After completing these collocation exercises, you will be able to recognise commonly used word combinations in English more easily. Answers to the exercises are provided, and a PDF worksheet is also available to download for free.
Exercise 1: Adjective + noun collocations
Choose the adjective from the box that best matches each noun.
1. resemblance
striking resemblance
2. hair
curly hair
3. minority
ethnic minority
4. skin
pale skin
5. illness
terminal illness
6. supporter
staunch supporter
7. shoulders
sloping shoulders
8. condition
pristine condition
9. husband
estranged husband
10. lie
blatant lie
11. factor
deciding factor
Exercise 2: collocations with 'make'
Replace the underlined words with collocations that use the verb 'make'.
1. I must have been mistaken about the time.
I must have about the time.
I must have made a mistake about the time.
2. I have not decided yet.
I have not yet.
I have not made a decision yet.
3. You have to choose between us.
You have to between us.
You have to make a choice between us.
4. How has the enemy progressed towards the main entrance of the house?
How has the enemy the main entrance of the house?.
How has the enemy made progress towards the main entrance of the house?
5. I’d like to change the schedule.
I’d like to the schedule
I’d like to make a change to the schedule.
6. He wants to contribute to the funding of our startup.
He wants to to the funding of our startup.
He wants to make a contribution to the funding of our startup.
7. I can arrange for him to meet you next week.
I can ask my secretary to for him to meet you next week.
I can make an arrangement for him to meet you next week.
8. That is clear.
That .
That makes sense.
9. I’d like to enquire about your refund policy.
I’d like to about your refund policy.
I’d like to make an enquiry about your refund policy.
10. The company hopes to profit from its investment in renewable energy.
The company hopes to from its investment in renewable energy.
The company hopes to make a profit from its investment in renewable energy.
Exercise 3: Multiple-choice questions
Choose the words that best collocate with each other.
Collocation worksheet
- I need to make a phone call.
- She made a mistake on her test.
- Can you do the dishes?
- I’ll do my best to win the race.
- They made a lot of money selling handmade crafts last year.
- Don’t forget to do your homework.
- I want to make a complaint about their service.
- We should make a plan for the summer holiday.
- Please make an effort to be on time.
- Too much rain can do damage to the crops.
