Collocations are words that simply go together: you make a mistake but take a break, and you do the dishes rather than make them. Nothing in the grammar says so, which is why learners get them wrong and why a list of them is worth learning from.
About the levels: Recommended learner level (estimate from two models + word-level floor), not an official CEFR grading.
Read the mistake line under an entry. A collocation error is usually a correct word in the wrong pair (do a mistake, make a break), and the fix is to learn the pair as one unit.
Group them by the verb when you study: everything you make, everything you do, everything you take. The groups are easier to remember than single pairs.
moving repeatedly from one place to another and back, or changing between two choices. (B1)
Pattern: subject + verb (usually 'go', 'walk', 'rock', or 'swing') + back and forth
Wrong: We walked back and front in the waiting room because we were nervous. Right: We walked back and forth in the waiting room because we were nervous. The correct English idiom is 'back and forth', not 'back and front'.
to have the ability, time, or opportunity to do something (B1)
Pattern: subject + be (am/is/are/was/were/will be) + able + to + infinitive
Wrong: I will can help you tomorrow. Right: I will be able to help you tomorrow. The modal verb 'can' does not have a future form with 'will'. You must use 'will be able to' instead.
Do not use 'can' and 'be able to' together; choose one or the other.
to feel guilty, embarrassed, or bad about something you did or are connected to (B1)
Pattern: subject + be + ashamed + of + noun/pronoun/gerund
Wrong: I am ashamed for my bad English. Right: I am ashamed of my bad English. In English, we use the preposition 'of' after 'ashamed', not 'for'.
Always use the preposition 'of' after 'ashamed', never 'for' or 'about'.
to be conscious and not sleeping (A2)
Pattern: subject + be + awake
Do not confuse 'be awake' (a state) with 'wake up' (the action of stopping sleep).
to feel unhappy or tired because you have nothing to do or find something uninteresting (A2)
Pattern: subject + be + bored (+ with/by + noun/gerund)
Wrong: I am very boring in this class. Right: I am very bored in this class. Using 'boring' means you are an uninteresting person, whereas 'bored' describes your feeling of boredom.
Do not confuse 'be bored' (how you feel) with 'be boring' (the thing that makes you feel that way).
to come out of your mother's body and start your life (A2)
Pattern: subject + was/were + born (+ in/on + time/place)
Wrong: I borned in a small town. Right: I was born in a small town. The word 'born' is not a regular verb in modern English; you must use 'was' or 'were' before it.
This phrase is almost always used in the past tense ('was/were born') when talking about someone who is already alive.
to have a specific name (A1)
Pattern: subject + be + called + name
Wrong: I call John. Right: I am called John. Without the verb 'to be', the sentence means you are making a phone call to John, not that your name is John.
Remember that 'called' is a participle here, so you must always use the verb 'to be' before it.
to have a friendly relationship with someone and enjoy spending time with them (A1)
Pattern: subject + be friends + [optional: with + person]
Wrong: I am friend with my colleague. Right: I am friends with my colleague. In English, you must use the plural form 'friends' in this structure, even if you are talking about a relationship with just one person.
Always use the plural 'friends' even when talking about your relationship with only one person (e.g., 'I am friends with him', not 'I am friend with him').
to be typical behavior for a specific person (B1)
Pattern: It + be + (just/so) like + someone + to-infinitive
This pattern is almost always used with 'it' as the dummy subject, as in 'It is just like him to...'
to have a menstrual period that is starting later than expected, often suggesting pregnancy (B1, informal)
Pattern: subject (woman / her period) + be late
Wrong: I have a late period this month. Right: I am late this month. While grammatically correct, native speakers almost always use 'be late' with the person as the subject, or say 'my period is late'.
This is a colloquial and personal expression; in formal medical contexts, use 'delayed menstruation' or 'missed period'.
To seem as if something is true, or to feel as though something is happening. (B1)
Pattern: subject + be (am/is/are/was/were) + like + clause or noun
Do not confuse this with the verb 'like' (to enjoy); here, 'like' is a preposition and requires the verb 'to be' before it.
to have similar qualities, appearance, or character to another thing or person (A2)
Pattern: subject + be (am/is/are/was/were) + like + noun/pronoun
Wrong: My new phone likes my old one. Right: My new phone is like my old one. Without the verb 'to be', the sentence means the phone has feelings of affection, rather than being similar.
In this structure, 'like' is a preposition, not a verb, so you must use the verb 'to be' before it.
to have the correct opinion, answer, or judgment about something (A2)
Pattern: subject + be + right (+ about + noun/pronoun)
Do not use the verb 'have' with this phrase; always use the verb 'be' (am, is, are, was, were).
to be true or to be the actual situation (B2)
Pattern: it + be + the case (that...)
Wrong: I thought he was angry, but it wasn't the truth. Right: I thought he was angry, but that wasn't the case. While 'not the truth' is grammatically correct, 'not the case' is the natural collocation used to say that a specific situation or assumption is not true.
It is almost always used with 'it' as the subject (e.g., 'if that is the case' or 'this might not be the case').
to make a mistake in your opinion, judgment, or statement (A2)
Pattern: subject + be + wrong (+ about + noun/pronoun)
Wrong: I have wrong, the shop is already closed. Right: I am wrong, the shop is already closed. In English, we use the verb 'to be' with 'wrong', not the verb 'to have' as in some other languages.
Do not use 'have' instead of 'be' when expressing this state in English.
to tell someone important, often sad or shocking, information for the first time (B2)
Pattern: subject + break the news + to + someone
Wrong: I need to break the news to you that we are meeting at 5 PM instead of 4 PM. Right: I need to let you know that we are meeting at 5 PM instead of 4 PM. 'Break the news' is too dramatic and serious for a simple change of meeting time.
Do not use this for positive, everyday updates; it is usually reserved for serious, difficult, or life-changing information.
to tell someone bad, sad, or shocking news in a gentle way (B2)
Pattern: subject + break it + to + person
Wrong: I don't know how to break it you. Right: I don't know how to break it to you. You must always use the preposition 'to' before the person you are telling the news to.
This phrase is almost always used with the pronoun 'it' (break it to someone) or with the noun 'news' (break the news to someone).
to try to do something but fail, even though you are trying hard (B1)
Pattern: subject + can't seem to + verb
Wrong: I seem to cannot open this door. Right: I can't seem to open this door. In English, 'can't' must come before 'seem', followed by 'to' and the infinitive.
This phrase is always followed by an infinitive verb with 'to' (e.g., 'can't seem to find'), not a gerund.
to feel forced to do or feel something because there is no other logical choice (C1, formal)
Pattern: subject + cannot but + bare infinitive (verb without 'to')
Wrong: I cannot but to feel sorry for him. Right: I cannot but feel sorry for him. The phrase 'cannot but' must be followed by a bare infinitive (without 'to').
Do not use this in casual, everyday conversation; it sounds very literary and old-fashioned in speech.
to suddenly become very popular, successful, or widely accepted (B2)
Pattern: subject (idea/trend/product) + catch fire
Wrong: The new mobile application caught a fire among young teenagers. Right: The new mobile application caught fire among young teenagers. The phrase 'catch fire' is a fixed collocation and does not take an article ('a') before the word 'fire'.
Be careful not to confuse this figurative meaning with the literal one, which means to start burning.
to start talking about something else, especially to avoid an uncomfortable or difficult topic (B1)
Pattern: subject + change the subject
Wrong: She didn't want to talk about her exam, so she changed the theme. Right: She didn't want to talk about her exam, so she changed the subject. In English, we change the 'subject' of a conversation. 'Theme' is used for the main artistic idea of a book, movie, or party.
to arrive and leave, or to appear and disappear after a short time (B1)
Pattern: subject + come and go
Wrong: I watched the people coming and leaving in the hotel lobby. Right: I watched the people coming and going in the hotel lobby. In English, the natural paired expression for arriving and departing is 'come and go', not 'come and leave'.
When referring to feelings or pain, it is often used in the continuous form: 'coming and going'.
to formally or officially appear in front of an authority figure, judge, or committee (C1, formal)
Pattern: subject + come before + person/authority
Wrong: I had to come before my mom to ask for permission to go to the party. Right: I had to go to my mom to ask for permission to go to the party. 'Come before' is too formal and official for a casual family situation.
Do not use this in everyday, casual situations; it is reserved for official, legal, or historical contexts.
to be presented to an official person, court, or committee to be judged or decided (C1, formal)
Pattern: subject (issue/case/proposal) + come before + object (court/committee/judge)
Wrong: The judge will come before the case tomorrow morning. Right: The case will come before the judge tomorrow morning. The subject must be the issue or case being decided, and the object must be the authority doing the judging, not the other way around.
Do not use this in casual, everyday conversations; it is reserved for formal meetings, courts, or councils.
to return to the house where you live (A2)
Pattern: subject + come home (+ adverb of time)
Wrong: I am tired, I want to come to home. Right: I am tired, I want to come home. In English, we do not use the preposition 'to' before the word 'home' with verbs of movement.
Do not use the preposition 'to' before 'home' (do not say 'come to home').
to be fully understood or realized by someone, especially in a sudden or deeply emotional way (C1, formal)
Pattern: something + comes home to + someone
Wrong: The danger came home to me when I heard the siren. Right: The danger really came home to me when I heard the siren. Without an intensifier like 'really' or 'fully', or a clear context, the phrase can sound confusingly literal to a listener.
Do not confuse this figurative meaning with the literal action of returning to one's house.
to move quickly on foot toward someone who is calling or waiting (A2)
Pattern: subject + come running (+ to + someone)
Wrong: The dog came to run to me when I called his name. Right: The dog came running to me when I called his name. To describe the action of approaching someone by running, use the structure 'come + -ing' (come running), not 'come + infinitive'.
