2. collocation: word pairs
Some pairs of words in English which go
together always come in a certain order, for
example we always say
‘Ladies and Gentlemen’
NOT gentlemen and ladies
3. Take one word from A and match it with
another from B.
Then decide which one should come first.
A
lemon
butter
knife
thunder
black
breakfast
backwards
quiet
B
fork
white
peace
bed
ice
forwards
bread
lightning
4. lemon & ice
bread & butter
fork & knife
thunder & lightning
black & white
bed & breakfast
backwards & forwards
peace & quiet
NON-REVERSIBLE/IRREVERSIBLE
5. Look at some common word pairs joined
with or.
What is the second word?
right or ___
sooner or ___
now or ___
all or ___
more or ___
once or ___
6. Look at some common word pairs joined
with or.
What is the second word?
right or wrong
sooner or later
now or never
all or nothing
more or less
once or twice
34. Replace the word pairs in these sentences
with a synonymous expression.
1. I’m sick and tired of hearing you complain.
2. I didn’t buy much, just a few bits and pieces.
3. I’ve been having headaches now and again.
4. He’s unemployed and down and out.
5. Every relationship needs a bit of give and take.
6. We’ve had our ups and downs, but now we got on
really well.
7. The army were called in to restore law and order.
8. Despite flying through a storm we arrived safe and
sound.
35. Replace the word pairs in these sentences
with a synonymous expression.
1. I’m fed up with (sick and tired) hearing you complain.
2. I didn’t buy much, just a few odds and ends / small things (bits
and pieces).
3. I’ve been having headaches occasionally (now and again).
4. He’s unemployed and without money or a home (down and out).
5. Every relationship needs a bit of compromise (give and take).
6. We’ve had our problems (ups and downs), but now we got on
really well.
7. The army were called in to restore respect for the law (law and
order).
8. Despite flying through a storm we arrived without problem or
injury (safe and sound).
36. Complete the sentences with a word pair.
1. He visits us ___, perhaps twice a year.
2. It’s your last chance I’m afraid. It’s ___.
3. Please stop making so much noise. I need a bit of ___.
4. After lots of adventures she arrived home ___.
5. ___ he’ll realize that she’s not the woman for him.
6. After the riots the government sent soldiers in to try
to establish ___
7. She’s ___ of he husband. She wants to leave him.
8. It was an amazing storm. There was lots of ___.
37. Complete the sentences with a word pair.
1. He visits us now and again, perhaps twice a year.
2. It’s your last chance I’m afraid. It’s now or never.
3. Please stop making so much noise. I need a bit of peace and
quiet.
4. After lots of adventures she arrived home safe and sound.
5. Sooner or later he’ll realize that she’s not the woman for
him.
6. After the riots the government sent soldiers in to try to
establish law and order
7. She’s sick and tired of he husband. She wants to leave him.
8. It was an amazing storm. There was lots of thunder and
lightning.
