Finding, Recording and Learning Collocations

A-Finding collocations There are two main ways in which you can find collocations. ● You can train yourself to notice them whenever you read or listen to anything in English. Look at the collocations that are worth learning from this short text in English.

Tip Get into the habit of making a note of any good collocations you come across in any English text you read.

● You can find them in any good learner’s dictionary. For example, if you look up the word sharp you will find some of these collocations: a sharp pain a sharp bend/turn a sharp contrast/difference/distinction a sharp rise/increase/drop Tip When you look up a new word, make a point of noting it down in several different collocations.

B-Recording collocations The best way to record a collocation is in a phrase or a sentence showing how it is used. Highlight the collocation by underlining it or by using a highlighting pen. For example: I don’t have access to that kind of secret information. Or: Jim gave me a very useful piece of advice.

C-Learning collocations Learning collocations is not so different from learning any vocabulary item. The key things are to: ● regularly revise what you want to learn ● practise using what you want to learn in contexts that are meaningful for you personally ● learn collocations in groups to help you fix them in your memory. You might group together collocations relating to the same topic. Or you might group collocations based on the same word, for example: -I must find a way to help him. -Can you find your way back to my house? -I learnt the hard way that Jack can’t be trusted. -Please tell me if I’m getting in your way. -You must give way to traffic from the left. -I’ve tried every possible way to get him to change his mind.