Collocations

Vocabulary is a crucial part of any language. That is why, while learning any language, higher importance is given to understanding and learning of the vocabulary. As we are covering the majority of the vocabulary in the business world and business corresponding and accounting, today we will focus majorly on collocations. We will start with the basics of collocations, and then understand why do we need them and various types of collocations. We will also give you some of the examples of the collocation.

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What is Collocation?

 

A familiar grouping of words which appears together because of their habitual use and thus creating the same meaning is called collocation. Suppose, when we say heavy rain instead of big or strong rain, it conveys the meaning that it is raining heavily.

Although in the above example strong rain or the big rain conveys the same meaning. In fact, both of them are also grammatically correct. But, the use of big rain or strong rain will sound strange. Thus, we use heavy rain to sound natural and a lot better English.

Similarly, there are many such examples where we use a particular set of groups of words to sound naturally correct. A group of words that are expected to be together can also be defined as collocations. Some more examples of collocations are to do homework, to make the bed, to take a risk, etc.

Besides the reasons mentioned above, there are reasons as well for using collocations. These are:

• Making the use of the English language natural and interesting
• As it follows a particular order, it helps in adhering to pre-decided and a proper structure of the English language
• Helps in beautifying the language
• Make better use of words or group of words by presenting it in better form
• It enhances the use of language and thereby comparatively leads to innovation of the English language

Browse more Topics under Vocabulary

• Vocabulary and Types of Vocabulary
• Connotations
• Synonyms and Antonyms
• Roots of Words
• Prefix and Suffix
• Phrasal Verbs
• Idioms

Types of Collocations

Verb Collocations

The collocations which are used extensively tend to involve verb + noun formation in the day to day situations. Here are some of the examples of these words for you to understand them better. In each of these examples the verb has other meanings as well, but combining it with the words will result in a group of words.

• To save time

You will save a lot of your time if you concentrate on your studies rather than browsing through the internet.

• To come prepared

You have a presentation tomorrow, so make sure that you come prepared.

• To find a replacement

Indian team needs to find a replacement for Sachin as soon as possible.

Adjective Collocations

Many collocations can be formed when you add adjectives with noun and adverbs. Here are a few examples of how you can make collocations using a single adjective.

• Deep: Deep feeling, deep pockets, deep sleep, deep trouble.
• Heavy: Heavy rain, heavy sleeper, a heavy drinker, heavy snow, heavy traffic.
• Strong:  Strong smell, strong sense, strong denial.

Noun Collocations

In this type of collocations, you can use a verb as well as a noun to form the group of words.

Service industry, tea leaf, dogs bark, water flows, paper flutters, blurred vision, critical analysis.

Business Collocations

Mostly, the use of collocations is critical in various types of businesses and work situations. Here, there are numerous ways in which you can form a collocation using verbs, nouns, adjectives, and adverbs. They can be combined with keywords and a business expression can be formed. Some of the important business collocations are:

Security blanket	Cash flow
Opinion poll	Make money
Forgive a debt	Counterfeit money
Key in a PIN	Annual turnover
GO bankrupt	Cease to trade
Hard-earned money	Deposit a check
Close a deal	Open an account

Practice Questions for You

Q.Complete the following collocations

a)___________ a home.
b)__________ trouble
c) I really hate when she criticizes everybody. It really rattles ________
d)Everyday I used to go to Temple under false ________. I never wanted to, but my parents made me go every day.

Answers: a)Get  b)Make  c)My Bones  d)Pretenses