Do not confuse this literal physical movement with the idiomatic meaning 'to eagerly do whatever someone asks'.
to quickly go to help someone as soon as they ask or need you (B1)
Pattern: subject + come running (+ to someone / when someone calls)
This phrase is usually figurative; the person helping does not literally have to run to get to you.
to finally agree to join a deal, project, or agreement, or to start cooperating (B2, informal)
Pattern: subject + come to the party
Wrong: We invited the investors to the meeting and they came to the party. Right: We invited the investors to the meeting and they agreed to the deal. Using 'come to the party' right after mentioning a meeting makes it sound like they attended a physical celebration instead of agreeing to an outcome.
Do not use this if you are talking about an actual social event with music and drinks.
to intentionally kill yourself (B2)
Pattern: subject + commit suicide
Wrong: He decided to make suicide because of his financial problems. Right: He decided to commit suicide because of his financial problems. In English, we use the verb 'commit' with suicide, not 'make' or 'do'.
In modern English, many people prefer the phrase 'take one's own life' or 'die by suicide' as they are considered more sensitive and less judgmental.
used to say that you want, need, or would benefit from having something (B1, informal)
Pattern: subject + could use + noun
Wrong: I can use a break after this long meeting. Right: I could use a break after this long meeting. To express that you need or want something right now, you must use 'could use', not 'can use'.
This phrase is always used in the past tense form 'could use', even when talking about the present or future.
to buy, sell, or trade goods and services with a person or a company (B1)
Pattern: subject + do business + (with + someone/company)
Wrong: We make business with many international clients. Right: We do business with many international clients. In English, we use the verb 'do' with 'business', not 'make'.
Always use the preposition 'with' to connect the phrase to the person or company you are trading with.
to have a useful, helpful, or positive effect on someone or something (B1)
Pattern: subject + do + (someone/something) + good
Wrong: I got a new job and I hope I will do good there. Right: I got a new job and I hope I will do well there. To 'do good' means to help others or have a positive effect, whereas 'do well' means to be successful in your performance.
Do not confuse this with 'do well', which means to be successful or perform a task successfully.
to satisfy, please, or be attractive to someone (B2, informal)
Pattern: subject + do it + (for + someone)
This is highly informal and colloquial; do not use it in professional or academic writing.
to not take any action or to remain inactive when you could act (A2)
Pattern: subject + do nothing (+ about + noun)
Wrong: We didn't do nothing about the broken window. Right: We did nothing about the broken window. In English, double negatives are grammatically incorrect. You must use 'did nothing' or 'didn't do anything'.
Remember that 'nothing' is already negative, so do not use it with 'don't' or 'doesn't'.
to perform an action or experience something that you have never done before (A2)
Pattern: subject + verb + (object) + for the first time
Wrong: I saw the ocean for first time last year. Right: I saw the ocean for the first time last year. You must always include the article 'the' in the phrase 'for the first time'.
Always use the definite article 'the' before 'first time' in this structure.
to wash and dry the plates, cups, knives, forks, and spoons after a meal (A2)
Pattern: subject + do the dishes
Wrong: I need to wash the dishes, so I will make the dishes now. Right: I need to wash the dishes, so I will do the dishes now. In English, we use the verb 'do' with 'dishes', not 'make'.
Do not use 'make the dishes', as 'make' means to cook or create them.
to wash clothes, sheets, and towels (B1)
Pattern: subject + do the laundry
Wrong: I need to make the laundry because I have no clean shirts. Right: I need to do the laundry because I have no clean shirts. In English, we use the verb 'do' for chores like laundry, not 'make'.
Do not use the verb 'make' with laundry; always use the verb 'do'.
to be successful, healthy, or to make good progress in life, school, or work (A2)
Pattern: subject + do well (+ in/at + noun)
Do not confuse this with 'do good', which means to perform helpful or moral actions for others.
to make a point very clear and understood by emphasizing it strongly (B2)
Pattern: subject + drive + noun/pronoun + home
Wrong: The teacher drove home her point to the students. Right: The teacher drove her point home to the students. While 'drive home a point' is possible, it is much more natural and common to place the object (especially 'point' or a pronoun) between 'drive' and 'home'.
Do not confuse this figurative meaning with the literal action of driving a car to one's house.
To hit a nail, peg, or screw fully into a surface using force. (C1)
Pattern: subject + drive + noun (nail/screw/peg) + home
Wrong: I drove the nail to home with a hammer. Right: I drove the nail home with a hammer. In this collocation, 'home' acts as an adverb meaning 'into the fully closed or proper position' and does not take the preposition 'to'.
Do not confuse this physical sense with the much more common figurative meaning 'to make someone fully understand something'.
to start sleeping (A2)
Pattern: subject + fall asleep (+ modifier like 'quickly' or 'while doing something')
Wrong: I was very tired, so I went to fall asleep at 10 PM. Right: I was very tired, so I went to sleep at 10 PM. We do not use 'go to' with 'fall asleep'. You can 'go to sleep' or simply 'fall asleep'.
Do not confuse this with 'go to sleep', which often describes the intentional action of getting into bed to sleep.
to become sick or start to suffer from an illness (B1)
Pattern: subject + fall ill + (with + illness)
Wrong: I cannot come to work today because I fell ill. Right: I cannot come to work today because I'm sick. 'Fall ill' sounds too formal and dramatic for a routine call-in to work; 'get sick' or 'be sick' is much more natural here.
Do not use this in very casual, everyday conversation; native speakers usually say 'get sick' instead.
to start to have strong romantic feelings for another person (A2)
Pattern: subject + fall in love + (with + someone)
Always use the preposition 'with' if you want to mention the person; do not use 'into' or 'to'.
to start to have very strong feelings of love and attraction for someone or something (A2)
Pattern: subject + fall in love + (with + noun/pronoun)
Wrong: She fell in love into her classmate. Right: She fell in love with her classmate. In English, we fall in love 'with' someone, not 'into' or 'to' someone.
Always use the preposition 'with' if you want to mention the person or thing you love; do not use 'into'.
to feel sick, ill, or physically uncomfortable (A2)
Pattern: subject + feel bad
Wrong: My head hurts and I feel badly. Right: My head hurts and I feel bad. After verbs of sensation like 'feel', we use adjectives (bad), not adverbs (badly).
Do not confuse this physical meaning with feeling guilty or sorry about something.
to feel sorry, guilty, or sad because you did something wrong or hurt someone (A2)
Pattern: subject + feel bad + about + noun / -ing verb
Wrong: I feel badly that I lied to you. Right: I feel bad that I lied to you. After verbs of sensation like 'feel', we use the adjective 'bad', not the adverb 'badly'.
Do not confuse this with 'feel badly', which is grammatically incorrect in this context, or 'feel bad' meaning physically ill.
to look for a job or to successfully get a job (A2)
Pattern: subject + find work (+ modifier, e.g., as a teacher / in London)
Wrong: He is trying to find a work in Prague. Right: He is trying to find work in Prague. The noun 'work' is uncountable when it means employment, so you cannot use the indefinite article 'a' with it.
Do not use 'a' before 'work' because 'work' is uncountable in this context.
to become heavier or fatter (A2)
Pattern: subject + gain weight
Wrong: I need to gain my weight because I am too thin. Right: I need to gain weight because I am too thin. Do not use a possessive pronoun (my, your, his) before 'weight' in this phrase.
to become more influential, respected, or taken more seriously (C1, formal)
Pattern: subject (an idea, argument, or theory) + gain weight
Wrong: After the research was published, his opinion gained a big weight. Right: After the research was published, his opinion gained weight. The collocation 'gain weight' is uncountable in this sense and does not take an article or adjectives like 'big' in this way.
Do not confuse this metaphorical meaning with the much more common physical meaning of putting on body fat.
to have sex on a regular basis (used mainly in questions or negative sentences) (C1, slang)
Pattern: subject + be + not + getting any / be + subject + getting any?
Wrong: He is sad because he doesn't get any. Right: He is sad because he isn't getting any. This phrase is almost always used in the continuous form ('getting any') to describe a temporary ongoing state in a person's life.
This is a highly informal, euphemistic slang phrase that can be seen as vulgar or intrusive; never use it in polite or formal contexts.
to become higher in quality, or to recover from an illness (A2)
Pattern: subject + get better (+ at + noun/gerund)
Wrong: I want to get more better at playing the guitar. Right: I want to get better at playing the guitar. The word 'better' is already comparative, so adding 'more' is grammatically incorrect.
Do not use 'get more better' or 'get more good'; 'better' is already a comparative form.
to put clothes on your body (A2)
Pattern: subject + get dressed
Wrong: I got dressed my red sweater because it was cold. Right: I put on my red sweater because it was cold. 'Get dressed' does not take a direct object. To mention a specific item of clothing, use 'put on'.
Do not use 'get dressed' with a specific piece of clothing; use 'put on' instead (e.g., say 'put on a coat', not 'get dressed a coat').
to drink too much alcohol so that you lose control of your actions and feelings (B1)
Pattern: subject + get drunk + (on + type of alcohol)
While neutral, it can sound slightly direct or negative; in polite or formal contexts, 'have too much to drink' is preferred.
to start happening, or to start working on something (B1)
Pattern: subject + get going
Wrong: We need to get going the project as soon as possible. Right: We need to get the project going as soon as possible. When 'get going' is used transitively to mean 'start something', the object must go between 'get' and 'going'.
Do not confuse this with the informal meaning 'to leave' (e.g., 'I must get going').
to start traveling, leave a place, or begin a journey (A2, informal)
Pattern: subject + must/should/had better + get going
Do not use this in formal writing or official business contexts; use 'depart' or 'leave' instead.
to arrive at the place where you live (A1)
Pattern: subject + get home (+ time/method)
Wrong: I was tired when I got to home. Right: I was tired when I got home. The word 'home' acts as an adverb here, so we do not use the preposition 'to' before it.
