Verb Collocations List (Download PDF)

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Table of Contents

What is a Collocation?

A collocation is made up of two or more words that are commonly used together in English. A collocation is a very useful term in English grammar.

List of Common collocations in English

A collocation is a linguistic phenomenon where certain words or phrases habitually occur together in a language due to established patterns and natural usage. These combinations often have a mutual, inherent sense of compatibility and are considered customary in speech and writing.

Collocations can involve verbs, nouns, adjectives, and other parts of speech, making language sound more natural and idiomatic when used appropriately.

For example, in English, we commonly say “strong coffee” instead of “powerful coffee” because “strong” naturally collocates with “coffee.”

Understanding and using collocations correctly is essential for fluent and accurate language usage, contributing to effective communication and native-like fluency.

Download this list at the end of this post in PDF format.

Collocation with Go

Go bankrupt
Go astray
Go bad
Go bald
Go mad/angry
Go finishing
Go insane (idiom)
Go crazy
Go blind
Go deaf
Go to the beach/to the movie
Go overseas
Go out of business
Go quiet
Go sailing
Go on a picnic
Go abroad
Go on a date
Go smoothly
Go missing
Go to war
Go online
Go on foot
Out of fashion

Also Check: List of 250+ Adverbs

Collocation with Get

Get a ticket
Get hot (ter)
Get nowhere
Get a/the right
Get into trouble
Get home (arrive)
Get lost
Get married
Get good/top/bad marks
Get getting dark
Get frightened
Get ready for
Get permission
Get pregnant
Get one’s hair cut
Get old
Get out of breath
Get fired
Get enthusiastic
Get dark
Get changed (change clothes)
Get cool
Get angry
Get a tan
Get a splitting headache
Get a shock
Get a letter (receive)
Get a job
Get a joke
Get upset
Get the ticket (buy)
Get the sack
Get tired
Get a chance
Get a degree/ a diploma
Get a cold
Get a clue
Get to sleep
Get a call
Get divorced
Get stuck in a traffic jam
Get hungry
Get started
Get together
Get sleep
Get dressed/ undressed
Get wet
Get the message
Get the impression
Get worried
Get drunk

Collocation with Keep

Keep someone’s place
Keep in touch
Keep control
Keep quiet
Keep records
Keep a secret
Keep a promise
Keep score
Keep a diary
Keep the change
Keep calm
Keep an appointment
Keep your balance

Collocation with Take

Take a look
Take advantage (of)
Take care
Take a message
Take ages
Take action
Take an exam/ a test/ a course
Take an opportunity
Take a while/ a minute/ five minutes
Take a test
Take a taxi/bus/train/plane
Take medicine
Take exercise
Take hostage
Take charge
Take care of
Take drugs
Take a step
Take a shower (have)
Take a picture
Take a number
Take a photo/ a photograph
Take a nap
Take a lesson
Take a holiday
Take a decision (make)
Take a class
Take a call
Take a chance
Take turns
Take sb’s place
Take prisoner
Take someone’s temperature
Take (sb’s) temperature
Take a break
Take a bow
Take a bite
Take time
Take (sb) to court
Take a rest
Take part
Take advice
Take notice
Take time of
Take notes
Take a risk
Take up space
Take pride in
Take place
Take your time
Take a seat

Collocation with Do

Do a good/great/terrible job
Do nothing
Do sums
Do a report
Do someone a favour
Do laundry
Do something right
Do something wrong
Do homework
Do harm
Do gymnastics
Do the math
Do the housework
Do the ironing
Do the cooking
Do the cleaning
Do the dishes
Do good
Do experiments
Do business
Do badly
Do better
Do anything/something/everything
Do a favour
Do a deal
Do a course
Do your makeup
Do work
Do well
Do your best
Do your duty
Do crosswords
Do the right thing
Do research
Do the paperwork
Do Your hair
Do the minimum
Do damage
Do your nails
Do the washing up
Do the shopping
The maximum
Do exercise

Collocation with Give

Give a headache
Give an answer
Give a lecture or speech or performance
Give a hand
Give a ride
Give advice
Give a damn
Give a choice
Give a chance
Give evidence
Give birth
Give credit
Give an idea
Give an example
Give an opinion
Give a call (a ring, a buzz)
Give up
Give sb a lift
Give sb a chance
Give sth a go
Give the impression
Give priority
Give a hug or kiss
Give permission
Give thought (to)
Give notice
Give up hope
Give sb a call
Give rise to
Give way

Collocation with Catch

Catch a bus/ a train
Catch (on) fire
Catch a ball
Catch the flu
Catch sight of
Catch a whiff
Catch someone Red-Handed
Catch someone’s attention
Catch a cold
Catch a cold
Catch someone’s eye
Catch a chill
Catch you Later!
Catch a thief
Catch a glimpse
Catch your breath

