COLLOCATIONS

2.1 Adjective + preposition A

A Complete each sentence with an adjective from the list on the left and a preposition from
the list on the right. You must use each adjective once only but you can use each preposition
more than once.

at
accustomed capable good relevant
for
afraid dependent jealous responsible
of
ashamed famous proud sensitive
on
aware full ready typical
to

1 She was her friend because she had a better dress.

2 The waste paper bin was crumpled sheets of paper.

3 This computer is producing sophisticated graphics.

4 The town is especially its elegant architecture.

5 I felt very making such a stupid mistake.

6 After weeks of preparation the hall is nearly the grand opening.

7 Could you add this up for me? I’m not very maths.

8 Who is writing those words on the wall?

9 She was so her nephew’s achievement that she couldn’t stop talking
about it.

10 It took some time to get the slower pace of life in the country after the
frantic atmosphere of the town.

11 We try to eat food which is the region in which we are travelling.

12 Are you any reason why he should be late?

13 They built nuclear power stations so as not to be coal as their main

source of energy.

14 This is not really our discussion so can we get back to the main point
of the meeting?

15 He sleeps with the light on because he’s the dark.

16 Be careful what you say to Scott. He’s very criticism and sulks for days.
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B Complete each group of collocations with the correct preposition.

1 accustomed peace and quiet 9 good her job

getting up late adding up
so much noise English

2 afraid the dark 10 jealous what other people do

making a mistake her rich friends
saying something silly his English!

3 ashamed yourself 11 proud her grandson

what I’ve done his work
doing a thing like that what he’s done

4 aware a strange smell 12 ready anything

people staring bed
looking rather untidy the next question

5 capable high speeds 13 relevant the argument

working fast our discussion
anything! the problem

6 dependent imports 14 responsible the equipment

how he feels making a mess
what happens France and Italy

7 famous its museums 15 sensitive that detergent

making pottery any movement
his paintings criticism

8 full pride 16 typical the region

fun the way he acts
dark blue liquid people who …
2.2 Verb + preposition A

A Complete each sentence with the correct form of one of the verbs below and the preposition
from or on. Use each verb once only.

borrow depend insist rely

concentrate differ operate resign
congratulate economise prevent retire
decide escape recover suffer

1 She her job after she was offered another with more responsibility and
a higher salary.

2 He might come. It will how he feels.

3 You must the road when you’re driving!

4 He got very annoyed and seeing the manager.

5 The surgeon her immediately and saved her life.

6 I decided to my job early even though it meant I wouldn’t get such a

good pension.

7 It will take her weeks to such a major operation so she won’t be back
at work for some time.

8 We had security men on the door to unwanted guests getting into

the party.

9 I’ve sent her a card to her passing her test.

10 The bank wouldn’t lend me the money so I had to it my parents.

11 This design slightly the first one I showed you.

12 I backache so I have to go to a physiotherapist once a week.

13 After weeks of discussion they’ve finally the new colour scheme for the
staff canteen.

14 They managed to the prison by bribing a guard.

15 You can Frances to keep you up to date with all the latest gossip.

16 With less money coming, we’ll have to food and other necessities.
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B Now put the correct preposition in each group of collocations.

1 borrow (a book) the library 9 insist good service

my parents seeing her
a friend of his punctuality

2 concentrate your work 10 operate a patient

driving
what I’m doing

3 congratulate his results 11 prevent doing something

her success leaving
winning cheating

4 decide a colour scheme 12 recover a cold

which to choose a serious illness
the (blue) one a nasty shock

5 depend imports 13 rely every employee

how I feel you
if I have time the bus service

6 differ the others 14 resign the committee

what I expected his job
what I wanted

7 economise fuel 15 retire work at 65

electricity
food

8 escape prison 16 suffer a headache

this routine toothache
the crowd a bad cold

Notice when you need an -ing form of the verb. This is important in the exam.
2.3 Verb + noun + preposition A

A In this exercise you must complete each sentence with a suitable verb and preposition from
the lists below. You may use each verb or preposition more than once. Make sure you use the
correct form of the verb!

catch lose pay take

of on to
keep make put

1 She advantage her father’s good mood and asked if her boyfriend could
stay for dinner.

2 Was anybody attention what she was saying?

3 Could you care our dog while we’re on holiday?

4 She charge the project when Mr East was away.

5 I’ve count the number of times he’s said that.

6 Could you an eye the washing while I’m out?

7 I wish she wouldn’t such a fuss her nephew! You can see he really hates it!

8 no notice him! He’s just showing off!

9 The salesman started to pressure her to sign the agreement

straightaway.

10 While I was watching the match, I sight them standing at the back of
the crowd.

11 We must a stop all this arguing.

12 Don’t forget you’ll have to tax that money you earned, so you’re not as
rich as you thought you were!

13 Bill great exception Mary’s remark and didn’t speak to her for
the rest of the day.

14 My new supervisor was so bossy that I an instant dislike him