This document provides instructions for using the Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA) to check language usage in sample sentences. It lists 9 sentences with underlined words or phrases and asks the user to input different syntax in the COCA search bar to determine whether the underlined portion is used correctly or needs correction. The goal is to practice using the corpus as a reference for academic writing.

1. COCA Practice Worksheet Academic Writing Course | Department of English Programs, AUA
Use the Corpus of Contemporary American English (http://corpus.byu.edu/coca/) to check on the language
underlined in the following sentences.
Make sure to watch the video tutorials as assigned by your instructor.
For each underlined questioned word/phrase, try all the suggested sytanx: a), b), etc. one by one.
Be guided by the questions in parentheses in the left column.
Based on the results you get, make your own informed decision about the underlined segment:
o Correct; hence leave as is, OR
o Incorrect ; propose how to correct it in the left column.
Even if you know the correct answer, still use the corpus dictionary for practice purposes.
Questioned words/phrases with proposed solutions Syntax
1. Some students ??? mistakes. (What verbs can I use a) WORD(S) [mistake]
before mistake?) COLLOCATES ____ 2 _ 0
POST LIST verb.ALL
2. He brings a few examples. (What verbs can I use with a) WORD(S) [example]
example(s) that convey the same meaning?) COLLOCATES _____ 3 _ 0
POST LIST verb.ALL
b) WORD(S) [example]
COLLOCATES [bring] 3 _ 0
c) WORD(S) [example]
COLLOCATES [=bring] 3 _ 0
3. Good solution (What’s a better word for good in this a) WORD(S) solution
phrase?) COLLOCATES [=good] 1 _ 0
4. She focused on the worst effects that are having those WORD(S) effect*
plastics on the environment. (Is this the right word COLLOCATES ____ 2 _ 3
combination?) POST LIST verb.ALL
5. Her ideas add more of scientific researches on this b) WORD(S) research
topic. (Is the plural form ok?) c) WORD(S) researches
d) WORD(S) research*
6. One of Leahy’s ideas overcomes Diana’s idea. (Does d) WORD(S) overcome*
this word combination exist? What does it mean, if COLLOCATES _____ 0 _ 2
yes?) POST LIST noun.all
b) WORD(S) overcome*
COLLOCATES _____ 0 _ 2
POST LIST noun.all
7. Plastic bags are very bad for environment. (With or a) WORD(S) environment
without the article?) COLLOCATES ‘for’ 2 _ 0
b) WORD(S) environment
COLLOCATES ‘for’ 1 _ 0
8. … to use plastic more efficiently in order to not Figure out your own syntax

2. COCA Practice Worksheet Academic Writing Course | Department of English Programs, AUA
damage the environment. (Is this form correct?)
9. Plastic has a very bad influence to submarine life. (Is Figure out your own syntax
this the right word combination?)