Complete Guide: How to Use the English Collocations Dictionary
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on using the English Collocations Dictionary! Whether you're an English learner, teacher, writer, or language enthusiast, this guide will help you get the most out of our dictionary's features.
Understanding the Dictionary Structure
Our dictionary is built around four key concepts: Words, Collocations, Phrases, and With Search. Let's explore each one.
Words (Headwords)
A word (also called a headword or entry) is the starting point of your search. These are the base words around which collocations are organized.
What You'll Find on a Word Page
When you visit a word page like /word/decision, you'll see:
- The headword (e.g., "decision")
- Word type (noun, verb, adjective, etc.)
- Total number of collocations available
- Categories organizing the collocations by grammatical pattern
- All collocations with that word, including examples and frequency data
Example: The Word "Decision"
The word "decision" has over 100 collocations organized into categories like:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| ADJECTIVE + decision | right decision, important decision, final decision |
| VERB + decision | make a decision, reach a decision, announce a decision |
| decision + VERB | decision comes, decision affects |
| decision + NOUN | decision maker, decision process |
Each category shows different grammatical patterns for how words combine with "decision."
Collocations
A collocation is a word that naturally combines with the headword. It's the modifier or accompanying word in the word pair.
Understanding Collocation Data
Each collocation entry shows:
- The collocation word (e.g., "right" in "right decision")
- The complete phrase (e.g., "right decision")
- Usage explanation - what the combination means
- Frequency score (1-10) - how common it is in English
- Frequency per million - occurrences per million words in real texts
- Example sentences - showing the collocation in context
Frequency Scores Explained
| Score | Level | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 7-10 | High | Very common, essential to learn |
| 4-6 | Medium | Moderately common, useful to know |
| 1-3 | Low | Less frequent, for advanced learners |
A high frequency score means native speakers use this combination very often. For example, "make a decision" (score: 9+) is much more common than "arrive at a decision" (score: 5).
Phrases
A phrase is the complete collocation expression—the headword combined with its collocation. Each phrase has its own detailed page.
What You'll Find on a Phrase Page
Visit a phrase page like /phrase/right-decision to see:
- The complete phrase with pronunciation guide
- Translation (if you've selected a non-English interface language)
- Detailed usage explanation
- The grammatical category it belongs to
- All example sentences (not just a preview)
- Frequency information
- Link back to the parent word
Why Phrase Pages Matter
Phrase pages give you the deep dive you need to truly understand how a collocation is used. The example sentences show:
- Different grammatical contexts
- Various tenses and forms
- Real-world usage patterns
- Common sentence structures
The "With" Search Feature
The "with" search is one of our most powerful features. It lets you search for all collocations containing a specific word, regardless of which headword they belong to.
How to Use "With" Search
Visit /with/strong to find all phrases containing "strong":
- strong accent (with "accent")
- strong belief (with "belief")
- strong coffee (with "coffee")
- strong economy (with "economy")
- strong evidence (with "evidence")
- ...and many more!
When to Use "With" Search
Use this feature when you want to:
- Learn a word's collocational range - See all the different words that combine with "strong," "make," "take," etc.
- Compare similar words - Search "strong" vs "powerful" to see which nouns each one typically modifies
- Find the right modifier - If you know you want to describe something intensely, search for words like "highly," "deeply," or "strongly"
Example: "Strong" vs "Powerful"
| strong + noun | powerful + noun |
|---|---|
| strong coffee | powerful engine |
| strong accent | powerful computer |
| strong economy | powerful nation |
| strong evidence | powerful tool |
Both words mean "having great force," but they combine with different nouns. This is why collocations matter!
Categories
Collocations are organized into categories based on grammatical patterns. Browse all categories at /categories.
Common Category Types
| Category Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| ADJECTIVE + noun | important decision, heavy rain |
| VERB + noun | make a decision, take a photo |
| ADVERB + adjective | highly recommended, deeply concerned |
| VERB + adverb | speak fluently, breathe deeply |
| noun + VERB | decision affects, rain falls |
| noun + NOUN | decision maker, coffee shop |
Understanding categories helps you recognize patterns and predict new collocations.
Practical Tips for Using the Dictionary
For English Learners
- Start with high-frequency collocations - Focus on scores of 7+ first
- Learn in context - Read all the example sentences
- Use translations - Switch to your native language for explanations
- Practice actively - Try writing your own sentences
For Writers
- Check your word combinations - Verify that your collocations sound natural
- Find alternatives - Use "with" search to discover synonymous expressions
- Add variety - Find different collocations to avoid repetition
For Teachers
- Use categories for lessons - Teach patterns, not just individual phrases
- Compare frequency scores - Help students prioritize what to learn
- Create exercises - Use example sentences as gap-fill activities
Why Learn Collocations?
Collocations are the key to natural-sounding English. Here's why they matter:
1. Native Speakers Think in Collocations
When native speakers want to express that a decision was correct, they automatically say "right decision" or "good decision"—not "correct decision" or "proper decision." These word pairs are stored together in their mental lexicon.
2. Grammar Alone Isn't Enough
You can say "do a decision" and be grammatically correct, but no native speaker would say this. Collocations are about usage, not grammar rules.
3. Collocations Improve All Skills
- Speaking: Retrieve phrases faster, sound more fluent
- Writing: Produce more natural, professional text
- Listening: Recognize common phrases instantly
- Reading: Comprehend texts more quickly
4. They're Everywhere
Research shows that up to 70% of everything we say, hear, read, and write consists of fixed or semi-fixed expressions, including collocations.
Getting Started
Ready to explore? Here are some suggested starting points:
- Browse popular words: Start with common words like ability, decision, or time
- Explore categories: See the patterns at /categories
- Try "with" search: Look up common adjectives like strong, good, or high
- Browse A-Z: Discover new words at /browse/words
Happy learning, and may all your collocations be natural ones!