Do not use the preposition 'to' before 'home' with this phrase.
to contact someone by writing to them or calling them (B1)
Pattern: subject + get in touch + with + person
Wrong: I will get in touch to him tomorrow. Right: I will get in touch with him tomorrow. The correct preposition after 'get in touch' is 'with', not 'to'.
Always use the preposition 'with' if you mention the person you are contacting.
to face punishment or anger from someone in authority because you did something wrong (B1)
Pattern: subject + get into trouble + (with someone) + (for doing something)
to face problems, difficulties, or punishment because you did something wrong or made a mistake (B1)
Pattern: subject + get into trouble + (with someone / for doing something)
Wrong: I got into a big trouble when I lost my passport. Right: I got into big trouble when I lost my passport. The noun 'trouble' is uncountable in this collocation, so you cannot use the indefinite article 'a'.
Do not use an article before 'trouble'; say 'get into trouble', not 'get into a trouble'.
to understand a joke, an explanation, or a situation (A2, informal)
Pattern: subject + get it (often used in the negative 'don't get it')
Wrong: I explained the rules to him, but he didn't understand it. Right: I explained the rules to him, but he didn't get it. While 'understand it' is grammatically correct, native speakers almost always use the informal 'get it' when talking about catching on to a concept or explanation in everyday speech.
Avoid using this in formal writing or academic contexts, where 'understand' or 'comprehend' is preferred.
to become unable to find your way, or to go missing so that others cannot find you (A2)
Pattern: subject + get lost
Wrong: I lost myself in the city center yesterday. Right: I got lost in the city center yesterday. In English, we say 'get lost' when we lose our way, not 'lose myself' (which means to be deeply absorbed in something).
Be careful, because 'Get lost!' is also a very rude informal way to tell someone to go away.
to not know where you are or how to go to a place (A2)
Pattern: subject + get lost (+ in + place)
Wrong: I lost myself in the forest yesterday. Right: I got lost in the forest yesterday. In English, you 'get lost' when you lose your way. 'Lose myself' means to become deeply absorbed in something.
Be careful: 'get lost' can also be a very rude informal command meaning 'go away'.
to start a legal marriage with someone; to have a wedding (A2)
Pattern: subject + get married (+ to + someone)
Wrong: He got married with his colleague. Right: He got married to his colleague. In English, we use the preposition 'to' after 'married', not 'with'.
Always use the preposition 'to' (not 'with') when mentioning the partner: 'get married to someone'.
to be approved or accepted by someone who is supposed to check, stop, or correct mistakes (B2)
Pattern: subject (mistake/document/idea) + get past + object (person/authority)
Wrong: The new rule got past by the manager yesterday. Right: The new rule got past the manager yesterday. The phrase 'get past' is transitive and takes a direct object without the preposition 'by'.
Do not confuse this figurative meaning with physically walking past a person who is blocking your way.
to move physically around an obstacle, person, or barrier that is blocking your way (B1)
Pattern: subject + get past + noun/pronoun
Wrong: There was a big crowd, so we couldn't get past of them. Right: There was a big crowd, so we couldn't get past them. The preposition 'past' is used directly with the noun or pronoun; do not add 'of' after it.
Do not confuse this physical meaning with the figurative meaning of overcoming an emotional problem or a difficult phase.
to prepare yourself, especially by dressing or packing, before going out or starting an activity (A2)
Pattern: subject + get ready (+ for + noun) / (+ to + verb)
Wrong: I need to prepare myself for the party. Right: I need to get ready for the party. While 'prepare myself' is grammatically correct, it sounds overly formal and unnatural in everyday situations where 'get ready' is standard.
If you want to mention the activity you are preparing for, use the preposition 'for' (get ready for school).
to empty the contents of your stomach through your mouth; to vomit. (B1, informal)
Pattern: subject + get sick (+ optional prepositional phrase like 'on the floor' or 'all over')
Wrong: He got sick with a flu and vomited. Right: He got sick with the flu. If you mean 'became ill', do not add 'and vomited' to clarify, as 'get sick' on its own can already mean 'to vomit' depending on the context. Use 'get sick' for vomiting or 'fall ill' / 'catch the flu' to avoid ambiguity.
Be careful not to confuse this with the more common meaning 'to become ill' (e.g., catching a cold).
to have sex with someone (B2, slang)
Pattern: subject + get some
Wrong: He was happy because he got some sex yesterday. Right: He was happy because he got some yesterday. The phrase 'get some' already implies sex; adding the word 'sex' after it is redundant and unnatural.
Do not use this in polite, formal, or professional contexts as it is highly informal and can be seen as vulgar.
to do something that causes another person to be punished or blamed (B1)
Pattern: subject + get + object + into trouble
Wrong: His bad behavior got into trouble his sister. Right: His bad behavior got his sister into trouble. The person who is punished must be placed directly after the verb 'get', not after 'trouble'.
Make sure to include the object (the person who is punished) between 'get' and 'into trouble'.
to successfully move something through a barrier, guard, or obstacle (B1)
Pattern: subject + get + object (noun/pronoun) + past + obstacle/person
Wrong: We need to get past the table through the door. Right: We need to get the table past the door. To mean 'move the table through', the object (the table) must go between 'get' and 'past'.
Do not confuse this with 'get past something' (without an object in the middle), which means to overcome an emotional problem.
to make a process, activity, or event begin (A2)
Pattern: subject + get + object + started
Wrong: We should get started the project tomorrow. Right: We should get the project started tomorrow. The object must come between 'get' and 'started' when you are initiating something.
Remember that in this transitive sense, the object ('something') usually goes between 'get' and 'started'.
to begin doing an activity, a task, or a journey (A2)
Pattern: subject + get started (+ on/with + noun)
Wrong: We should get started to clean the kitchen. Right: We should get started on cleaning the kitchen. After 'get started', we use the preposition 'on' or 'with' followed by a noun or an -ing verb, not an infinitive with 'to'.
If you want to mention the activity, use 'on' (get started on the homework) or 'with' (get started with the meeting).
to arrive at a place or destination (A2)
Pattern: subject + get there (+ time/method)
Wrong: We need to hurry to get to there on time. Right: We need to hurry to get there on time. The word 'there' acts as an adverb here, so we do not use the preposition 'to' before it.
Do not use a preposition like 'to' before 'there'; say 'get there', not 'get to there'.
to gradually learn more about a person or a place so that you are familiar with them (A2)
Pattern: subject + get to know + noun/pronoun
Wrong: I want to know your brother, he seems very nice. Right: I want to get to know your brother, he seems very nice. 'Know' means you already have the information or relationship. To start the process of becoming familiar, you must use 'get to know'.
Do not confuse this with 'know' (which describes a state, not the process of becoming familiar).
to become covered or soaked with water or another liquid, especially from rain (A2)
Pattern: subject + get wet
Wrong: I was walking in the rain and I became wet. Right: I was walking in the rain and I got wet. While 'become wet' is grammatically correct, native speakers almost always use the collocation 'get wet' in everyday situations.
Be careful in informal adult contexts, as this phrase can sometimes have a sexual connotation.
to bring a baby or baby animal out of the mother's body (A2)
Pattern: subject + give birth (+ to + noun)
Wrong: She gave birth a beautiful son last week. Right: She gave birth to a beautiful son last week. You must use the preposition 'to' before the object (the baby).
If you want to mention the baby, you must use the preposition 'to' (e.g., 'give birth to a boy').
An order to do a specific number of physical exercises, especially push-ups. (B1, informal)
Pattern: give me + [number] (+ of [exercise])
This is very informal and commanding; do not use it in polite or professional fitness settings unless you want to sound like a tough drill instructor.
used to say that you strongly prefer a particular thing over other choices (B1, informal)
Pattern: give me + noun
Wrong: I prefer tea, so give me it. Right: I prefer tea, so give me a cup of tea any day. The phrase 'give me' in this sense is typically followed by a specific noun, often paired with 'any day' or 'any time', rather than just the pronoun 'it'.
Do not use this in formal writing or professional contexts, as it is highly informal and conversational.
to finally agree to what someone wants after refusing or resisting for a long time (B2)
Pattern: subject + give way + (to + someone/something)
Wrong: I had to give way my opinion because everyone disagreed with me. Right: I had to give way to their opinion because everyone disagreed with me. The phrase 'give way' is intransitive or must be followed by the preposition 'to' when introducing the person or thing you yield to.
Do not confuse this with the physical meaning of collapsing under weight or yielding in traffic.
to be replaced by something else, especially as a gradual change (C1, formal)
Pattern: subject + give way to + noun
Wrong: The old technology gave way by the new digital systems. Right: The old technology gave way to the new digital systems. The collocation always requires the preposition 'to', not 'by', to introduce the thing that replaces the original one.
Do not use this in casual, everyday conversation, as it sounds very literary and formal.
to be opposite to or violate a rule, law, principle, or belief (B2)
Pattern: subject + go against + noun/pronoun
Wrong: The new law goes against of our constitution. Right: The new law goes against our constitution. The preposition 'against' is not followed by 'of'.
This is an inseparable prepositional verb; the object must always come after 'against'.
to oppose or be the opposite of a trend, belief, principle, or rule (B2)
Pattern: subject + go against + noun (trend/principle/wishes)
Wrong: His behavior goes against to my personal values. Right: His behavior goes against my personal values. The preposition 'against' is followed directly by the object; do not insert 'to' after it.
This is a transitive collocation, so 'against' must always be followed by a noun or pronoun object.
to become old and no longer safe or good to eat or drink (A2)
Pattern: subject (food/drink) + go bad
Wrong: The soup is spoiled, it went badly. Right: The soup is spoiled, it went bad. We use the adjective 'bad' after the verb 'go' in this collocation, not the adverb 'badly'.
