What is a Collocation?

Collocations are words that are frequently placed

together. So, a collocation in English is a group of two
or more words that are often found together either in
English speech or English writing.
Collocations con Take
Collocations en inglés Collocations en español
‘Take a photo/picture’ ‘Echar/tomar una foto’
‘Take a break’ ‘Descansar durante unos minutos’
‘Take a chance’ ‘Probar suerte/fortuna’
‘Take a taxi’ ‘Coger un taxi’
‘Take notes’ ‘Tomar apuntes’
‘Take a risk’ ‘Arriesgarse’
‘Take a look’ ‘Echar un vistazo’

Collocations con Do
Collocations en inglés Collocations en español
‘Do someone a favour’ ‘Hacerle un favor a alguien’
‘Do your hair’ ‘Peinarse/ Arreglarse/ Lavarse el pelo’
‘Do the shopping’ ‘Hacer la compra’
‘Do your homework’ ‘Hacer los deberes’
‘Do the housework’ ‘Hacer el trabajo relacionado con el hogar’
‘Do the laundry’ ‘Lavar la ropa’
‘Do the washing up’ ‘Hacer la colada’
‘Do well’ ‘Tener éxito/ Irle bien/ Estar bien’
‘Do your duty’ ‘Hacer tus tareas, realizar tus obligaciones’

Collocations con Make

Collocations en inglés Collocations en español
‘Make a breakthrough’ ‘Hacer un avance importante/ Conseguir un gran adelanto’
‘Make a break for’ ‘Correr hacia’
‘Make a choice’ ‘Decidir/ Elegir/ Seleccionar’
‘Make a comeback’ ‘Volver a estar de moda’
‘Make a date’ ‘Concertar una cita’
‘Make a deal’ ‘Llegar a un acuerdo/ Hacer un trato’
‘Make a decision’ ‘Tomar una decisión’
‘Make a difference’ ‘Marcar una diferencia’
‘Make breakfast/ lunch/ dinner/ a chocolate cake’ ‘Preparar el desayuno/ almuerzo/ cena/ una tarta de chocolate’

Collocations con Go
Collocations en inglés Collocations en español
‘Go bankrupt’ ‘Ir a la bancarrota’
‘Go missing’ ‘Desaparecido/ Extraviado’
‘Go astray’ ‘Extraviarse/ Ir por mal camino’
‘Go bald’ ‘Quedarse calvo’
‘Go bad’ ‘Pudrirse/ Echarse a perder’
‘Go overseas’ ‘Irse al extranjero’
‘Go on foot’ ‘Ir a pie’ Ir andando’
‘Go quiet/ Silent’ ‘Ir tranquilo’
‘Go shopping’ ‘Ir a comprar’ (como puedes ver por ‘Do the shopping’, hay collocations en inglés con significados muy similares).

Collocations con Have

Collocations en inglés Collocations en español
‘Have a baby’ ‘Tener un hijo’
‘Have a rest’ ‘Tener un descanso’
‘Have a shower’ ‘Ducharse’
‘Have a problem’ ‘Tener un problema’
‘Have dinner’ ‘Cenar’
‘Have a chat’ ‘Charlar o conversar’
‘Have a party’ ‘Tener una fiesta’
‘Have a relationship’ ‘Tener una relación’
‘Have a haircut’ ‘Cortarse el pelo’

Collocations con Get

Collocations en inglés Collocations en español
‘Get a job’ ‘Conseguir un trabajo’
‘Get a shock‘ ‘Quedarte en estado de shock’ (impresionarte)
‘Get lost’ ‘Perderse’ (aunque en lenguaje coloquial se utiliza mucho con el significado de ‘¡Piérdete!’, claramente despectivo)
‘Get married’ ‘Casarse’
‘Get ready’ ‘Estar listo’
‘Get permission’ ‘Obtener un permiso’
‘Get wet’ ‘Mojarse’
‘Get home’ ‘Llegar a casa’
‘Get frightened’ ‘Asustarse’

Collocations con Break

Collocations en inglés Collocations en español
‘Break a leg’ ‘Romperse la pierna’ (para desearle buena suerte a alguien)
‘Break one’s heart’ ‘Romper el corazón’
‘Break in two’ ‘Romper algo en dos’
‘Break a code’ ‘Descifrar un código’
‘Break a journey’ ‘Hacer una parada’
‘Break a habit’ ‘Librarse de un hábito’
‘Break with the past’ ‘Romper con el pasado’
‘Break into a run’ ‘Echar a correr’
‘Break the news’ ‘Dar la noticia’

