English Collocation Words Examples with Sentences for English Learners

Posted on Updated on English Collocations
alt="50 Sentences Using Collocations with "Take"
50 Sentences Using Collocations with "Take"

Collocation Words Examples with Sentences is a beginner-friendly guide that helps learners understand how collocations work in real English.

Learning single words is not enough to speak fluently—students must learn how words naturally combine.

This article provides common collocation words along with clear example sentences to show correct usage. It is perfect for improving vocabulary, sentence formation, and spoken English.

Written in simple language, this post is suitable for school students, ESL learners, and exam candidates. Using examples makes learning easier and helps students remember collocations more effectively.

Collocations with “Make”

Make a decision

Meaning: Decide something.

Example: She made a decision to move abroad.

Make progress

Meaning: Improve or move forward.

Example: He’s making progress in learning French.

Make an effort

Meaning: Try hard to do something.

Example: You should make an effort to arrive on time.

Make a mistake

Meaning: Do something wrong.

Example: We all make mistakes; it’s okay.

Make a difference

Meaning: Have an important effect.

Example: Helping others can make a difference in their lives.

Make a promise

Meaning: Commit to doing something.

Example: He made a promise to never lie again.

Make a complaint

Meaning: Officially express dissatisfaction.

Example: You can make a complaint to the manager.

Make an impression

Meaning: Leave a strong effect on someone.

Example: Her speech made a great impression on everyone.

Make sense

Meaning: Be logical or understandable.

Example: This idea doesn’t make sense to me.

Make a suggestion

Meaning: Offer an idea or proposal.

Example: May I make a suggestion about this project?

Collocations with “Take”

Take responsibility

Meaning: Accept that you are in charge of something.

Example: She took responsibility for the team’s failure.

Take a risk

Meaning: Do something that might fail.

Example: Sometimes you need to take a risk to succeed.

Take action

Meaning: Do something to deal with a problem.

Example: It’s time to take action against climate change.

Take advantage of

Meaning: Use a situation for your benefit.

Example: Let’s take advantage of the sunny weather and go to the beach.

Take care of

Meaning: Look after something or someone.

Example: I’ll take care of your plants while you’re away.

Take a break

Meaning: Pause from work or activity.

Example: Let’s take a break and have some coffee.

Take part in

Meaning: Join or participate.

Example: She took part in the dance competition.

Take notes

Meaning: Write down important information.

Example: Please take notes during the lecture.

Take pride in

Meaning: Feel proud of something.

Example: He takes pride in his cooking skills.

Take it seriously

Meaning: Treat something as important.

Example: You need to take this job seriously.

Collocations with “Have”

Have a conversation

Meaning: Talk with someone.

Example: We had a long conversation about our future plans.

Have a good time

Meaning: Enjoy yourself.

Example: Did you have a good time at the party?

Have a problem

Meaning: Face a difficulty.

Example: I’m having a problem with my laptop.

Have an opportunity

Meaning: Get a chance.

Example: I had an opportunity to work abroad.

Have an impact on

Meaning: Affect something or someone.

Example: This decision will have a big impact on the economy.

Have a habit of

Meaning: Regularly do something.

Example: He has a habit of arriving late.

Have a laugh

Meaning: Enjoy a funny moment.

Example: We had a good laugh during the meeting.

Have second thoughts

Meaning: Doubt your earlier decision.

Example: I’m having second thoughts about this job offer.

Have access to

Meaning: Be able to use or enter something.

Example: Students have access to free online resources.

Have patience

Meaning: Stay calm when waiting or dealing with problems.

Example: You need to have patience with small children.

Collocations with “Do”

Do homework

Meaning: Complete schoolwork at home.

Example: He always does his homework after dinner.

Do a favor

Meaning: Help someone.

Example: Can you do me a favor and lend me your book?

Do your best

Meaning: Try as hard as you can.

Example: Just do your best in the exam.

Do research

Meaning: Investigate or study something.

Example: She’s doing research on renewable energy.

Do the dishes

Meaning: Wash the plates, glasses, etc.

Example: I’ll do the dishes after dinner.

Do damage

Meaning: Cause harm.

Example: The storm did a lot of damage to the houses.

Do business

Meaning: Engage in commerce or trade.

Example: We’ve been doing business with them for years.

