FCE collocations: 100+ word partnerships for B2 First
Collocations are words that naturally go together, like make a decision or heavy traffic. This page lists more than 100 FCE collocations with make, do, take and have, adjective + noun pairs and dependent prepositions, each with an example. They are key to Use of English, covered in our Reading and Use of English guide.
By Eleanor BennettLast updated:
What collocations are and why they matter
A collocation is a pair or group of words that native speakers naturally use together. You make a mistake but you do your homework. Rain is heavy, not strong, but coffee is strong, not heavy. There is often no logical reason; it is simply how English works.
Collocations are one of the most tested areas in the Reading and Use of English paper:
- In Part 1 multiple-choice cloze, the four options often have similar meanings, and only one collocates with the word next to the gap.
- In Part 2 open cloze, many answers are dependent prepositions: rely on*, interested in*.
- In Part 4 key word transformation, one of the two marks is often for a collocation: Nobody noticed → Nobody paid attention to it.
Collocations also make your writing and speaking sound natural, which helps your marks in those papers. For words that link ideas, such as in spite of and as a result, see our linking words guide.
How to learn collocations
- 1
Record chunks, not single words
When you meet reach an agreement, write all three words, not just agreement. Add an example from what you read.
- 2
Organise by key word
Keep a page for make, do, take and have, and pages for common nouns like decision, problem and effort with all the verbs and adjectives that go with them.
- 3
Notice what is wrong, too
Mark collocations that are different in your language. A Spanish speaker might say make a photo; English says take a photo.
- 4
Test yourself with gaps
Cover the verb and try to remember it: ___ a risk, ___ progress, ___ damage. This is exactly what Part 1 asks you to do.
Collocation traps
Trap: Make vs do: do a mistake, make homework.
Fix: As a general rule, make is for creating or producing something (make a cake, a plan, a decision), and do is for tasks and work (do the washing-up, a course, research). Many collocations must simply be learned.
Trap: Translating adjectives: strong rain, big traffic, high wind.
Fix: Heavy rain, heavy traffic, strong wind. Check adjective + noun pairs in a learner's dictionary.
Trap: Wrong dependent preposition: depend of, interested about, good in.
Fix: Depend on, interested in, good at. Learn each word together with its preposition.
Trap: Using very with extreme adjectives: very delicious, very exhausted.
Fix: Use absolutely or really with extreme adjectives: absolutely delicious, completely exhausted.
Collocations with MAKE, DO, TAKE and HAVE
| Use it to… | Phrases |
|---|---|
| make |
|
| do |
|
| take |
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| have |
|
Other verb + noun collocations
| Use it to… | Phrases |
|---|---|
| verb + noun |
|
Adjective + noun and adverb + adjective collocations
| Use it to… | Phrases |
|---|---|
| adjective + noun |
|
| adverb + adjective |
|
Dependent prepositions
| Use it to… | Phrases |
|---|---|
| verb + preposition |
|
| adjective + preposition |
|
| noun + preposition |
|
Keep building your Use of English vocabulary
Collocations work best alongside the other reference pages in this hub. Many collocations include a phrasal verb, so see our phrasal verbs list. For the noun and adjective forms you need in Part 3, use the word formation list. Then put everything into practice with a timed multiple-choice cloze.
FCE collocations: FAQ
What is a collocation in FCE?
A collocation is a combination of words that naturally go together in English, such as make a decision, heavy rain or interested in. They are tested especially in Parts 1, 2 and 4.
How do I know whether to use make or do?
As a general rule, make is for creating or producing (a cake, a plan, a decision), and do is for activities, tasks and work (homework, research, the shopping). There are exceptions, so learn the common ones as chunks.
Which collocations come up most in Part 1?
Verb + noun collocations (take advantage, make progress), adjective + noun pairs (heavy traffic) and words with dependent prepositions (rely on, capable of) are very common.
How many collocations should I learn for B2 First?
There is no official list. Start with the 100+ on this page, then add new ones from your reading. Quality matters more than quantity: know them well enough to use them.
Do collocations help in Writing and Speaking too?
Yes. Natural collocations make your English sound more fluent and accurate, which supports your language marks in those papers.