Collocations with Common Verbs: Unlocking the Power of Natural English

Jan 25

When you hear native speakers chat casually, it's not just their vocabulary that stands out, but the way they combine words. They use collocations—pairs or groups of words that naturally go together. Think of them as the best friends of the English language. When these words hang out together, they create expressions that sound authentic and fluent, making your speech and writing flow like a pro.

Let’s dive into some common verbs and their favorite word partners, shall we? 🚀

1. Why Are Collocations Important?

Using the right combinations of words can elevate your English. It’s not just about knowing the meaning of a verb or noun—it’s about knowing how they sound when paired together. When you use collocations, you sound more natural, more fluent, and less like a robot reading from a textbook. You’re stepping into a world of language that feels authentic.

2. Common Verbs and Their Favorite Collocations

a. Make

"Make" is a versatile verb that partners with so many nouns. When you combine it with the right noun, you make it sound like you’ve mastered the language.

Make an effort (try hard)
Example: "You need to make an effort if you want to succeed."
Make a decision (choose something)
Example: "It’s time to make a decision about our plans."
Make a mistake (do something wrong)
Example: "Everyone makes mistakes. It’s part of life."
Make progress (move forward)
Example: "We’ve been making progress on the project."

b. Do

"Do" is another heavy hitter in the verb world. But like a skilled craftsman, it knows which nouns it works best with.

Do your best (try as hard as possible)
Example: "Just do your best and don’t worry about the rest."
Do a favor (help someone)
Example: "Can you do me a favor and pick up my mail?"
Do the dishes (wash dishes)
Example: "I’ll cook dinner if you’ll do the dishes after."
Do research (investigate or gather information)
Example: "I need to do some research for my report."

c. Take

"Take" is a bit like the chameleon of verbs—it can change depending on the noun it pairs with.

Take a break (pause from activity)
Example: "After working for hours, we all need to take a break."
Take responsibility (accept control of something)
Example: "He refused to take responsibility for the project’s failure."
Take a chance (risk something)
Example: "Sometimes, you have to take a chance to achieve great things."
Take part in (participate in)
Example: "I’m excited to take part in the competition next week."

d. Get

"Get" is like a Swiss army knife in the verb world. It adapts to so many situations.

Get a job (find work)
Example: "She’s been trying to get a job for months."
Get along with (have a good relationship)
Example: "I really get along with my coworkers. We have great chemistry."
Get the chance (have the opportunity)
Example: "I hope I’ll get the chance to visit Japan someday."
Get lost (become lost)
Example: "I got lost in the city because I forgot my map."

e. Have

"Have" is everywhere, and it’s partnered with some fantastic nouns that make it sound great.

Have fun (enjoy yourself)
Example: "We’re going to have fun at the party tonight!"
Have a good time (enjoy the moment)
Example: "I hope you have a good time on your vacation."
Have a conversation (talk to someone)
Example: "I need to have a conversation with my boss about the project."
Have an impact (influence something or someone)
Example: "Her speech had an impact on everyone in the audience."

3. How to Use Collocations Like a Pro

When you want to sound more natural in your conversations or writing, here are some tips:

Don’t memorize them like random lists. Instead, use them in context. For example, try saying, "I’m going to make an effort to learn new words every day" rather than just memorizing "make an effort."
Practice by writing sentences using these collocations and saying them out loud. This helps your brain remember them in the right context.
Watch TV shows or read articles that use these collocations naturally. Notice how native speakers use them—this will help you absorb them naturally!

4. Bonus Fun: Mixing Up Collocations

Now, let’s see what happens if you mix and match some collocations. You’ll notice some combinations just sound wrong, while others create unique ideas:

"I’m going to take responsibility for the break." 😬
"He did a favor for the dishes." 🤔
"I’ll get a chance to make a decision about my break." 🧐

While it’s fun to mix things up, you get a sense of why collocations matter—they give English its smooth flow and predictability!

5. Final Thought: You’ve Got the Keys to Fluency

Understanding collocations is like unlocking a hidden level of language. When you can use them correctly, you sound like a native speaker, and you express yourself clearly and naturally. So, make those connections—make an effort, take part, do your best, and soon you’ll be a pro!

B1GrammarCollocations with Common Verbs

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