Otros collocations en inglés de lo más habituales

Collocations en inglés Collocations en español
‘Heavy rain’ ‘Lluvia fuerte’
‘Heavy smoker’ ‘Fumador compulsivo’
‘Large amount’ ‘Gran cantidad’
‘Big disappointment’ ‘Gran decepción’
‘A strong taste’ ‘Un sabor fuerte’
‘Deep trouble’ ‘Gran peligro’
‘In great detail’ ‘Con todo lujo de detalles’
‘High temperature’ ‘Temperatura alta’
‘Fast food’ ‘Comida rápida’
‘Commit murder’ ‘Cometer un asesinato’
‘Give advice’ ‘Dar consejo’
‘Close a deal’ ‘Cerrar un trato’
‘Save time’ ‘Ahorrar tiempo’
‘Catch a cold’ ‘Coger un resfriado’
‘Blow your nose’ ‘Sonarse la nariz’
‘Keep calm’ ‘Mantener la calma’
‘Change your mind’ ‘Cambiar de idea’
‘Set an alarm/ alarm clock’ ‘Poner la alarma/ el despertador’
‘Strong coffee’ ‘Café fuerte’

Collocation Examples Collocations Examples in Sentences

Examples of collocations with take, get, do, make, go… Examples of collocations with prepositions at, in, on, to, with…

He had intended to take a holiday in New York. He’s brilliant at football.

He wanted to see if he could get a job with us.
I might take a lesson from you.
My goals were to go back to school and get a degree.
I’ll take a look at the website and let you know what I think.
He was beginning to get angry.
Couldn’t you do a favour and leave me alone?
She should make a right choice.
Could you do a report for me?
We are to make a contract for a supply of raw silk with the company.
I like to do homework.
We need to make a deal for this project.
The company is about to go bankrupt.
They are excellent at planning fun parties.
The teacher was surprised at the student’s question.
She has lost her belief in God.
There was no change in the patient’s condition overnight.
I need some lessons in how to set up a website.
I congratulate you on your new job!
I insist on Peter’s studying every day for two hours.
Can we rely on this old car to get us there?
I feel very proud to be a part of the team.
People are scared to use the buses late at night.
It’s nice to know you.
You are blessed with many talents.
Don’t be careless with your ATM card.
The fall in retail sales is directly connected with the decline in employment.

Collocations with Ask Collocations with Break

List of common collocations with Ask. List of useful collocations with Break.

