Collocations are verb + noun or verb + adjective combinations that make an expression. They are one of the keys to learning to speak English well. This list has been compiled over many years of teaching ESL and includes over 80 collocations. Enjoy!

The big list of collocations

To be

To be scared.

To be in a hurry.

To be hot/cold.

To do

To do homework.

To do housework.

To do a job.

To do your best.

To do research.

To do an investigation.

To do the shopping.

To do the dishes.

To do the washing.

To make

To make sense.

To make progress.

To make an appointment

To make the bed.

To make a change.

To make a choice.

To make a decision.

To make a discovery.

To make a fortune.

To make an arrangement.

To make a list.

To make a noise.

To make a living.

To make a mistake.

To make a phone call.

To make a promise.

To make a request.

To make a speech.

To make an announcement.

To make an effort.

To make trouble.

To make an offer.

To make an excuse.

To make an impression.

To make a pact.

To make a reservation.

To give

To give someone a hand.

To give an example

To give a kiss.

To give a hug.

To give someone a fright.

To go

To go bad

To go bankrupt

To go broke

To go bald

To go blind

To go deaf

To go mouldy

To go lame

To go wrong

To go on strike

To go out of date

To go viral

To have

To have a good time.

To have food and drink (breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee)

To have a party.

To have an argument.

To have an affair.

To pay

To pay a visit.

To pay attention.

To take

To take place.

To take into account.

To take for granted, to assume.

To take a look.

To take charge.

To take turns.

To take an order.

To take a risk.

To take for granted.

To take something seriously.

To take a photo.

To take a day off.

To take a day off sick.

To tell

To tell the time.

To tell a secret.

To tell a joke.

To tell a lie.

To be able to tell.

More collocations

To call a meeting.

To run a company.

To go on a diet.

To go on strike.

To take an exam.

To commit a crime.

To bring up a subject.

To show a film.

To ask a question.

To run a bath.

What collocations are new for you? Tell us in the comments below.