Collocation in Use

KNOW ENGLISH, KNOW SUCCESS
WORD
ILLNESS
COLLOCATIONS
MEANING
have an illness/suffer from an illness

recover from an illness
serious illness
minor illness
short/long illness
childhood illness
acute illness (=an illness that becomes serious very
quickly)
chronic illness (=an illness that lasts a long time and
cannot be cured)
fatal illness (=an illness which causes death)
terminal illness (=an illness which cannot be cured and
that causes death, often slowly)
mental illness
the symptoms of an illness (=the things that show that
someone has it)
through illness (=because of illness)
DISEASES
have/suffer from a disease

heart/liver/brain etc disease
a disease of the brain/stomach etc
catch a disease
NGUYN KHC THC

DANANG 2015
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contract a disease
f
ormal (=catch a disease)
a disease spreads/the spread of a disease
infectious/contagious disease (=one that spreads
quickly from one person to another)
a fatal/deadly disease (=one that causes death)
an incurable disease (=one that cannot be cured)
a degenerative disease (=one that gradually gets worse
and worse)
a cure for a disease
the symptoms of a disease (=the things that show that
someone has it)
OPPORTUNITY
opportunity to do something
ideal/perfect opportunity
rare/unique opportunity
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
ample opportunity
golden opportunity (=a very good opportunity)
wasted/lost/missed opportunity (=one you do not use)
take/seize/use an opportunity
provide/present/open up an opportunity
an opportunity comes (along/up)
an opportunity arises
NGUYN KHC THC

DANANG 2015
take the/this opportunity to do something (=use a

chance to say something you want to say)
at the first/earliest opportunity (=as soon as possible)
at every (possible) opportunity (=whenever possible)
land of opportunity (=a country where you have a lot
of good opportunities)
window of opportunity (=a time when you can do
something)
PROBLEM
have a problem
big/serious/major problem
cause a problem
deal with/sort out a problem
solve/fix/overcome a problem
address/tackle a problem
pose/present a probem
a problem arises/occurs/comes up (=it happens)
economic/financial problems
personal problem (=a problem in someone's private
life)
money/family problems
drink/drug problem (=when someone drinks too much
alcohol or takes too many drugs)
thorny/knotty problem (=a difficult problem)
KNOWLEDGE
have knowledge
acquire/gain knowledge (=learn something)
NGUYN KHC THC

DANANG 2015
technical/scientific knowledge
in-depth knowledge
detailed knowledge
specialist knowledge (=knowledge about a particular
subject)
first-hand/personal knowledge (=knowledge from
experiencing something for yourself)
background knowledge (=knowledge you need to
understand or do something)
general knowledge (=knowledge about a lot of
different subjects)
a thirst for knowledge (=when you want very much to
learn things)
UNDERSTANDIN have an understanding/some understanding of
something
G
have little/no understanding of something
gain/get an understanding of something
a better/greater/deeper understanding of something
a clear understanding of something
a thorough/proper/full understanding of something
a basic understanding of something
CHANCE
there's a chance (that) (=it is possible that)

there's every chance (that) (=it is very likely)
some chance
little chance
NGUYN KHC THC

DANANG 2015
no chance
a good/fair chance (=something is likely)
a slight/slim/outside chance (=something is unlikely)
a fifty-fifty chance (=the possibility of something
happening or not happening is equal)
a million to one chance/a one in a million chance
(=something is extremely unlikely to happen)
lessen/minimize/reduce the chance(s) of something
(=make it less likely)
increase/improve the chance(s) of something (=make it
more likely)
chances are (=it is likely)
POSSIBILITY
possibility (that)
possibility of (doing) something
a strong/real/distinct possibility (=something that is
quite likely to happen)
a remote/faint possibility (=something that is very
unlikely to happen)
not beyond the bounds/realms of possibility (=not
impossible, but unlikely)
within the bounds/realms of possibility (=possible)
raise the possibility (=say or show that something may
be possible)
ISSUE
the issue of something

raise an issue (=say that an issue should be discussed)
address an issue (=discuss or deal with an issue)
NGUYN KHC THC

DANANG 2015
resolve an issue
avoid/dodge/duck/evade an issue (=avoid discussing an
issue)
confuse/cloud an issue (=make an issue more difficult
by talking about things not related to it)
important/key/major/big issue
thorny/vexed issue (=difficult issue)
complex issue
sensitive issue
political/social/economic/environmental issues
something is not the issue
s
poken (=used to say that something is not the
important part of what you are discussing)
LAW
break the law (=do something illegal)

obey the law
become law (=officially be made a law)
enforce the law (=make people obey the law)
by law (=according to the law)
be against the law (=be illegal)
within the law (=legal or legally)
tax/copyright/divorce etc law (=all the laws about tax
etc)
criminal law
civil law
NGUYN KHC THC

