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Common Collocations

Instructions: None
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Common Collocations

Theory:

A collocation is two or more words that often go together. These combinations just sound 'right' to native English speakers, who use them all the time. On the other hand, other combinations may be unnatural and just sound 'wrong'.

He loves fast food. - correct

He loves quick food. - not correct


In English, collocations are widely used and carry the meaning. It is also the way native speakers speak.

There are several different types of collocation made from combinations of verb, noun, and adjectives, and they are widely tested in the FCE.

It is important to notice how the verb after a collocation sometimes changes into the ING form.


Here is a list of some common collocations used for the FCE:

TAKE INTO ACCOUNT - CONSIDER

INSTEAD OF - IN PLACE OF

FAR AS I AM CONCERNED - IN MY OPINION

LOSE MY TEMPER - GET ANGRY

AT LEAST - AS A MINIMUM

KNOW HOW TO - BE ABLE TO

GET IN TOUCH WITH - CONTACT

GET USED TO - COMFORTABLE WITH

HAVE TROUBLE - FIND DIFFICULT

HAVE DIFFICULTY - HAVE PROBLEMS WITH

FIND YOUR WAY BACK - RETURN

MEAN TO - INTENTIONAL

MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR - FACILITATE

LIKE TO KNOW - UNDERSTAND

MAKE ANY SENSE - BE LOGICAL

PAY ATTENTION TO - FOCUS ON

WOULD YOU MIND - DO YOU CARE

NO POINT - UNNECESSARY

NO CHANCE - NO POSSIBILITY

NOTHING APART FROM - EXCEPT FOR

NOTHING LEFT - FINISHED

UNDER CONTROL - NOT FREE

NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN - THE SAME

NO COMPARISON BETWEEN - DIFFERENT

FINISHED BY - THE LAST ACTION

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TYPICAL FCE SENTENCE TRANSFORMATIONS USING COMMON COLLOCATIONS


  • ACCOUNT
  • INTO
  • HOW
  • TAKE

Considering that Luke is so young, you must admit he's making excellent progress as a musician.

ACCOUNT

If you (1) young Luke is, you must admit he's making excellent progress as a musician.


  • BUYING
  • OF
  • A
  • INSTEAD
  • HER

He didn't buy a present for her, but he gave her some money.

INSTEAD

He gave her some money (2) present.


  • FAR
  • CONCERNED
  • I
  • AM
  • AS

In my opinion, they're the best band in the world.

CONCERNED

They're the best band in the world as (3) .


  • ME
  • MY
  • LOSE
  • MADE

I got angry because of the assistant's attitude.

MADE

The assistant's attitude (4) temper.


  • AT
  • OF
  • LEAST

There are a minimum of seven classes a week during the course.

LEAST

The course consists (5) seven classes a week.


  • NOT
  • HOW
  • TO
  • DOES
  • KNOW

My sister can't drive so she hasn't got her own car.

KNOW

My sister (6) drive so she hasn't got her own car.


  • TOUCH
  • GOTTEN
  • WITH
  • HAD
  • IN

I regret not contacting Brian when I was in Dublin.

TOUCH

I wish that I (7) Brian when I was in Dublin.


  • TO
  • USED
  • GOTTEN

Are you familiar with his teaching style yet?

USED

Have you (8) his teaching style yet?


  • FOLLOWING
  • I
  • TROUBLE
  • HAVE

I find it difficult to follow the instructions.

TROUBLE

(9) the instructions.


  • PASSING
  • DIFFICULTY
  • HER
  • HAD
  • NO

Mary didn't find it difficult to pass her driving test.

DIFFICULTY

Mary (10) driving test.


  • OUR
  • BACK
  • FIND
  • WAY

We got lost coming home from the leisure centre.

WAY

We couldn't (11) from the leisure centre.


  • NOT
  • TO
  • MEAN
  • DID

Luke knocked over the old lady's bicycle by accident.

MEAN

Luke (12) knock over the old lady's bicycle.


  • ARRANGEMENTS
  • FOR
  • MADE

I've already planned my next holiday.

MADE

I've already (13) my next holiday.


  • LIKE
  • KNOW
  • WOULD
  • TO

John is interested in knowing more about astronomy.

LIKE

John (14) more about astronomy.


  • ANY
  • SENSE
  • MAKE

I couldn't understand the instructions for my new DVD player.

SENSE

The instructions for my new DVD player didn't (15) .


  • ANY
  • TO
  • ATTENTION
  • PAYS

Dan never takes any notice of my advice.

ATTENTION

Dan never (16) my advice.


  • YOU
  • WAITING
  • WOULD
  • MIND

I'm sorry, could you wait for a moment, please?

MIND

I'm sorry, (17) for a moment, please?


  • MIND
  • USING
  • YOU
  • NOT

I'd rather you didn't use that mobile phone in here,' said the librarian.

MIND

'Would (18) that mobile phone in here?' said the librarian.


  • IS
  • POINT
  • THERE
  • NO

The film will have started, so it's not worth going to the cinema now.

POINT

The film will have started, so (19) in going to the cinema now.


  • POINT
  • LEAVING
  • NO
  • IN

'We really don't need to leave early,' said Elena.

POINT

'There's really (20) early,' said Elena.