100+ Common Collocations with ‘Have’, ‘Do’, ‘Make’, and More (Free PDF)
In this lesson, you’ll learn over 100 common English collocations with verbs like have, do, make, take, and more. Mastering these collocations will enrich your vocabulary and help you sound more natural and fluent in English. You can also download a free PDF of these collocations below.
What are Collocations?
Collocations are combinations of words that are commonly used together in English. Think of them as word partnerships—when two words appear together more frequently than by chance. For example, you say “take a nap” but not “do a nap“. Learning these can significantly improve your fluency and help you sound more like a native speaker.
Common Collocation with HAVE, DO, MAKE, TAKE
Collocations with ‘Have’, ‘Do’, and ‘Make’
| Have | Do | Make |
|---|---|---|
| a conversation | a job | a decision |
| a meal | business | a mistake |
| a nap | damage | a change |
| fun | homework | a fortune |
| a good time | research | an effort |
| an impact | sports | a living |
Example sentences:
- I always have a good time with friends.
- She does her homework after school.
- He made a big decision to move abroad.
Collocations with ‘Take’, ‘Break’, and ‘Catch’
| Take | Break | Catch |
|---|---|---|
| a bath | a break | a cold |
| a nap | a rest | a flight |
| a trip | a chance | a thief |
| a risk | a dance | a glimpse |
| a photo | a pause | a ride |
Example sentences:
- Let’s take a walk to the park.
- She needs to break for lunch.
- I think I’ve caught a cold.
Collocations with ‘Pay’, ‘Save’, and ‘Keep’
| Pay | Save | Keep |
|---|---|---|
| attention | money | a promise |
| a compliment | time | a secret |
| a visit | energy | a balance |
| a debt | a life | a record |
| respect | water | a lookout |
Example sentences:
- Please pay attention to the teacher.
- I saved money by cooking at home.
- You should keep your promises.
Collocations with ‘Come’, ‘Go’, and ‘Get’
| Come | Go | Get |
|---|---|---|
| along | ahead | along |
| back | away | away |
| down | back | back |
| in | by | over |
| out | down | up |
Example sentences:
- He came along with his sister.
- Let’s go ahead with the plan.
- I got back home late last night.
Download the Common Collocations PDF
At the end of this article, you can download a free PDF that includes all the collocations listed above for your offline reference.
Prepositions in English PDF – download⇓
Collocation Cambridge Ebook – download⇓
FAQs About Collocations
Q: What are collocations?
A: Collocations are words that naturally go together in English. For example, “make a decision” or “take a break“. Learning these helps you sound more fluent and natural.
Q: Why are collocations important?
A: Using collocations correctly improves your speaking and writing skills. It also helps you sound more like a native speaker and makes your communication clearer.
Q: How can I practice collocations?
A: Try writing sentences with the collocations you learn. Practice them in conversations or even in writing exercises to get used to using them naturally.
Q: Can I use collocations with any verb?
A: No, not all verbs work with every noun or adjective. That’s why it’s important to learn common collocations so you use the right verb combinations.
