Collocation

What Is a Collocation?

A collocation is a group of words that sound natural when used together. For example:

• fast train
(Using "fast" with "train" sounds natural to a native speaker. This is an example of a collocation.)
• quick train (unnatural)
(This is not technically wrong, but using "quick" with "train" sounds unnatural, even though the words are perfectly understandable.)

Examples of Collocation

Here are some more examples:

Natural English	Unnatural English
quick shower	fast shower
strong wind	fast wind
utterly ridiculous	very ridiculous
fully aware	vastly aware
take medicine	drink medicine
catch a cold	receive a cold

The unnatural examples are fully understandable, but a native English speaker would not say them.

Types of Collocation

Collocations exist because, over time, some words have developed natural partners. Here are six common formats for collocations with examples:

• Janet is not fully aware of the situation.
• The boss was extremely interested in your proposal.
• Your suggestion is utterly ridiculous.

• It was an unusual chain of events.
• I have bought you a bar of chocolate.
• John received a round of applause.

• John gave a presentation to the senior managers.
• Janet caught a cold on the plane.
• He committed crimes to feed himself.

• I remember vaguely what happened before the crash.
• John whispered softly into her ear.
• Janet waved frantically as the train left.

• The snow fell all night.
• The dog barks when the doorbell rings.
• The doctor saw Janet yesterday.
(This means the doctor had an appointment with Janet yesterday.)

• The heavy rain has caused a lot of problems in the village.
• Janet has a keen interest in politics.
• Opening the car door was a nice gesture.

Why Understanding Collocation Is Important

If you want to write and speak like a native English speaker, then you must use collocations (i.e., natural-sounding word groupings). If you use collocations, your English will be easier for others to understand, and you will be able understand spoken English faster.

Collocations help with speed because our brains find it easier to process set phrases rather than computing through every single word for meaning.

Key Point

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