Verb noun

collocations

GRAMMAR

LEVEL NUMBER LANGUAGE

Intermediate B1_2045G_EN English
Goals

■ Learn about the meaning

of collocations
■ Learn common verb noun
collocations
■ Practise using verb noun
collocations in daily life

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If you break down the word, you will
know what collocation means.

co- : together
-location : place

Let‘s learn some collocations that are

always located together.

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What is collocation?

Unscramble the words to find out the definition of collocation.

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Review: do you know any collocations?

List them here and think about how they are used in different
situations.

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Write at least three verbs that go with each noun

1. Opinion Ask, have, give, talk about

_______________________________________________________________

2. A party _________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

3. Research _________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

4. An exam _________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

5. An email _________________________________________

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Preview

■ In this lesson, you will learn about verb noun collocations and how to use them.

If you want to sound natural to a native speaker, try using collocations in

your sentences.

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Why learn collocations?

A collocation is two or more words that often go together.

Here are three reasons why you should learn collocations.
Can you think of any other reasons why?

1
It is easier for your brain to remember and use language in
chunks or blocks.

2
The language will be more natural and more easily
understood.

3
You will have alternative and richer ways of expressing
yourself.

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Verb noun collocation: have

■ There are many types of collocations, but we will focus on verb noun
collocations.

We use have with Specific nouns

A meal, breakfast, a snack, a cup of tea,

Food and drink
etc.
A conversation, a discussion, an
Talking
appointment, etc.

Daily life A bath, a shower, a break, etc.

Disagreeing An argument, a fight, a debate, etc.

Others A cold, a headache, a party, plans, etc.

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Verb noun collocation: take

■ Collocations might not be expected from the meaning.

■ The important part of the meaning is taken out of the verb and put into the
noun.

We use take with Specific nouns

Washing A bath, a shower, etc.

Resting A break, a holiday, a rest, etc.

Transportation A bus, a train, a subway, etc.

Actions A walk, a look, notes, a photo, etc.

Care of something or somebody, a phone

Others
call, an interest in, etc.

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Verb noun collocation: give

■ Native speakers use collocations all the time.

■ Using collocations improves your fluency.

We use give with Specific nouns

Facial expressions A smile, a look, a glance, etc.

An answer, some information, your

Talking
opinion, a lecture, a warning, etc.
Someone a choice, advice to someone,
Providing
etc.

Actions A kiss, a kick, a hug, etc.

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Verb noun collocation: make

■ Collocations habitually appear together and convey meaning by association.

We use make with Specific nouns

A comment, a noise, a promise, a

Talking
suggestion, etc.

Plans Arrangements, an appointment, etc.

The bed, sense, fun of somebody, time for

Others somebody, coffee, a decision, friends,
money, etc.

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Come up with a collocation for each of these verbs

have take

give make

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Match the nouns with the correct verbs

1. have a. notes

2. take b. a break

3. have c. care of somebody

4. make d. your opinion

5. take e. a stomach ache

6. give f. fun of somebody

7. have g. a cold

8. take h. a shower

9. give i. someone a hug

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Describe the picture using collocations

A B

C D

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Fill in the blanks

Read the diary entry of a student and write the correct verbs in the
blanks. Each verb can be used more than once.

have take give make

I have a dog and her name is Tofu. I (1)_______________ her that

name because she is white and fluffy. I usually
(2)_______________ a walk with her along the river in the
morning. This morning, I found a small park where a yoga
instructor (3)_______________ free lessons twice a week. We
(4)_______________ a short conversation and she
(5)_______________ me a chance to join them. I didn’t forget to
(6)_______________ a photo of the exact location so that I don’t
get lost. I (7)_______________ low-fat yogurt with berries for
breakfast and also (8)_______________ strong coffee to get ready
for work. I (9)_______________ a really important meeting in the
office because my partner (10)_______________ a stupid decision
on the project a couple of days ago. I hope everything turns
out okay.

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Verb noun collocations in daily context

■ The table below shows the verb noun collocations in a daily context.
■ Can you think of any others?

Salutations Chores Activities Routine

take care do the dishes do exercise make the bed

take a
do your best do the shopping make a list
shower/bath

have fun do the housework have a nap have a meal

play an
do the laundry make dinner
instrument

do/run errands make a phone call have a nap

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Your daily routine

Talk about what your day is usually like using verb noun collocations.

