100+ English Collocations to Sound More Fluent

Collocations are word combinations that naturally go together in English.

Native speakers use them all the time, and learning them can make your English sound more fluent and natural.

I will teach you 100+ common English collocations, these are organized into categories for easier learning.

Let’s dive in!

What Are Collocations?

Collocations are pairs or groups of words that are often used together.

For example:

Make a decision (not “do a decision”)
Fast food (not “quick food”)

Using the right collocations will help you sound more like a native speaker and avoid awkward mistakes.

Common Collocations in Everyday English

1. Collocations with “Make”

Make a decision
Make a mistake
Make progress
Make money
Make an effort
Make a plan
Make a promise
Make noise
Make friends
Make a call

2. Collocations with “Do”

Do homework
Do the dishes
Do business
Do exercise
Do a favor
Do your best
Do research
Do housework
Do a job
Do the laundry

3. Collocations with “Take”

Take a break
Take notes
Take a chance
Take responsibility
Take a photo
Take a nap
Take care
Take an exam
Take a seat
Take part

4. Collocations with “Have”

Have fun
Have a good time
Have breakfast/lunch/dinner
Have a shower
Have a baby
Have a conversation
Have an idea
Have a look
Have a meeting
Have an opportunity

5. Collocations with “Give”

Give advice
Give permission
Give a speech
Give a call
Give a hand
Give a hug
Give an example
Give a reason
Give hope
Give support

6. Collocations with “Get”

Get ready
Get a job
Get married
Get lost
Get dressed
Get better
Get permission
Get started
Get tired
Get wet

Collocations for Work and Study

7. Business Collocations

Attend a meeting
Meet a deadline
Make a profit
Run a business
Close a deal
Set a goal
Give a presentation
Take responsibility
Make an appointment
Reach an agreement

8. Academic Collocations

Take notes
Do research
Write an essay
Pass an exam
Make a presentation
Study hard
Get good grades
Give a lecture
Enroll in a course
Learn a language

Collocations for Daily Life

9. Travel Collocations

Book a ticket
Catch a train
Miss a flight
Take a trip
Go sightseeing
Pack a bag
Stay in a hotel
Rent a car
Visit a place
Buy souvenirs

10. Food and Drink Collocations

Have a meal
Drink water
Eat breakfast
Cook dinner
Make coffee
Order food
Try a dish
Taste delicious
Go out for dinner
Set the table

11. Health Collocations

Stay healthy
Catch a cold
Break a bone
Take medicine
Feel sick
Lose weight
Gain weight
Do exercise
Follow a diet
Get better

Collocations for Emotions and Relationships

12. Positive Emotions

Feel happy
Have fun
Bring joy
Share happiness
Make someone smile
Show gratitude
Spread positivity
Experience excitement
Feel confident
Be proud of

13. Negative Emotions

Feel sad
Get angry
Lose patience
Cause trouble
Have doubts
Break a promise
Spread rumors
Feel regret
Suffer a loss
Feel anxious

14. Relationship Collocations

Make friends
Keep a promise
Build trust
Have an argument
Get along
Spend time together
Break up
Fall in love
Start a relationship
Maintain a friendship

Collocations for Nature and Weather

15. Nature Collocations

Watch the sunset
Take a walk
Enjoy the view
Plant a tree
Pick flowers
Climb a mountain
Explore the forest
Swim in the ocean
Protect the environment
Save water

16. Weather Collocations

Heavy rain
Strong wind
Bright sunshine
Freezing cold
Scorching heat
Clear sky
Light drizzle
Thunderstorm warning
Snowfall forecast
Cloudy day

Collocations for Communication

17. Speaking Collocations

Speak fluently
Express an opinion
Start a conversation
Tell a story
Make a joke
Ask a question
Give an answer
Say hello
Make a suggestion
Complain about

18. Writing Collocations

Write a letter
Send an email
Draft a report
Take notes
Keep a diary
Edit a document
Publish an article
Sign a contract
Fill out a form
Submit an application

Why Are Collocations Important?

Sound Natural: Using collocations helps you sound more like a native speaker.
Improve Fluency: Collocations make it easier to speak without hesitation.
Avoid Mistakes: Learning collocations prevents common errors.
Build Confidence: You’ll feel more confident using the right combinations of words.

How to Learn Collocations

Read and Listen: Pay attention to collocations in books, articles, and conversations.
Practice: Use collocations in speaking and writing.
Make Flashcards: Write down collocations to review regularly.
Group by Category: Learn collocations by topic (e.g., travel, emotions).
Use Apps: Apps like Quizlet can help you memorize collocations.

Final Thoughts

Collocations are an essential part of fluent English.

By learning and practicing these 100+ collocations, you’ll sound more natural and confident.

Remember to take your time, focus on one category at a time, and use these word combinations as often as you can.

Happy learning!