Collocations

Well, after a while I'm returning to post something else on this blog. A teacher's life isn't easy, we work hard and like the Beatles' song 'I've been working like a dog'. Finding interesting topics to write about isn't easy either. So, let's go: one of these days teaching collocations it came to me the idea of helping you by mentioning this here.


Collocations are phrases with the combination of a verb and a noun in which both words make a clear sense. A useful tip when you want to write a text (messages, memos, emails etc). A good example would be 'make money'.


In Portuguese we have the same expressions like 'fazer dinheiro', 'ter uma oportunidade', 'romper barreiras', 'desobedecer a lei' etc. That's exactly what I'm talking about, it's the fact that we have to use the correct combinations. Let's see some of them:



Take: a break, time, a bus, a taxi, a back seat (when you choose not to be responsible for sth. ina company or organization)

Make: a decision, your own way, something happen, money, way, a mistake

Do: an activity, a lesson, your best, something different, the housework (dusting, the dishes, the vacuuming, the cleaning in the bathroom etc)

Break: the law, the news, into pieces, the ice, down barriers (promote understanding between two different opinions)


Check these combinations and try to make examples when you make your comments below. Enjoy and have fun.


Teacher Fábio Pires