Collocations

A collocation is two or more words that often go together. These combinations just sound "right" to native English speakers, who use them all the time. On the other hand, other combinations may be unnatural and just sound "wrong".

Look at these example:

Natural English...Unnatural English...

the fast train fast food                                      ·

the quick train quick food a quick shower a quick meal

a fast meal a fast shower 

Why Learn Collocations?

·        Your language will be more natural and more easily understood.

·        You will have alternative and richer ways of expressing yourself.

·        It is easier for our brains to remember and use language in chunks or blocks rather than as single words.

How to learn collocations ?

·        Be aware of collocations, and try to recognize them when you see or hear them.

·        Treat collocations as single blocks of language. Think of them as individual blocks or chunks, and learn strongly support, not strongly + support.

·        When you learn a new word, write down other words that collocate with it (remember rightly,remember distinctly, remember vaguely, remember vividly).

·        Read as much as possible. Reading is an excellent way to learn vocabulary and collocations in context and naturally.

·        Learn collocations in groups that work for you. You could learn them by topic (time, number, weather, money, family) or by a particular word (take action, take a chance, take an exam).

Some of the most common types are:

• 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)

References:

http://semantic-introduction.weebly.com/collocations-fixed-expressions-and-idioms.html

http://grammar.about.com/od/c/g/collocationterm.html