Ask a favour Break a bone/ your arm

Ask a question Break a code
Ask about Break a habit
Ask after somebody Break a law
Ask for advice Break a leg
Ask for directions Break a promise
Ask for something Break a record
Ask permission Break a window
Ask sb out Break even
Ask if/ whether Break free
Break ground
Collocations with Catch Break loose
List of important collocations with Catch. Break new ground
Break news
Catch (on) fire Break one’s fall
Catch a ball Break someone’s heart
Catch a bus/ a train Break the bank
Catch a chill Break the ice
Catch a cold Break the mold
Catch a cold Break the news to someone
Catch a glimpse Break the rules
Catch a thief Break the silence
Catch a whiff Break the spell
Catch sight of Break wind
Catch someone Red-Handed / Catch Someone In The Act
Catch someone’s attention Collocations with Come
Catch someone’s eye List of essential collocations with Come.
Catch the flu
Catch you Later! Come clean about
Catch your breath Come close
Come complete with
Collocations with Do Come early
List of useful collocations with Do. Come first
Come into view
Do a course Come last
Do a deal Come late
Do a favour Come on time
Do a good/great/terrible job Come prepared
Do a report Come right back
Do anything/something/everything Come to a compromise
Do badly Come to a conclusion
Do better Come to a decision
Do business Come to a realization
Do crosswords Come to a stand still (idiom)
Do damage Come to a stop
Do exercise Come to an agreement
Do experiments Come to an end
Do good Come to life
Do gymnastics Come to sb’s rescue
Do harm Come to terms with
Do homework Come under attack
Do laundry Come up with
Do nothing
Do research Collocations with Get
Do someone a favour List of commonly used collocations with Get.
Do something right
Do something wrong Get a call
Do sums Get a chance
Do the cleaning Get a clue
Do the cooking Get a cold
Do the dishes Get a degree/ a diploma
Do the housework Get a job
Do the ironing Get a joke
Do the math Get a letter (receive)
The maximum Get a shock
Do the minimum Get a splitting headache
Do the paperwork Get a tan
Do the right thing Get a ticket
Do the shopping Get a/the right
Do the washing up Get angry
Do well Get changed (change clothes)
Do work Get cool
Do your best Get dark
Do your duty Get divorced
Do Your hair Get dressed/ undressed
Do your makeup Get drunk
Do your nails Get enthusiastic
Get fired
Collocations with Give Get frightened
List of collocations with Give. Get getting dark
Get good/top/bad marks
Give a call (a ring, a buzz) Get home (arrive)
Give a chance Get hot (ter)
Give a choice Get hungry
Give a damn Get into trouble
Give a hand Get lost
Give a headache Get married
Give a hug or kiss Get nowhere
Give a lecture or speech or performance Get old
Give a ride Get one’s hair cut
Give advice Get out of breath
Give an answer Get permission
Give an example Get pregnant
Give an idea Get ready for
Give an opinion Get sleep
Give birth Get started
Give credit Get stuck in a traffic jam
Give evidence Get the impression
Give notice Get the message
Give permission Get the sack
Give priority Get the ticket (buy)
Give rise to Get tired
Give sb a call Get to sleep
Give sb a chance Get together
Give sb a lift Get upset
Give sth a go Get wet
Give the impression Get worried
Give thought (to)
Give up Collocations with GO
Give up hope List of common collocations with Go.
Give way Go abroad
Go astray
Collocations with Have Go bad
List of useful collocations with Have. Go bald
Go bankrupt
Have a baby Go blind
Have a backache Go crazy
Have a bad fall Go deaf
Have a bad temper Go finishing
Have a bath Go insane (idiom)
Have a birthday Go mad/angry
Have a bite Go missing
Have a break Go on a date
Have a business trip Go on a picnic
Have a busy day Go on foot
Have a career/a goal Go online
Have a chance Go out of business
Have a chat Out of fashion
Have a cold Go overseas
Have a competition Go quiet
Have a confrontation Go sailing
Have a conversation/chat Go smoothly
Have a cup of tea/ coffee Go to the beach/to the movie
Have a dance Go to war
Have a day off
Have a depression/etc Collocations with Keep
Have a discussion List of collocations with Keep.
Have a dispute
Have a doubt Keep a diary
Have a dream Keep a promise
Have a drill Keep a secret
Havea drink Keep an appointment
Have a feeling Keep calm
Have a fight Keep control
Have a fit Keep in touch
Have a game Keep quiet
Have a glass of wine Keep records
Have a go Keep score
Have a goal Keep someone’s place
Have a good time Keep the change
Have a good/nice/etc day! Keep your balance
Have a great weekend
Have a haircut Collocations with Pay
Have a hard time List of collocations with Pay.
Have a headache
Have a holiday Pay a bill
Have a jacuzzi Pay a fine
Have a jog Pay a visit
Have a laugh Pay attention
Have a lecture Pay by credit card
Have a lesson Pay cash
Have a lie down Pay interest
Have a limp Pay one’s respects
Have a lisp Pay someone a compliment
Have a listen Pay someone a visit
Have a look
Have a massage Collocations with Save
Have a meal List of useful collocations with Save.
Have a meeting
Have a moment Save electricity
Have a nap Save energy
Have a night mare Save lives
Have a party/concert Save money
Have a passion for Save one’s strength
Have a plan Save someone a seat
Have a problem Save someone’s life
Have a quarrel Save something
Have a relationship Save space
Have a rest Save time
Have a ride Save yourself the trouble
Have a right
Have a run Collocations with Say
Have a safe journey List of collocations with Say.
Have a salad
Have a sandwich Say a few words
Have a scrub Say a word
Have a shave Say for certain/sure
Have a shower Say good morning/afternoon
Have a smell Say goodbye
Have a snack Say hello
Have a snooze Say no more
Have a stretch Say nothing
Have a stroke Say something
