Obaba Museum

A collocation is a predictable combination of words. In other words collations are two or more words that often go together. This combination sound natural to a native english speaker
E.g A fast train ✔️
A quick train❌
We study collocation because we want our english to be natural.
How to learn collocation
1. You must be aware of collocation and try to recognise them when you see or here them.
2. When you learn a new word write down other words that collocates with it.
3. Read as much as possible, Reading is an excellent way to boost your vocabulary.
4. Revise what you have read or learn regularly.
Types of collocations
1. Adverb + Adjective
E.g. Utterly stupid
Invading that country was an utterly stupid thing to do.
E.g. Richly decorated
I entered a richly decorated house.
E.g. Fully aware
Are you fully aware of the principal’s death.

2. Adjective + Noun
E.g. Excruciating pain
She has an excruciating pain.

3. Noun + Noun
E.g. Cease fire agreement
The cease fire agreement came into effect by 12:00pm.
E.g. Round of applause
Give him a round of applause.
We were forced to give Johnson a round of applause.
E.g. Bars of soap
She gave two bars of soap.

4. Noun + Noun
E.g. Lion roar and Dog barking
The lion started to roar when it’s heard the dog barking.

5. Verb + Noun
E.g. Committing murder
The prisoner was hanged for committing murder.
E.g. Make my bed
Before leaving the house I always make my bed.

6. Verb + An expression + Preposition
E.g. Run out of money
We had to trek home because we had run out of money.
Shola run out of money after spending recklessly.
E.g. Burst into tears
She burst into tears, when her fiancee called of the wedding.

7. Verb + Adverb
E.g. Whisper something
She whisper’s something into qudus’s ear.


Exercise
Complete the Collocation
1. I was running late, so I only had time for a _________ shower.
(a. Short, b. Quick, c. Fast)
2. I was so tired when I got home, that I had to order for a _________ from the restaurant.
(a. Quick food, b. Fast food, c. Rapid food)
3. The __________ will be a three hour written examination.
(a. Final test, b. Last test, c. Total test, d. Complete test)
4. ________ name on the attendance list.
(a. Put your, b. Write your, c. Drop your, d. Hit your)
5. Yaro failed his exams, because he did not __________ it
(a. Rehearse for, b. Revise for, c. Study for, d. Prepare for)

Answers to Exercise
1. B
2. B
3. A
4. A
5. C

Exercise 2
Choose the most appropriate interpretation for each sentences

1. I would be in deep waters if I don’t pass my examination. This means that I would be?
(a. Drowned, b. Surprised, c. In a dilemma, d. In trouble)
2. My mates gave me the cold shoulder because I voted against our on-going strike, this means that they?
(a. Poured cold water on me, b. Attacked me, c. Were unfriendly towards me, d. Removed me from school)
3. I heard James insulting his mother, which was out of character, this means that it was?
(a. What he always did, b. Due to annoyance, c. Not typical of him, d. An unfriendly behavior)
4. Tolani has been throwing her weight about since she completed university, this means that tolani has?
(a. Become very fat, b. Turned restless, c. Been found everywhere, d. Been behaving arrogantly)
5. After weeks of exciting training, Bruce Lee suddenly got cold feet on the day of the competition, this means that he? (a. Had a swollen foot, b. Decided not to play, c. Became nervous, d. Fell ill)

Answers to Exercise 2
1. D
2. C
3. C
4. D
5. C