IEO
CLASS 1
07-07-2023
SYLLABUS
COLLOCATIONS
What is a collocation?
A collocation is two or more words that
often go together.
On the other hand, other combinations may
be unnatural and just sound "wrong".
Look at these examples:
natural English... unnatural English...
the fast train the quick train
fast food quick food
a quick shower a fast shower
a quick meal a fast meal
WHY LEARN COLLOCATIONS?
Your language will be more natural and
more easily understood.
You will have alternative and richer ways
of expressing yourself.
It is easier for our brains to remember
and use language in chunks or blocks
rather than as single words.
HOW TO LEARN
COLLOCATIONS
Be aware of collocations, and try
to recognize them when you see or hear
them.
Treat collocations as single blocks of
language. Think of them as individual blocks
or chunks, and learn strongly support, not
strongly + support.
When you learn a new word, write down
other words that collocate with it (remember
rightly, remember distinctly, remember
vaguely, remember vividly).
TYPES OF COLLOCATION
Some of the most common types are:
adverb + adjective: completely satisfied
(NOT downright satisfied)
adjective + noun: excruciating pain (NOT
excruciating joy)
noun + noun: a surge of anger (NOT a rush of
anger)
noun + verb: lions roar (NOT lions shout)
verb + noun: commit suicide
(NOT undertake suicide)
verb + expression with preposition: burst into
tears (NOT blow up in tears)
verb + adverb: wave frantically (NOT
wave feverishly)
1. ADVERB + ADJECTIVE
Invading that country was an utterly
stupid thing to do.
We entered a richly decorated room.
Are you fully aware of the implications
of your action?
2. ADJECTIVE + NOUN
The doctor ordered him to take regular
exercise.
The Titanic sank on its maiden voyage.
He was writhing on the ground
in excruciating pain.
3. NOUN + NOUN
Let's give Mr Jones a round of
applause.
The ceasefire agreement came into
effect at 11am.
I'd like to buy two bars of soap please.
4. NOUN + VERB
The lion started to roar when it heard
the dog barking.
Snow was falling as our plane took
off.
The bomb went off when he started
the car engine.
5. VERB + NOUN
The prisoner was hanged
for committing murder.
I always try to do my homework in the
morning, after making my bed.
He has been asked to give a
presentation about his work.
6. VERB + EXPRESSION
WITH PREPOSITION
We had to return home because we had
run out of money.
At first her eyes filled with horror, and
then she burst into tears.
Their behaviour was enough to drive
anybody to crime.
7. VERB + ADVERB
She placed her keys gently on the
table and sat down.
Mary whispered softly in John's ear.
I vaguely remember that it was
growing dark when we left.
PRACTISE EXERCISE