Collocation with Come

Come first
Come close
Come complete with
Come early
Come right back
Come on time
Come prepared
Come last
Come into view
Come late
Come to terms with
Come to an agreement
Come to a stop
Come to an end
Come to life
Come to a decision
Come clean about
Come to a conclusion
Come to sb’s rescue
Come to a compromise
Come under attack
Come to a stand still (idiom)
Come to a realization
Come up with

Must Read: List of Adverbs that ends in -LY

Collocation with Have

Have a workout
Have an interview
Have a fight
Have food
Have a doubt
Have breakfast/lunch/dinner
Have an idea
Have difficulty
Have faith
Have an ice-cream
Have an experience
Have an excuse
Have room
Have patience
Have rest
Have no education
Have a depression/etc
Have a discussion
Have fun/a good time
Have no fear
Have a bath
Have an exam
Have a rest
Have a stretch
Have an event
Have a snooze
Have a snack
Have an appointment with
Have access (to)
Have an accident
Have a chance
Have a think
Have a word
Have a day off
Have a competition
Have a bite
Have a bad temper
Have a cup of tea/ coffee
Have a break
Have a dance
Have a wish
Have a wash
Have a cold
Have a game
Have a walk
Have a backache
Have a touch
Have a relationship
Have a try
Have trouble
Have success
Have soul
Have sympathy
Have a holiday
Have a problem
Have a swim
Have a temperature
Have a taste
Have a talk
Have the chance (to)
Have a confrontation
Have a stroke
Have a bad fall
Have a jacuzzi
Have a jog
Have an argument
Have a listen
Have a laugh
Have a lecture
Have skills
Have a night mare
Have a good time
Have a great weekend
Have a haircut
Have a good/nice/etc day!
Have a dispute
Have a nap
Have a moment
Have a meeting
Have an opportunity
Have a smell
Have a dream
Have sex
Have a meal
Have a massage
Have a look
Have a career/a goal
Have a busy day
Have a business trip
Have a go
Have a glass of wine
Have a hard time
Have time
Have a baby
Have a birthday
Have a party/concert
Have a goal
Have a passion for
Have a drill
Have a conversation/chat
Have self-esteem
Have an effect (on)
Have a headache
Have a quarrel
Have work
Have a safe journey
Have a chat
Have a sandwich
Have a shower
Have a fit
Have a salad
Have a shave
Have a scrub
Have a ride
Have a lesson
Have a lie down
Have a lisp
Have a limp
Have something to eat
Have some sugar/ milk
Have a right
Have a run
Have a plan
Have a feeling
Have a drink
Have an energy bar

Collocation with Ask

Ask if/ whether
Ask after somebody
Ask about
Ask for advice
Ask for directions
Ask for something
Ask permission
Ask a question
Ask a favor
Ask sb out

Also Check: List of Adverbs that dont ends in _LY

Collocation with Make

Make an effort
Make food
Make money
Make an enquiry
Make fun of someone
Make ends meet
Make furniture
Make love
Make contact
Make coffee
Make changes
Make progress
Make peace
Make plans
Make one’s bow
Make noise
Make one’s own way back
Make breakfast/lunch/dinner
Make a profit
Make a suggestion
Make believe
Make a statement
Make a speech
Make an objection
Make an excuse
Make an impression
Make an exception
Make an effort
Make an attempt
Make an arrangement
Make a bed
Make an appointment
Make an allusion
Make a presentation
Make an appearance
Make up
Make the bed
Make sure
Make time
Make a cup of tea
Make a point
Make a tea
Make an agreement
Make amends
Make a threat
Make tracks
Make a takeover bid
Make a deal
Make a decision
Make an observation
Make a fuss
Make a difference
Make a discovery
Make sense
Make a move
Make a call
Make a comment
Make a complaint
Make a choice
Make a mistake
Make a mess
Make a living
Make friends
Make a sound
Make sb feel sth
Make a list
Make a joke
Make a habit
Make a bundle (idiom)
Make a break with somebody
Make a confession/an admission
Make trouble
Make a note (of)
Make a cake
Make a pass at
Make room
Make an offer
Make a contract
Make a prediction
Make up your mind
Make a reservation
Make a salad
Make a snack
Make a rude gesture
Make your bed
Make a sandwich
Make a sales call
Make a promise
Make a dress
Make a fire
Make a fortune
Make a fool of yourself
Make sth easy
Make someone angry/mad/happy/sad
Make a recovery
Make a remark
Make a phone call
Make war
Make arrangements