Do not use this to describe people becoming evil or behaving badly; it is mainly for food and drink.
to stop being good, honest, or well-behaved and start doing bad, illegal, or immoral things (B2)
Pattern: subject + go bad
Wrong: After he joined the gang, he became bad. Right: After he joined the gang, he went bad. While 'became bad' is grammatically correct, 'went bad' is the natural collocation used to describe a person turning to a life of crime or misbehavior.
Do not confuse this with the much more common meaning of food spoiling or rotting.
to lose all your money and be unable to pay your debts, especially as a business (B2)
Pattern: subject + go bankrupt
Wrong: The company became bankrupt last month. Right: The company went bankrupt last month. In English, we use the verb 'go' with 'bankrupt' to describe the transition into bankruptcy, not 'become'.
Do not confuse this with 'go broke', which is much more informal and does not always imply official legal bankruptcy.
to suddenly lose control of your mind, become mentally ill, or behave in a wild, irrational way (B1, informal)
Pattern: subject + go crazy
Wrong: After three weeks of isolation, he became crazy. Right: After three weeks of isolation, he went crazy. We use the verb 'go' (not 'become') with certain adjectives like 'crazy', 'mad', or 'bald' to describe a change of state.
This is an informal phrase and can be insensitive; do not use it in formal medical contexts or when speaking sensitively about mental health.
to be eliminated from a competition, tournament, or reality show (B1)
Pattern: subject + go home
Wrong: The tennis player was eliminated and went to his home. Right: The tennis player was eliminated and went home. In this context, 'go home' is a fixed collocation meaning to leave the tournament; adding 'to his' makes it sound like a literal journey to his house.
Be careful not to confuse this with the literal meaning of traveling to one's house.
to lose your mind or become mentally ill (B1, informal)
Pattern: subject + go mad
Wrong: The doctor said the patient went mad because of a brain tumor. Right: The doctor said the patient became mentally ill because of a brain tumor. 'Go mad' is too informal and insensitive for a serious medical diagnosis.
Do not use this in medical, formal, or sensitive contexts, as it can be seen as insensitive or offensive; use 'become mentally ill' instead.
to spend a lot of money or do something to an extreme, extravagant degree (B2, informal)
Pattern: subject + go mad (+ on + noun/doing something)
Wrong: For my wedding, I want to go mad and spend all my savings. Right: For my wedding, I want to go mad and blow all my savings. While 'go mad' works for spending extravagantly, 'blow' or 'spend' fits better when specifying the exact money. 'Go mad' is usually intransitive or used with 'on'.
Do not confuse this with the literal meaning of becoming mentally ill or simply getting very angry.
to disappear suddenly or become lost, especially when it is not known where you are (B1)
Pattern: subject + go missing
Wrong: My dog was lost yesterday, but he came back. Right: My dog went missing yesterday, but he came back. While 'was lost' is grammatically correct, 'went missing' is much more natural when a pet or person suddenly disappears from home.
Do not use 'go missing' in the passive voice; it is always active.
to travel away from home to relax and enjoy your free time (A2)
Pattern: subject + go on holiday + (to + place / in + month/season)
Wrong: I am going to holiday tomorrow. Right: I am going on holiday tomorrow. You must use the preposition 'on' with the noun 'holiday' in this phrase; 'holiday' is not typically used as a verb here.
In American English, people usually say 'go on vacation' instead of 'go on holiday'.
to spin, turn, or rotate in a circle (A2)
Pattern: subject + go round (+ adverb/prepositional phrase)
Wrong: The earth goes round of the sun. Right: The earth goes round the sun. Do not use the preposition 'of' after 'go round' when describing what something rotates around.
Do not confuse this physical movement with the figurative meaning 'to be enough for everyone' (e.g., 'there is enough food to go round').
to move or travel in a circle around an object, place, or obstacle (A2)
Pattern: subject + go round + noun (place/object)
Wrong: We went round of the lake on our bicycles. Right: We went round the lake on our bicycles. The phrase 'go round' acts as a transitive prepositional verb here and takes a direct object without the preposition 'of'.
Do not confuse this physical movement with the figurative meaning of 'go round' which means to visit someone's house.
to talk about a sensitive, embarrassing, or controversial topic that might cause an argument (B2, informal)
Pattern: subject + go there / subject + don't want to go there
Wrong: We started talking about money, but it was a mistake to go to there. Right: We started talking about money, but it was a mistake to go there. The phrase 'go there' is a fixed collocation and does not take the preposition 'to' when used in this figurative sense.
Do not confuse this figurative meaning with the literal physical action of traveling to a place.
to lie down in your bed to sleep for the night (A1)
Pattern: subject + go to bed + (time)
Wrong: I usually go to the bed at ten o'clock. Right: I usually go to bed at ten o'clock. We do not use the article 'the' in this phrase when we mean the activity of going to sleep.
Do not say 'go to the bed' with an article when you mean you are going to sleep.
to have sex with someone (B2, informal)
Pattern: subject + go to bed + (with + someone)
Wrong: I want to go to the bed with you tonight. Right: I want to go to bed with you tonight. We do not use the article 'the' in this phrase; it is always 'go to bed'.
Be careful not to confuse this with the literal meaning of just sleeping in a bed.
to become completely ruined, spoiled, or useless over time (B2, informal)
Pattern: subject (a situation, place, or plan) + go to hell
Wrong: After the fire, their beautiful house went to hell. Right: After the fire, their beautiful house was completely ruined. 'Go to hell' is used for situations, systems, or abstract things that deteriorate, not for physical destruction by a sudden event like a fire.
This is informal and can sound slightly dramatic or vulgar to some, so do not use it in professional or formal writing.
to start sleeping; to fall asleep. (A2)
Pattern: subject + go to sleep
Do not confuse this with 'go to bed', which only means getting into bed, not necessarily falling asleep.
To die, used especially when talking about pets being euthanized or as a gentle way to describe death. (C1, formal)
Pattern: subject + go to sleep
Wrong: The doctor said my grandmother went to sleep yesterday. Right: The doctor said my grandmother passed away yesterday. For humans, 'go to sleep' is rarely used in modern English to mean die; 'pass away' is much more natural and clear.
Do not confuse this euphemism with the everyday meaning of falling asleep in bed.
to travel to the place where you do your job (A1)
Pattern: subject + go to work + (by bus / at 8:00 / etc.)
Wrong: I must go to the work now. Right: I must go to work now. We do not use the definite article 'the' before 'work' when we mean the activity or the place of employment in this phrase.
Do not use an article (like 'the' or 'a') before the word 'work' in this phrase.
to start doing a job, task, or activity actively and with energy (B1)
Pattern: subject + go to work + (on + noun/pronoun)
Wrong: The team went to work the project immediately. Right: The team went to work on the project immediately. When you specify the task or object you are starting to work on, you must use the preposition 'on'.
Do not confuse this with the literal meaning of traveling to your workplace in the morning.
to drink a small amount of alcohol, usually enough to feel slightly relaxed or drunk (B1, informal)
Pattern: subject + have a couple (+ optional time/place)
Wrong: I had a couple of beers and now I am totally drunk. Right: I had a few too many and now I am totally drunk. 'Have a couple' implies a moderate, small amount of alcohol, so it contradicts being 'totally drunk'.
In this specific sense, 'a couple' always refers to alcoholic drinks, even though the word 'drinks' is not spoken.
to drink some alcohol, usually enough to feel a little drunk (B1, informal)
Pattern: subject + have a few (+ optional time/place adverbial)
Wrong: He was driving dangerous because he drank a few. Right: He was driving dangerously because he had had a few. The idiom is specifically 'have a few', not 'drink a few', and 'dangerously' must be an adverb.
Do not use this in formal contexts, and be careful not to confuse it with simply having a small number of items.
to direct your eyes toward something to examine it, read it, or check it (A2)
Pattern: subject + have a look + (at + noun/pronoun)
Wrong: I need to have a look on your homework. Right: I need to have a look at your homework. We always use the preposition 'at' after 'have a look', not 'on'.
Always use the preposition 'at' if you mention the object you are examining.
to search for something that is lost or that you need (A2)
Pattern: subject + have a look + for + noun
Wrong: I will have a look my keys in the kitchen. Right: I will have a look for my keys in the kitchen. You must use the preposition 'for' after 'have a look' when you are searching for a specific object.
You must use the preposition 'for' when specifying the object you are searching for.
to like, respect, or admire someone or something very much (B2, informal)
Pattern: subject + have + a lot of time + for + person/thing
Wrong: I respect my teacher and I have many time for him. Right: I respect my teacher and I have a lot of time for him. The phrase is fixed as 'have a lot of time for' (or 'have a lot of time' in the negative); you cannot use 'many time'.
Do not confuse this with literally having free time; the preposition 'for' is essential for this meaning.
to have a secret sexual or romantic relationship with someone when you are already married or in a relationship (B1)
Pattern: subject + have an affair + (with + someone)
Wrong: He had an affair to his secretary. Right: He had an affair with his secretary. In English, you have an affair 'with' someone, not 'to' someone.
Always use the preposition 'with' to introduce the other person, not 'to' or 'by'.
To enjoy yourself and do things that make you happy. (A1)
Pattern: subject + have fun + (optional: doing something / with someone)
Wrong: We made a good fun at the amusement park. Right: We had great fun at the amusement park. In English, you 'have fun', you do not 'make fun'.
Do not use 'fun' with 'make' (e.g., 'make fun') when you mean to enjoy yourself, as 'make fun of' means to laugh at someone.
