Collocations

Certain words ‘go together’. Such ‘word friends’ are called collocations. The collocation of a word is ‘the company it keeps’.

For example, look at the paired sentences and phrases below. Which is a common collection, and which one is odd? Strike out the odd sentence or phrase.

(a) ● How old are you?

● how young are you?

(b) ● a pleasant person

● a pleasant pillow

A. Here are some nouns from the text.

Culture monks surprise experience weather tradition

Work with a partner and discuss which of the nouns can collocate with which of the adjectives given below. The first one has been done for you.

Unique terrible unforgettable serious ancient wide sudden

(i) culture: unique culture, ancient culture

(ii) monks:

(iii) surprise:

(iv) experience:

(v) weather:

(vi) tradition:

What are some of the things you now know about -

(i) The people of Coorg?

(ii) The main crop of Coorg?

(iii) The sports it offers to tourists?

(iv) The animals you are likely to see in Coorg?

(v) Its distance from Bangalore, and how to get there?

Here are six sentences with some words in italics. Find phrases from the text that have the same meaning. (Look in the paragraphs indicated)

(i) During monsoons, it rains too heavily that tourists do not visit Coorg. (Para 2)

(ii) Some people say that Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled here. (Para 3)

(iii) The Coorg people are always ready to tell stories of their son’s and father’s valour. (Para 4)

(iv) Even people who normally lead an easy and slow life get smitten by the high-energy adventure sports of Coorg. (Para 6)

(v) The theory of the Arab origin is supported by the long coat with embroidered waist-belt they wear. (Para 4)

(vi) Macaques, Malabar squirrels observe you carefully from the tree canopy. (para 7)

Complete the following phrases from the text. For each phrase, can you find at least one other word that would fit into the blank?

(i) tales of ………….

(ii) coastal …………

(iii) a piece of……

(iv) evergreen…….

(v) …… plantations

(vi) ………. Bridge.

(vii) wild…….

Look at these words: upkeep, downpour, undergo, drop out, walk- in. They are built up from a verb (keep, pour, go, drop, walk) and an adverb or a particle (up, down, under, out, in).

Use these words appropriately in the sentences below. You may consult a dictionary.


(i) A heavy …… has been forecast due to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal.
(ii) Rakesh will ……. Major surgery tomorrow morning.
(iii) My brother is responsible for the …… of our family property.
(iv) The ……. rate for his accountancy course is very high.
(v) She went to the Enterprise Company to attend a …… interview.