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Collocations Exercises (C1) — Free

Advanced collocations: verb + noun, adjective + noun and adverb + adjective

A collocation is a combination of words that native speakers naturally use together, like 'heavy rain', 'reach an agreement' or 'fully aware'. Other combinations may be grammatically possible and logical, but they sound wrong: we say 'heavy smoker', not 'strong smoker', and 'pay attention', not 'put attention'. At C1, collocations make your English sound precise and natural, so learn new words with their partners, not alone. Verb + noun collocations are the trickiest, because the verb often can't be translated word for word: a common mistake is 'make a photo' or 'do a mistake' instead of 'take a photo' and 'make a mistake'. Some collocations are fixed expressions, such as 'come into force' or 'cast doubt on', and some are strong, vivid choices, such as 'a splitting headache' or 'a grinding halt'. In this exercise, the first letters of the missing word are given in brackets, sometimes with its meaning. Write the word in the correct form.

  1. Please attention to the safety instructions before the flight. (p...)

  2. My uncle used to be a smoker — about forty cigarettes a day. (h...)

  3. After months of talks, the two companies have finally an agreement. (r...)

  4. She a lot of effort into the project, and it really shows. (p..., 3 letters)

  5. I'm aware that the plan has risks, but we have no other option. (f..., = completely)

  6. It isn't easy to a balance between work and family life. (st...)

  7. The new law will come into on the first of January. (f...)

  8. Her comments on the radio a heated debate on social media. (sp..., past tense)

  9. I've had a headache all day — I need to lie down. (sp..., = extremely painful)

  10. The concert was a success: all the tickets sold out in an hour. (re..., = very great and clear)

  11. The new results doubt on the original theory. (c...)

  12. When the factory closed, the town's economy came to a halt. (gr..., = slow and difficult)

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