To be unable to tolerate a bad situation, behavior, or person any longer. (B1)
Pattern: subject + have/has had enough (+ of + noun/gerund)
Wrong: I have had enough from this noisy neighbor. Right: I have had enough of this noisy neighbor. We use the preposition 'of' (not 'from') after 'have had enough' to specify the source of annoyance.
Do not confuse this with having eaten enough food; in this sense, it is about patience and tolerance.
To not know something at all. (A2)
Pattern: subject + have no idea + (question word / about + noun)
Wrong: I don't have no idea what you mean. Right: I have no idea what you mean. Using 'don't' with 'no' creates a double negative, which is grammatically incorrect in standard English.
It is often followed by 'what', 'where', 'who', 'how', or the preposition 'about'.
To be completely wrong or mistaken about something, or to not understand a situation correctly. (B1)
Pattern: subject + have no idea (often followed by 'if they think...' or used as a standalone reaction)
Wrong: He has no idea about how to fix it, but he did it correctly. Right: He had no idea what he was doing, but he somehow got it right. In this sense of being mistaken or clueless, 'have no idea about how to' sounds unnatural; we usually say someone 'has no idea' as a general comment on their lack of realistic understanding.
Do not confuse this sense ('to be mistaken') with the more common A2 sense meaning 'to not know'.
to be surprisingly or unexpectedly good, successful, or in a certain state when it should not be (C1, informal)
Pattern: subject + have/has + no right + to be + adjective/noun
Wrong: The weather has no right to be so beautiful today. Right: The weather has no right to be this beautiful today. In this idiomatic sense, we almost always use 'this' or 'so' to emphasize the unexpected degree, but 'this' sounds much more natural in spoken English.
This is an informal, highly idiomatic expression; do not use it in formal writing or legal contexts where 'right' means a legal entitlement.
to be in a bad situation where trying something new cannot make things any worse than they are (B1)
Pattern: subject + have/has + nothing to lose
Wrong: I don't have nothing to lose, so I will try it. Right: I have nothing to lose, so I will try it. In English, double negatives are grammatically incorrect. Use 'have nothing' or 'don't have anything'.
to perform physical sexual acts with another person (B1)
Pattern: subject + have sex + (with + someone)
Wrong: They made sex last night. Right: They had sex last night. In English, we use the verb 'have' with 'sex', not 'make'.
While neutral, it is very direct; in polite or formal contexts, people often use euphemisms like 'be intimate'.
to know what time it is, usually by looking at a watch or phone (A2)
Pattern: subject + have + the time
Wrong: Excuse me, do you have time? Right: Excuse me, do you have the time? Without 'the', you are asking if the person has free time to talk to you, not what time it is.
Do not confuse this with 'have time' (without 'the'), which means to have free time or be available.
to have enough minutes or hours available to do something (A2)
Pattern: subject + have/has + time (+ to + verb / + for + noun)
Wrong: I don't have a time to go to the cinema. Right: I don't have time to go to the cinema. In English, 'time' in this sense is uncountable, so we do not use the indefinite article 'a'.
Do not use an article; say 'have time', not 'have a time'.
to hold another person's hand, usually to show love, friendship, or to keep someone safe (A2)
Pattern: subject + hold hands + (with + someone)
Wrong: They were holding their hands while walking. Right: They were holding hands while walking. Using the possessive pronoun 'their' makes it sound like they are holding their own hands together, rather than holding each other's hands.
This is an intransitive phrase; do not add an object after 'hands' (do not say 'hold hands of someone').
to stop yourself from urinating or defecating when you need to go to the toilet (B1, informal)
Pattern: subject + can/have to + hold it
Wrong: I need to go to the toilet, I can't hold it up. Right: I need to go to the toilet, I can't hold it. The phrasal verb 'hold up' means to delay or rob someone. To stop yourself from using the toilet, the correct phrase is simply 'hold it'.
This is an informal phrase; do not use it in formal or professional contexts where it might sound too direct.
To continue moving forward or making progress, even when it is difficult. (A2)
Pattern: subject + keep going (+ prepositional phrase)
Wrong: I was very tired but I kept to go. Right: I was very tired but I kept going. The verb 'keep' is followed directly by the -ing form of the verb, not 'to' + infinitive.
If you want to mention the activity, use 'keep going with' or 'keep' followed by an -ing verb.
to not make any noise, or to stop talking and remain silent (B1)
Pattern: subject + keep quiet
to provide someone with enough food, money, or energy to continue doing something for a short time (B2)
Pattern: subject + keep + person + going (+ prepositional phrase)
Wrong: This coffee will keep going me during the long meeting. Right: This coffee will keep me going during the long meeting. The pronoun (me) must go between 'keep' and 'going', not after them.
This phrase is almost always used with a pronoun (me, him, her, us) between 'keep' and 'going'.
to continue to know where someone or something is, or what is happening to them (B1)
Pattern: subject + keep track + of + noun/pronoun/gerund
Wrong: I need to keep the track about my daily expenses. Right: I need to keep track of my daily expenses. We do not use an article before 'track', and the correct preposition is 'of', not 'about'.
Always remember to use the preposition 'of' when you mention the object you are monitoring.
to do something active but not very important just to make time pass while you are waiting (B1, informal)
Pattern: subject + kill time (+ by doing something / before something)
Wrong: I need to kill the time before my interview. Right: I need to kill time before my interview. We do not use the definite article 'the' in this collocation; it is always 'kill time' or 'kill some time'.
Do not use this to mean wasting time in a negative way when you should be working; it is specifically about waiting.
to be mature or experienced enough to understand that a certain behavior is wrong, foolish, or inappropriate (B2)
Pattern: subject + know better + (than to + infinitive)
Wrong: He is old enough, so he should know it better. Right: He is old enough, so he should know better. We do not use the pronoun 'it' with this phrase; the collocation is simply 'know better'.
When followed by another action, always use 'than to do something' (infinitive), not 'than doing something'.
to stop annoying, interrupting, or touching someone (A2)
Pattern: subject + leave + person + alone
Wrong: Please, leave alone me, I am very tired. Right: Please, leave me alone, I am very tired. The pronoun (me, him, her) must always go between 'leave' and 'alone'.
Do not confuse this with 'leave someone by themselves' (physically leaving a room so they are solitary).
to stop touching, disturbing, or interfering with someone or something (B1)
Pattern: subject + leave + object (person/thing) + alone
Wrong: Please leave alone my dog, he is very old. Right: Please leave my dog alone, he is very old. The object (my dog) must go between 'leave' and 'alone'.
Do not confuse this with physically leaving a room so that someone is by themselves.
to stop thinking about or being hurt by a past event, anger, or bad feeling (B2)
Pattern: subject + let go + (of + noun/pronoun)
Wrong: He still holds a grudge and cannot let it go of. Right: He still holds a grudge and cannot let it go. If you use a pronoun like 'it' directly after 'let go', you do not use the preposition 'of'.
Do not confuse this emotional meaning with the physical action of releasing your grip on an object.
to stop holding something or someone with your hand (A2)
Pattern: subject + let go + (of + noun/pronoun)
Wrong: Please let go my arm, it hurts. Right: Please let go of my arm, it hurts. You must use the preposition 'of' before the object when you specify what you are holding.
Remember to use the preposition 'of' if you mention the object or person you are holding.
to fire someone from their job, usually because of financial reasons rather than their bad behavior (B2)
Pattern: subject + let + person + go
Wrong: The boss let go him because he was always late. Right: The boss let him go because he was always late. The pronoun (him, her, them, etc.) must always go between 'let' and 'go'.
This is a polite euphemism; do not use it if you want to emphasize that someone was fired for doing something illegal or bad.
to live very close together in a small space with not enough privacy (B2, informal)
Pattern: subject + live on top of one another
Wrong: In the refugee camp, people are living on each other. Right: In the refugee camp, people are living on top of one another. The correct idiom is 'live on top of one another' (or 'each other'). Saying 'live on each other' sounds like they are physically sitting on or depending financially on each other.
Do not use this to mean physically living in an apartment directly above someone else; it specifically means a lack of space and privacy.
to look the way you are described (usually after a statement about age, tiredness, or illness) (B2, informal)
Pattern: subject + look it / subject + do not + look it
Wrong: He is sixty years old but he doesn't look like it. Right: He is sixty years old but he doesn't look it. In English, we say 'doesn't look it' rather than 'doesn't look like it' when referring back to a specific state or age.
This phrase is almost always used in the negative ('not look it') or as a short confirmation ('and you look it').
to have a similar appearance to someone or something, or to seem to be something (A2)
Pattern: subject + look like + noun/pronoun
Wrong: How does your new teacher look like? Right: What does your new teacher look like? In English, we use 'what... look like' to ask about physical appearance. 'How' is used with 'look' without 'like' to ask about someone's state or health.
Do not use 'how' instead of 'what' when asking for a description (e.g., say 'What does he look like?', not 'How does he look like?').
to stop being able to guide your own behavior, emotions, or reactions in a calm way (B1)
Pattern: subject + lose control + (optional: and + verb)
Wrong: When he got angry, he lost his control. Right: When he got angry, he lost control. We do not use a possessive pronoun (like 'his' or 'my') before 'control' in this common collocation.
Do not confuse this emotional meaning with physically losing control of a vehicle or a situation.
to progress more slowly than planned and fall behind schedule. (B2)
Pattern: subject + lose time (+ because of / due to + noun)
Wrong: We lost time by watching a boring movie yesterday. Right: We wasted time by watching a boring movie yesterday. 'Lose time' means to fall behind schedule, whereas 'waste time' means to use time inefficiently or uselessly.
Do not confuse this with 'wasting time' (spending time uselessly); 'losing time' means actually falling behind a schedule.
