Verb noun collocations including the following verbs: have, organize, plan, make, get, take, catch, ask, lose, pay, run, do There is a fill in the blanks and a word match activity included in this slide show. There are also 3 slides that have collocations that use swear words.

1. verb-noun collocations
Collocation:
a word or phrase that is often used with another word
or phrase, in a way that ​sounds ​correct to ​people who
have ​spoken the ​language all ​their ​lives, but might not
be ​expected from the ​meaning

2. Note: verbs can precede different nouns & nouns can be
preceded by different verbs.
party / event / wedding / concert
 have a party
 organize a party
 plan a party
 make party plans
*Note that we do NOT make a party /event …
We’re making a party for next Friday. X
We’re making party plans for next Friday.
We’re making plans for a party next Friday.

3. take
A: I need to take a break after all that studying!
B: You’re always taking breaks! We’ve only
been studying for 20 minutes.
She is taking a nap. / Taking naps can be good
for you.
When are you taking (your) vacation?

4. a cold
a / the ball
a / the bus
your
breath
fire
someone’s
eye
you later!
What verb goes with each
of the following nouns?

5. catch
a cold
a / the ball
a / the bus
your
breath
fire
someone’s
eye
you later!
What verb goes with each
of the following nouns?

6. catch
What time do we have to catch the train?
Excuse me, I didn’t catch that. Can you repeat
what you said? (I didn’t catch what you said.)
The red dress caught my eye, so I bought it.
(it got my attention / it’s attractive)
He stopped running in order to catch his
breath.
God my life sucks! I never seem to catch a
break!

7. a
question
(for) a
favour
(one’s)
opinion
for money
how / why
/ where…
something
for help
What verb goes with each
of the following nouns?

8. ask
a
question
(for) a
favour
(one’s)
opinion
for money
how / why
/ where…
something
for help

9. one’s
temper
one’s
mind
one’s
something
a bet
a game /
match
something
a family
member
one’s = pronoun / name
What verb goes with each
of the following nouns?

10. lose
one’s
temper
one’s
mind
one’s
something
a bet
a game /
match
something
a family
member
one’s = pronoun / name
What verb goes with each
of the following nouns?

11. lose
Mike will lose his temper when he finds out
that Don broke the TV.
Have you lost your mind? Put the knife down!
I lost my cell phone. Has anyone seen it?
He lost a bet, so he has to let his friends shave
his head. Ha ha
People lose money at the casino all the time.
Be good to your friends otherwise you’ll lose
them.

12. make
a decision
a choice
a mistake
friends
moneyBrainstorm with a partner:
What other nouns go with the verb “make”?

13. More nouns that go with “make”
• a living
• dinner (coffee, etc)
• noise
• progress
• trouble
• sense
• a sentence / sentences
• a phone call / phone calls
• the bed / the beds / my bed / his bed, etc…
• a bet / bets
• a proposal / proposals

14. attention
rent
someone
(back)
the bill /
check
What verb goes with each
of the following nouns?

15. pay
attention
rent
someone
(back)
the bill /
check
What verb goes with each
of the following nouns?

16. someone
(back)
the
message
a job
the bill /
check
a drink /
something
to eat
a phone
call

17. get
someone
(back)
the
message
a job
the bill /
check
a drink /
something
to eat
a phone call
/ e-mail /
text
message
a cold /
headache…

18. I’ve tried to tell him that I don’t want to date
him again, but he’s not getting the message.
I got 3 new texts while I was in class.
My roommate played a joke on me yesterday,
so I’m going to get him back tonight!
Excuse me, can we get the bill / check?
A: After school today, do you want to get
something to drink?
B: Yes, let’s get a beer at the pub.
I’ve got a headache.

19. run
run errands / an errand
I have to run an errand in town today, do you
want to come?
run a bath
Honey, can you run a bath for the kids?
run a fever
You should take your child to the hospital if
they’re running a high fever!

20. have
have a cold / the flu / a headache…
My brother had the flu last weekend, and now I
have the flu.
have breakfast / lunch / dinner / a drink…
Let’s have a snack before we start doing our
homework.
have vacation / a break…
I have vacation scheduled for August!
have a party / plans
A: We’re having a party next weekend, do you want
to come?
B: Sorry, I have plans for this weekend.

21. do
do dishes / chores / laundry / housework
I hate doing dishes, but I don’t mind doing
laundry.
do + (martial arts) / yoga
His sister knows how to do judo.
How long have you been doing yoga?
do homework / an assignment
I have to do homework for two of my classes,
plus a writing assignment.

22. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate
verb
1. I called you three times yesterday, didn’t you
___my messages?
2. Tomorrow I have to ___ my rent.
3. When your teacher is speaking, you should ___
attention.
4. During class, please feel free to ___ as many
questions as you like.
5. Most people like to ___ coffee in the morning to
wake them up.
6. The city has ___ a free concert for Canada Day.

23. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate
verb
1. I called you three times yesterday, didn’t you
get my messages?
2. Tomorrow I have to pay my rent.
3. When your teacher is speaking, you should pay
attention.
4. During class, please feel free to ask as many
questions as you like.
5. Most people like to have coffee in the morning
to wake them up.
6. The city has organized a free concert for Canada
Day next week.
(planned / scheduled )

24. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate
verb
7. Can I ___ a question?
8. He ___ a couple of mistakes on yesterday’s test.
9. They’ve ___ a lot of friends while living in
abroad.
10. Tara usually ___ laundry on Saturday morning.
11. If the player next to you plays this card, it
means you ___ your turn.
12. If you study and practice, you will _____
Progress.

25. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate
verb
7. Can I ask a question?
8. He made a couple of mistakes on yesterday’s
test.
9. They’ve made a lot of friends while living in
abroad.
10. Tara usually does laundry on Saturday morning.
11. If the player next to you plays this card, it
means you lose your turn.
12. If you study and practice, you will make
progress.

27. PG 16+ collocations
Canadians, and English speakers in general
swear a lot. 
Here are some collocations that you might hear
outside of the classroom.

28. could give + “noun”
I could care less. =
I could give a shit.
I could give a fuck.
I could give a rat’s ass.

29. don’t give + “noun”
I don’t care. =
I don’t give a shit.
I don’t give a fuck.
I don’t give a rat’s ass.

30. verb + “noun”
Eat shit and die.
I don’t have to take this shit. I’m leaving!
Fuck this shit. I’m done studying for tonight.
Screw you!

31. Next slide for teacher
Print and cut up.
Use as a matching activity prior to using this
slide show. Tell students there may be more
than one option depending on the verb / noun.

32. make +
(1)
plans
get +
(1)
a job
run + a fever
ask +
(1)
a question
see + you (later)
make +
(2)
a choice

33. do +
(1)
yoga
organize + a party
get +
(2)
help
pay + attention
do +
(2)
homework
have + a fever

34. catch + a fish
make +
(3)
friends
lose + money
take + a nap
give + a smile
ask +
(2)
for something