Collocations 3: Types of collocations

Jun 15, 2016

Adjective + nouns: Unemployment is a major problem for the government at the moment.

Nouns + verbs: The Internet has created opportunities for our business.

Noun + noun: Every parent feels a sense of pride when their child wins something.

Verbs + expressions with prepositions: I was filled with horror when I read the newspaper report of the explosion.

Verbs + adverbs: He placed the beautiful vase gently on the window ledge.

Verb + adjectives: They are happily married.

Complete each sentence with a collocation.
- 1. Come to my office ten minutes before the meeting so we can have . . .
  a brief chat
  .
  - a brief chat
  - a major problem
  - key issues
  - bright colours
- 2. With her lovely dark hair Uma looks best when she wears . . .
  bright colours
  .
  - key issues
  - bright colours
  - a major problem
  - a brief chat
- 3. In your essay on the influence of TV, don’t forget to discuss these . . .
  key issues
  .
  - a brief chat
  - bright colours
  - key issues
  - a major problem
- 4. There is some crime in our town but it isn’t . . .
  a major problem
  .
  - key issues
  - a major problem
  - a brief chat
  - bright colours
Choose the phrase with collocation to complete the sentence.
- 1. We are going . . .
  to launch an exciting new product
  in June.
  - to introduce an exciting new product
  - to launch an exciting new product
- 2. The economy . . .
  was booming
  20 years ago.
  - was booming
  - was extremely high
- 3. The new university they are planning will . . .
  create a lot of job
  opportunities.
  - provide a lot of job
  - create a lot of job
- 4. There are always some problems when . . .
  two companies merge
  but I think it will be worth it in the long run.
  - two companies merge
  - two companies join together
- 5. The increase in oil prices certainly . . .
  poses a problem
  for us.
  - creates a problem
  - poses a problem
- 6. The . . .
  company expanded
  and has now added children’s clothing to its product range.
  - company got bigger
  - company expanded
Choose the correct feeling from the list to complete each sentence.
- anger horror tears nostalgia pride pride
  
  1. Most older people feel a slight pang of as they think back on their schooldays.
- 2. Carla’s father was filled with when he saw that she had dyed her beautiful black hair blond.
- 3. When Paul saw how harshly the poor were treated by the wealthy landowners he felt a surge of .
- 4. Swelling with , Dan watched his daughter pick up her violin and play.
- 5. When she saw her exam results, Kate burst into .
- 6. If people have a sense of in their town, they are more likely to behave well there.
Choose the correct adverb to complete these sentences.
- 1. Perhaps it’s a good thing that Ken’s . . .
  blissfully
  unaware of what people really think of him.
  - softly
  - blissfully
  - gently
  - fully
  - proudly
  - happily
- 2. I am . . .
  fully
  aware that there will be problems whatever we decide.
  - happily
  - gently
  - proudly
  - fully
  - blissfully
  - softly
- 3. Nadya smiled . . .
  proudly
  as she watched the children playing happily in the garden.
  - fully
  - blissfully
  - gently
  - softly
  - happily
  - proudly
- 4. My grandparents have been . . .
  happily
  married for 45 years.
  - happily
  - fully
  - blissfully
  - softly
  - gently
  - proudly
- 5. Place the glasses . . .
  gently
  in the box — they’re very fragile.
  - blissfully
  - happily
  - proudly
  - fully
  - softly
  - gently
- 6. Paul whispered . . .
  softly
  in Anna’s ear that he would always love her.
  - blissfully
  - softly
  - fully
  - proudly
  - happily
  - gently

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