To spend time doing something useless or moving too slowly, causing a delay. (B1)
Pattern: subject + lose time (+ doing something / + on something)
Wrong: I lost my time watching that boring movie. Right: I wasted my time watching that boring movie. We do not use a possessive pronoun (like 'my' or 'your') with 'lose time' when we mean wasting it. Alternatively, use 'waste my time'.
Do not confuse this with 'lose track of time', which means to forget what time it is.
to become lighter or thinner by eating less or exercising more (A2)
Pattern: subject + lose weight
Wrong: She wants to lose her weight before the summer. Right: She wants to lose weight before the summer. In English, we do not use possessive pronouns like 'my', 'your', or 'her' with this phrase.
Do not use 'lose my weight' or 'lose his weight'; do not use a possessive pronoun before 'weight'.
to cheer, clap, or shout to show support and excitement for a performer or speaker (B1, informal)
Pattern: make (some) noise + (for + someone)
Wrong: The presenter told the audience to make a noise for the singer. Right: The presenter told the audience to make some noise for the singer. In this sense, we use the uncountable 'make some noise' or 'make noise', not the countable 'make a noise' (which usually means to create an annoying sound).
Do not use this in formal settings like classical concerts, business presentations, or academic lectures.
to choose what to do after thinking about the possibilities (B1)
Pattern: subject + make a decision + (to do something / about something)
Wrong: I need to do a decision about my future career. Right: I need to make a decision about my future career. In English, we use the verb 'make' with 'decision', not 'do'.
Do not use the verb 'do' with decision; we always 'make' a decision.
to make someone look stupid or silly in front of other people (B1)
Pattern: subject + make + a fool of + object (noun or pronoun)
This phrase is very frequently used with reflexive pronouns, as in 'make a fool of yourself'.
to earn enough money to pay for food, housing, and other basic needs (B1)
Pattern: subject + make a living (+ by doing something / + as a/an + job)
Wrong: He works in a supermarket to earn his living. Right: He works in a supermarket to make a living. While 'earn a living' is also correct, 'earn his living' with a possessive pronoun is less natural than 'make a living' or 'earn a living'.
Do not confuse this with 'make a life', which means to build a happy lifestyle or relationship in a new place.
to do something wrong or incorrect (A2)
Pattern: subject + make a mistake
Wrong: I did a big mistake in my English test yesterday. Right: I made a big mistake in my English test yesterday. In English, we always 'make' a mistake, we never 'do' a mistake.
Do not use the verb 'do' with 'mistake'; always use 'make'.
to try hard to do something, especially when it is difficult (A2)
Pattern: subject + make an effort + to-infinitive / for + noun
Wrong: I will do an effort to pass the English exam. Right: I will make an effort to pass the English exam. In English, we 'make' an effort, we do not 'do' an effort.
Do not use the verb 'do' with 'effort'; always use the verb 'make'.
to start new friendships with people (A2)
Pattern: subject + make friends + (with + person)
Wrong: I want to make a new friend with my colleague. Right: I want to make friends with my colleague. In English, we use the plural form 'make friends' even when referring to a single person.
Always use the plural 'friends' even if you are talking about becoming a friend to just one person.
to successfully do what you promised, threatened, or agreed to do (B2)
Pattern: subject + make good on + noun (promise/threat/pledge)
Wrong: He made good his promise to help me move. Right: He made good on his promise to help me move. In modern English, you need the preposition 'on' before the noun representing the promise or commitment.
In this sense, it is almost always used with the preposition 'on' followed by a noun like 'promise', 'threat', or 'debt'.
to survive a very difficult situation, illness, or accident (B1)
Pattern: subject + make it (often used with 'will' or 'not going to')
Wrong: The climber was in a bad storm, but he survived it and made it. Right: The climber was in a bad storm, but he made it. Using 'survived it' and 'made it' together is redundant because 'make it' already means to survive in this context.
Do not confuse this with the meaning 'to arrive on time' or 'to become successful'.
to successfully arrive at a place, attend an event, or achieve success in your career (B1)
Pattern: subject + make it + (to + noun/place)
Wrong: We had a lot of traffic, but we finally made it to arrive. Right: We had a lot of traffic, but we finally made it. The phrase 'make it' already means 'to arrive' or 'to succeed', so you do not follow it with another verb like 'arrive'.
Do not use 'make it' to mean physically manufacturing an object; in this phrase, 'it' does not refer to a specific thing.
to have sex, especially when expressing romantic feelings and affection (B1)
Pattern: subject + make love + (with/to + someone)
Wrong: They made love together in the hotel room. Right: They made love in the hotel room. In English, you 'make love' or 'make love to/with someone'. Adding 'together' is redundant and unnatural.
This is a euphemism; do not use it in medical, legal, or purely casual/non-romantic contexts.
to create sounds, especially loud, annoying, or unwanted ones (A2)
Pattern: subject + make noise
Wrong: The children were doing a lot of noise in the living room. Right: The children were making a lot of noise in the living room. In English, we use the verb 'make' with noise, not 'do'.
Do not confuse this literal sense with the idiom 'make noise' which means to complain or draw attention to an issue.
to take action so you are certain that something happens or is true (A2)
Pattern: subject + make sure + (that) + clause
Wrong: I will make sure to will call you tomorrow. Right: I will make sure to call you tomorrow. After 'make sure to', we use the infinitive verb without 'will'.
After 'make sure', we usually use the present tense even when talking about the future.
to use something that is available, especially in a helpful or effective way (B1)
Pattern: subject + make use of + noun/pronoun
Wrong: You should make use your free time to study. Right: You should make use of your free time to study. The phrase 'make use' must always be followed by the preposition 'of' when it has an object.
Always remember to include the preposition 'of' before the noun that you are using.
is very likely to happen or be true (B2)
Pattern: subject + may well + verb
Wrong: It may well to rain later this afternoon. Right: It may well rain later this afternoon. The modal verb 'may' must be followed by a bare infinitive, not an infinitive with 'to'.
Always use the base form of the verb (infinitive without 'to') immediately after this phrase.
to intend to express a certain idea, or to correct a mistake in what you just said (B1)
Pattern: subject + mean to say + (that) + clause
Wrong: What do you mean to say by that comment? Right: What do you mean by that comment? When asking about the meaning of a specific word or action, we use 'mean by', not 'mean to say'.
Do not confuse this with 'mean to do something', which means to intend to perform an action.
Used to say that something is not allowed or is against the rules. (A2)
Pattern: subject + must not + verb (base form)
Wrong: You must not to park your car here. Right: You must not park your car here. The modal verb 'must' is always followed by the bare infinitive without 'to'.
Do not use 'to' after this phrase; it must be followed directly by the base form of the verb.
used to say that something is not necessary or not required (B1, formal)
Pattern: subject + need not + verb (infinitive without 'to')
Wrong: You need not to bring any food to the party. Right: You need not bring any food to the party. The modal verb 'need not' (or 'needn't') is followed by a bare infinitive without 'to'.
Do not use 'to' after 'need not'; it must be followed directly by the bare infinitive.
to refuse to accept or believe an excuse, explanation, or bad behavior (C1, informal)
Pattern: subject + would/will not + have it
Wrong: I told him I was sorry, but he didn't have it. Right: I told him I was sorry, but he wasn't having it. In this sense, we use the continuous form 'wasn't having it' or 'wouldn't have it' rather than the simple past 'didn't have it'.
This sense is almost exclusively used in the negative, especially as 'would not have it' or 'will not have it'.
to lift the telephone receiver to make a call (A2)
Pattern: subject + pick up the phone + (to do something)
Wrong: The phone was ringing, so I picked up the phone. Right: The phone was ringing, so I answered the phone. To 'pick up the phone' in this sense means to initiate a call. To respond to a ringing phone, use 'answer the phone'.
Do not confuse this with 'answer the phone', which means responding to an incoming call.
to officially accuse someone of a crime so that the police can prosecute them (B2)
Pattern: subject + press charges + (against + person)
Wrong: The victim decided to press charges on her attacker. Right: The victim decided to press charges against her attacker. We press charges 'against' someone, not 'on' someone.
Always use the preposition 'against' if you want to mention the person being accused.
to press the lever on a gun with your finger to shoot it (B1)
Pattern: subject + pull the trigger
Be careful, as this phrase is also very commonly used as an idiom meaning 'to make a final decision to do something'.
to become heavier or fatter (A2)
Pattern: subject + put on + weight
Wrong: During the holidays, I gained on weight. Right: During the holidays, I put on weight. The phrase is 'put on weight' or 'gain weight'. We do not use the preposition 'on' with the verb 'gain'.
Do not use 'gain' in casual, everyday conversation as it sounds much more formal than 'put on'.
to lose energy, enthusiasm, or strength so that you cannot continue doing something (B2, informal)
Pattern: subject + run out of gas
Wrong: After ten miles of running, I ran out of my gas. Right: After ten miles of running, I ran out of gas. The idiom 'run out of gas' does not take a possessive pronoun like 'my' before 'gas'.
Do not confuse this figurative meaning with the literal meaning of a car running out of fuel (petrol).
to speak to someone when you or they are leaving (A2)
Pattern: subject + say goodbye + (to + person)
Wrong: I called him to say goodbye him. Right: I called him to say goodbye to him. You must use the preposition 'to' when specifying the person you are saying goodbye to.
Always use the preposition 'to' before the person; do not say 'say goodbye someone'.
to greet someone when you see them or meet them (A1)
Pattern: subject + say hello + (to + person)
Wrong: I saw Paul yesterday and I said him hello. Right: I saw Paul yesterday and I said hello to him. You must say hello 'to' someone; you cannot 'say someone hello' directly.
