Shadowing Practice: 50 Common English Collocations — Definitions & Perfect Examples #englishcollocations #learnenglish - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Hello and welcome!
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Today we'll learn 50 high-frequency collocations that make your English sound natural.
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For each collocation, I'll give a short, clear definition and one strong example.
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If you can, say them aloud with me.
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Let's get started.
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Quick study tip before we begin.
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Learn collocations in chunks.
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For example, make plus noun, take plus noun, or common adjective plus noun pairs.
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Use each collocation in a short sentence so it sticks.
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Make a decision, to choose something after thinking.
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She made a quick decision to accept the job.
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Take a risk.
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To do something that might be dangerous or fail.
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He took a risk by investing his savings.
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Heavy rain.
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A lot of rain.
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We cancelled the picnic because of heavy rain.
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Strong coffee.
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Coffee with a powerful taste or a high amount of caffeine.
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Example, I need a cup of strong coffee this morning.
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Fast food, food that's prepared quickly, often unhealthy.
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Example, we had fast food on the way home.
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Pay attention, to focus on something.
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Example, please pay attention to the instructions.
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Have a rest, to stop working and relax for a while.
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Example You should have a rest before you continue Do homework To complete school assignments Example He does his homework after dinner
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Make an effort To try hard Example If you make an effort,
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you'll improve Take a break To stop working for a short time
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Example Let's take a break and get some fresh air Keep in mind Remember something when making a decision Example
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Keep in mind the deadline is next Friday Come to a conclusion To decide after thinking or discussion Example After the meeting,
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we came to a conclusion Give someone advice To offer a recommendation Example She gave me great advice about studying abroad.
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Catch a cold.
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To become ill with a cold.
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Example.
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I caught a cold after getting soaked.
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Break the law.
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To do something illegal.
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Example.
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Drivers who speed risk breaking the law.
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Meet a deadline To finish something by the required time Example We need to meet the deadline on Monday Save time
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To do something more quickly or efficiently Example Using templates will save time
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Raise awareness To make people more aware of an issue Example The campaign aims to raise awareness about recycling
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Run a business To manage or operate a company
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Example
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She runs a small bakery in the city gain experience to get knowledge
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or skill from doing something example you'll gain experience after a few months on the job
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Make progress to improve or move toward a goal.
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You've made great progress with your pronunciation.
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Take place to happen, usually an event.
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The concert will take place next Saturday.
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Break the news To tell someone important or bad news Example He had to break the news gently Set an example
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Behave in a way others should follow Example Teachers should set an example for students
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take responsibility accept duty for something example she took responsibility for the mistake
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make sense to be logical or understandable example that explanation makes perfect sense Take advantage of
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Use something for benefit, sometimes unfairly Example We should take advantage of this opportunity Come up with An idea
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To think of an idea or plan Example He came up with a clever solution Look forward to something
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To feel excited about a future event Example I look forward to seeing you next month Put up with
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Someone something Tolerate or accept something unpleasant Example I won't put up with that noise any longer
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Get along with Have a friendly relationship
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Example She gets along well with her co-workers Run out of Use all of something so none is left
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Example We ran out of sugar so I couldn't bake Carry out A plan,
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research Perform or complete a task Example The team carried out the experiment successfully Set up A meeting.
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Arrange or establish something.
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Example, I set up an interview for Monday.
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Fill out a form.
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Complete a form with required information.
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Example, please fill out this application form.
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Heavy traffic.
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A large amount of vehicles causing slow movement.
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Example, we were late because of heavy traffic.
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Bright future.
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A promising future with success.
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Example.
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With that training, she has a bright future.
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Pay a visit.
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Visit someone or someplace.
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Example.
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We paid a visit to the museum.
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Make a phone call.
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Phone someone.
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Example.
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I'll make a phone call to confirm the reservation.
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Draw attention to something.
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Make people notice something.
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Example, the bright poster drew attention to the event.
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Make a complaint.
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Express dissatisfaction formally.
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Example, he made a complaint about the service.
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Face serious consequences.
