Collocations
Learn which words naturally combine in English — because grammar alone won’t tell you that “make a decision” sounds right and “do a decision” doesn’t.
Words that keep company
Some word combinations are simply the ones English prefers.
A collocation is a combination of words that commonly and conventionally occur together. Unlike a fixed expression or an idiom, the meaning is usually understandable from the individual words. The challenge is different: another word may be grammatically possible, and even seem to make perfect sense, without being the combination English actually uses.
We say make a decision, not “do a decision”. We say heavy rain, not usually “strong rain”. We say take responsibility, not normally “make responsibility”. Both options are often understandable — only one is the natural combination.
This lesson looks at how to notice these combinations, compare the alternatives, and choose the one that actually sounds natural.
More ways to explore vocabulary
This page focuses on natural word combinations.
For verb-particle combinations that function as verbs, or for idiomatic and fixed expressions, explore the pages below.
The central idea
Choosing a natural collocation is a four-step process.
Grammar alone can’t always tell you which combination sounds natural — this is what to do instead.
01
Notice the combination
Pay attention to which words are appearing together, not just to individual words.
02
Understand the pattern
Recognise what kind of combination it is — a verb with a noun, an adjective with a noun, and so on.
03
Compare alternatives
Check whether a similar word would actually sound natural in the same combination.
04
Use the established combination
Choose the pairing that’s actually used, rather than one that’s simply grammatically possible.
Strength of collocations
Some word partnerships are much stronger than others.
Collocations aren’t all equally fixed. Some combinations are very strongly preferred; others allow more freedom.
Very strong
commit a crime · make an effort · heavy rain
These pairings are strongly preferred — an alternative would sound distinctly unnatural.
Looser
good idea · interesting book
Several different adjectives would sound equally natural here.
Pattern: Verb + noun
A specific verb pairs naturally with a specific noun
make a decision
Not usually “do a decision”.
“We need to make a decision by Friday.”
take responsibility
Not usually “make responsibility”.
“He took responsibility for the mistake.”
pay attention
“Please pay attention during the demonstration.”
reach an agreement
“The two sides finally reached an agreement.”
Pattern: Adjective + noun
A specific adjective pairs naturally with a specific noun
heavy rain
Not usually “strong rain”.
“Heavy rain is expected this afternoon.”
strong coffee
Not usually “powerful coffee”.
“I need a strong coffee this morning.”
close friend
“She’s a close friend from university.”
serious problem
“There’s a serious problem with the schedule.”
Pattern: Adverb + adjective
A specific adverb pairs naturally with a specific adjective
deeply concerned
“Residents are deeply concerned about the new road.”
highly successful
“It’s a highly successful campaign so far.”
completely different
“The new version is completely different.”
widely available
“The medication is now widely available.”
Pattern: Noun + noun
Two nouns combining into one familiar phrase
traffic jam
“We got stuck in a traffic jam on the way here.”
job interview
“She has a job interview tomorrow morning.”
language barrier
“There was a bit of a language barrier at first.”
customer service
“Their customer service replied within an hour.”
Pattern: Verb + adverb
A specific verb pairs naturally with a specific adverb
apologise sincerely
“He apologised sincerely for the delay.”
strongly recommend
“I’d strongly recommend booking in advance.”
completely agree
“I completely agree with what you’ve said.”
Focus: make, do, take, have
Four common verbs, four different sets of partners.
These four verbs form some of the most useful — and most confusable — collocations in English. They can’t be chosen from their literal meaning alone; each one has its own established partners.
make
a decision · progress · an effort · a mistake
do
research · homework · business · your best
take
responsibility · a break · notes · action
have
a conversation · difficulty · a chance · an effect
Similar words, different partners
Words with related meanings don’t always share the same collocations.
This is exactly why substituting a synonym can produce unnatural English, even when the substitute makes perfect sense on its own.
strong / powerful
We say “strong coffee”, but “powerful engine” — the two adjectives aren’t interchangeable across nouns, even though they’re close in meaning.
heavy / strong
We say “heavy rain”, but “strong wind” — each weather noun has its own preferred intensifying adjective.
make / do
We say “make a mistake”, but “do damage” — both are things that go wrong, but each pairs with a different general verb.
Register and context
Some collocations lean more academic, professional or everyday.
This page is mainly about which words naturally combine — but context can shift which combination fits best. Even so, avoid treating every pair as strictly informal/formal; the same collocation often works comfortably in more than one setting.
Everyday
get results
Natural in most everyday conversation.
