Collocations in English
A collocation (also collocate) is a word or phrase which is frequently used with another word or phrase, in a way that sounds correct to speakers of the language. For example, heavy rain
Idioms
An expression whose meaning is different from the meaning of the individual
words. For example, to have your feet on the ground is an idiom meaning to be sensible.
Phrasal verbs
A combination of words that is used like a verb and consists of a verb and an adverb or preposition, for example give in or come up with.
Any long English text, spoken or written, will contain many examples of the three.
In speaking or writing there are lots of possible word combinations, but some are much more frequently used than others. Where words often combine together we say that they are strong collocations.
Adjective + Noun lucky escape
Verb + Noun drink beer
Noun + Verb the car broke down
Adverb + Adjective extremely expensive
Verb + Adverb think clearly