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Experience bad results from actions.
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Example, drivers who drink and drive may face serious consequences.
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Deeply concerned, very worried We are deeply concerned about the results Highly unlikely,
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very unlikely That outcome is highly unlikely Speak fluently,
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speak a language smoothly and naturally After practice, she can speak fluently.
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Apologize sincerely.
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Say sorry in a genuine way.
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He apologized sincerely for the delay.
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Work efficiently.
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Perform tasks productively and quickly.
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She works efficiently under pressure.
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Drive carefully Operate a vehicle with caution Example Drive carefully on wet roads Miss an opportunity
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Fail to take advantage of a chance Example He missed an opportunity to join the team Do someone a favor
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Help someone with a small kindness Could you do me a favor and pass the salt?
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Now, some common mistakes learners make with these collocations.
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I'll show the wrong version, then the correct version and a brief explanation.
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Number one, do a decision, make a decision.
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A wrong literal translation often leads to do a decision.
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Remember, you should always use make with decision.
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Number two, strong rain, heavy rain.
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Adjectives are not interchangeable.
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We say heavy rain, but strong coffee.
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You need to learn the natural pairings.
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Number three, look forward for, look forward to.
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Prepositions matter with verbs.
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It's always look forward to something.
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Number four, run out versus run out of.
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Saying we ran out sugar is incorrect.
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The correct form is we ran out of sugar.
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Number five, take advantage.
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This phrase must be take advantage of.
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You must include of plus an object.
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Number six, using synonyms blindly.
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For example, you do homework, but you make a mistake.
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You can't interchange do and make freely.
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It's important to learn which verb fits which noun.
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Number seven, translating collocations word for word.
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Literal translations from your first language which often create unnatural English.
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For example, don't say, make a silence.
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The correct phrase is fall silent.
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Number eight, wrong particle in phrasal verbs.
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Phrasal verbs like call off, call on, and call up each have completely different meanings.
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Using the wrong particle can change your message entirely.
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9. Formal versus informal mismatch.
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Make a phone call is neutral, while ring is British and informal.
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It's important to use the right expression based on the situation. And number 10.
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Overgeneralizing adjectives.
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You can say, very heavy rain, but very strong rain sounds unnatural.
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The key is to use the correct adjective pairing first.
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Keep practicing these collocations and your English will sound much more natural.
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Now, a short quiz.
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I'll read each question and all options.
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After each question, I'll give the correct answer and a short reason.
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Ready?
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Question 1.
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Choose the natural collocation.
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I need to a decision by tomorrow.
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A. Do.
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B. Make.
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C. Have.
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D. Take.
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Correct answer, B.
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Make We say make a decision,
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not do a decision Question 2 Which completes the sentence correctly?
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We of milk this morning A.
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Ran out B.
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Ran with C.
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Ran through D.
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Ran off Correct answer, A.
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Ran out The collocation is run out of something Question 3 Pick the most natural collocation That idea is plausible
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A. Deeply B.
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Strongly C.
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Highly D.
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Badly Correct answer, C, highly We commonly say highly plausible Deeply plausible is not natural
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Question 4 Fill in the blanks Don't advantage his kindness A,
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make of B, take of C, do with D.
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Get from Correct answer, B.
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Take of The collocation is take advantage of Question 5 Which of these is the incorrect collocation?
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A. Make a decision B.
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Heavy rain C.
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Strong rain D.
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Pay attention Write your answer in the comments.
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Tell us A, B, C, or D, and explain why you chose it.
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I'll read the best answers.
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Finally, if this lesson helped you, please like the video, subscribe for more natural English lessons, and comment which collocation surprised you,
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or which one you'll practice this week.
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I read every comment.
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Thank you for studying with me.
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Practice these collocations in your own sentences today.
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Goodbye!
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This B1 speaking lesson is built on the video “50 Common English Collocations — Definitions & Perfect Examples”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: example, collocation, decision, rain, correct. This video has 179 sentences and 1443 words to shadow. The speech runs for 15:31. The speaker talks slowly, about 93 words per minute, so there is time to copy every sound. Only 81% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding.
