Words that Go Together

Collocation Lists - Sports

By Kenneth Beare, About.com Guide

Vocabulary is generally used in groups of words that go together. This is often referred to as 'chunking', another common term for this is collocation. Think about the noun 'money':

'Money' combines with verbs:

save money
spend money
pay money
etc.

Money combines with adjectives:

prize money
play money
pocket money
etc.

Money combines with other nouns:

money management
money supply
money order
etc.

Here's a page for more information on collocations with 'money', as well as example sentences to provide context.

This resource provides colocation lists for nouns related to sports using three common collocations in each category for each noun. Each page provides a new sport.

On the following pages you will find collocation lists with the following sports:

· Skiing

· Soccer

· Tennis

· Golf

· Basketball

Collocation Lists - Ski

3 Verbs + Skis

put on
remove
rent

Example Sentences

Let's put on the skis and hit the slope.
I removed my skis and went into the lodge.
I rented skis for the weekend.

3 Adjectives + Skis

alpine
back-country
powder

Example Sentences

Most alpine skis are expensive.
Back-country skis are not very common these days.
You should buy powder skis if you plan to ski off the groomed trails.

Ski + 3 nouns

pole
resort
slope

Example Sentences

Make sure your ski poles are long enough.
We've never been to that ski resort before.
Let's go over to that ski slope and give it a try.

Collocation List – Soccer

3 Verbs + Soccer

play
watch
enjoy

Example Sentences

He doesn't play soccer.
They like watching soccer on the weekends.
Do you enjoy soccer?

3 Adjectives + Soccer

amateur
professional
youth

Example Sentences

Amateur soccer is extremely popular in the US.
Professional soccer has yet to become successful in the US.
Are there any youth soccer teams in this town?

Soccer + 3 Nouns

ball
field
fan

Example Sentences

We need a new soccer ball.
The soccer field was very muddy.
The soccer fan sold his car to buy tickets to the World Cup.

Collocation List – Tennis

2 Verbs + Tennis

play
watch

Example Sentences

I've played tennis for more than twenty years.
When I watch tennis, I usually want to go play.

3 Adjectives + Tennis

doubles
singles
competitive

Example Sentences

I play doubles tennis on Wednesday evenings.
Most singles tennis is more exciting to watch than doubles tennis.
Not everyone who plays competitive tennis earns money.

Tennis + 3 Nouns

ball
racket
court

Example Sentences

I'll buy a new can of tennis balls for the match.
Peter usually needs to buy a few tennis rackets every year.
Have you booked the tennis court for tomorrow?

Collocation List – Golf

3 Verbs + Golf

play
take up
watch

Example Sentences

Jerry has played golf since he was ten years old.
I took up golf three years ago.
I love watching golf on TV on the weekends.

3 Adjectives + Golf

mini
championship
pro

Example Sentences

Most people play mini golf with children.
Championship golf is only for the very rich.
Pro golf is extremely popular in South Africa.

Golf + 3 Nouns

course
club
glove

Example Sentences

There are four golf courses within five miles of our house.
Golf clubs can be very expensive.
Make sure to wear a golf glove when you play.

Collocation List – Basketball

3 Verbs + Basketball

play
coach
watch

Example Sentences

Jane played on her high school basketball team.
Have you ever coached basketball?
My family enjoys watching basketball on TV.

3 Adjectives + Basketball

college
pro
varsity

Example Sentences

College basketball is extremely competitive in the US.
Pro basketball players can earn millions of dollars per season.
Varsity basketball teams receive a lot more money than junior-varsity basketball teams.

Basketball + 3 Nouns

court
player
team

Example Sentences

Our high-school has a new basketball court.
The basketball player was traded to a different team.
The local basketball team is awful.

Collocation Use with Catch, Pay, Keep

in Words that Go Together

Choose which one of the following three verbs goes with the expressions listed below

Catch

Pay

Keep

a cold	attention	a pet
a bus	control	the bill
a promise	interest	someone's attention
a ball	calm	the price
someone's place	by check	a thief
someone a vist	a fright	an appointment
by surprise	a salary	quiet
fire	cash	a secret
a diary	someone a compliment	someone's eye
a mouse	the change	wages

Collocation Use with Miss, Get, Do and Make

in Words that Go Together

Choose which one of the following four verbs goes with the expressions listed below

Miss

Get

Make

a goal	home	homework	progress
an effort	the shopping	a chance	frightened
the sack	the point	money	the housework
someone a favor	permission	a flight	a mess
business	a surprise	one's family	a mistake
nothing	furniture	the message	a lesson
one's home	a noise	the washing up	lost
ready	trouble	an opportunity	the cooking
a job	peace	an appointment	a job
nowhere	a change	someone's help	one's best

Collocation Use with Come, Get and Feel

in Words that Go Together

Choose which one of the following three verbs goes with the expressions listed below

Come

Get

Feel

first	ready	tense
comfortable	married	last
right back	happy	started
free	divorced	early
close	burnt	nervous
prepared	drunk	old
disappointed	angry	late
proud	lost	second
complete with	sleepy	worried
direct	wet	hurt

Collocation Use with Save, Find and Go

in Words that Go Together

Choose which one of the following three verbs goes with the expressions listed below

Save

Find

time	a partner	mad
wild	time	money
the answer	crazy	someone's life
energy	happiness	white
abroad	the money	someone a seat
oneself trouble	a solution	missing
quiet	electricity	space
one's strength	a way	bad
space	dark	a replacement
a cure	a penalty	overseas

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