Current Affairs 6th Class

Category : 6th Class

The knowledge of Collocations is very important for proper use of English Language. If we are not able to use right collocations, a grammatically correct sentence will stand out awkward.

English Collocations fall into the category of Phraseology which means a particular mode of expression, especially one characteristic of a particular speaker or subject area. It is the study of set or fixed expressions, such as idioms, phrasal verbs, and other types of multi-word lexical units (often collectively referred to as phrasemes).

In this type of use the component parts of the expression take on a meaning more specific than or otherwise not predictable from the sum of their meanings when used independently. We can say Collocation is the way words are habitually used together to produce a specific meaning. This includes, among others, verbal phrases, verb compounds, noun compounds, compounds with particles and adjective-noun collocates.

In addition to producing specific meaning, collocations or their initiatory parts, increase the predictability of the message and anchor it in the context of communication by signaling to the listener or reader that a specific meaning is about to be proved.

There are several different types of collocations. They can be:

• Adjective Collocations
• Adverbial Collocations
• Verbal Collocations
• Genitive Collocations

Example of seven main types of collocations:

1. adverb + adjective · 

• Invading that country was an utterly stupid thing to do.
• We entered a richly decorated room.
• Are you fully aware of the implications of your action?

2. adjective + noun

• The doctor ordered him to take regular exercise.
• The Titanic sank on its maiden voyage.
• He was writhing on the ground in excruciating pain.

3. noun + noun

• Let's give Mr. Sharma a round of applause.
• The ceasefire agreement came into effect at 11 am.
• I'd like to buy two bars of soap, please.

4. noun + verb ·  

• The lion started to roar when it heard the dog barking.
• Snow was falling as our plane took off.
• The bomb went off when he started the car engine.

5. verb + noun

• The prisoner was hanged for committing murder.
• I always try to do my homework in the morning, after making my bed.
• He has been asked to give a presentation about his work.

6. verb + expression with preposition

• We had to return home because we had run out of money.
• At first her eyes filled with horror, and then she burst into tears.
• Their behaviour was enough to drive anybody to crime.

7. verb + adverb

She placed her keys gently on the table and sat down.

Sweety whispered softly in Raj's ear.

I vaguely remember that it was growing dark when we left.    

SOME EXAMPLES OF COMMON COLLOCATIONS  

VERB COLLOCATIONS

MISCELLANEOUS

We can now say that Collocation refers to how words go together or form fixed relationships.

Examples: heavy rain, high temperature, scenic view, have an experience etc. Collocations may be strong or weak. Strong collocations are where the link between the two words is quite fixed and restricted. Weak collocations are where a word can collocate with many other words. Compare

Strong

make                                                  Very few words can collocate with

express + a wish                               the noun wish. This makes wish  

fulfil                                                  a strong collocator.

Weak

apartment, beach, car, camera, chance,

big + disappointment, fight, gun, lapm                                  big can collocate

moon, news, ocean, pain, pity, price,                                     hundreds of words,

queue, table, umbrella, upset, wait, window                      therefore it's a weak collocator.

Strong Collocations

whisk an egg                                                                       curly hair

winding road                                                                blissfully ignorant

Weak Collocations

1. big/enormous/large + house/lorry/cup

2. fast/shiny/expensive + car/motorbike/aeroplane

3. very/really/extremely + interesting/hot/generous

4. brown/straight/long + fence/hair/line