Collocation

A collocation is a pair of group of words that are often used together. These combinations sound natural to native speakers, but students of English have to make a special effort to learn them because they are often difficult to guess. Some combinations just sound ‘wrong’ to native speakers of English. For example, the adjective handsome collocates with men, but not with trees. Some collocations are fixed, or very strong, for example take a photo, where no word other than take collocates with photo or give the same meaning. Sometimes, a pair of words may not be absolutely wrong, and people will understand what is meant, but it may not be the natural, normal collocation. If someone says I did a few mistakes they will be understood, but a fluent speaker of English would probably say I made a few mistakes.

You need to learn collocations because they will help you to speak and write English in a more natural and accurate way. People will probably understand what you mean if you talk about ‘making your homework’ or say ‘My dad is a very high man’ but your language will sound unnatural and might perhaps confuse. Also, learning collocations will help you to increase your range of your vocabulary. For example, you’ll find it easier to avoid words like very or nice or beautiful or get by choosing a word that fits the context better and has a more precise meaning. This is particularly useful if you are taking a written exam in English and want to make a good impression on the examiners.

APPEARANCE

enhance or improve your appearance

have or get a taboo done

have or get a piercing, nose pierced

use/wear/apply/put on make up, cosmetics

sashay/ strut down the catwalk

pull on/off coat, socks, gloves

wear perfume, accessories

ECONOMY

freeze/open a bank account

live on pension, a low wage, salary

inherit/amass wealth, a fortune

earn a keep

extend/renew/terminate the lease/tenancy/contract

put your home/property on the market (sell)

survive/weather/experience/suffer a recession/downtown

accumulate/incur/run up debts

retain customer/clients

face/be plunged into an economic crisis

combat/fight inflation/unemployment

GOVERNANCE/POLITICS

foster/strengthen cooperation

exercise/defend national sovereignty

provoke/spark criticism/discussion

bring down/overthrow/topple the government

abolish/restore/topple the monarchy

lead/spearhead a campaign/movement

have seats in parliament

introduce/draw up/pass/adopt/draft a bill/law legislation

veto/oppose/vote against a bill/proposal

perpetuate/conform to/fit/defy a common/negative stereotype

entrench/perpetuate racist attitude

deport/repatriate illegal immigrants

outlaw/end segregation

practice racial/religious tolerance/segregation

fear/escape from/flee racial/political/religious persecution

HEALTH

get Aids/cancer/flu/cold

be infected with a virus/HIV

feel ill/sick/nauseous/queasy

put on/rub on/apply cream/lotion/ointment

dress/bandage/clean a bullet wound

suffer/sustain an injury, a hairline fracture

have a fall/an injury

absorb/extract/release nutrients

RULE/LAW

exercise/defend national sovereignty

embrace/resist/drive globalization

take on/do freelance work

raise/withdraw/overrule an objection

lodge/file an appeal

carry/face/serve a seven year life sentence

impose/enforce/lift a curfew

house/resettle refugee

negotiate/conclude/ratify/sign/

reject/accept/violet a peace treaty

cut short a trip/holiday/vacation

train/equip/deploy army/military/combat/unit

deploy/send/station/pull back troops

enforce law/regulation

PICTURE

carve a figure/image/sculptor/relief

sculpt a status/an abstract figure

etch a line/pattern/design/name into the glass

install/place a sculptor on something

showcase/feature/promote a conceptual artist

WEATHER

The weather brightens/improves/worsens/breaks. (changes suddenly)

A storm breaks/passes/brews/abates (grow less strong)

The sun breaks through the clouds.

The sky clears/brightens up.

The clouds part/clear.

The rain holds off.

The wind dies down.

The mist/fog lifts or clears.

The sun warms/beats down on something.

The sunshine breaks/streams through something.

A fine mist hangs in the air.

Thunder rolls, rumbles, sounds, etc.

We forecast/expect/predict----- rain/snow.

FEAR

A phobia is an extreme or unnatural fear of something.

Aichmophobia fear of sharp or pointed object

Ailurophobia fear of cats

Brontophobia fear of thunder

Crystallophobia fear of glass

Kathisophobia fear of sitting down

Kinosophobia fear of motion

Triskaidekaphobia fear of the number

Take

Take notice of the following words that go together with the highlighted words.

Hi! Sameer,

We’re so glad we decided to take a holiday here. Yesterday we took a trip to the mountains. First we took a bus to a little village and got off when we saw one that we took a liking to. Of course, we were taking a risk as we didn’t know exactly we’d find there. But we were lucky. Some kids took an interest in us and showed us some great places. We took a lot of photos.

Have you done anything yet about your job? I’d take a chance and leave if I were you. No point in staying somewhere where the boss has taken a dislike to you! Take advantage of being in Kathmandu—there are always plenty of jobs there. You’ll soon find something else, so take action, that’s my advice! Good luck!

Santey

Physical appearance

The words that are likely to obstruct your understanding have been glossed below.

My father has a round face, with chubby cheeks and a droopy moustache. My mother has a more pointed face and a straight nose. My younger sister is more like my father. She has an oval face and an upturned nose. My older sister is like a model. She has a slim figure and a slender waist. She has a lovely complexion and beautiful sleek, waist-length hair, and she’s always immaculately groomed. If eel so ordinary next to her—I’ve got coarse hair and rather broad hips, but she always says I look nice.

Srijana

a) chubby fat in a pleasant and attractive way

b) droopy long and hanging down heavily

c) sleek smooth and shiny

My father and my two older brothers are all well-built with broad shoulders. My father is going bald but he still has a very youthful appearance for someone who is over forty. My brothers both have thick hair and bushy eyebrows. My younger brother is only two—he’s just a tiny tot, but he’s very cute. My mother’s sides of the family mostly have dark hair—in fact my mother had jet-black hair when she was younger, before she went white—but on my father’s side some have fair hair and some have ginger hair.

Subhash

a. well-built = have strong, attractive bodies

b. bushy = very thick

c. tot = a small child

d. jet-black hair = completely black

e. ginger = a red or orange-brown colour; used of people’s hair

THE MOST FREQUENTLY MISPRONOUNCED WORDS

The following words are usually mispronounced by non-native speakers of English. The readers need to consult an up-to-date English dictionary.

aesthetic apple April Asian autopsy aisle bathe

balloon behind bouquet cauliflower council cuisine dais

deity delicious depot devil elephant exhibition familiar

felicitate gauge geography ghee guardian hammer healthy