What Are Education Collocations?

Collocations are groups of words that naturally go together in English. They are not random; native speakers always use these specific combinations.

Learning collocations helps your English sound more natural and fluent. It also helps you understand English better when you read or listen.

• For example, we say take a photo, not “make a photo.”
• In education, we say take notes, not “make notes.”

Talking About Exams: Pass, Fail, and Revise

Exams are a big part of education. Here are some common collocations to talk about them:

• Pass your exams: This means you get a good enough score to succeed.
• Fail your exams: This means you do not get a good enough score.
• Revise (for an exam): This means to study again something you have already learned, especially before an exam. You review your notes and books.
• Take an exam / Sit an exam: This means to do the exam.

Grades and Marks: What's the Difference?

After you take an exam or hand in an essay, you will get a grade or a mark. These words mean the score you receive for your work.

• Get good grades: This means you receive high scores, like an 'A' or 'B'.
• Get low grades: This means you receive low scores, like a 'D' or 'F'.

The words grade and mark are very similar, but they are used in different places:

• Grade: This is more common in American English. For example, I got an A grade in my history class.
• Mark: This is more common in British English. For example, I got a good mark on my essay.

Studying and Assignments: Notes and Essays

When you are in class or doing homework, you use these collocations:

• Take notes: This means to write down important information during a lecture or while reading.
• Hand in an essay / Hand an essay in: This means to give your finished essay or assignment to your teacher.
• Hand an essay in late: This means you give your essay to the teacher after the deadline.

Examples

• I hope I will pass my exams this semester.
• If you don't revise, you might fail your exams.
• She always takes notes during lectures to remember everything.
• He got low grades because he didn't study enough.
• I need to hand in my essay by Friday.
• My friend handed his assignment in late and lost some marks.
• You should revise for your English test tonight.
• Many students feel nervous before they take an exam.

Practice

Common mistakes for Spanish speakers

Spanish speakers sometimes make these common mistakes:

• Saying "do an exam" instead of take an exam: In Spanish, you might say "hacer un examen." But in English, the correct collocation is take an exam or sit an exam.
  Incorrect: I need to do an exam tomorrow.
  Correct: I need to take an exam tomorrow.
• Saying "make notes" instead of take notes: For writing down information from a lecture, always use take notes.
  Incorrect: I always make notes in class.
  Correct: I always take notes in class.

Frequently asked questions

Can I say 'do an exam'?

No, the correct collocations in English are take an exam or sit an exam. "Do an exam" is not natural English.

What is the difference between 'grade' and 'mark'?

Both grade and mark refer to the score or evaluation you receive for academic work. Grade is more common in American English, while mark is more common in British English.

What does 'revise' mean?

Revise means to study again something you have already learned, typically to prepare for an exam. It's a specific type of studying focused on review.

Is 'hand in' a phrasal verb?

Yes, hand in is a phrasal verb meaning to submit something, usually an assignment or document, to a person in authority, like a teacher.

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