ENGLISH SKILLS TUTORIAL

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COLLOCATIONS

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1WHAT ARE COLLOCATIONS?

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Despite their efforts, everything went horribly wrong.

1WHAT ARE COLLOCATIONS?

As the name suggests, a collocation (`co-` + `location`) refers to a situation in which two (or more) words are used `in the same location`, that is, more or

less, next to each other, forming an `expression`.

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I have a fast car. (NOT rapid car)

We had a quick lunch and then we left. (NOT fast lunch) They say that fast food is unhealthy. (NOT quick food)

After you do the exercise, check your answer. (NOT make... exercise; NOT control... answer)

1WHAT ARE COLLOCATIONS?

Practically, collocations are word combinations typically used by speakers of a certain language. When using correct collocations, you sound `natural` in speech or in writing. Using incorrect collocations clearly shows that your

language level is lower than that of a native speaker

(even though a native speaker might understand `what you mean`).

Every language has its own collocations,

which may differ from those in an English learner’s own native language!

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It’s raining hard. It’s raining heavily.

I can’t go out because of the hard rain. I can’t go out because of the heavy rain.

1WHAT ARE COLLOCATIONS?

There are no rules that tell you how words can be combined

(= how they collocate with one another). That’s why collocations may seem illogical (= language learners usually expect the same combinations as in

their native language, based on word-for-word translations).

Every language has its own collocations,

which may differ from those in an English learner’s own native language!

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2TYPES OF COLLOCATION

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She hated the job in that tiny / cramped / small office she had to work in.

He had a top / high-powered job in one of

the big / large / major / leading companies in London.

2TYPES OF COLLOCATION

ADJECTIVE + NOUN

In a good dictionary,

you will find such collocations under the noun headword.

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If you can’t hold down / keep a job, you will never be able to build / carve (out) / forge / have / make / pursue a career

in your field of expertise.

2TYPES OF COLLOCATION

VERB + NOUN

In a good dictionary,

you will find such collocations under the noun headword.

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His career took off / started / began only in the mid 1990s.

Her job pays very well – she can now afford a penthouse in central London.

2TYPES OF COLLOCATION

NOUN + VERB

In a good dictionary,

you will find such collocations under the noun headword.

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Let me give you a piece of advice.

I want only one slice of bread, thank you!

By a stroke of luck she landed a job in the film industry.

Resigning now would be considered a sign of weakness on your part.

Accepting such a job is simply a matter of choice.

2TYPES OF COLLOCATION

NOUN + `OF` + NOUN

In a good dictionary,

you will find such collocations under the noun headword.

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Your work here so far has been reasonably good.

She’s a highly competent manager.

He’s a fully qualified electrician.

2TYPES OF COLLOCATION

ADVERB + ADJECTIVE

In a good dictionary,

you will find such collocations under the adjective headword.

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He accomplished his task reasonably well.

2TYPES OF COLLOCATION

ADVERB + ADVERB

In a good dictionary,

you will find such collocations under the adverb headword (= the second adverb; the one described by the first).

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No matter how hard she tried, she always failed dismally / miserably.

2TYPES OF COLLOCATION

VERB + ADVERB

In a good dictionary,

you will find such collocations under the verb headword.

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When she heard the news, she burst into tears.

We really have to put this plan into action.

Why shouldn’t you apply for this job? It would suit you!

2TYPES OF COLLOCATION

VERB + PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE

In a good dictionary,

you will find such collocations under the verb or noun headword.

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3COLLOCATIONS IN CONTEXT / LANGUAGE CHUNKS

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As part of your visa application, you will have to be able to demonstrate evidence of sufficient funds to pass a

maintenance test and of your educational qualifications and academic progression by providing proof of your results, for

example, your school-leaving certificates.

(source: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate/application/how-to-apply/international)

3COLLOCATIONS IN CONTEXT / LANGUAGE CHUNKS

In a message / text, collocations are many times used with other collocations. This means that in one and the same sentence, collocations can merge

with one another, forming more `complex collocations` or language chunks. See the example above.

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4WHY COLLOCATIONS ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT

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4WHY COLLOCATIONS ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT

Using correct collocations = fluency + accuracy = demonstrating a higher level of language proficiency = being able to speak and write in a complex way,

as close to a native speaker’s level as possible).

Words work in combinations and not in isolation! Whenever you read something, notice word combinations and not only (unknown) words in isolation. Whenever you look up words in a dictionary, also study the sentence

examples given, not only their definitions!

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NOW YOU KNOW MORE ABOUT COLLOCATIONS

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