CSS English: Collocations

In English , some words are regularly used in combination with others. The habitual and idiomatic use of this word combination is called "Collocation". For example, Strong coffee is a collocation while  

Powerful coffee is not so Powerful coffe is wrong.

Let's have a look at more examples:
 
1. A burning desire is correct while a blazing/firing desire is incorrect.
2. A blazing row is correct while a burning row is incorrect.
3. A heavy smoker is correct while a strong/devoted smoker is incorrect.
4. A crashing bore is correct while crashing nuisance is incorrect.
5. A golden opportunity is correct while a golden chance is incorrect.

Collocations add variety to your composition and give it a natural touch. Collocations also help convey exact expression of thoughts and ideas.

The followings are most important collocations used in writing and speaking:

Take
a break, an exam, a seat, a taxi ,someone's temperature ,a look, a chance, notes ,a rest , someone's place (Americans = Take a walk, a swim, a rest ,a shower, a bath),a breath, a seat.

Have
a headache ,a haircut, breakfast, lunch, supper, tea, coffee, a drink, a meal, a bath, a shave, a shower, a rest, a lie-down, a sleep, a dream, a good time, a bad day, a day off, a holiday, a good journey, a trip, a chat, a talk, a word with some one, a row, a quarrel, a fight, ,a holiday ,a bath, a drink, a rest ,a problem, a swim, a walk, a stroll, a ride, a dance, a try, a go, a game of tennis, a look, a baby, an accident, difficulty/trouble in, an operation, a nervous break-down, a phone call from, a shock, a surprise

Break
a leg ,a window ,the law ,a world record ,someone's heart ,a relationship ,a promise the rules ,a habit, the ice, the news to someone

Catch
a cold ,a bus ,someone's attention ,a ball ,a thief ,a fright ,a surprise ,fire ,someone's eye ,a mouse

Pay
attention, the bill, interest ,the price ,by check ,someone a visit, a salary ,cash ,someone a compliment ,wages

Keep
a pet, control, a promise ,calm ,someone's place ,an appointment, quiet ,a secret, a diary, the change

Save
time ,money ,someone's life, energy ,someone a seat, oneself trouble ,electricity, one's strength, space ,a penalty

Find
a partner, time, the answer, happiness ,the money ,a solution ,space ,a way, a replacement ,a cure

Go
mad ,wild ,crazy, white ,abroad ,missing, quiet ,bad ,dark, overseas,climbing,reading,swimming,hunting,sailing,shooting,riding,walking,shopping,skating

Give
a cough, a loud scream, a damn care, it a try/a miss/ a chance/a clean/a push/me a ride/ a ring, it a kick, an exam

Come
first, last, right ,early ,close ,prepared ,late, second ,complete, direct

Get
ready ,married ,started ,divorced ,burnt ,drunk ,angry ,lost ,worried, wet

Feel
tense, comfort able, happy ,free, nervous ,old ,disappointed ,proud ,sleepy, hurt

Miss
a goal a chance the point a flight a mess one's family a lesson one's home an opportunity an appointment someone's help

Get
home, frightened ,the sack, permission ,a surprise ,the message ,lost ,ready ,a job, nowhere, old, cold, hot, a drink.

Do
homework, the shopping ,the housework, someone a favor, business ,nothing ,the cooking, a job ,one's best, a thing, the accounts, the ironing, a lot of/some walking,reading,swimming,letter-writing,harm,good,sport,exercise,one’s hair/teeth/duty.

Make
progress ,an effort, money ,a mistake, furniture, a noise, the washing up ,trouble ,peace, a journey, an offer, arrangements, a suggestion, a decision, an attempt, an effort, an excuse, an exception, a mistake, a noise, a phone call, money, a profit, a fortune, love, war, a bed, a fire, progress.