10 Top Collocations in English

In this post, I will teach you 10 top collocations in English, giving you examples and explanations to help you get the hang of these important word combinations.

Have you ever thought about why certain pairs of words in English seem to fit perfectly, while others sound strange or out of place?

The answer is collocations—these are words that frequently come together to form meaningful phrases.

Knowing and using collocations can really boost your English abilities, helping you sound more natural and fluent.

Let’s dive in!

Make a decision

One of the most common collocations in English is “make a decision.” We use this phrase when we choose between options or come to a conclusion about something.

Examples:

• I need to make a decision about which college to attend.
• The manager will make a decision on the new project next week.

Note that we don’t say “do a decision” or “take a decision” in English. The verb “make” is the natural choice when talking about decisions.

Heavy rain

When describing intense rainfall, English speakers use the collocation “heavy rain.” This combination perfectly captures the weight and force of significant precipitation.

Examples:

• The heavy rain caused flooding in many parts of the city.
• We decided to stay indoors because of the heavy rain.

Other weather-related collocations include “light rain,” “strong wind,” and “thick fog.”

Fast food

“Fast food” is a well-known collocation referring to quickly prepared, often unhealthy meals from restaurants like McDonald’s or Burger King.

Examples:

• Many people eat fast food because it’s convenient and cheap.
• The government is trying to reduce fast food consumption to improve public health.

Remember, we don’t say “quick food” or “rapid food,” even though these words have similar meanings to “fast.”

Strong coffee

When coffee has a powerful flavor or high caffeine content, we describe it as “strong coffee.” This collocation is widely used in both casual and formal settings.

Examples:

• I need a cup of strong coffee to wake me up in the morning.
• The café is known for serving strong coffee that keeps customers energized all day.

The opposite collocation is “weak coffee,” used to describe coffee that lacks flavor or strength.

Pay attention

To focus on something or give it careful consideration, we use the collocation “pay attention.” This phrase is commonly used in educational settings, workplaces, and everyday conversations.

Examples:

• The teacher asked the students to pay attention to the important points in the lecture.
• If you pay attention to the road signs, you’re less likely to get lost.

Note that we don’t “give attention” or “make attention” in English; we always “pay attention.”

Take a break

When we pause our work or activities to rest, we use the collocation “take a break.” This phrase is versatile and can be used in various contexts.

Examples:

• After studying for three hours straight, I decided to take a break and go for a walk.
• The company encourages employees to take regular breaks to maintain productivity.

Other similar collocations include “take a vacation,” “take time off,” and “take it easy.”

Catch a cold

When someone becomes ill with a common cold, we use the collocation “catch a cold.” This phrase vividly describes the process of becoming sick as if you’re “catching” something.

Examples:

• Remember to wear a warm coat, or you might catch a cold.
• Sarah caught a cold last week and had to miss work for a few days.

We also use similar collocations for other illnesses, such as “catch the flu” or “catch a virus.”

Heavy traffic

To describe a large number of vehicles on the road causing slow movement, we use the collocation “heavy traffic.” This phrase effectively conveys the congestion and difficulty of navigating busy roads.

Examples:

• I was late for work because of heavy traffic on the highway.
• City planners are looking for ways to reduce heavy traffic during rush hour.

The opposite collocation is “light traffic,” used when there are few vehicles on the road.

Do homework

For tasks assigned by teachers to be completed outside of class, we use the collocation “do homework.” This phrase is essential for students and parents alike.

Examples:

• My son spends two hours every evening doing homework.
• The teacher reminded the class to do their homework before the next lesson.

Note that we don’t “make homework” or “write homework” in English; we always “do homework.”

Take a photo

When we capture an image using a camera or smartphone, we use the collocation “take a photo.” This phrase is widely used in both casual and professional photography contexts.

Examples:

• Can you take a photo of me in front of the Eiffel Tower?
• The photographer took hundreds of photos during the wedding ceremony.

We also use similar collocations like “take a picture” or “take a snapshot.”

Why Are Collocations Important?

Now that we’ve explored the top 10 collocations in English, you might wonder why they’re so crucial for language learners. Here are a few reasons:

Natural language use:

Using the right collocations makes your English sound more natural and native-like. It shows that you understand the nuances of the language beyond just vocabulary and grammar.

Improved fluency:

When you know common collocations, you can speak and write more fluently. You don’t have to pause and think about which words go together; they come to you naturally.

Better comprehension:

Understanding collocations helps you grasp the meaning of phrases more quickly when listening or reading English.

Expanded vocabulary:

Learning collocations helps you remember new words in context, making it easier to expand your vocabulary.

Enhanced communication:

Using appropriate collocations can help you express yourself more precisely and effectively in various situations.

Tips for Learning Collocations

To improve your knowledge and use of collocations, try these helpful tips:

Read extensively:

The more you read in English, the more exposure you’ll have to natural language combinations. Pay attention to how words are used together in context.

Use a collocations dictionary:

There are specialized dictionaries that focus on word combinations. These can be invaluable resources for language learners.

Practice actively:

When you learn a new word, try to find out which other words it’s commonly used with. Make sentences using these collocations to reinforce your learning.

Listen to native speakers:

Pay attention to how English speakers naturally combine words in conversations, podcasts, or TV shows.

Keep a collocation notebook:

When you come across new or interesting word combinations, write them down in a notebook. Review these regularly to help commit them to memory.

Use language learning apps:

Many language learning applications now include exercises focused on collocations. Take advantage of these tools to practice regularly.

Be patient:

Like any aspect of language learning, mastering collocations takes time and practice. Don’t get discouraged if you make mistakes; it’s all part of the learning process.

Conclusion

Learning collocations is a key part of getting better at English. When you know and use these common word pairs, you can get better at speaking, understanding, and communicating in general.

We’ve looked at the top 10 collocations in English, like “make a decision,” “heavy rain,” “fast food,” “strong coffee,” “pay attention,” “take a break,” “catch a cold,” “heavy traffic,” “do homework,” and “take a photo.”

These are just a few of the many collocations used in everyday English.

Remember, learning collocations is something you keep doing. The more you read, listen, and practice, the more of these word pairs you’ll naturally learn.

Try using collocations when you talk or write, and be open to learning new ones. If you focus on collocations along with vocabulary and grammar, you’ll start to sound more natural and confident in English.

So, pay attention to these word combos, practice whenever you can, and see how your English skills get better every day.

With time and effort, you’ll start using collocations without even thinking about it, just like a native speaker!

More collocations:

• 100+ English Collocations to Sound More Fluent
• The Complete Guide to English Collocations
• Collocations with Big and Small for Students
• Collocations with With and Support in Everyday English