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IELTS (Imaginative Excellent Laid-back Tuned-in Smart)
Collocation refers to how words go together or from fixed relationship.
1. Typical Collocations:
- Heavy rain
- High temperature
- Scenic view
- Have an experience
Example:
- She has blonde hair.
- She was discharged from hospital.
- She was released from hospital. [Incorrect]
2. Strong Collocation:
- Whisk an egg
- Curly hair
- Winding road
- Blissfully ignorant
- The fast train
- Fast food
- A quick shower
- a quick meal
Types of collocation:
There are several different types of collocation made from combinations of verb, noun, adjective etc. Some of the most common types are:
| Combination | Example | not to use |
|---|---|---|
| adverb + adjective | completely satisfied | (NOT downright satisfied) |
| adjective + noun | excruciating pain | (NOT excruciating joy) |
| noun + noun | a surge of anger | (NOT a rush of anger) |
| noun + verb | lions roar | (NOT lions shout) |
| verb + noun | commit suicide | (NOT undertake suicide) |
| verb + expression with preposition | burst into tears | (NOT blow up in tears) |
| verb + adverb | wave frantically | (NOT wave feverishly) |
3. Sample Collocations:
There are several different types of collocation. Collocations can be adjective + adverb, noun + noun, verb + noun and so on.
1. adverb + adjective
- Invading that country was an utterly stupid thing to do.
- We entered a richly decorated room.
- Are you fully aware of the implications of your action?
2. adjective + noun
- The doctor ordered him to take regular exercise.
- The Titanic sank on its maiden voyage.
- He was writhing on the ground in excruciating pain.
3. noun + noun
- Let's give Mr Jones a round of applause.
- The ceasefire agreement came into effect at 11am.
- I'd like to buy two bars of soap please.
4. noun + verb
- The lion started to roar when it heard the dog barking.
- Snow was falling as our plane took off.
- The bomb went off when he started the car engine.
5. verb + noun
- The prisoner was hanged for committing murder.
- I always try to do my homework in the morning, after making my bed.
- He has been asked to give a presentation about his work.
6. verb + expression with preposition
- We had to return home because we had run out of money.
- At first her eyes filled with horror, and then she burst into tears.
- Their behavior was enough to drive anybody to crime.
7. verb + adverb
- She placed her keys gently on the table and sat down.
- Mary whispered softly in John's ear.
- I vaguely remember that it was growing dark when we left.
- What is the only word in the English language with 2 synonyms that are antonyms of each other?
- What are the only two English words with three consecutive repeated letters?
- What are the two longest English words that don’t repeat letters?
- Which is the 7-letter word in English that consists of 10 words without rearranging any letters?
- What is the dot over the letters “i” & “j” called as?
- What is the longest word in the English Language that has no vowels?
- What are the only two words in English Language that have all the five vowels in order?
- and
- also
- as well as
- another reason is
- now
- at the moment
- at present
- right now
- these days
- nowadays
- in the past
- before
- then
- at that time
- years ago
- When I was younger
- I think one important thing is
- I guess one difference is
- I suppose the main difference between X and Y is
- I guess it's because
- The main reason is
- It was caused by
- Because
- I suppose the best way to deal with this problem is
- I reckon the only answer is to
- The best way to solve this is
- for example
- for instance
- such as
- like
- like so
- What I mean is
- What I want to say is
- As I was saying
- but
- on the other hand
- while
- although
- or
ToDo
| Word | Synonyms |
|---|---|
| Amazing | Incredible, Fantastic, Fabulous, Astonishing, Extraordinary |
| Answer | Respond |
| Awful | Terrible, Abominable, Dreadful |
| Bad | Evil, Spoiled, Imperfect, Infamous, Dismal |
| Beautiful | Gorgeous, Ravishing, Dazzling, Exquisite, Stunning |
| Begin | Initiate, Commence, Inaugurate |
| Big | Huge, Enormous, Gigantic, Humongous, Substantial, Mammoth |
| Break | Rupture, Fracture, Shatter |
| Calm | Serene, Peace, Tranquil |
| Come | Approach, Arrive |
| Cool | Chilly, Frosty, Icy |
| Cut | Chop, Slash, Slit |
| Dangerous | Hazardous, Risky, Precarious |
| Decide | Determine, Settle |
| Definite | Certain, Positive, Obvious |
| Delicious | Savoury, Titbit, Delectable |
| Describe | Portray, Characterise |
| Destroy | Demolish, Slay, Ruin, Raze |
| Difference | Disagreement, Inequity, Dissimilarity |
| Dull | Boring, Uninteresting, Monotonous, Humdrum, Dreary |
| End | Terminate, Conclude, Cessation |
| Explain | Elaborate, Interpret |
| Fall | Drop, Descend, Topple |
| Famous | Well-known, Renowned, Eminent, Illustrious |
| Fast | Quick, Rapid, Hasty, Snappy, Swift |
| Fat | Stout, Corpulent, Chubby, Bulky |
| Funny | Amusing, Humorous, Droll, Hilarious |
| Get | Acquire, Obtain, Secure, Procure, Gather |
| Good | Excellent, Fine, Wonderful, Superior, Gracious, Superb, Splendid, Genuine, Sterling, Top-notch, |
| Great | Worthy, Distinguished, Grand, Considerable, Mighty |
| Happy | Pleased, Delighted, Elated, Joyful, Ecstatic, Jubilant, Jaunty |
| Hate | Despise, Loathe, Abhor, Abominate |
| Have | Possess, Own, Acquire, |
| Help | Aid, Assist, Support, Encourage, Relieve |
| Hide | Conceal, Cover, Mask, Veil |
| Idea | Thought, Concept, Notion |
| Important | Necessary, Vital, Critical, Indispensable, Valuable, Essential, Famous, Notable |
| Interesting | Fascinating, Engaging, Spirited, Intriguing, Gripping, Enthralling, Captivating |
| Little | Tiny, Diminutive, Exiguous, Dinky, Cramped |
| Look | Gaze, Glance, Peek, Glimpse, Stare, Leer |
| Love | Like, Admire, Fancy, Care for, Adore |
| Make | Create, Originate, Invent, Construct, Manufacture, Produce, Compose |
| Move | Plod, Creep, Crawl, Drag, Toddle, shuffle, Trot, Lumber, Meander |
| Neat | Orderly, Tidy, Trim, Natty, Smart, Elegant |
| New | Unique, Modern, Current, Recent |
| Old | Feeble, Ancient, Aged, Veteran, Mature, Primitive, Stale |
| Place | Draw, Map, Diagram, Procedure, Method, Blueprint |
| Show | Display, Exhibit, Indicate, Reveal, Demonstrate |
| Tell | Disclose, Reveal, Expose, Narrate, Inform, Divulge |
| Use | Employ, Utilise, Exhaust, Spend |
| Wrong | Incorrect, Inaccurate, Mistaken, Erroneous, Improper, Unsuitable |
| Informal | Formal |
|---|---|
| I think... | In my opinion |
| Because... | As a result of the fact/ Due to the fact |
| Also... | Furthermore/Moreover |
| But... | However |
| And... | In addition |
| So... | Therefore/Consequently/As a result |
| Anyway... | Nevertheless |
| In the end... | Eventually |
| In a nutshell/ Basically | To Summarise... |