Have a swim Say sorry
Have a talk Say yes/no
Have a taste
Have a temperature Collocations with Take
Have a think List of essential collocations with Take.
Have a touch
Have a try Take (sb) to court
Have a walk Take (sb’s) temperature
Have a wash Take a bite
Have a wish Take a bow
Have a word Take a break
Have a workout Take a call
Have access (to) Take a chance
Have an accident Take a class
Have an appointment with Take a decision (make)
Have an argument Take a holiday
Have an effect (on) Take a lesson
Have an energy bar Take a look
Have an event Take a message
Have an exam Take a nap
Have an excuse Take a number
Have an experience Take a photo/ a photograph
Have an ice-cream Take a picture
Have an idea Take a rest
Have an interview Take a risk
Have an opportunity Take a seat
Have breakfast/lunch/dinner Take a shower (have)
Have difficulty Take a step
Have faith Take a taxi/bus/train/plane
Have food Take a test
Have fun/a good time Take a while/ a minute/ five minutes
Have no education Take action
Have no fear Take advantage (of)
Have patience Take advice
Have rest Take ages
Have room Take an exam/ a test/ a course
Have self-esteem Take an opportunity
Have sex Take care
Have skills Take care of
Have some sugar/ milk Take charge
Have something to eat Take drugs
Have soul Take exercise
Have success Take hostage
Have sympathy Take medicine
Have the chance (to) Take notes
Have time Take notice
Have trouble Take part
Have work Take place
Take pride in
Collocations with Tell Take prisoner
List of important collocations with Tell. Take sb’s place
Take someone’s temperature
Tell a joke Take time
Tell a lie Take time of (away form work for holidays or to do sth)
Tell a secret Take turns
Tell a story Take up space
Tell sb the time Take your time
Tell the difference
Tell the future Other Verb + Noun Collocations
Tell the time Abuse drugs
Tell the truth Accept (a) defeat
Tell your name Accept a challenge
Accept an apology
Accept an invitation
Accept responsibility
Achieve a goal
Admit defeat
Against the law
Answer a letter
Answer a prayer
Answer a question
Answer an advertisement
Answer the door
Answer the phone
Apply for a job
Attract attention
Attract sb’s attention
Balance a budget
Bear a resemblance (to sb/sth)
Beat a record
Beat to death
Blow your nose
Book a flight
Boost morale
Bring about change
Bring attention to
Bring to an end
Bring to justice
Call a meeting
Call a name
Call a strike
Call an election
Call attention to
Call in sick
Call sb names
Call the police
Carry weight
Cast a spell
Cast a vote
Cast doubt
Cause trouble
Change course
Change the subject
Change your mind
Claim responsibility
Close the gap
Commit suicide
Conduct research
Consider a possibility
Cost a fortune
Cover costs
Cross sb’s mind
Cut costs
Declare war
Deliver a baby
Doesn’t matter
Drop the subject
Earn a living
Eke out a living
Enter a plea
Enter politics
Exceed expectations
Express concern
Express interest (in)
Extend a deadline
Face a challenge
Face the fact(s)
Fail miserably
Fall in love
Fight a fire
Fight a war
Fight corruption
Fill a gap
Fill in a form
Find time
Fire a shot
Follow a pattern
Follow advice
Follow directions
Follow instructions
Gain access
Hold a referendum
Hold an election
Hold an inquiry
Hold hands
Hold office
Hold sb hostage
Hold sb prisoner
Hold talks
Hurt sb’s feelings
Impose conditions
Impose restrictions
Impose sanctions
Issue a permit
Join a club
Join forces
Join the army
Jump to a conclusion
Kick a goal
Kill time
Know the score
Lay the groundwork
Lead the field
Lead the way
Lead the world
Lead to believe
Leading role
Leave a message
Leave home
Leave school
Light a fire
Live at home
Lose a game
Lose a job
Lose control
Lose faith
Lose hope
Lose interest
Lose money
Lose weight
Lose your life
Lose your temper
Love dearly
Meet a need
Meet a standard
Meet a target
Meet opposition
Meet with approval
Miss a flight
Miss a goal
Miss an opportunity
Obey an order
Offer a job
Offer an explanation
Offer condolences
Offer your services
Open an account
Open an investigation
Open fire
Owe an apology
Owe an explanation
Pack a suitcase
Part company
Pass (the) time
Pass a law
Pass a test
Pass the time
Pick your nose
Place an order
Play a part
Play music
Pose a risk
Pose a threat
Press a key
Pull a muscle
Push a button
Put on weight
Put out a cigarette
Put out a fire
Put up prices
Put up wages
Put up your hand
Quit a job
Quit drinking
Quit smoking
Raise a family
Raise doubts
Raise hopes
Raise money
Raise questions
Raise taxes
Raise your voice
Rapid growth
Reach a verdict
Reach an agreement
Read aloud
Repair damage
Resort to violence
Restore confidence
Restore order
Retain control
Return a call
Return fire
Return home
Run a business
Run the risk of
Safety net
Satisfy a need
Satisfy a requirement
Satisfy demand
Scare tactic
Score a goal
See reason
Serve a purpose
Serve interests
Set a date
Set a goal
Set a record
Set a standard
Set a table
Set an alarm
Set fire to | set on fire
Set menu
Solve a crime
Solve a problem
Spend time
Spend your life
Stall for time
Stand trial
Stay awake
Strike a balance (btw)
Take time off
Turn a corner
Turn around
Undergo surgery
Undergo treatment
Use sb’s phone
Vote against
Vote for
Wage war
Wait your turn
Warm welcome
Waste an opportunity
Waste money
Waste time
Watch your weight
Wave goodbye
Win a game
Win a war
Win an award
Win an election
Worth a fortune
Yield results
Regain control
Adjetivo + sustantivo
Don’t say Say…
agua dulce sweet water fresh water
ojo morado purple eye black eye
diente de ajo garlic tooth clove of garlic
lluvia fuerte strong rain heavy rain
mentira piadosa good lie white lie
viejo verde green man dirty old man
fuerte aplauso strong applause big round of applause
juego de mesa table game board game
día festivo festive day bank holiday
Colocaciones con verbos

