Collocations that sound right (because they are)

Cami
Jun 19
3 min read

Hey there!

Do you ever feel like your English is grammatically correct… but still not quite natural?

That might be because of collocations… those word pairings that native speakers use without even thinking. Sayings like catch a cold or strong coffee, rather than “get a cold” or “powerful coffee”. Both might make sense, but only one sounds right.

Understanding collocations (and using them correctly) is one of the most effective ways to level up your English, not just for exams, but for real-world communication.

So… let's break it down 👇

What are collocations, exactly?

A collocation is a natural combination of words that native speakers tend to use together. These are not idioms or slang, they are just how words like to “live” in English.

For example:

✅ Heavy rain → ❌ “Strong rain”

✅ Do business → ❌ “Make business”

✅ Break the news → ❌ “Destroy the news”

These pairings are not always logical, but they are predictable (if you start to notice them).

Why should I care about them?

Because learning collocations helps you:

🤩 Sound more fluent and “native-like”

😌 Improve listening and reading comprehension

😮‍💨 Prevent expressions that do not quite sound right

🗣️ Expand your vocabulary naturally

Put simply, collocations are the fast track to sounding polished.

5 practical tips to master collocations

1. Learn words in phrases, not in isolation

Instead of writing “demand → noun”, write “meet a demand” or “high demand for”.

Learning the whole chunk helps you use it correctly from the start.

2. Watch and read intentionally

Choose English content you enjoy, but this time, pay close attention to repeated word pairings. Jot down (= write down) phrases that come up repeatedly, those are usually strong collocations.

Listen carefully to how native speakers use word combinations in podcasts, interviews or YouTube videos.

Real-world English is full of hidden patterns that no textbook can teach.

3. Create personalised collocation lists

Keep a dedicated notebook or digital document where you add new collocations you encounter. Group them by themes or topics to make it easier and more relevant for you when reviewing them.

4. Play with substitutions

Challenge yourself: Can you replace “strong tea” with another adjective? Why doesn’t “powerful tea” work? This sharpens your collocational instincts.

5. Practise producing, not just noticing

Do not just highlight them in a book; use them in your writing and speaking. Try including 3–5 new collocations in your journal or next class.

Advanced tip: Avoid the “translation trap”

When learning collocations, it is tempting to directly translate phrases from your native language into English. However, many collocations do not have exact equivalents, and word combinations that sound natural in your language might be completely wrong in English.

For example, in English, we say “do your homework”, but in some languages, the equivalent phrase translates literally to “make your homework”. Trying to apply your native language’s logic can lead to awkward or incorrect expressions.

To avoid this trap:

Focus on patterns that sound natural in English, even if they feel strange or unfamiliar at first.
Listen carefully to native speakers and notice which word combinations are common.
Practice using these collocations in context until they start to feel natural.

Over time, your intuition for English collocations will grow, helping you communicate more fluently and confidently without second-guessing yourself.

Mastering collocations is not about memorising endless lists, it is about noticing patterns, paying attention to what sounds right, and integrating these combinations into your everyday use.

Bit by bit, it becomes automatic, and that is when fluency really clicks.

👉 Do you want to practise collocations with real conversation, feedback, and fun?

Join our next speaking session with advanced learners from around the world and native teachers. Just reply to this email with “I’M IN”, and we will send you the details.

Until next time,

Benjamin & Cami