Adjective + noun collocations
Choose the right adjective: heavy traffic, strong coffee, a high price, a narrow escape, a close friend, a bitter disappointment.
In this lesson you will
- Learn common adjective + noun collocations
- Replace ‘very’ + weak adjective with stronger collocations
- Use intensifying collocations accurately
Learn
Some adjectives and nouns go together; alternatives sound wrong: heavy rain ✓ (strong rain ✗), strong wind ✓, high price ✓ (expensive price ✗), a close friend ✓ (a near friend ✗).
Weather and traffic: heavy rain/snow/traffic, strong wind, thick fog, light rain, a mild winter. Food and drink: strong/weak coffee, rich food, a balanced diet.
Quantity and intensity: a high/low price, a large amount, a huge success, a serious problem, a deep sleep, a narrow escape, a bitter disappointment, a slight chance.
People and relationships: a close friend, a heavy smoker, a keen photographer, a complete stranger, a loyal customer.
Examples
- The accident was caused by thick fog.
- There’s a slight chance of rain this afternoon.
- The film was a huge success.
- He was a complete stranger to me.
Vocabulary
narrow escape
when you only just avoid danger
bitter disappointment
a very painful disappointment
keen
very interested and enthusiastic
slight
small
loyal
always supporting someone
Practice
There was ___ traffic on the motorway.
Speaking
Describe a memorable journey — the weather, traffic, people you met and how it went — using at least eight adjective + noun collocations.
Writing
Write a short story (120–150 words) that includes: a narrow escape, thick fog, a complete stranger and a huge relief.
Lesson quiz
I need ___ coffee to wake up.
Review
Key points
- heavy rain/traffic, strong wind, thick fog.
- high price, huge success, serious problem.
- close friend, complete stranger, keen photographer.
- narrow escape, bitter disappointment, slight chance.
What you learned
- ✓ I know key adjective + noun collocations.
- ✓ I avoid unnatural combinations.
- ✓ My descriptions are more precise.