Don’t say Say…

hacer un examen make an exam sit an exam
poner la mesa put the table set the table
hacer una presentación make a presentation give a presentation
dirigir un negocio direct a business run a business
poner la alarma put the alarm set the alarm
tener razón have reason be right
tomar una decisión take a decision make a decision
pillar la indirecta catch the indirect take the hint
Collocations con TAKE

take notes tomar notas

take a break hacer una pausa
take a rest descansar
take a shower darse una ducha
take care of yourself cuidarse
take a seat sentarse
take a picture hacer una foto
take a while llevar un rato
take a look echar un vistazo
take control tomar el control
take a nap echarse una siesta
take a test hacer un examen
Collocations con DO
do your homework hacer los deberes
do business hacer negocios
do your hair arreglarse el pelo
do the laundry hacer la colada
do the shopping hacer la compra
do good hacer el bien
do the dishes lavar los platos
do paperwork hacer papeleo
do a drawing hacer un dibujo
do nothing no hacer nada
do an experiment hacer un experimento
do your nails hacerse la manicura
do a poo hacer del 2
Collocations con MAKE
make sure asegurarse
make a scene montar una escena
make a wish pedir un deseo
make a mess hacer un desastre
make an appointment pedir una cita
make a mistake cometer un error
make an excuse poner una excusa
make noise hacer ruido
make a complaint poner una queja
make a good impression causar una buena impresión
make the bed hacer la cama
make a move dar el paso, largarse
Collocations con HAVE
have a haircut cortarse el pelo
have a party montar una fiesta
have a bite tomar un bocado
have guts tener agallas
have hope tener esperanza
have a chat hablar sobre algo
have an issue tener un problema
have sympathy tener compasión
have a laugh echarse unas risas
Collocations con GET
get lost perderse
get drunk emborracharse
get in trouble meterse en líos
get pregnant quedarse embarazada
get upset enfadarse
get old envejecer
get dressed vestirse
get married casarse
get divorced divorciarse
get out of breath quedarse sin aliento
get fired ser despedido
get sick enfermarse
get a tan ponerse moreno
get laid echar un polvo
Collocations con GIVE
give advice aconsejar
give a chance dar una oportunidad
give birth dar a luz
give sb a lift llevar a alguien (coche)
give a choice dar una posibilidad de elección
give sb a hug dar un abrazo
give notice dar un aviso
give evidence dar pruebas
give a talk dar una charla
give a damn no importarte un carajao
give something your all darlo todo
give sb a hand echar una mano
Collocations con GO
go missing desaparecer
go abroad irse al extranjero
go bald quedarse calvo
go deaf quedarse sordo
go blind quedarse ciego
go on a date tener una cita romántica
go smoothly sin contratiempos
go crazy volverse loco
go to hell irse al carajo
go out of business irse a la quiebra
go out of fashion pasarse de moda