If you want to sound more fluent and natural in English, one of the best ways is to learn collocations — words that commonly go together. For example, we say “take a break” (not make a break) and “do homework” (not make homework).
This article explains the most common verb collocations with have, take, do, make, go, get, and come, using clear examples and meanings. Perfect for students preparing for exams like IELTS, TOEFL, or improving spoken English.
What Are Collocations?
Collocations are natural word combinations that native speakers use automatically. They make speech and writing sound smooth and correct.
For example:
✅ I took a photo.
❌ I made a photo.Both verbs are correct English words, but “take a photo” is the right collocation.
Collocations are important because using the wrong one sounds unnatural — even if your grammar is correct.
Collocations with HAVE
The verb “have” is used to talk about experiences, meals, and activities.
Common Collocations:
- have a drink – Let’s have a drink after class.
- have a bath – She has a bath every morning.
- have breakfast / lunch / dinner – I usually have breakfast at 8 a.m.
- have a rest – You should have a rest after work.
Meaning:
We use have for everyday actions or things we do regularly.
Extra examples:
- I’m going to have a meeting with my teacher.
- They had a great time at the party.
Collocations with TAKE
The verb “take” is used for actions, opportunities, and breaks.
Common Collocations:
- take a break – Let’s take a short break.
- take a look – Can you take a look at this report?
- take an exam – I’m taking my driving exam next week.
- take a seat – Please take a seat.
- take a chance – You should take a chance and apply for the job.
Meaning:
Take often shows active action — when you choose to do something or use an opportunity.
Extra examples:
- She took a photo of the sunset.
- Don’t be afraid to take responsibility for your work.
Collocations with DO
The verb “do” is used for work, jobs, and general activities.
Common Collocations:
- do your work – You should do your work carefully.
- do nothing – He stayed home and did nothing.
- do the dishes – I’ll do the dishes after dinner.
- do your hair – She’s doing her hair for the party.
- do yoga – My mother does yoga every morning.
Meaning:
Use do for daily tasks, homework, or general activities.
Extra examples:
- I always do my best in exams.
- She does housework every weekend.
Collocations with MAKE
The verb “make” is used when we create, produce, or cause something.
Common Collocations:
- make a mess – The kids made a mess in the kitchen.
- make a difference – Small actions can make a big difference.
- make an effort – You must make an effort to improve your writing.
- make money – He made a lot of money last year.
- make the bed – I always make my bed in the morning.
Meaning:
Use make when something is created or produced (physically or emotionally).
Extra examples:
- You can make a decision later.
- That story really made me laugh.
Collocations with GO
The verb “go” is used with activities and movements.
Common Collocations:
- go home – I go home early every evening.
- go shopping – Let’s go shopping this weekend.
- go crazy – He’ll go crazy if he loses the game.
- go abroad – They went abroad last summer.
- go bankrupt – The company went bankrupt in 2020.
Meaning:
Use go to describe moving from one place to another or engaging in activities.
Extra examples:
- We go swimming every weekend.
- She went running in the park.
Collocations with COME
The verb “come” is used for movements toward you or results.
Common Collocations:
- come close – We came close to winning.
- come to an end – The movie came to an end at 10 p.m.
- come early – You should come early tomorrow.
- come first / last – He came first in the competition.
Meaning:
Come shows movement toward the speaker or reaching a result.
Extra examples:
- The idea came to me while reading.
- She came home after midnight.
Collocations with GET
The verb “get” is used for obtaining, becoming, or receiving something.
Common Collocations:
- get pregnant – She got pregnant last year.
- get lost – We got lost on the way to the airport.
- get ready – I need to get ready for school.
- get started – Let’s get started on the project.
- get a job – He finally got a job at a bank.
Meaning:
Use get to talk about changes, results, or achievements.
Extra examples:
- You should get some rest.
- He got angry when he heard the news.
Collocations with LET ME
The phrase “let me” is used to offer help, make suggestions, or request permission.
Common Collocations:
- let me know – Please let me know your decision.
- let me think – Let me think about it.
- let me help you – Let me help you with your bag.
- let me go – Please let me go now.
- let me see – Let me see what’s written here.
Meaning:
Use let me to speak politely or naturally when suggesting or offering help.
Extra examples:
- Let me explain this once more.
- Let me finish before you ask questions.
Quick Collocation Table
| Verb | Common Collocations | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Have | a drink, a bath, breakfast, a rest, lunch | I have lunch at 1 p.m. |
| Take | a break, a look, an exam, a seat, a chance | Take a look at this picture. |
| Do | your work, the dishes, your hair, yoga | She does yoga every day. |
| Make | a mess, a difference, an effort, money, the bed | Hard work makes a difference. |
| Go | home, shopping, crazy, abroad | We go shopping every Sunday. |
| Come | close, to an end, early, first, last | The concert came to an end. |
| Get | lost, ready, started, a job, pregnant | He got ready for school. |
| Let me | know, help you, go, think, see | Let me help you with your homework. |
Why Learn Collocations?
| Reason | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Improve Fluency | Helps you sound natural and confident. |
| Avoid Grammar Errors | Collocations are ready-made phrases. |
| Better Writing | Adds variety and accuracy to essays. |
| Higher Exam Scores | Essential for IELTS, TOEFL, and spoken tests. |
Practice Exercise
Fill in the blanks with the correct verb: have, take, do, make, go, get, come, or let me.
- I always _______ a shower before breakfast.
- Please _______ a seat.
- She _______ yoga every morning.
- We _______ abroad last summer.
- He _______ a big difference in my life.
- I need to _______ ready for class.
- The movie _______ to an end.
- _______ me know when you’re free.
Answers:
- have
- take
- does
- went
- made
- get
- came
- Let
FAQ
Q1. What are collocations in English?
Collocations are word combinations that naturally go together, like make a decision, do homework, or take a break.
Q2. Why are collocations important?
They make your English sound natural and help you avoid awkward expressions.
Q3. Can I say “do a break” or “make a break”?
No. The correct collocation is “take a break.”
Q4. How can I practice collocations?
Read English texts, note common word pairs, and use them in your daily conversations and writing.
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