Always use the preposition 'to' before the person you are greeting (e.g., 'say hello to John', not 'say hello John').
to welcome or start using a new technology, product, or way of doing things (B2, informal)
Pattern: subject + say hello to + noun (the new innovation)
Wrong: We need to say hello to the new company rules. Right: We need to adapt to the new company rules. This phrase is used for welcoming exciting innovations or positive changes, not for reluctantly accepting new administrative rules.
Do not use this if you are literally speaking to a person; this figurative sense is only for welcoming new concepts or things.
To disagree with an opinion or action, or to think that something is wrong. (B1, informal)
Pattern: subject + say no + (to something / when...)
Wrong: I said no with his opinion during the meeting. Right: I disagreed with his opinion during the meeting. To 'say no' in this sense is used to object to an action or behavior, not as a direct grammatical replacement for 'disagree with an opinion'.
Do not confuse this with the literal meaning of refusing an offer or invitation.
To refuse an offer, an invitation, or a suggestion. (A2, informal)
Pattern: subject + say no + to + noun/gerund
Wrong: She said no for his invitation. Right: She said no to his invitation. We say 'no to' something, not 'no for' something.
Always use the preposition 'to' if you want to mention the thing you are rejecting.
to agree to a proposal, offer, or invitation; to accept something (A2)
Pattern: subject + say yes (+ to + noun/pronoun)
Wrong: I said yes him when he invited me to the cinema. Right: I said yes to him when he invited me to the cinema. You must use the preposition 'to' before the person or thing you are agreeing to.
To specify what you are agreeing to, use 'say yes to something' (e.g., 'say yes to the offer').
to make sure or ensure that something happens or is done (B2)
Pattern: subject + see that + clause (subject + verb)
Wrong: I will see that to send the email today. Right: I will see that the email is sent today. The phrase 'see that' must be followed by a full clause (subject + verb), not an infinitive verb.
This is almost always followed by a clause, often using the present simple tense even when referring to the future.
to make sure or guarantee that something is done or happens (B2)
Pattern: subject + see to it + (that) + clause
Wrong: I will see to it the project. Right: I will see to the project. / I will see to it that the project is finished. You cannot put a direct noun object after 'see to it'. You must either use 'see to + noun' or 'see to it that + clause'.
It is almost always followed by a 'that' clause (often with 'that' omitted) or 'to it' on its own, not a direct noun object.
to put plates, knives, forks, and cups on a table before a meal (A2)
Pattern: subject + set + the table
Wrong: Can you prepare the table for dinner? Right: Can you set the table for dinner? While 'prepare' is understandable, 'set the table' is the natural, standard collocation used by native speakers.
Do not confuse this with 'make the bed'; 'set' is specifically used for preparing a table for eating.
to create the necessary conditions that make a future event or success possible (C1)
Pattern: subject + set the table for + noun
Wrong: The team's hard work set the table to win the championship. Right: The team's hard work set the table for winning the championship. The collocation 'set the table' is followed by the preposition 'for' and a noun phrase, not a to-infinitive.
Do not confuse this figurative meaning with the literal action of putting plates and forks on a dining table.
to build a shelter, put up tents, and prepare a place to stay outside (B1)
Pattern: subject + set up camp + (optional prepositional phrase, e.g., by the river)
Wrong: We arrived at the hotel and set up camp in our room. Right: We arrived at the hotel and unpacked our bags in our room. 'Set up camp' is only used for outdoor camping, not for checking into a hotel.
Do not use this for staying in a hotel, hostel, or someone's house; it is strictly for outdoor or temporary shelters.
to hold and move someone's hand up and down when you meet, say goodbye, or agree on something (B1)
Pattern: subject + shake hands + (with + someone)
Wrong: We shook our hands when we agreed on the price. Right: We shook hands when we agreed on the price. In English, we say 'shake hands', not 'shake our hands', which sounds like you are shaking your own hands in the air.
Remember to use the plural 'hands' unless you are specifically describing holding only one physical hand of a person.
to refuse to think about, accept, or consider an idea, plan, or possibility anymore (C1)
Pattern: subject + shut the door on + noun/gerund
Wrong: She shut the door to my proposal without even reading it. Right: She shut the door on my proposal without even reading it. In this figurative sense, the correct preposition is 'on', not 'to'.
Do not confuse this figurative meaning with the literal action of closing a physical door.
to stay in one place without moving your body (A2)
Pattern: subject + sit still
Wrong: The doctor told me to sit calmly during the examination. Right: The doctor told me to sit still during the examination. 'Sit calmly' refers to your emotions, but 'sit still' is the correct collocation for physically not moving.
Do not confuse this with 'sit quietly', which refers to not making noise rather than not moving.
used to say that something is not urgent and can be done or discussed later (B1)
Pattern: subject (noun/pronoun) + can wait
This phrase is almost always used in the present tense (can wait) or conditional (could wait), not in continuous or perfect tenses.
to be very urgent and need to be dealt with immediately (B1)
Pattern: subject (an issue, decision, or task) + can't wait
Wrong: I have an urgent problem that doesn't wait. Right: I have an urgent problem that can't wait. In English, we use the modal verb 'can't' with 'wait' to express that something is too urgent to be delayed.
Do not confuse this with the common meaning 'to be excited about something' (e.g., 'I can't wait for the weekend').
to be more important than another thing (B2)
Pattern: subject + come(s) before + noun
Wrong: My health is coming before my job. Right: My health comes before my job. The phrase describes a permanent state or rule, so we use the present simple, not the present continuous.
This is a state, so it is almost never used in the continuous (-ing) form.
to suddenly break, collapse, or fall down because of too much weight or pressure (B2)
Pattern: subject (the physical object) + give way
Wrong: The ice gave its way when I stepped on it. Right: The ice gave way when I stepped on it. The phrase 'give way' is a fixed collocation and does not take a possessive pronoun like 'its'.
Do not confuse this physical meaning with the traffic rule 'give way' (yielding to other vehicles).
to have a bad or unfavourable result for someone, such as a decision, vote, or court ruling (B2)
Pattern: subject (decision/verdict) + go against + someone
Wrong: The match went against to our team. Right: The match went against our team. The phrase 'go against' is a transitive collocation and does not take the preposition 'to' before the object.
This sense is almost always used with abstract nouns like 'decision', 'verdict', 'judgment', or 'result' as the subject.
to use time to do an activity or to be with someone (A2)
Pattern: subject + spend + time + verb-ing / with + someone
Wrong: I want to spend time to learn English. Right: I want to spend time learning English. After 'spend time', we use the verb ending in '-ing', not the infinitive with 'to'.
Always use the '-ing' form of the verb after this phrase, not the infinitive with 'to'.
to be with someone and do activities together for fun or relaxation (A2)
Pattern: subject + spend time + with + person
Always use the preposition 'with' when mentioning the person you are accompanying.
to stop moving and stay in one place without making any movements (A2)
Pattern: subject + stand still
Wrong: The doctor told me to stand quiet during the X-ray. Right: The doctor told me to stand still during the X-ray. In English, 'still' is the correct adverb/adjective used to describe remaining motionless, whereas 'quiet' refers to not making sound.
Do not confuse this with 'stand up', which means to rise to your feet from a sitting position.
to choose not to vote in an election (B2)
Pattern: subject + stay at home
Wrong: Many people stayed at home and did not choose any candidate. Right: Many people stayed at home and did not vote. Using 'stayed at home' already implies they did not vote, so adding 'and did not choose any candidate' is redundant and unnatural.
Do not confuse this political meaning with the literal meaning of physically remaining in one's house.
to sleep at another person's house for one night (A2)
Pattern: subject + stay the night (+ at + person's house / at + place)
Wrong: You can stay for the night in our guest room. Right: You can stay the night in our guest room. In English, the natural collocation is 'stay the night' without the preposition 'for'.
Do not use a preposition like 'for' or 'during' before 'the night' in this phrase.
to wash your body by sitting or lying in a tub filled with water (A2)
Pattern: subject + take a bath
Wrong: I am going to make a bath now. Right: I am going to take a bath now. In English, we use the verb 'take' (or 'have') with 'bath', not the verb 'make'.
Do not use this if you are standing under flowing water; in that case, use 'take a shower' instead.
to stop doing an activity, like working or studying, for a short time to rest (A2)
Pattern: subject + take a break + (from + noun/gerund)
Wrong: We have been working all morning, let's make a break. Right: We have been working all morning, let's take a break. In English, we use the verb 'take' (or sometimes 'have') with 'break', not the verb 'make'.
to sit down on a chair (A2)
Pattern: subject + take a seat
It is slightly more polite and formal than just saying 'sit down'.
to be removed from a sports game by the coach, often due to poor performance (B2, informal)
Pattern: subject (player) + must/has to + take a seat
Wrong: The coach told me to take a seat because I played very well. Right: The coach told me to take a seat because I was playing poorly. In sports, 'take a seat' means being benched or substituted out, which is usually a punishment or a tactical withdrawal, not a reward for playing well.
Do not confuse this sports slang with the polite invitation to sit down ('Please, take a seat').
to walk for pleasure, exercise, or relaxation (A2)
Pattern: subject + take a walk (+ prepositional phrase, e.g., in the park)
Wrong: We made a walk around the lake yesterday. Right: We took a walk around the lake yesterday. In English, we use the verb 'take' (or 'go for') with 'walk', not 'make'.
Be careful: in informal American English, 'take a walk' can also mean 'go away' or 'get lost' when said angrily to someone.
to do something positive and decisive in order to solve a problem or deal with a situation (B1)
Pattern: subject + take action + (to do something / against something)
Wrong: We must make action before the problem gets worse. Right: We must take action before the problem gets worse. In English, we use the verb 'take' with 'action', not 'make'.
to make good use of an opportunity or a favorable situation (B1)
Pattern: subject + take advantage of + noun/gerund
Wrong: I want to take advantage from this great opportunity. Right: I want to take advantage of this great opportunity. The collocation 'take advantage' always requires the preposition 'of', not 'from'.
