Verb + noun collocations
Sound natural with strong verb + noun collocations: make a decision, take a risk, do research, pay attention, raise a question.
In this lesson you will
- Learn high-frequency verb + noun collocations
- Avoid make/do/take/have mistakes
- Use collocations in speaking and writing
Learn
A collocation is a word combination that native speakers naturally use. make a decision ✓, do a decision ✗. The meaning is clear either way, but the wrong verb sounds foreign.
make: a decision, a mistake, progress, an effort, a complaint, a suggestion, a difference. do: research, homework, damage, business, your best, a favour.
take: a risk, a break, responsibility, action, advantage of, part in. have: a look, a chat, an effect on, an argument, difficulty (in) doing.
Others: pay attention / a compliment; raise a question / awareness / money; reach an agreement / a conclusion; meet a deadline / a need; set a goal / an example; break a promise / a record.
Examples
- We need to reach an agreement before Friday.
- She’s made a lot of progress this year.
- The campaign raised awareness of mental health.
- I’ll do my best to meet the deadline.
Vocabulary
collocation
words often used together
meet a deadline
finish on time
raise awareness
make people know about something
reach a conclusion
decide after thinking
take responsibility
accept that something is your duty
Practice
We need to ___ a decision today.
Speaking
Talk about a big decision you made: how you made it, what risks you took, who you had a chat with, and whether you met your goals. Use eight collocations.
Writing
Write a short report (120–150 words) on a team project, using at least eight verb + noun collocations.
Lesson quiz
It’s hard to ___ a promise.
Review
Key points
- make a decision/mistake/progress/difference.
- do research/damage/your best.
- take a risk/break/action.
- meet a deadline, reach an agreement, raise awareness.
What you learned
- ✓ I know key verb + noun collocations.
- ✓ I avoid make/do errors.
- ✓ I sound more natural.