More formal or academic
obtain results
More typical in academic or technical writing.
Everyday
big problem
Common and natural in everyday speech.
More formal or professional
significant problem
More typical in a professional report or presentation.
Common problems
Grammatically fine isn’t always naturally used.
I need to do a decision by Friday.
I need to make a decision by Friday.
“Decision” collocates with “make”, not “do” — even though “do” seems logical for an action.
Could I get a powerful coffee, please?
Could I get a strong coffee, please?
A near-synonym for the adjective doesn’t automatically collocate with the same noun.
I want to make a photo of the sunset.
I want to take a photo of the sunset.
Translating a similar phrase word-for-word from another language often lands on the wrong verb partner.
She did a mistake and did a big effort to fix it.
She made a mistake and made a big effort to fix it.
Overusing one general verb — often “do” — in place of several different established partners is a very common pattern.
The storm made a lot of damage to the roof.
The storm did a lot of damage to the roof.
“Damage” collocates with “do”, not “make” — “make” feels like the more general, logical choice, but it isn’t the established partner here.
There was strong rain all afternoon.
There was heavy rain all afternoon.
This isn’t ungrammatical — it’s simply not the combination English speakers actually use, which is why “unnatural” fits better than “wrong”.
He took it responsibility for the delay. (treating “take responsibility” like a separable phrasal verb)
He took responsibility for the delay.
“Take responsibility” is a collocation, not a phrasal verb — the words keep their ordinary grammatical roles and can’t be split the way a phrasal verb can.
The new policy will make an effect on prices.
The new policy will have an effect on prices.
Choosing the wrong verb partner here doesn’t just sound odd — “make an effect” isn’t an established English collocation at all.
Your turn
Practise choosing the natural combination, not just a grammatical one.
These activities are part of the learning process. There are no scores, no grades and no limit on how many times you may try.
The weather forecast says there will be ___ rain tonight.
✅ Exactly! English speakers say “heavy rain” — the other options are all understandable but not the natural collocation.
❎ Not quite. All four words could describe intensity, but only one is the established collocation with “rain”.
Compare it with “strong wind” — each weather word has its own preferred partner.
She always ___ her best in every exam.
✅ Exactly! “Do your best” is the established collocation.
❎ Not quite. Compare this with “make an effort” — “best” pairs with a different verb.
Think of “do your homework” — “best” behaves the same way.
It’s such a ___ problem that we need to act immediately.
✅ Exactly! “Serious problem” is the natural adjective + noun collocation here.
❎ Not quite. “Heavy” and “strong” are natural with other nouns, like rain or wind — not with “problem”.
Which of these adjectives do you usually see paired with “problem”?
Which sentence sounds unnatural?
✅ Exactly! “Decision” collocates with “make”, not “do” — “they made a decision” is the natural form.
❎ Not quite. Three of these use the established verb partner — only one pairs a noun with a verb it doesn’t normally collocate with.
Compare this with “make a decision” from earlier in the lesson.
Try it another way
Complete each sentence with the natural word.
Type the missing word to complete the collocation.
✅ Exactly! “Make a decision” is the established collocation.
❎ Not quite. Remember, English doesn’t usually say “do a decision”.
✅ Exactly! “Pay attention” is the established collocation.
❎ Not quite. “Attention” has its own specific verb partner here.
✅ Exactly! “Traffic jam” is the natural noun + noun collocation.
❎ Not quite. Think of the word that specifically follows “traffic” to describe stopped vehicles.
Notice the difference
Correct the unnatural collocation.
Rewrite each sentence using the natural word combination.
She did a big mistake on the report.
✅ Exactly! “Mistake” collocates with “make”, not “do”.
❎ Not quite. Check the verb paired with “mistake”.
The rain was really strong last night.
✅ Exactly! “Heavy rain” is the natural collocation — “strong” pairs with “wind” instead.
❎ Not quite. Compare this with “strong wind” — rain takes a different adjective.
I need to make my homework before dinner.
✅ Exactly! “Homework” collocates with “do”, not “make”.
❎ Not quite. Compare this with “do research” or “do business”.
Quick review
Grammar allows it. Usage decides it.
Notice the combination — pay attention to which words appear together
Understand the pattern — recognise the type of combination involved
Compare alternatives — check whether a similar word would really sound natural
Use the established combination — choose the pairing English actually uses
Remember
Vocabulary includes relationships between words, not just definitions.
Grammar may allow several possibilities, but natural usage often strongly favours one combination over another. Learning vocabulary means learning which words characteristically occur together.