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๐ Content updated on 28 April 2026
๐ Collocations & Common Word Pairs – Words that naturally belong together
A collocation is a pair or group of words that are often used together and sound natural to native speakers. For example, we say "heavy rain" (not "strong rain") and "make a decision" (not "do a decision"). Common word pairs, like "salt and pepper" or "give and take", also fall into this category. Mastering collocations makes your English sound fluent and natural.
๐ง๐ซ How to use this sheet: Read each sentence and choose the word that best completes the natural collocation, or identify the correct word pair. Then click “Show Answer” to check, review the explanation, and study the extra example.
A collocation is a pair or group of words that are often used together and sound natural to native speakers. For example, we say "heavy rain" (not "strong rain") and "make a decision" (not "do a decision"). Common word pairs, like "salt and pepper" or "give and take", also fall into this category. Mastering collocations makes your English sound fluent and natural.
๐ง๐ซ How to use this sheet: Read each sentence and choose the word that best completes the natural collocation, or identify the correct word pair. Then click “Show Answer” to check, review the explanation, and study the extra example.
In this worksheet:
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Sounding natural in English depends heavily on using the right word pairs. Our guide to
Collocations & Common Word Pairs
explains the most useful ones. Hindi learners can compare with
เคฎुเคนाเคตเคฐे
which are also fixed word combinations. For more practice, the
Collocations worksheet
offers additional exercises.
✅ Solved Examples (20 Questions with Answers)
Let's explore some common English collocations and fixed word pairs.
Solved Q.1
"She ____ a mistake in the calculation." (do / make / create)
Show Answer
Answer: made
Explanation: "Make a mistake" is a fixed collocation. We never say "do a mistake" in natural English. "Make" goes with many nouns like decision, effort, noise.
Example: He made a decision quickly.
Explanation: "Make a mistake" is a fixed collocation. We never say "do a mistake" in natural English. "Make" goes with many nouns like decision, effort, noise.
Example: He made a decision quickly.
Solved Q.2
"There was _____ rain all night." (strong / heavy / big)
Show Answer
Answer: heavy
Explanation: "Heavy rain" is the natural collocation. "Strong rain" is rare, and "big rain" is incorrect. "Heavy" is the standard word for intense rainfall.
Example: The match was cancelled due to heavy rain.
Explanation: "Heavy rain" is the natural collocation. "Strong rain" is rare, and "big rain" is incorrect. "Heavy" is the standard word for intense rainfall.
Example: The match was cancelled due to heavy rain.
Solved Q.3
"I need to ____ my teeth before going to bed." (wash / clean / brush)
Show Answer
Answer: brush
Explanation: "Brush one's teeth" is the standard expression. "Clean" is possible but less common; "wash" is not used with teeth in everyday English.
Example: Remember to brush your teeth twice a day.
Explanation: "Brush one's teeth" is the standard expression. "Clean" is possible but less common; "wash" is not used with teeth in everyday English.
Example: Remember to brush your teeth twice a day.
Solved Q.4
"Which of these is a common English word pair?" (salt and sugar / salt and pepper / salt and spice)
Show Answer
Answer: salt and pepper
Explanation: "Salt and pepper" is a fixed binomial pair, often used together as condiments. The order is fixed — we don't say "pepper and salt".
Example: Could you pass the salt and pepper?
Explanation: "Salt and pepper" is a fixed binomial pair, often used together as condiments. The order is fixed — we don't say "pepper and salt".
Example: Could you pass the salt and pepper?
Solved Q.5
"They ____ a warm welcome to the guests." (gave / did / made)
Show Answer
Answer: gave
Explanation: "Give a welcome" is the natural collocation. "Do a welcome" is incorrect, and "made a welcome" is not idiomatic.
Example: The team gave a warm welcome to the new captain.
Explanation: "Give a welcome" is the natural collocation. "Do a welcome" is incorrect, and "made a welcome" is not idiomatic.
Example: The team gave a warm welcome to the new captain.
Solved Q.6
"I ____ a shower every morning." (take / make / have) – both 'take' and 'have' work, which is better?
Show Answer
Answer: take (or have)
Explanation: Both "take a shower" and "have a shower" are correct; "take" is more common in American English, "have" in British English.
Example: I usually take a shower after my workout.
Explanation: Both "take a shower" and "have a shower" are correct; "take" is more common in American English, "have" in British English.
Example: I usually take a shower after my workout.
Solved Q.7
"She ____ her best to win the race." (did / made / tried)
Show Answer
Answer: tried
Explanation: "Do one's best" and "try one's best" are both used. "Try her best" fits here naturally.
Example: He did his best in the exam.
Explanation: "Do one's best" and "try one's best" are both used. "Try her best" fits here naturally.
Example: He did his best in the exam.
Solved Q.8
"We had ____ fun at the party." (much / many / a lot of)
Show Answer
Answer: a lot of
Explanation: "A lot of fun" is the natural collocation. "Much fun" is grammatically correct but less common in affirmative sentences.
Example: The children had a lot of fun at the zoo.
Explanation: "A lot of fun" is the natural collocation. "Much fun" is grammatically correct but less common in affirmative sentences.