DANANG 2015
international law
federal law
American English (=the law of the US, not of a
particular state)
SUBJECT
change the subject (=start talking about something

different)
get onto a subject (=start talking about something)
get off a subject (=stop talking about something)
keep/stay off a subject (=not talk about something)
drop the subject (=stop talking about something)
raise a subject (=mention a subject and start talking
about it)
broach a subject (=start talking about something that
people may be sensitive about)
on the subject of something (=talking about something)
subject of discussion/debate
a
lso subject for discussion/debate
touchy subject (=something people are sensitive about)
subject area
VIEW
have strong views (about something)

have different/conflicting/opposing views
share somebody's view/this view etc (=think the same
as someone else)
express a view
NGUYN KHC THC

DANANG 2015
take the view that (=think that)

hold a view
strongly/deeply/widely held views
in somebody's view (=used to show whose opinion it
is)
support a view (=help show that it is right)
an exchange of views (=when people say what they
think)
the general view (=what most people think)
IDEA
have an idea
get an idea
give somebody an idea
come up with/hit on an idea (=think of a new idea)
the idea of (doing) something
good/great/brilliant idea
bad/stupid/crazy idea
it is a good/bad idea to do something
be full of ideas
a
lso be bursting with ideas (=have a lot of ideas)
toy with an idea (=think about a plan, but not very
seriously)
exchange/share ideas
a
lso an exchange of ideas
NGUYN KHC THC

DANANG 2015
fire ideas off each other (=discuss each other's ideas

and think of good new ones)
OPINION
in somebody's opinion
general/popular opinion (=what most people think
about something)
public opinion (=what ordinary people think about
something)
somebody's personal opinion
difference of opinion
a matter of opinion
ask (for) somebody's opinion
express/give/state an opinion
strong opinion
keep your opinions to yourself (=not say what you
really think)
contrary to popular opinion (=despite what most
people think)
ADVANTAGE
have an advantage
give somebody an advantage
big/great/major/distinct advantage
unfair advantage
enjoy an advantage (=have an advantage)
be at an advantage (=have an advantage)
be to your advantage/work to your advantage
(=something gives you an advantage)
NGUYN KHC THC

DANANG 2015
RISK
risk (that)
reduce/minimize the risk of something
increase the risk of something
carry/pose a risk
not be worth the risk
high/low risk
increased/reduced risk (=a higher or lower risk than
usual)
a real risk
a calculated risk (=a risk you think will have a good
result)
an element of risk (=some risk, but not much)
the risks involved in/associated with something
risk factor
the benefits outweigh the risks
BENEFIT
be of benefit (to somebody) (=be useful to someone)

have the benefit of something
get/gain/derive benefit (from something)
reap the benefits (of something) (=enjoy the
advantages of something)
the full benefit (of something)
for somebody's benefit
be to the benefit of somebody
mutual benefit (=useful to two or more people)
NGUYN KHC THC

DANANG 2015
10
with/without the benefit (of something) (=using/not

using something)
economic/financial/social benefits
health benefits
something outweighs the benefits of something
(=something is more important than the benefits)
HARM
do harm (to something)/do something harm

cause (somebody/something) harm
suffer harm
do more harm than good (=cause more problems rather
than improving the situation)
serious harm
physical harm
psychological/emotional harm
there is no harm in (doing) something (=used to say
that something seems reasonable)
where's the harm in that?
s
poken (=used when you think that something seems
reasonable, although other people may not)
no harm done
s
poken (=used to tell someone not to worry about
something they have done)
INSPIRATION
provide inspiration (for something)

seek/look for inspiration
NGUYN KHC THC

DANANG 2015
11
draw/take inspiration (from somebody/something)

(=get inspiration from someone or something)
inspiration comes from somebody/something
have an inspiration
flash of inspiration
source of inspiration (for/to somebody)
divine inspiration (=inspiration from God)
creative/poetic/artistic inspiration
chieve/fulfil/realize an ambition
lifelong ambition
He always had this burning ambition (=very strong
desire)
a
n ambition to do something/of doing something
cherish/nurse/harbour an ambition (=have it secretly
for a long time)
TALENT
have talent
show talent
talent contest/show/competition (=a competition in
which people show how well they can sing, dance etc)
(a) natural talent
a hidden talent
musical/artistic/creative etc talent
a man/woman of many talents (=someone who can do
many things well)
NGUYN KHC THC

