In English, collocation is two or more words that go together naturally. Collocation makes your English sound fluent and natural. It is like a firm handshake between two people.
How Collocation Works
Collocation: Big
The word BIG is often used alongside happenings or events. For example:
A big decision
A big disappointment
A big surprise
A big failure
A big improvement
Collocation: Great
The word GREAT is often used along with feelings or qualities.
Great + Feelings
Great admiration
Great excitement
Great joy
Great anger
Great improvement
Great accomplishment
Great + Qualities
Great power
Great wealth
Great understanding
Great wisdom
In great detail
Great skill
Collocation: Large
The word LARGE goes with words that have to do with numbers and measurements.
A large proportion
A large number
A large scale
A large quantity
A large population
Collocation: Heavy
HEAVY is used with some weather conditions:
Heavy rain
Heavy fog
Heavy snow
Heavy is also used with other words to describe people with bad habits.
A heavy drug user
A heavy smoker
A heavy drinker
A heavy sleeper
Note: The expression “a heavy sleeper” is not someone who sleeps a lot instead it’s a person who doesn’t wake up easily when sleeping.
In addition, HEAVY is used in collocation with two unpleasant things:
Heavy traffic
Heavy taxes
Collocation: Deep
The word DEEP is used together with words that express some strong feelings:
Deep depression
Deep devotion
Deep is also used in these expressions:
In deep trouble
In deep thought
In a deep sleep
Collocation: Strong
Strong connects with words that express opinions and senses:
A strong smell
A strong taste
Strong + Facts/opinions
Strong argument
Strong evidence
Strong emphasis
A strong commitment
Strong denial
Strong resistance
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