Collocation with Break

Break a leg
Break a code
Break a habit
Break a law
Break ground
Break even
Break free
Break a record
Break a promise
Break a window
Break the silence
Break the ice
Break the bank
Break the mold
Break the news to someone
Break news
Break a bone/ your arm
Break new ground
Break the rules
Break loose
Break the spell
Break someone’s heart
Break one’s fall
Break wind

Collocation with Save

Save space
Save one’s strength
Save money
Save someone a seat
Save someone’s life
Save electricity
Save something
Save time
Save lives
Save energy
Save yourself the trouble

Also check: List of Adverbs of Manner

Collocation with Pay

Pay one’s respects
Pay attention
Pay a visit
Pay by credit card
Pay cash
Pay interest
Pay someone a compliment
Pay a fine
Pay a bill
Pay someone a visit

Noun + Verb collocation

Bear a resemblance (to sb/sth)
Call in sick
Serve a purpose
Stand trial
Offer condolences
Cast a vote
Turn around
Beat a record
Serve interests
Call the police
Strike a balance
Call attention to
Stall for time
Know the score
Carry weight
Take time off
Cast a spell
Turn a corner
Call an election
Spend your life
Call a strike
Spend time
Call a name
Solve a problem
Claim responsibility
Eke out a living
Wage war
Hold a referendum
Change the subject
Hurt sb’s feelings
Vote against
Change your mind
Follow advice
Vote for
Cause trouble
Undergo treatment
Miss a flight
Miss a goal
Cast doubt
Undergo surgery
Change course
Use sb’s phone
Lose a game
Call a meeting
Solve a crime
Raise questions
Join the army
Follow directions
Admit defeat
Return a call
Bring to justice
Set menu
Achieve a goal
Retain control
Accept responsibility
Restore order
Boost morale
Set a standard
Blow your nose
Set a goal
Book a flight
Set a record
Lose weight
Beat to death
Set a date
Balance a budget
Fight a fire
See reason
Fill a gap
Kill time
Meet with approval
Love dearly
Lose control
Live at home
Meet a target
Lose faith
Lead the world
Meet opposition
Attract sb’s attention
Score a goal
Attract attention
Scare tactic
Lose your temper
Open an account
Apply for a job
Satisfy demand
Leave school
Answer the door
Hold an inquiry
Satisfy a need
Raise money
Answer the phone
Fill in a form
Satisfy a requirement
Lead the field
Lead the way
Lay the groundwork
Express concern
Leave a message
Fire a shot
Doesn’t matter
Hold office
Win an election
Cross sb’s mind
Wave goodbye
Cover costs
Watch your weight
Cut costs
Hold sb prisoner
Win a game
Fight corruption
Pass the time
Raise doubts
Hold talks
Answer a letter
Return home
Answer an advertisement
Safety net
Answer a question
Run the risk of
Answer a prayer
Run a business
Face the fact(s)
Declare war
Face a challenge
Win a war
Join a club
Issue a permit
Join forces
Meet a need
Against the law
Return fire
Light a fire
Pick your nose
Place an order
Bring about change
Set a table
Push a button
Play a part
Play music
Conduct research
Waste an opportunity
Quit a job
Owe an explanation
Part company
Pass (the) time
Pack a suitcase
Miss an opportunity
Enter politics
Put up your hand
Put up wages
Hold an election
Put up prices
Call sb names
Stay awake
Follow a pattern
Accept an invitation
Restore confidence
Express interest (in)
Obey an order
Commit suicide
Warm welcome
Put out a fire
Put out a cigarette
Put on weight
Kick a goal
Lose money
Lose interest
Lose hope
Open fire
Open an investigation
Jump to a conclusion
Pass a law
Lead to believe
Deliver a baby
Win an award
Leading role
Leave home
Lose a job
Fail miserably
Quit drinking
Owe an apology
Quit smoking
Offer a job
Meet a standard
Hold sb hostage
Exceed expectations
Close the gap
Wait your turn
Bring attention to
Set an alarm
Pass a test
Raise hopes
Drop the subject
Follow instructions
Worth a fortune
Find time
Reach a verdict
Lose your life
Abuse drugs
Read aloud
Accept an apology
Enter a plea
Resort to violence
Offer your services
Reach an agreement
Accept a challenge
Repair damage
Accept (a) defeat
Regain control
Raise taxes
Pose a risk
Pose a threat
Hold hands
Fall in love
Pull a muscle
Press a key
Cost a fortune
Waste time
Consider a possibility
Waste money
Gain access
Raise your voice
Rapid growth
Raise a family
Fight a war
Impose conditions
Impose restrictions
Impose sanctions
Offer an explanation
Earn a living
Extend a deadline
Yield results
Bring to an end
Set fire to | set on fire