Collocations 1

A collocation is a group of words that go together. As you get more advanced in English, more and

more of your progress depends on knowing collocations.

An example of a collocation is 'heavy rain'. We always say 'heavy' here. We can't say 'big' or 'thick' or

'strong'.

Here are some verb + noun collocations. We very often use these verbs with these nouns.

• to maintain standards

• to shirk responsibility

• to meet a deadline

• to avert a disaster

• to accomplish a mission
Let's review! Can you put in the correct verb?

1. You still need to wash, even when you're camping. You should

_________________________ standards!

2. Thank goodness you hit the brakes so quickly! You really _________________________ a

disaster there.

3. Hurray! I found some Japanese food. I have _________________________ my mission!

4. He never volunteers for any projects and always _________________________

responsibility.

5. She really isn't sure if she can _________________________ the deadline. There's still a lot

of work to do.

6. I think if we call the client now and explain, we can _________________________ a disaster.

7. It's your job to take out the rubbish! Don't _________________________ responsibility!

8. All the books must be checked very carefully before we publish them, to

_________________________

standards.

9. I can't believe you _________________________ the deadline! You worked really fast.

10. His mission is to change the world. Can he _________________________ it?

Answers

1. You still need to wash, even when you're camping. You should maintain standards!

2. Thank goodness you hit the brakes so quickly! You really averted a disaster there.

3. Hurray! I found some Japanese food. I have accomplished my mission!

4. He never volunteers for any projects and always shirks responsibility.

5. She really isn't sure if she can meet the deadline. There's still a lot of work to do.

6. I think if we call the client now and explain, we can avert a disaster.

7. It's your job to take out the rubbish! Don't shirk responsibility!

8. All the books must be checked very carefully before we publish them, to maintain

9. standards.

10. I can't believe you met the deadline! You worked really fast.

11. His mission is to change the world. Can he accomplish it?