Collocations 1

1. Metaphor

• Light and Dark:

• Light: Associated with happiness. Examples:

• A face shines with pleasure.

• Eyes shine with excitement.

• Face lights up or eyes light up: Show sudden happiness.

• Atmosphere/mood lightens: Becomes relaxed or cheerful.

• Dark: Associated with unhappiness. Examples:

• Dark thoughts: Gloomy.

• Dark days/times: Difficult periods.

• Face/expression/eyes darken: Indicate anger or sadness.

• Water:

• Ideas flow/conversation flows: Smooth progression.

• Floods of tears: Crying a lot.

• People pour/stream: Large numbers moving smoothly.

• People trickle: Few people moving slowly.

• Stream of visitors/traffic: Continuous flow.

• Fire and Heat:

• Heated debate/discussion: Argumentative.

• Fiery temper: Anger-prone.

• Tempers flare: Anger erupts.

• Violence/troubles flare up: Problems worsen.

• Cheeks burn with embarrassment: Extreme shyness.

• Blaze of glory/publicity: Spectacular intensity.

2. Verbs and Common Mistakes

• Collocations with ‘Gaining, Winning, and Achieving’:

• Gain: Power, recognition, advantage (e.g., gained control of the National Assembly).

• Win: Awards, battles, elections (e.g., won a medal).

• Earn: Salary, money (e.g., earned $2110).

• Make: Profit, money.

• Achieve: Success, goals.

• Beat/Defeat: Opponents (e.g., beat a team, defeat an opponent).

• Common Mistakes:

• Take warm clothes, not carry.

• Carry a bag, not wear.

• Wear a dress, not use.

• Spend time/money, not pass.

3. Synonyms and Confusable Words

• Common Synonyms:

• Close/Shut: Close meetings, shut your mouth (informal).

• Start/Begin: Start a car, begin a project (formal).

• Big/Large: Big decision, large size.

• End/Finish: End a relationship, finish homework.

• Words with Similar Meanings:

• Old: Antique (valuable), elderly (polite).

• Lonely: Desperately lonely (emotional), solitary (isolated).

• Unique: Exceptional and singular.

• Other Synonym Pairs:

• Charge: Batteries.

• Load: Cargo or vehicles.

• Injure/Damage: Injured people, damaged sofa.

• Grow/Raise: Grow crops, raise animals.

4. Intensifying Adverbs

• Highly:

• Collocates: (Un)likely, unusual, successful, competitive.

• Example: Highly unusual behavior.

• Absolutely/Utterly:

• Collocates: Ridiculous, stupid, impossible, devastated.

• Example: Absolutely stupid comment.

• Bitterly/Deeply/Ridiculously/Strongly:

• Bitterly: Disappointed, resent, regret (e.g., bitterly disappointed).

• Deeply: Emotional feelings (e.g., deeply moved).

• Ridiculously: Extreme situations (e.g., ridiculously expensive).

• Strongly: Opinions (e.g., strongly recommend).