Key vocabulary in this video
The 15 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| collocation noun | /ˌkɑ.ləˈkeɪ.ʃən/ | The grouping or juxtaposition of things, especially words or sounds. |
| adjective noun | /ˈæd͡ʒ.ɪk.tɪv/ | A word that modifies a noun or noun phrase or describes a noun’s referent. |
| noun noun | /naʊn/ | A word that functions as the name of a specific object or set of objects, such as person, animal, place, word, thing, phenomenon, substance, quality, or idea… |
| verb noun | /vɝb/ | A word that indicates an action, event, or state of being. |
| plausible adjective | /ˈplɑ.zɪ.bəl/ | Seemingly or apparently valid, likely, or acceptable; conceivably true or likely. |
| efficiently adverb | In an efficient manner. | |
| deadline noun | /ˈdɛdˌlaɪn/ | A time limit in the form of a date on or before which something must be completed. |
| homework noun | /ˈhoʊmˌwɝk/ | Exercises assigned by a teacher to a student which review concepts studied in class. |
| unlikely adjective | /ʌnˈlaɪkli/ | Not likely; improbable; not to be reasonably expected. |
| fluently adverb | In a fluent manner, as expressing oneself easily, especially in a foreign language. | |
| phrasal adjective | /ˈfɹeɪzəl/ | Relating to, or used in the manner of, a phrase. |
| literal adjective | /ˈlɪt(ə)ɹəl/ | Exactly as stated; read or understood without interpretation; according to the letter; not figurative or metaphorical; following the letter or exact words; not… |
| informal adjective | /ɪnˈfɔɹ.m(ə)l/ | Not formal or ceremonious. |
| sincerely adverb | /sɪnˈsɪɹli/ | In a sincere or earnest manner; honestly. |
| particle noun | /ˈpɑɹtək(ə)l/ | A very small piece of matter, a fragment; especially, the smallest possible part of something. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| look forward to verb | To anticipate, expect, or wait for, especially with a feeling of approval or pleasure; to be excited or eager to. | |
| run out verb | To use up or consume all | |
| carry out verb | /ˈkæ.ɹi aʊt/ | To hold while moving it out. |
| come up with verb | To manage to produce, deliver, or present (something) by inventing, creating, thinking of, or obtaining it. | |
| fill out verb | /fɪl ˈaʊt/ | To complete a form or questionnaire with requested information. |
| put up with verb | To endure, tolerate, suffer through, or allow, especially something annoying. | |
| set up verb | /ˌsɛt ˈʌp/ | To make ready for use. |
| call off verb | To recall; to cancel or call a halt to. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- You've made great progress with your pronunciation.
- I'll make a phone call to confirm the reservation.
- You can't interchange do and make freely.
- I'll read each question and all options.
- I'll read the best answers.
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | is left · is run |
| Advice with “should” should + verb — saying what is a good idea | should have · should follow · should take |
| Verb + -ing enjoy, keep, stop… + -ing — verbs that are followed by the -ing form | stop working · Keep practicing |
| Possibility with “might / may” might/may + verb — something that is possible but not certain | might be · may face |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 16 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'll, you'll, don't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “th” sounds: smoothly /ˈsmuːðli/, unhealthy /ʌnˈhɛl.θi/
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: collocation /ˌkɑ.ləˈkeɪ.ʃən/, dissatisfaction /dɪsˌsætɪsˈfækʃən/, preposition /ˌpɹɛpəˈzɪʃən/, pronunciation /pɹəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/, reservation /ˌɹɛz.ɚˈveɪ.ʃən/
- Long words — get the stress right: collocation /ˌkɑ.ləˈkeɪ.ʃən/, apologize /əˈpɑləˌd͡ʒaɪz/, dissatisfaction /dɪsˌsætɪsˈfækʃən/, interchangeable /ɪntɚˈt͡ʃeɪnd͡ʒəbl̩/, preposition /ˌpɹɛpəˈzɪʃən/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like collocation, adjective, noun.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.