Example: The children had a lot of fun at the zoo.
Solved Q.9
"She speaks ____ English." (fluent / good / excellent) – which one is a direct adjective?
Show Answer
Answer: fluent / excellent
Explanation: "Speak fluent English" or "speak excellent English" are both natural. "Speak good English" is also common but less formal than "fluent". The point is the adjective naturally collocates with "speak" and a language.
Example: He speaks fluent French.
Explanation: "Speak fluent English" or "speak excellent English" are both natural. "Speak good English" is also common but less formal than "fluent". The point is the adjective naturally collocates with "speak" and a language.
Example: He speaks fluent French.
Solved Q.10
"It's a ____ idea." (great / large / big) – which one is most natural?
Show Answer
Answer: great
Explanation: "Great idea!" is a very common collocation. "Big idea" is possible but less frequent; "large idea" is incorrect.
Example: That's a brilliant idea!
Explanation: "Great idea!" is a very common collocation. "Big idea" is possible but less frequent; "large idea" is incorrect.
Example: That's a brilliant idea!
Solved Q.11
"Complete the pair: bread and ____."
Show Answer
Answer: butter
Example: We had bread and butter for breakfast.
Example: We had bread and butter for breakfast.
Solved Q.12
"She ____ an effort to reach on time." (did / made / put)
Show Answer
Answer: made
Example: He made an effort to learn the language.
Example: He made an effort to learn the language.
Solved Q.13
"She has ____ experience in teaching." (many / much / a lot of)
Show Answer
Answer: a lot of / much
Example: He has a lot of knowledge about history.
Example: He has a lot of knowledge about history.
Solved Q.14
"The opposite of 'win' in common pairs: win or ____."
Show Answer
Answer: lose
Example: It doesn't matter if you win or lose.
Example: It doesn't matter if you win or lose.
Solved Q.15
"You should ____ a look at this report." (have / take / make)
Show Answer
Answer: have / take
Example: Take a look at this photo.
Example: Take a look at this photo.
Solved Q.16
"Law and ____ is a common phrase."
Show Answer
Answer: order
Example: The police maintain law and order.
Example: The police maintain law and order.
Solved Q.17
"We need to ____ a plan for the trip." (make / do / create)
Show Answer
Answer: make
Example: She made a list of things to buy.
Example: She made a list of things to buy.
Solved Q.18
"The phrase 'give and ____' is often used."
Show Answer
Answer: take
Example: Friendship requires give and take.
Example: Friendship requires give and take.
Solved Q.19
"He ____ a complaint about the noise." (did / made / gave)
Show Answer
Answer: made
Example: She made a suggestion that helped everyone.
Example: She made a suggestion that helped everyone.
Solved Q.20
"Pros and ____ is a pair meaning advantages and disadvantages."
Show Answer
Answer: cons
Example: Let's weigh the pros and cons before deciding.
Example: Let's weigh the pros and cons before deciding.
Collocations are the secret to natural expression. If you're also studying root words and how they form, the
Word Formation worksheet
is a perfect companion. And to test your overall vocabulary, the
One Word Substitution worksheet
adds precision to your word choice.
✏️ Practice Questions (20 Questions with Answers)
Now choose the most natural collocation or complete the pair.
Practice Q.1
"She ____ a lot of friends at camp." (made / did / created)
Show Answer
Answer: made
Example: He made friends easily at his new school.
Example: He made friends easily at his new school.
Practice Q.2
"There was a ____ wind blowing outside." (strong / heavy / powerful)
Show Answer
Answer: strong
Example: A strong wind blew the papers away.
Example: A strong wind blew the papers away.
Practice Q.3
"Complete: more or ____."
Show Answer
Answer: less
Example: They earned more or less the same amount.
Example: They earned more or less the same amount.
Practice Q.4
"I need to ____ a phone call." (do / make / take)
Show Answer
Answer: make
Example: She made a phone call to her mother.
Example: She made a phone call to her mother.
Practice Q.5
"Black and ____ is a classic colour combination."
Show Answer
Answer: white
Example: The dress comes in black and white.
Example: The dress comes in black and white.
Practice Q.6
"She ____ care of her younger brother." (takes / makes / does)
Show Answer
Answer: takes
Example: Nurses take care of patients.
Example: Nurses take care of patients.
Practice Q.7
"He has ____ knowledge of computers." (deep / high / strong)
Show Answer
Answer: deep
Example: She has deep understanding of the subject.
Example: She has deep understanding of the subject.
Practice Q.8
"Complete the pair: ladies and ____."
Show Answer
Answer: gentlemen
Example: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the show.
Example: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the show.
Practice Q.9
"They ____ a serious discussion about the problem." (had / did / made)
Show Answer
Answer: had
Example: We had a long conversation last night.
Example: We had a long conversation last night.
Practice Q.10
"I don't like the ____ and bustle of city life." (hurry / hustle / rush)
Show Answer
Answer: hustle
Example: The hustle and bustle of the market is exciting.
Example: The hustle and bustle of the market is exciting.
Practice Q.11
"Complete: sooner or ____."
Show Answer
Answer: later
Example: She will arrive sooner or later.