7:00 AM 9:00 AM 12:30 PM

2:00 PM 5:00 PM 6:30 PM

8:00 PM 10:30 PM 12:00 AM

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Notice the difference

■ There is a difference in some verb noun collocations.

■ Can you see and explain what the difference is?

To make a meal (breakfast/lunch/dinner) vs to have a meal (breakfast/lunch/dinner)

■ I don’t want to make dinner. Let’s go to a restaurant.

■ I want to have dinner outside. Let’s go to a restaurant.

To watch a show vs to have a show

■ Let’s watch a show tonight. It’s Comedy Friday.

■ Sorry, I have a show tonight. I need to work.

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Explain the difference

Compare the two sentences and explain how they are different.

1. I will give my dog a bath. 1. I will take a bath after work.

2. Can you give an opinion on this 2. Do you have an opinion on this

topic? topic?

3. I have to make an appointment for

3. I have an appointment tomorrow.
tomorrow.

4. You can make a call on your 4. You can take a call on your
computer. computer.

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Complete the sentences using verb noun collocations

1. Since I made dinner tonight, ________________________________________

you have to…
________________________________________

2. It’s my only day off this ________________________________________

month, so I will…
________________________________________

3. Before going grocery ________________________________________

shopping, it is better to…
________________________________________

4. Ben and Julia are getting ________________________________________

married soon, so let’s…
________________________________________

5. Even though the exam will

________________________________________
cover 12 chapters, I hope
you… ________________________________________

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What shows do you watch?

■ Below are some more collocations to talk about your favourite shows.

I subscribed to an online video streaming service to watch

shows and films.

I prefer going to the cinema because of the wider screen.

What is on at the cinema tonight?

I do not take an interest in horror movies.

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What shows do you watch?

Think of a show or film for each genre.

Choose a character and talk about their daily routines using verb noun
collocations.

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A famous quote: what does that mean to you?

? ? ? ?? ?
? ? ?
You shall know a word
?
by the company it
?
keeps.

? ? ?
? ? ?
John Rupert Firth

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Reflect on the goals

Go back to the second slide of the lesson and check

if you have achieved all the goals of the lesson.

yes no

_______________________________ _______________________________
_______________________________ _______________________________

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Reflect on this lesson

Think about everything you have seen in this lesson.

What were the most difficult activities or words? The easiest?

+ _______________________________
_______________________________

+ _______________________________
_______________________________

– _______________________________
_______________________________

– _______________________________
_______________________________
If you have time, go over
the most difficult slides again

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27 www.lingoda.com
Exercise p. 4
Collocation: a group of two or more words that usually go together
Exercise p. 6
2. have, be at, give, go to, 3. do, develop, find, 4. take, prepare/study for, pass, fail,
cheat on, 5. send, receive, read, answer, write, reply to
Exercise p. 14
1e, 2b, 3h, 4f, 5a, 6i, 7g, 8c, 9d
Exercise p. 16
1. gave, 2. take, 3. gives, 4. had, 5. gave, 6. take, 7. had, 8. made, 9. had, 10. made
Exercise p. 21
1. Do the dishes, 2. run the errands, 3. make a list, 4. have a party, 5. do your best
Answer key
Homework

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 Decide which noun goes with the verbs below

(1) to do (2) to have (3) to make

(4) to take (5) to give

fun notes lunch

your opinion the housework fun of someone

sense an exam an answer

noise a conversation homework

yoga the bed a call

care a photo a hug

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Homework: answer to the questions

Answer to the questions by using verb noun collocations.

1. What types of TV shows do you take an interest in?

2. Who do you usually watch films with?

3. Why do people like going to the cinema?

4. What is on at the cinema closest to you?

5. What is your opinion on streaming videos online?

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Homework: your diary

How was your day? Let’s write a diary entry. Don’t forget to use
the verbs that we have learned using verb noun collocations.

Dear Diary
Have Take

Give Make

Do Get

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Exercise p. 29
1. do: the housework, homework, yoga
2. have: fun, lunch, a conversation
3. make: sense, the bed, fun of someone, noise
4. take: notes, an exam, a call, care, a photo
5. give: a hug, an answer, your opinion
Homework answer key
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