DANANG 2015
12
a wealth of talent (=when there are a lot of people with

talent)
WAR
win/lose a war
fight a war/wage (a) war (=used about countries or
groups)
fight in a war (=used about people)
be at war (with somebody)
go to war (with somebody)
declare war (on somebody)
war breaks out
a
lso the outbreak of war
civil war (=a war between opposing groups within a
country)
world war
nuclear war
the war years
JOB
apply for a job

offer somebody a job
get/find a job (as something)
land a job
i
nformal (=get a job)
take a job (=accept a job that you are offered)
hold down a job (=keep a job when this is difficult)
NGUYN KHC THC

DANANG 2015
13
lose a job
leave/quit a job
be out of a job (=not have a job)
temporary job
permanent job
part-time job
full-time job
steady job (=a job that is likely to continue)
job satisfaction (=the enjoyment you get from your
job)
job security (=how permanent your job is likely to be)
HABIT
good/bad habit
become a habit
be in the habit of doing something also have a/the habit
of doing something (=do something regularly)
get into/in the habit (of doing something) (=start doing
something regularly)
get out of the habit (of doing something) (=stop doing
something regularly)
develop/form a habit
change a habit
break/kick a habit (=stop doing something which is bad
for you)
change/break the habit(s) of a lifetime (=stop doing
what you have done for many years)
NGUYN KHC THC

DANANG 2015
14
out of habit/from habit (=because it is a habit)

(by/from) force of habit (=because it is a habit which is
difficult to change)
eating/drinking habits (=the kinds of things you eat or
drink regularly)
buying/spending habits (=the kinds of things you buy
regularly)
viewing habits (=the kind of television shows you
regularly watch)
social habits
CONTROL
have control (over/of something)

take/gain control (of/over something)
fight/struggle for control (of/over something)
lose control (of/over something)
be under control
keep something under control (=keep something
happening in the way you want)
get/go out of control (=stop happening in the way you
want)
beyond/outside somebody's control (=impossible for
someone to control)
full/total control
LUCK
not have much/any luck

have no luck
have good luck
NGUYN KHC THC

DANANG 2015
15
have more/better luck

have the luck to do something
can't believe your luck
sheer luck (=used to emphasize something happened
only by luck)
a piece of luck
a stroke of luck (=very good luck)
an element of luck (=used to say that luck is involved
in something)
dumb luck
American English (=good luck that happens by chance,
without you planning it at all)
DEBATE
heated/fierce/intense debate (=one in which people

express strong and very different opinions)
widespread debate
lively debate
public debate
a debate rages (=it happens over a period of time and
people have strong feelings about it)
long-running debate
ongoing debate (=continuing debate)
provoke/trigger/spark off a debate (=cause a debate)
DISPUTE
be involved in a dispute
get into a dispute (=become involved)
NGUYN KHC THC

DANANG 2015
16
settle/resolve a dispute
bitter dispute
long-running dispute (=one that lasts a long time)
political/legal dispute
pay dispute
industrial dispute British English labor dispute
American English (=between workers and employers)
territorial dispute (=about land)
domestic dispute (=between a couple who live
together)
be in dispute with somebody (=be involved in a
dispute)
a dispute arises (=it starts)
CRIME
commit crime
combat/fight crime
turn to crime (=start committing crimes)
crime rate (=the amount of crime that happens
somewhere)
crime figures/statistics
crime prevention
violent crime
serious crime
petty crime (=crime that is not very serious)
NGUYN KHC THC

DANANG 2015
17
car crime
British English
street crime
victim of crime
juvenile/youth crime (=by children and teenagers)
tough on crime (=always punishing crime severely)
HEALTH
damage your health

improve your health
good/excellent health
poor/ill health
failing health (=when someone is becoming more ill)
be in good/excellent/the best of health
be in poor health
be good/bad for your health
somebody's state of health
mental health
health care
health problem
health benefits (of something)
health risk/hazard (=something that could damage your
health)
health warning (=a warning printed on a product that
can harm you)
NGUYN KHC THC

DANANG 2015
18
LANGUAGE
speak a language
master a language (=succeed in learning a language)
language teacher/student/learner
foreign language
somebody's first language/native language (=the first
language someone learned)
somebody's second language
somebody's command of a language (=someone's
ability to speak a language)
the language barrier (=the problem of communicating
with people who speak a different language)
the English/Japanese/German etc language
the official language
modern languages (=languages that are still spoken)
dead language (=a language that is no longer spoken)
SCHOOL
go to school
attend school
f
ormal (=go to school)
a new school (=a school that you are going to for the
first time)
somebody's old school (=the school someone used to
go to)
school children/pupils/teacher
school uniform
NGUYN KHC THC

