Collocations are combinations of words that are commonly used together in a language. In English, certain verbs frequently pair with specific nouns, adjectives, or adverbs, forming natural-sounding phrases. Here are some common verb collocations along with sentences to illustrate their use.
1. make
- make a decision: We need to make a decision by tomorrow.
- make a mistake: I always worry that I might make a mistake during the presentation.
- make an effort: You should make an effort to arrive on time.
2. do
- do homework: I need to do my homework before I go out.
- do a favor: Can you do me a favor and pick up some groceries?
- do exercise: It's important to do exercise regularly to stay healthy.
3. take
- take a break: You should take a break after working for several hours.
- take a risk: Sometimes, you have to take a risk to achieve your goals.
- take advantage of: We should take advantage of the good weather and go for a hike.
4. give
- give a presentation: I have to give a presentation at the conference next week.
- give advice: My mentor always gives great advice.
- give a hand: Can you give me a hand with this heavy box?
5. have
- have a conversation: I need to have a conversation with my boss about my promotion.
- have an argument: They had an argument about their future plans.
- have fun: We had so much fun at the amusement park.
6. break
- break the news: It’s never easy to break the news about a job loss.
- break a record: She broke the world record in the 100 meters sprint.
- break the rules: If you break the rules, there will be consequences.
7. keep
- keep in touch: I try to keep in touch with my old friends from college.
- keep a secret: Can you keep a secret?
- keep calm: In tough situations, it's important to keep calm.
8. run
- run a business: She runs a successful bakery in the city.
- run an experiment: The scientists run experiments to test their hypothesis.
- run into: I ran into my old friend at the supermarket yesterday.
9. find
- find a solution: We need to find a solution to this problem quickly.
- find time: It’s hard to find time for exercise in a busy schedule.
- find out: I need to find out more information before making a choice.
10. get
- get a job: After graduating, he managed to get a job in his field.
- get lost: Make sure you have a map so you don’t get lost.
- get ready: I need some time to get ready for the party.
These are just a few examples of common verb collocations in English. Using collocations correctly can help improve fluency and make speech and writing sound more natural. If you have specific verbs in mind or need more examples, feel free to ask!