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”.

Some common verbs are listed below to assist you with the activity:

Collocation with HAVE:

have a bath

have a drink

have a good time

have a haircut

have a holiday

have a problem

have a relationship

have a rest

have lunch

have sympathy

Collocations with DO:

do nothing

do someone a favour

do the cooking

do the housework

do the shopping

do the washing up

do your best

do your hair

do your homework

Collocations with MAKE:

make a mess

make a mistake

make a noise

make an effort

make furniture

make money

make progress

make room

make trouble

Collocations with TAKE:

take a break

take a chance

take a look

take a rest

take a seat

take a taxi

take an exam

take notes

take someone’s place

take someone’s temperature

Collocations with BREAK:

break a habit

break a leg

break a promise

break a record

break a window

break someone’s heart

break the ice

break the law

break the news to someone

break the rules

Collocations with CATCH:

catch a ball

catch a bus

catch a chill

catch a cold

catch a thief

catch fire

catch sight of

catch someone’s attention

catch someone’s eye

catch the flu

Collocations with PAY:

pay a fine

pay attention

pay by credit card

pay cash

pay interest

pay someone a compliment

pay someone a visit

pay the bill

pay the price

pay your respects

Collocations with SAVE:

save electricity

save energy

save money

save one’s strength

save someone a seat

save someone’s life

save something to a disk

save space

save time

save yourself the trouble

Collocations with KEEP:

keep a diary

keep a promise

keep a secret

keep an appointment

keep calm

keep control

keep in touch

keep quiet

keep someone’s place

keep the change

Collocations with COME:

come close

come complete with

come direct

come early

come first

come into view

come last

come late

come on time

come prepared

come right back

come second

come to a compromise

come to a decision

come to an agreement

come to an end

come to a standstill

come to terms with

come to a total of

come under attack

Collocations with GO:

go astray

go bad

go bald

go bankrupt

go blind

go crazy

go dark

go deaf

go fishing

go mad

go missing

go on foot

go online

go out of business

go overseas

go quiet

go sailing

go to war

go yellow

Collocations with GET:

get a job

get a shock

get angry

get divorced

get drunk

get frightened

get home

get lost

get married

get nowhere

get permission

get pregnant

get ready

get started

get the impression

get the message

get the sack

get upset

get wet

get worried

Collocation with BREAK:

break a habit

break a leg

break a promise

break a record

break a window

break someone’s heart

break the ice

break the law

break the news to someone

break the rules

Learn more about collocations with Cambridge English TV and English Espresso.