DANANG 2015
19
school playground/library/bus etc

school meal/dinner
British English
school holiday(s)
MONEY
spend money
make/earn money
make money (=make a profit)
lose money (=not make a profit, so that a business
owes more than it earns)
cost money/cost a lot of money
save money
lend/borrow/owe money
waste money (on something)
be a waste of money
charge (somebody) money
raise money
pay money (for something)
give somebody their money back/refund somebody's
money
a sum/an amount of money
get/earn good money (=be paid good wages)
FAMILY
the whole family/all the family

member of a family/family member
NGUYN KHC THC

DANANG 2015
20
a family of three/four/five etc

a close/close-knit family (=a family whose members
have a close relationship)
immediate family (=closest relations)
nuclear family (=a family consisting of a mother, a
father, and their children)
family background (=the sort of family someone
comes from)
one-parent family/single-parent family
the Royal Family (=the King or Queen and their
family)
family home/car/holiday etc
a family film/show etc (=that is suitable for children as
well as adults)
family life
family resemblance (=when members of the same
family look like each other)
family gathering (=when members of a family who do
not live together arrange to meet)
family unit
BEHAVIOUR
good/bad behaviour
violent/aggressive/criminal etc behaviour
human/social behaviour
pattern of behaviour/behaviour pattern
behaviour problem (=when someone often behaves
badly)
NGUYN KHC THC

DANANG 2015
21
change/modify your behaviour

influence somebody's behaviour
FRIEND
a friend of mine/yours/Billy's etc

best friend (=the friend you like the most)
good/close friend (=one of the friends you like the
most)
old friend (=a friend you have known for a long time)
trusted friend
lifelong friend (=someone who is your friend for the
whole of your life)
friend of a friend
circle of friends (=all the friends someone has)
a mutual friend (=someone who is a friend of both you
and someone else)
a childhood/boyhood/girlhood friend
DUTY
do your duty
it is somebody's duty to do something
have a duty to do something
have a duty to somebody/owe somebody a duty
sense of duty
moral duty
legal duty
fail in your duty (=fail to do something that you should
do for someone)
NGUYN KHC THC

DANANG 2015
22
be duty-bound to do something formal (=have a duty to

do something)
INTEREST
have an interest in something

show interest (in something)
express (an) interest (in something) (=say that you are
interested in something or want to buy it)
take an interest (in something) (=be interested in
something)
have no interest in something
lose interest (in something) (=stop being interested)
arouse/generate/attract interest (=make people
interested)
pique somebody's interest
American English (=make someone interested)
great/keen interest
abiding interest (=an interest you have had for a long
time)
lack of interest
with interest
LACK
a complete/total lack of something

an apparent lack of something
for lack of something (=because something is not
present or does not exist)
a distinct/marked lack of something
no lack of something (=plenty of something)
NGUYN KHC THC

DANANG 2015
23
a relative/comparative lack of something

no lack of something (=plenty of something
REASONS
reason (that)
reason why
reason for (doing) something
reason to do something
a good reason
a compelling reason (=a reason that persuades you)
give a reason (for something)
for some reason (or other/or another) (=for a reason
that you do not know)
for personal reasons
for sentimental reasons (=because of your feelings, not
for practical reasons)
for the simple reason (that)
for obvious reasons
for reasons of something
for reasons best known to himself/themselves etc
(=used when someone does something surprising)
no/any reason whatsoever
have your reasons (=have a secret reason for doing
something)
see no reason why/to do something
NGUYN KHC THC

DANANG 2015
24
by reason of something
f
ormal (=because of something)
NGUYN KHC THC

DANANG 2015
25

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KNOW ENGLISH, KNOW SUCCESS

have an illness/suffer from an illness

have/suffer from a disease

NGUYN KHC THC

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take the/this opportunity to do something (=use a

NGUYN KHC THC

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there's a chance (that) (=it is possible that)

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the issue of something

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break the law (=do something illegal)

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change the subject (=start talking about something

have strong views (about something)

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take the view that (=think that)

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fire ideas off each other (=discuss each other's ideas

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be of benefit (to somebody) (=be useful to someone)

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with/without the benefit (of something) (=using/not

do harm (to something)/do something harm

provide inspiration (for something)

NGUYN KHC THC

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draw/take inspiration (from somebody/something)

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a wealth of talent (=when there are a lot of people with

apply for a job

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out of habit/from habit (=because it is a habit)

have control (over/of something)

not have much/any luck

NGUYN KHC THC

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have more/better luck

heated/fierce/intense debate (=one in which people

NGUYN KHC THC

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NGUYN KHC THC

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damage your health

NGUYN KHC THC

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NGUYN KHC THC

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school playground/library/bus etc

the whole family/all the family