Always use the preposition 'of' after the phrase when specifying the situation or opportunity.
to use a good situation, opportunity, or offer to get a benefit. (B1)
Pattern: subject + take advantage of + noun / gerund (-ing)
Wrong: I want to take advantage on this free course. Right: I want to take advantage of this free course. The correct preposition after 'take advantage' is always 'of', not 'on'.
Always use the preposition 'of' after this phrase; do not use 'on' or 'for'.
to be cautious and pay attention to avoid danger, mistakes, or accidents (B1)
Pattern: subject + take care (+ to do something / + that...)
Wrong: You must take care about your passport when traveling. Right: You must take care of your passport when traveling. To mean 'look after' or 'protect', you must use 'take care of'. Without 'of', 'take care' simply means 'be cautious'.
Do not confuse this with 'take care of', which means to look after someone or something.
to start directing, managing, or having power over a situation, organization, or person (B1)
Pattern: subject + take control + (of + noun/pronoun)
Wrong: The new director took the control of the company last week. Right: The new director took control of the company last week. We do not use the definite article 'the' in this collocation; it is always 'take control', not 'take the control'.
Always use the preposition 'of' if you want to specify what or who is being controlled.
to accept responsibility for a task, problem, or blame (B1)
Pattern: subject + take it (+ upon oneself / on)
This phrase is often used with modal verbs like 'can' or 'will', or in the phrase 'take it upon oneself'.
to believe that something is true based on the information you have; to assume (B2)
Pattern: subject + take it + (that) + clause
Wrong: I take that you are busy today. Right: I take it you are busy today. The phrase must include the pronoun 'it' before the clause.
It is almost always followed by a 'that' clause, though 'that' is often omitted in spoken English.
to need or use a lot of time to happen or be finished (A2)
Pattern: it + take long (+ to do something)
Wrong: The journey took very long. Right: The journey took a long time. In positive statements, 'take a long time' is much more natural than 'take long'.
This phrase is most commonly used in negative sentences ('it won't take long') and questions ('does it take long?').
to write down important information that you hear or see so you can remember it later (A2)
Pattern: subject + take notes (+ on + noun/topic)
Use 'take notes' (plural) for the general activity; 'take a note' usually means to write down one specific quick detail like a phone number.
to carry household waste from inside the house to an outdoor bin (B1)
Pattern: subject + take out + the trash
In British English, people usually say 'take out the rubbish' or 'take out the bins' instead of 'trash'.
to happen, especially when something is planned or organized (A2)
Pattern: event + take place (+ at a time / in a location)
Wrong: The accident took place yesterday morning. Right: The accident happened yesterday morning. We use 'take place' for planned events. For unplanned events like accidents, we use 'happen' or 'occur'.
Do not use this phrase in the passive voice; you cannot say 'is taken place'.
to admit that you did something wrong or caused a problem and accept the blame for it (B2)
Pattern: subject + take responsibility + (for + noun/gerund)
Wrong: He refused to take the responsibility on his mistakes. Right: He refused to take responsibility for his mistakes. We do not use 'the' before responsibility in this general sense, and the correct preposition is 'for', not 'on'.
Always use the preposition 'for' if you want to mention the specific mistake or action.
to accept that you are the one who must deal with a duty, mistake, or decision (B2)
Pattern: subject + take responsibility + for + noun / -ing form
Wrong: He refused to take responsibility of the accident. Right: He refused to take responsibility for the accident. The collocation 'take responsibility' always requires the preposition 'for', not 'of'.
Always use the preposition 'for' after this phrase; do not use 'of' or 'about'.
to hurt or punish someone who has done something bad to you in the past (B2)
Pattern: subject + take revenge + on + someone (for something)
Wrong: She wanted to make revenge on her ex-boyfriend. Right: She wanted to take revenge on her ex-boyfriend. The verb 'revenge' collocates with 'take' or 'get', never with 'make'.
Always use the preposition 'on' if you want to mention the person you are punishing.
to spend some of your time doing something because you think it is important (B1)
Pattern: subject + take the time + to-infinitive
Wrong: Thank you that you took a time to help me. Right: Thank you for taking the time to help me. We use 'take the time' with 'the', and the structure after 'thank you' is typically 'for + -ing'.
Always use the definite article 'the' in this specific phrase; do not say 'take a time'.
when two or more people do the same activity one after the other, so everyone gets a chance (A2)
Pattern: subject + take turns + verb-ing (or: subject + take turns + with/on + noun)
Wrong: We took turns to drive the car during the long trip. Right: We took turns driving the car during the long trip. After 'take turns', we use the -ing form of the verb, not the infinitive with 'to'.
Remember that the verb following 'take turns' must be in the -ing form, not the infinitive.
to send a written message to someone using a mobile phone (A2)
Pattern: subject + text message + object (person)
Wrong: I will write you a text message when I am ready. Right: I will text message you when I am ready. While 'write a text message' is grammatically correct, using 'text message' directly as a verb (or simply 'text') is much more natural for native speakers.
In modern English, people often just use the verb 'text' (e.g., 'I will text you'), but 'text message' is also very common as a verb phrase.
used to say that something exists or is in a particular place (A1)
Pattern: there + is/are + noun
Wrong: On the table is a book. Right: There is a book on the table. In English, we cannot start a sentence with a prepositional phrase of place to state that something exists; we must use 'there is'.
Do not use 'there is' with plural nouns; use 'there are' instead.
doing something in an indirect, secret, or unofficial way, often because the official way is not allowed (C1)
Pattern: subject + verb + something + through/by the back door
Wrong: He entered the university through the back door because he failed the entrance exams. Right: He got into the university through the back door because he failed the entrance exams. The verb 'enter' makes the phrase sound literal, as if he physically walked through a rear entrance. Use 'get into' or 'introduce' for the metaphorical sense.
Do not confuse this metaphorical meaning with the physical entrance of a building.
to organize and host a social event or celebration (A2, informal)
Pattern: subject + throw + a party (+ for someone)
Do not use this in very formal business contexts, where 'host an event' or 'organize a reception' is more appropriate.
to throw rolls of toilet paper over someone's house, trees, or yard as a prank (B2, informal)
Pattern: subject + toilet paper + noun (house/tree/school)
Wrong: They toilet papered our house with a toilet paper. Right: They toilet papered our house. The verb 'toilet paper' already includes the action of using toilet paper, so adding 'with a toilet paper' is redundant and grammatically incorrect.
This is an informal term used mainly in American English; in British English, people might say 'TP' or 'teepee'.
to suddenly depart or abandon a place, job, or relationship without warning or preparation (B2, informal)
Pattern: subject + up and leave (+ optional destination/person)
Wrong: He was angry, so he upped and lefted the room. Right: He was angry, so he up and left the room. The verb 'leave' is irregular (left), and 'up' usually remains unchanged in this past tense collocation.
The word 'up' does not change form; only 'leave' is conjugated for tense (e.g., 'upped and left' is sometimes heard, but 'up and left' is much more common).
to delay taking action or making a decision until you know what will happen (B1)
Pattern: subject + verb (often used as an imperative 'Let's wait and see' or 'We will have to wait and see')
Wrong: We must wait and look what happens. Right: We must wait and see what happens. The fixed collocation is 'wait and see', not 'wait and look'.
to walk by yourself, without any other people with you (A2)
Pattern: subject + walk alone (+ prepositional phrase)
Wrong: She was walking lonely in the street. Right: She was walking alone in the street. 'Lonely' is an emotion meaning sad because you are by yourself. To describe the physical action of being without others, use 'alone'.
Do not confuse this literal meaning with the figurative meaning of facing a difficult situation without support.
to do a difficult task or face a challenge without any help or support from others (B2)
Pattern: subject + walk alone (often in contrast to having support)
Wrong: I don't need your help, I can walk alone this project. Right: I don't need your help, I can walk alone on this project. The phrase 'walk alone' is intransitive and cannot take a direct object; you must use a preposition like 'on' or 'through' to connect it to a task.
Be careful not to confuse this figurative meaning with the physical action of walking down a street without company.
to take a dog outside for a walk so it can get exercise and go to the toilet (A2)
Pattern: subject + walk + the dog (or: my/your/his dog)
Wrong: I need to go to walk with my dog. Right: I need to walk my dog. In English, 'walk' is used as a transitive verb here; you walk the dog, you do not walk 'with' it.
Do not use 'go with the dog' or 'lead the dog' when you mean taking it for a walk.
to spend time doing things that are not useful, important, or productive (B1)
Pattern: subject + waste time (+ doing something / + on something)
Wrong: Don't waste time to watch TV. Right: Don't waste time watching TV. After 'waste time', we use the gerund (-ing form) of the verb, not the infinitive with 'to'.
If you want to mention the activity, use the pattern 'waste time doing something' (with -ing), not 'to do something'.
used to advise someone to do something because it is the sensible or correct choice (B2, formal)
Pattern: subject + would do well + to-infinitive
Wrong: You would do well reading this book for your exam. Right: You would do well to read this book for your exam. The phrase 'do well' in this sense must be followed by a 'to-infinitive' (to read), not a gerund (-ing).
This phrase is almost always used with the modal verb 'would' (or 'might') and must be followed by a to-infinitive.
a polite way to say 'want' when asking for something or ordering food and drinks (A1)
Pattern: subject + would like + noun OR subject + would like + to + verb
Wrong: I would like going to the cinema tonight. Right: I would like to go to the cinema tonight. After 'would like', we must use the infinitive with 'to', not the -ing form.
Do not use 'would like' with a verb in the -ing form; always use 'to' followed by the infinitive.
Meanings adapted by MindDory from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). This list is shared under the same licence.