How can I learn collocations in English?

The most effective way is spaced repetition: practice this deck of 70 flashcards using the Flashcards, Learn, Write, and Match modes. The system shows you each word right before you're about to forget it, so you retain it long-term instead of just memorizing it for a test.

How many words are in the collocations deck?

This deck has 70 cards at level B1, each with pronunciation audio and an example sentence.

Do I need an account to practice collocations in English?

No. You can practice for free without creating an account. If you sign in, your progress is saved automatically and you can keep studying from any device.

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Collocations

Learn common word combinations in English, like "make a decision" or "take a shower". These pairings don't always translate directly from Spanish.

B170 cards

How do you want to practice?

Flashcards

Flip each card and rate how well you remembered it. That is how we learn when to show it to you again.

Learn

A quiz that adapts to your pace: multiple choice that progresses to typing the answer.

Write

Listen to the word and type it. Great for practicing spelling and pronunciation.

Match

Match the words against the clock. A fun, low-pressure way to review.

Terms in this deck

make a decision
to choose something after thinking about it
make a mistake
to do something wrong
make progress
to improve or move forward
make an effort
to try hard to do something
make money
to earn money
make a difference
to have an important effect on a situation
make friends
to become friends with people
make a plan
to decide what you are going to do
make an appointment
to arrange a time to meet someone, like a doctor
make a phone call
to call someone on the phone
make a mess
to leave a place dirty or disorganized
make sense
to be logical or understandable
make a promise
to say you will definitely do something
do homework
to complete school assignments
do the dishes
to wash the plates and cups after eating
do the laundry
to wash clothes
do a favor
to help someone with something
do business
to buy, sell, or trade with someone
do exercise
to move your body to stay healthy
do your best
to try as hard as you can
do damage
to cause harm to something
do research
to study a subject carefully to find new information
take a shower
to wash your body under running water
take a break
to stop working for a short time to rest
take a nap
to sleep for a short time during the day
take a risk
to do something that might have a bad result
take a seat
to sit down
take a picture
to photograph something
take medicine
to swallow medicine to treat an illness
take an exam
to complete a test
take advantage of
to use an opportunity to your benefit
take a trip
to travel somewhere
take notes
to write down important information
take your time
to not hurry when doing something
have breakfast
to eat the first meal of the day
have a good time
to enjoy yourself
have a baby
to give birth to a child
have a look
to look at something briefly
have a headache
to feel pain in your head
have an idea
to think of something
have a conversation
to talk with someone
have fun
to enjoy yourself
have an argument
to disagree strongly with someone
pay attention
to listen or watch carefully
pay a visit
to visit someone
pay a compliment
to say something nice about someone
pay in cash
to pay with paper money instead of a card
keep a promise
to do what you said you would do
keep a secret
to not tell anyone something
keep in touch
to continue communicating with someone
keep an eye on
to watch someone or something carefully
keep quiet
to not make noise or not talk
keep calm
to stay relaxed in a difficult situation
catch a cold
to become sick with a cold
catch a bus
to get on a bus before it leaves
catch fire
to start burning
save money
to keep money instead of spending it
save time
to use less time to do something
spend money
to use money to pay for something
spend time
to use your time doing something
break a promise
to not do what you said you would do
break the law
to do something illegal
break the news
to tell someone important information, often bad
lose weight
to become lighter or thinner
lose your temper
to suddenly become very angry
heavy rain
a large amount of rain falling
strong coffee
coffee with a lot of flavor and caffeine
fast food
food prepared and served quickly, usually not very healthy
hard work
work that requires a lot of effort
spare time
free time when you are not working

How to study this deck

Collocations are words that sound natural together: English says "make a decision", not "do a decision". Study them as complete blocks and group them by verb (make, do, take, have). When speaking, using the right collocation sounds more natural than learning isolated words.

The trickiest words

make / do: make is to create or produce ("make a plan"); do is for tasks and activities ("do homework").
make a decision: it is "make a decision" in the US; "take a decision" is sometimes heard in the UK.
make friends: friends is plural: "make friends", not "make a friend".

Examples in context

I need to make a decision soon.
I need to make an appointment with the dentist.
We do business with several countries.
Please take a seat.
We had a good time at the party.
Please pay attention in class.
Keep calm and think clearly.
Stealing breaks the law.

Mini dialogue

A: I need to make a decision about my job.
B: Make a plan first. Then do some research.
A: I made a mistake last week and I am still worried.
B: Everyone makes mistakes. Make an effort and move on.