30 English Collocations You Should Learn

1. Make + Noun

These collocations describe creating or producing something.

Collocation	Example Sentence
Make a decision	I need to make a decision today.
Make a mistake	Everyone makes mistakes.
Make progress	She's making great progress in English.
Make money	Many people want to make money online.
Make an effort	You should make an effort to practice daily.

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2. Take + Noun

Use these when talking about actions or experiences.

Collocation	Example Sentence
Take a break	Let's take a break.
Take a shower	I usually take a shower in the morning.
Take a seat	Please take a seat.
Take notes	Students should take notes during class.
Take responsibility	He took responsibility for the mistake.

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3. Do + Noun

These often refer to work, tasks, or activities.

Collocation	Example Sentence
Do homework	My son is doing his homework.
Do exercise	I do exercise every morning.
Do the dishes	Can you do the dishes tonight?
Do business	Our company does business internationally.
Do your best	Always do your best.

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4. Have + Noun

These collocations describe experiences or possessions.

Collocation	Example Sentence
Have breakfast	We have breakfast at 7 a.m.
Have fun	I hope you have fun.
Have a meeting	We have a meeting every Monday.
Have a problem	I'm having a problem with my laptop.
Have a chance	You'll have another chance tomorrow.

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5. Adjective + Noun Collocations

Some adjectives naturally pair with certain nouns.

Collocation	Example Sentence
Heavy rain	Heavy rain caused flooding.
Strong coffee	I like strong coffee.
Fast food	Fast food isn't always healthy.
Deep sleep	The baby is in a deep sleep.
High quality	This product is high quality.

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6. Verb + Adverb Collocations

These combinations make your English sound smoother.

Collocation	Example Sentence
Strongly recommend	I strongly recommend this book.
Fully understand	I fully understand your concern.
Deeply regret	I deeply regret my decision.
Highly recommend	Many teachers highly recommend this dictionary.
Seriously consider	You should seriously consider the offer.

Common Collocation Mistakes

Many English learners translate directly from their native language, which can lead to unnatural expressions.

Incorrect:

• Do a mistake
• Strong rain
• Make homework
• Take a decision (less common in American English)

Correct:

• Make a mistake
• Heavy rain
• Do homework
• Make a decision

Learning the correct combinations helps your English sound more natural.

How to Learn English Collocations

Here are a few effective strategies:

1. Learn Vocabulary in Chunks

Instead of memorizing individual words, learn complete phrases.

For example:

• make friends
• catch a cold
• pay attention

2. Read Every Day

Books, blogs, newspapers, and articles expose you to natural word combinations.

3. Watch English Videos

Movies, TV shows, podcasts, and YouTube videos help you hear collocations used in real conversations.

4. Keep a Collocation Notebook

Write down new collocations instead of single vocabulary words.

Example:

Word: decision

• make a decision
• difficult decision
• final decision

5. Practice Using Them

Create your own sentences using each new collocation. The more you use them, the easier they become to remember.

Final Thoughts

Grammar is important, but grammar alone won't make you sound like a fluent English speaker. Learning English collocations is one of the fastest ways to improve your speaking and writing.

Start by learning a few collocations every day and use them in conversations, emails, and journal entries. Over time, you'll notice that your English becomes more natural, accurate, and confident.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a collocation in English?

A collocation is a natural combination of two or more words that native English speakers commonly use together, such as make a decision or heavy rain.

How can I improve my collocations?

Read English regularly, listen to native speakers, keep a collocation notebook, and practice using new phrases in your own sentences.

Are collocations important for IELTS and TOEFL?

Yes. Using natural collocations can improve your vocabulary score and make both your speaking and writing sound more fluent.

How many collocations should I learn?

A realistic goal is to learn and practice 5–10 new collocations each week. Consistent practice is more effective than trying to memorize hundreds at once.