List of Most Common Collocations in English

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.

For example:

Make the bed= I am going to make my bed
Do the homework= I am gonna do my homework
Take a risk = She has to take a risk

It is important to use collocations because

They will help you understand how to use vocabulary words in a sentence correctly.

Your language will be more natural and more easily understood.

These will contribute to you having a richer vocabulary.

Table of Contents

1 How Can I Learn more Collocations?
2 What Type of Collocations are there?
3 Are Collocations Phrasal Verbs?
4 List of Most Common Collocations
5 Interested in Additional Resources?

How Can I Learn more Collocations?

There are thousands of collocations and it impossible to know them all.

Most students don’t take time to memorize them since learning as you read and listen to English in common situations is easier than going through a list.

Another approach that can help you learn more collocation is studying them by topic.

What Type of Collocations are there?

There are 7 types of collocations made from combinations of verbs, nouns and adjectives:

adverb + adjective: Fully Aware
adjective + noun: Regular Exercise
noun + noun: Ceasefire Agreement
noun + verb: Plane took off
verb + noun: Commit Murder
verb + expression with preposition: Run out of Gas
verb + adverb: Whisper Softly

These are example of collocation used in sentences:

I found a replacement
She wants to make money
I am going to close the deal

Are Collocations Phrasal Verbs?

Phrasal verbs are not collocations since phrasal verbs are made up of a verb + a preposition which usually changes the meaning from that of the original verb.

For example:

I bought a bunch of flowers for you = Collocation
You should buy into this company = Phrasal Verb

List of Most Common Collocations

These are the most common collocations, they have been divided by the verb they usually to make learning them easier.

#1 Collocations 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

#2 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

#3 Collocations 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

#4 Collocations 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

#5 Collocations 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

#6 Collocations 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

Interested in Additional Resources?

Check some of these resources before you leave

These are some additional resources to help you learn more about collocation such as list, worksheets, quizzes and dictionaries.