Collocation Study Notes – Page 1

have no choice but to do sth
• Meaning: when all alternatives are exhausted, one is compelled to act.
• Register: neutral → slightly formal; often used to justify an unwilling action.
• Example: They had no choice but to accept the merger after the shareholders’ vote.
• Pragmatics: softens responsibility (“external pressure made us do it”).
have no idea
• Two common readings: (1) literal ignorance; (2) emphatic understatement (“You have no idea how tough the exam was.”).
• Colligations: normally followed by a clause or wh-word phrase: I have no idea where he went.
have natural ability to do sth
• Synonyms: be gifted at, have a knack for.
• Pedagogical note: often paired with creative/athletic verbs – She has natural ability to draw portraits.
• Connected concept: “nature vs. nurture” debate in skill acquisition.
have the wish to do sth
• Slightly literary; more conversational equivalent → want to.
• Usage spike in formal letters: I have the wish to pursue graduate studies at…

hold a belief
• Meaning: to subscribe to a viewpoint.
• Syntax: subject + hold + (a) belief + that-clause.
• Example: Many economists hold the belief that inflation is principally a monetary phenomenon.
hold views about sth
• Near-synonym: harbor views on, be of the opinion that.
• Connotation: slightly detached, analytic.
• Cultural note: often used to introduce conflicting opinions politely.
hold one’s breath
• Literal: to stop breathing temporarily.
• Idiomatic: Don’t hold your breath = “Don’t expect it soon.”
hurt one’s feelings
• Pragmatic usage: acknowledges emotional impact; polite apology formula → I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings.

join hands (with sb)
• Meaning: cooperate, unite efforts.
• Metaphor evokes physical hand-holding → solidarity.
• Collocation: frequently follows to + infinitive purpose clause → Citizens joined hands to clean the beach.

keep/stay calm
• Imperative formula for emergency instructions.
• Cognitive science tie-in: calmness lowers cortisol, improving decision-making.
keep/stay in touch (with sb)
• Receives technological complements: via email, on WhatsApp.
keep/stay in contact (with sb)
• Slightly more formal than in touch.
keep in mind
• Discourse marker introducing reminders → Keep in mind that data are preliminary.
keep in shape / keep fit
• Health collocation; often paired with by + gerund: keep fit by cycling daily.
• Public-health relevance: reduces cardiovascular risk by $\approx 40\%$ when combined with diet.
keep track of sth
• Meaning: monitor or record continuously.
• Technological linkage: spreadsheets, tracking apps.
keep an eye on sth
• Semi-informal; vigilance nuance.
• Example: Could you keep an eye on the kids while I make dinner?
keep/stay on good terms with sb
• Sociolinguistic note: important in collectivist cultures to preserve harmony.
keep sb updated
• Business email staple → Please keep me updated on the shipment status.
keep one’s identity secret
• Key phrase in privacy law, journalism (anonymous sources).
• Related concept: whistle-blower protections.
keep one’s mind sharp
• Collocates with by + mental-exercise noun: by doing crosswords.
keep one’s promise / word
• Ethical implication: cornerstone of trust theory in philosophy.

land the job
• Colloquial for “secure employment”.
• Emotive nuance: triumph after effort.

lay / set the table
• Sociocultural note: etiquette manuals distinguish between lay (British) and set (American).
lay the foundation for sth
• Metaphorical: provide essential groundwork (literal construction origin).
• Example: The apprenticeship laid the foundation for her career.

launch the campaign
• Marketing/NGO usage.
• Process stages: plan → launch → monitor → evaluate.

lead a(n) + adj + life/lifestyle
• Productive slot: lead a hectic / sedentary / minimalist life.
• Stylistics: more formal than live.
• Sociological tie-in: life-course theory.
lead an independent life
• Disability studies: autonomy & assisted-living technologies.

lend an ear to sb/sth
• Meaning: listen sympathetically.
• Counseling disciplines emphasize active listening.

live under one roof
• Denotes cohabitation.
• Legal note: relevant for common-law marriage criteria in some jurisdictions.

lose face
• Cultural anthropology: concept of face (dignity/honor) in East Asian societies.
• Opposite: save face.
lose motivation
• Linked to self-determination theory; remedy: intrinsic goal setting.
lose contact with sb
• Contrasts with keep in touch.
lose track of sth
• Complement: time, expenses, conversation thread.
lose one’s temper
• Clinical psych: anger-management strategies.

lower one’s risk of sth
• Medical writing: regular exercise lowers one’s risk of cardiovascular disease by $25\% – 35\%$ .

make a balanced environment
• Often rephrased as create ecological balance.
• Intersects with biodiversity conservation.

make a choice (to do)
• Ethics: agency and volition; utilitarian decision matrices.
make a commitment
• Contract law: binding promise; personal development: commitment devices.
make a change
• SELF-HELP jargon: small habit shifts → compound effect.
make a comparison
• Statistics: ensures like-for-like baseline; beware of illusory correlation.
make a contribution to
• Academic publishing: This paper makes a significant contribution to…
• Tax contexts: pension contributions, charitable donations (U.S. 501(c)(3) framework).