Do well

Meaning: Perform successfully.

Example: She’s doing well in her new job.

Do harm

Meaning: Cause injury or problems.

Example: Smoking can do a lot of harm to your health.

Do a job

Meaning: Complete a task or work.

Example: He did a fantastic job on the presentation.

Miscellaneous Collocations

Break the ice

Meaning: Make people feel more comfortable.

Example: The host told a joke to break the ice.

Catch attention

Meaning: Make people notice you.

Example: Her colorful dress caught everyone’s attention.

Give advice

Meaning: Offer suggestions.

Example: My teacher gave me advice on my career.

Pay attention

Meaning: Focus on something.

Example: Please pay attention to the instructions.

Save time

Meaning: Use less time for something.

Example: Online shopping saves time.

Set a goal

Meaning: Decide on something you want to achieve.

Example: You should set a goal to exercise daily.

Keep a promise

Meaning: Do what you said you would do.

Example: Always keep your promises to others.

Lose control

Meaning: Be unable to manage something.

Example: He lost control of his emotions during the argument.

Reach an agreement

Meaning: Come to a mutual decision.

Example: After long talks, they reached an agreement.

Run a business

Meaning: Manage a company or shop.

Example: She runs a small bakery in the city.

Conclusion:

Collocation words make your English sound more natural and correct.

When you use the right word combinations, your speaking and writing improve automatically.

By practicing collocations regularly, you can avoid common mistakes and communicate like a native speaker.

Keep revising these collocation word examples and try to use them in daily conversations and writing.

FAQs – Collocation Words with Examples

1. What are collocation words in English?

Collocation words are combinations of words that naturally go together, such as “make a decision,” “take a risk,” or “have a conversation.” These combinations sound correct and natural in English.

2. Why are collocations important for learners?

Collocations are important because they:

3. Who should learn collocation words?

Collocations are useful for:

4. How do collocations improve English speaking?

They help you:

  • Speak smoothly without hesitation
  • Use natural expressions
  • Avoid translation errors
  • Communicate more clearly

5. What are common collocations with “make”?

Examples include:

  • Make a decision
  • Make progress
  • Make an effort
  • Make a mistake
  • Make a difference

6. What are common collocations with “take”?

Examples include:

  • Take responsibility
  • Take a risk
  • Take action
  • Take care of
  • Take notes

7. What are collocations with “have”?

Examples include:

  • Have a conversation
  • Have a good time
  • Have a problem
  • Have an opportunity
  • Have patience

8. What are collocations with “do”?

Examples include:

  • Do homework
  • Do a favor
  • Do research
  • Do the dishes
  • Do business

9. What are some miscellaneous collocations?

Examples include:

  • Break the ice
  • Catch attention
  • Give advice
  • Pay attention
  • Save time
  • Set a goal

10. How can I learn collocations effectively?

You can:

  • Practice daily
  • Use them in sentences
  • Read and listen regularly
  • Revise frequently
  • Learn in context

11. Why are examples important in learning collocations?

Examples help you:

  • Understand usage clearly
  • Remember collocations easily
  • Apply them in real situations
  • Avoid mistakes

12. What mistakes should I avoid with collocations?

Avoid:

  • Translating directly from your language
  • Using incorrect word combinations
  • Memorizing without practice

13. How many collocations should I learn daily?

Start with 5–10 collocations per day and practice using them regularly.

14. Can collocations improve writing skills?

Yes, collocations:

  • Make writing more natural
  • Improve sentence quality
  • Enhance clarity and expression

15. What is the overall benefit of learning collocations?

The overall benefit is:
You can speak and write English more naturally, fluently, and confidently.

You may like more collocations here:

About the Author

Hi, I’m Manoj Sharma, an English teacher and soft skills trainer with over 10 years of experience helping students, job seekers, and professionals improve their English communication skills with confidence. I hold an M.A. in English Literature and am passionate about making English learning simple, practical, and enjoyable.

Through Love You English, I share easy-to-understand lessons on spoken English, grammar, vocabulary, phrasal verbs, and daily-use English. My teaching style focuses on real-life communication and practical learning techniques that help learners speak naturally and confidently in everyday situations.

Thousands of learners visit Love You English every month to improve their fluency, build confidence, and communicate more effectively in English.

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