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Collocation for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: ,kɑlə'keɪʃən

What does Collocation really mean?

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Collocation is a fancy word that basically means words that go together like peas and carrots. You know how sometimes we use certain words together because it just feels right? Well, those words are called collocations.

For example, when we say "strong coffee," it just sounds more natural than saying "powerful coffee" or "mighty coffee." Can you think of any other words that we usually use together? Maybe "difficult decision" or "fast food?" These are all examples of collocations.

When we use the right collocations, it helps us communicate more clearly and effectively. It's like when you mix the perfect ingredients in a recipe, it makes the dish taste amazing! Collocations work the same way with words. They create a harmonious combination that makes our language more interesting.

Collocations can be noun + noun, adjective + noun, or verb + noun combinations. Let's break it down:

Noun + Noun

This type of collocation is when two nouns join forces to create a specific meaning. For example, we say "bottle of water" or "piece of cake." You wouldn't say "glass of water" or "slice of cake" because those words just don't collocate as well. It's like trying to put a puzzle piece in the wrong spot - it just doesn't fit!

Adjective + Noun

With this type of collocation, an adjective connects with a noun to describe or express something. For instance, we say "hot tea" or "big dog." Saying "cold tea" or "small dog" doesn't quite capture the same meaning. It's like finding the perfect pair of shoes that match your outfit - it just feels right!

Verb + Noun

In this collocation, a verb and a noun come together to form a meaningful phrase. For example, we say "make a decision" or "take a shower." It wouldn't sound as natural if we said "do a decision" or "have a shower." It's like being in a team where each player has a specific role - they work together to achieve success!

Using collocations adds color, personality, and authenticity to our language. Just like a painter who chooses the perfect blend of colors for their masterpiece, we can select the right collocations to create beautiful sentences.

So, next time when expressing ourselves, let's pay attention to those words that just naturally fit together. By using collocations, we can make our speech more vibrant, engaging, and memorable. It's all about finding the perfect word combinations that dance together harmoniously!


Revised and Fact checked by Stephanie Wilson on 2023-10-28 04:59:34

Collocation In a sentece

Learn how to use Collocation inside a sentece

  • The word 'fast' often collocates with the verb 'run', as in 'The cheetah can run fast.'
  • The collocation 'make a decision' is commonly used, for example, 'I need to make a decision about which college to attend.'
  • The adjective 'hot' frequently collocates with the noun 'coffee', as in 'I like my coffee hot.'
  • The verb 'catch' often collocates with the noun 'bus', for instance, 'I need to catch the bus to get to school.'
  • The collocation 'take a shower' is commonly used, such as 'I always take a shower before going to bed.'

Collocation Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

apposition apposition juxtaposition juxtaposition

Collocation Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.

emplacement emplacement language unit language unit linguistic unit linguistic unit locating locating location location placement placement position position positioning positioning

Collocation Hyponyms

Words that are more specific than the original word.

tessellation tessellation