Grade 6, English Olympiad (CBSE) - Collocations

Grade 6 | English | Collocations, Word Power (Spellings, Collocation, Jumbled Words), Olympiad, CBSE, ICSE, Maths Olympiad, Science Olympiad, English Olympiad

Collocation words

Meaning:

The dictionary meaning of collocation is:

“A word or group of words that occur together frequently (eg: heavy traffic)”.

In the words of learned people:

“A collocation is the combination of two or more words which just sound right when used by native speakers (associated with a person’s place of birth).

In simple words:

“A collocation is a pair or group of words that are often used together. These combinations are used in such a way that they sound natural or genuine to the listener”.

Some combinations just sound “wrong” or “unnatural”. For example: the adjective ‘fast’ collocates correctly with ‘food’ (fast food), but not with ‘meal’ (fast meal) as it sounds unnatural. ‘Quick’ collocates correctly with ‘meal’ (a quick meal), but not with ‘food’ (quick food) as this also sounds unnatural or unpleasant.

Natural English

Unnatural English

Fast food

The fast Train

Quick food

The quick Train

Quick meal

Quick start

Fast meal

Fast start

Few examples of collocation words:

I am so tired of doing homework every day. I need a change.
The doctor diagnosed her with a case of obesity.

Need to know collocations:

The language will sound more natural and will be easily understood.
Alternatives and bigger ways of expression.
Will be easier for the brain to remember and use language in chunks (grouped together example: Metallic sound) or blocks rather than one word.
Will enhance written English.

Types of collocations:

Adverb + adjective=Heavy drinker
Adjective + noun=Difficult decision
Adjective + verb=Cold storage
Noun + noun=Railway station
Noun + verb=Fruit seller
Verb+ noun=Running track
Preposition + noun=over lap
Noun + preposition=Switch over
Preposition + verb=Input
Verb + Expression with preposition=Angry over something
Verb + adverb=Running Fast

Most commonly used collocation words with examples:

Have	Save	Make
Have a cup of tea, Have lunch.	Save time, Save money.	Make progress, Make money.
Catch	Get	Go
Catch a train, Catch a fire.	Get going, Get well soon.	Go home, Go crazy.
Take	Break	Come
Take action, Take a break.	Break a leg, Break a record.	Come to a decision, Come on lets go.
Do	Pay	Keep
Do your best, Do the needful.	Pay attention, Pay the price.	Keep in touch, Keep quite.
Remember
Remember it correctly, Remember me.

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