with Pay and Save
These are some of the most common collocations in English with pay and save
| pay | save |
| pay a fine | save electricity |
| pay attention | save energy |
| pay by credit card | save money |
| pay cash | save one’s strength |
| pay interest | save someone a seat |
| pay someone a compliment | save someone’s life |
| pay someone a visit | save something to a disk |
| pay the bill | save space |
| pay the price | save time |
| pay your respects | save yourself the trouble |
Collocation with Come and Go
These are some of the most common collocations in English with come and go
| come | go |
| come close | go abroad |
| come complete with | go astray |
| come direct | go bad |
| come early | go bald |
| come first | go bankrupt |
| come into view | go blind |
| come last | go crazy |
| come late | go dark |
| come on time | go deaf |
| come prepared | go fishing |
| come right back | go mad |
| come second | go missing |
| come to a compromise | go on foot |
| come to a decision | go online |
| come to an agreement | go out of business |
| come to an end | go overseas |
| come to a standstill | go quiet |
| come to terms with | go sailing |
| come to a total of | go to war |
| come under attack | go yellow |
Collocation with Make and Keep
These are some of the most common collocations in English with make and keep
| make | keep |
| make a difference | keep a diary |
| make a mess | keep a promise |
| make a mistake | keep a secret |
| make a noise | keep an appointment |
| make an effort | keep calm |
| make furniture | keep control |
| make money | keep in touch |
| make progress | keep quiet |
| make room | keep someone’s place |
| make trouble | keep the change |
Collocation with Catch and Get
These are some of the most common collocations in English with catch and get
| catch | get |
| catch a ball | get a job |
| catch a bus | get a shock |
| catch a chill | get angry |
| catch a cold | get divorced |
| catch a thief | get drunk |
| catch fire | get frightened |
| catch sight of | get home |
| catch someone’s attention | get lost |
| catch someone’s eye | get married |
| catch the flu | get nowhere |
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More Information
Check these pages and sites before you go:
- English Lessons on EnglishPost.Org
- English Grammar Lessons on Englishpost.org
- ESL Conversation Questions
Additional Resources
- The Academic Collocation List
- Collocations Worksheets
- Collocations Quiz
- Another Collocation Quiz
- Online Collocation Dictionary