Example: She will arrive sooner or later.
Practice Q.12
"He ____ a promise to return soon." (did / made / said)
Show Answer
Answer: made
Example: She made a promise to her grandmother.
Example: She made a promise to her grandmother.
Practice Q.13
"It was a ____ success." (great / large / high)
Show Answer
Answer: great
Example: The party was a great success.
Example: The party was a great success.
Practice Q.14
"Complete: part and ____."
Show Answer
Answer: parcel
Example: It is part and parcel of the job.
Example: It is part and parcel of the job.
Practice Q.15
"She ____ a deep breath before diving." (took / did / made)
Show Answer
Answer: took
Example: Take a deep breath and relax.
Example: Take a deep breath and relax.
Practice Q.16
"Rain or ____, the match will go on." (shine / dry / sun)
Show Answer
Answer: shine
Example: He goes jogging rain or shine.
Example: He goes jogging rain or shine.
Practice Q.17
"We should ____ use of this opportunity." (make / do / take)
Show Answer
Answer: make
Example: Make good use of your time.
Example: Make good use of your time.
Practice Q.18
"Complete: ladies and ____."
Show Answer
Answer: gentlemen
Example: (Already used; quick fix: "Complete: now or ____.")
Example: (Already used; quick fix: "Complete: now or ____.")
Practice Q.18
"Complete: now or ____."
Show Answer
Answer: never
Example: It's now or never.
Example: It's now or never.
Practice Q.19
"She ____ a degree in engineering." (has / owns / holds)
Show Answer
Answer: holds / has
Example: He holds a master's degree.
Example: He holds a master's degree.
Practice Q.20
"The project was a complete ____." (failure / fail / failing)
Show Answer
Answer: failure
Example: The plan was a total success.
Example: The plan was a total success.
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๐ Challenge Questions (10 Questions with Answers)
These involve trickier collocations and word pairs that are easily confused.
Challenge Q.1
"She was ____ pleased with the results." (highly / strongly / deeply)
Show Answer
Answer: highly
Example: The manager was highly impressed with her work.
Example: The manager was highly impressed with her work.
Challenge Q.2
"They are ____ in love with each other." (deeply / strongly / highly)
Show Answer
Answer: deeply
Example: They fell deeply in love.
Example: They fell deeply in love.
Challenge Q.3
"He made a ____ attempt to break the record." (bold / brave / strong)
Show Answer
Answer: bold
Example: She made a bold decision to quit her job.
Example: She made a bold decision to quit her job.
Challenge Q.4
"I have a ____ feeling that something is wrong." (sinking / sick / bad)
Show Answer
Answer: sinking
Example: He had a sinking feeling in his stomach.
Example: He had a sinking feeling in his stomach.
Challenge Q.5
"She let out a ____ sigh of relief." (deep / heavy / strong)
Show Answer
Answer: deep
Example: He took a deep breath.
Example: He took a deep breath.
Challenge Q.6
"The ____ of the matter is that we need more time." (truth / fact / heart)
Show Answer
Answer: truth / fact – but "the truth of the matter" or "the fact of the matter". "Heart of the matter" is also common.
Example: The fact of the matter is we arrived late.
Example: The fact of the matter is we arrived late.
Challenge Q.7
"Complete: skin and ____."
Show Answer
Answer: bone
Example: He was skin and bone after the illness.
Example: He was skin and bone after the illness.
Challenge Q.8
"She has a ____ interest in classical music." (keen / sharp / strong)
Show Answer
Answer: keen
Example: He has a keen sense of hearing.
Example: He has a keen sense of hearing.
Challenge Q.9
"The two leaders reached a ____ understanding." (mutual / common / shared)
Show Answer
Answer: mutual
Example: They have a mutual respect for each other.
Example: They have a mutual respect for each other.
Challenge Q.10
"It's a ____ time since we met." (long / big / great)
Show Answer
Answer: long
Example: It's been a long time since I saw her.
Example: It's been a long time since I saw her.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
FAQ 1
What is a collocation?
Show Answer
Answer: A collocation is a natural combination of words that are frequently used together. For example, "make a decision", "heavy rain", "strong coffee". They sound right to native speakers.
FAQ 2
What is the difference between 'make' and 'do' in collocations?
Show Answer
Answer: 'Make' often refers to creating or producing something (make a cake, make a decision, make an effort). 'Do' usually refers to activities, work, or general actions (do homework, do the dishes, do your best). There are many fixed exceptions.
FAQ 3
What are common word pairs?
Show Answer
Answer: These are fixed pairs of words often joined by 'and' or 'or', where the order is fixed. Examples: bread and butter, salt and pepper, black and white, law and order, pros and cons. The order usually cannot be reversed.
FAQ 4
Why should I learn collocations?
Show Answer
Answer: Learning collocations makes your English sound fluent and natural. Using wrong word combinations (like "do a mistake") immediately marks you as a non-native speaker. They also improve your writing and speaking scores in exams.
FAQ 5
How can I find collocations when reading?
Show Answer
Answer: Pay attention to words that often appear together. When you read a new word, note down the words around it. Use a collocations dictionary or an online corpus. Practice using them in sentences of your own.
