Collocations — Words That Go Together
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Collocations — Words That Go Together
⏱ 5 minutes
Vocabulary
In my years behind the bar and on the restaurant floor, I noticed something: native speakers don’t say “do a mistake.” They say “make a mistake.” They don’t “do a photo” — they “take a photo.” They don’t “make a shower” — they “have a shower.” These are collocations — and they’re the invisible grammar of natural English.
🎯 Language Focus
| make | make a mistake, make a decision, make a phone call, make progress |
| do | do homework, do the washing up, do your best, do damage |
| have | have breakfast, have a shower, have a conversation, have fun |
| take | take a photo, take a break, take an exam, take turns |
✏️ Quick Practice — Try It!
👶 For Young Learners
🎯 Make a collocation card! On one side write “make” — on the other, write 3 words that go with it. Test yourself every morning!
💡 Your 5-Minute Takeaway
Collocations are memorised combinations, not grammar rules. Native speakers don’t think about them — they just know. You can learn them the same way: exposure + repetition.
Independent educational resource. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or accredited by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Confers no qualification. Grammar reference: Swan, Practical English Usage. Frameworks: PPP, TBLT, ESA (standard ELT methodology).
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