Verb + Noun Collocations

Verb + Noun Collocations in English (with Meanings & Examples)

One of the biggest differences between “correct English” and natural English is collocations. Native speakers don’t usually say do a decision or make a taxi. They say: make a decision, take a taxi, keep a promise, or catch a cold.

These are called verb + noun collocations — fixed, natural word combinations that simply sound right together.

If you want to sound more fluent, write better essays and emails, and score higher in Cambridge exams (B2 First, C1 Advanced), then learning collocations is not optional. It’s essential.

In this lesson, you will learn some of the most useful everyday verb + noun collocations with clear meanings and natural example sentences.

Accept an offer

Meaning: to say yes to something that someone has offered you.

They’d been dating for a year when she accepted his offer of marriage.

Attack an opponent

Meaning: to use physical violence against someone.

A famous actor attacked a photographer, breaking his camera.

Catch your breath

Meaning: to rest for a moment after physical activity so you can breathe normally again.

Sara stopped at the top of the stairs to catch her breath.

Catch a cold

Meaning: to become ill with a cold.

Linda has been sneezing all day. I think she’s caught a cold.

Change your mind

Meaning: to decide something different.

If you change your mind about the dishwasher, let us know.

Choose a career

Meaning: to decide what profession you want to do in your life.

Can we really expect a fifteen-year-old to choose a career?

Do housework

Meaning: to clean and do jobs in the house.

Mum was upstairs doing housework.

Do someone a favour

Meaning: to do something kind or helpful for someone.

Could you do me a favour and pass these papers around?

Fail a test

Meaning: to not pass a test or exam.

He failed the test because he didn’t study enough.

Forget a name

Meaning: to be unable to remember someone’s name.

I’m terrible at faces, but I rarely forget a name.

Gain a degree

Meaning: to successfully complete a university course and receive a degree.

She gained a law degree at Oxford.

Give permission

Meaning: to allow someone to do something.

The doctor gave him permission to go home.

Hold hands

Meaning: to hold another person’s hand, usually to show affection.

The young couple were walking along the river holding hands.

Keep a promise

Meaning: to do what you said you would do.

If you can’t keep a promise, don’t make one.

Lead the way

Meaning: to go first and show others where to go.

You lead the way and we’ll follow.

Leave a message

Meaning: to give someone information when you cannot speak to them directly.

I left a message for John while he was out.

Make the bed

Meaning: to tidy your bed after sleeping in it.

I always make the bed before I leave the house.

Make a presentation

Meaning: to give a formal talk to a group of people.

She was invited to make a presentation at the conference.

Mind your own business

Meaning: a rude way to tell someone not to interfere in your private matters.

When I asked where she was going, she told me to mind my own business.

Miss a chance

Meaning: to fail to use an opportunity.

He didn’t want to miss a chance to see her.

(Not) move an inch

Meaning: to refuse or be unable to change position at all.

The bus was so crowded I couldn’t move an inch.

Remember a password

Meaning: to keep a password in your memory and not forget it.

Make sure you remember your password this time.

Set a time

Meaning: to decide the time for a meeting or event.

Let’s set a time for our next meeting.

Take a taxi

Meaning: to travel somewhere by taxi.

It was too late, so we took a taxi home.

Tell the truth

Meaning: to say what is really true.

To tell the truth, I didn’t enjoy the film.

Throw a party

Meaning: to organise a party.

She’s throwing a party for her birthday.

Turn the page

Meaning: to make a fresh start after a difficult period.

After the divorce, she decided to turn the page and start again.

Using natural collocations in speaking and writing is one of the easiest ways to sound more fluent, avoid “translated” English, and impress examiners.

Don’t just learn words. Learn the words that live together. 😉

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