Collocations
Find typical usage patterns (collocations) for English words.
Enter a verb, a noun or an adjective.
| # | Collocations for | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
Click on the word cloud to see example sentences
Click on the word cloud to see example sentences
v_boj_n
n_mod_a
v_subj_n
Try these words
Some more examples with collocations
Adjective + smoker:
- heavy smoker
- inveterate smoker
- lifelong smoker
- habitual smoker
to smoke + Object:
- to smoke pipe
- to smoke cigarette
- to smoke marijuana
- to smoke cigar
hot + Noun:
- hot water
- hot day
- hot iron
- hot coffee
Noun + shop:
- gift shop
- coffee shop
- repair shop
- barber shop
memory + Verb + [s]:
- memory fades
- memory fails
- memory serves
- memory remains
[to] Verb [a/the] light:
- to throw the light
- to see the light
- to shed the light
- to reflect the light
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Collocations for «friend»Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word «friend» in context. WordReference English Collocations © 2023 friendⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK. n
n as adj
v
‘friend‘ also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations): |
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friend
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friend the member
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friend the minister
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learn friend
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good friend
He is a good friend of mine.
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friend the prime
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close friend
He remained a close friend of Vaughan up until his death, but after 1950 he saw little of Minton, finding him a social hazard.
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friend the secretary
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friend said
Mary Lou’s my friend said Gwendoline, I wouldn’t do that to her.
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personal friend
Sammy Davis Jr is a close personal friend of mine.
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best friend
How do we contact this inner guide, this best friend?
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friend the chancellor
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noble friend
If the police authority was invited to co-opt people to add to their numbers, making sure that the majority still stayed with the councillors, then I don’t think one should have too much objection to it, but if it’s to be done in this er this way of central er of central allocation er in the form of the answer to the question to my noble friend Lord Lyle from my noble friend the Minister on the 17th of January which the Noble Lord, Lord Carrigan made reference in which these people are to be er i i it staggers me my Lord, I have to stop for the moment, it staggers me the er the insolence, the insolence of the Home Office in writing down job descriptions and personal profiles for people that are going to function locally.
someone you know well and like
Adjectives frequently used with friend
close: beloved, best, bosom, close, dear, good, great, intimate, trustedHe was a close friend of Dr Barry.closest: best, closestShe’s been my best friend since I was a girl.from long ago: boyhood, childhood, college, girlhood, lifelong, long-lost, long-time, old, schoolJames and Ed were old friends, and for a time had lived in the same Cambridge street.loyal: faithful, loyal, trueHe was a loyal friend and colleague who was much loved through the world of theatre.new: new, new-foundBy the end of the night, Holly had made a lot of new friends.that two or more people share: mutualI met him through a mutual friend.referring to pets: canine, feline, four-legged, furryYou are advised to check that your lease allows pets before becoming attached to a furry friend.
Verbs frequently used with friend
make friends: find, make, winHe had no difficulty in making friends with other young people.be or become friends: be, becomeIn 1622 he met Vandyck and the two became intimate friends.have a friend: haveI like to have male friends.lose a friend: loseI’d lose too many friends if started criticizing their work.remain friends: remain, stayI hope the friends I have made at Cambridge will remain friends long after I leave.
Nouns + of frequently used before friend
bunch, circle, group, networkShe had a very wide circle of friends, from all stages in her life.
Hi English learners! How many close friends have you got? Read the blog post to learn collocations about friendship.
What are collocations and how to learn them
As you already know, collocations are chunks of words that naturally appear together. The most common collocations are the ones with make and do. For example, we always say make a bed, not do a bed; do homework or housework, not work homework or housework; go shopping, not go to shopping. The best way to learn them is within the context. When you learn a new word, it is very important to look at the collocations it forms as well. When you read a book or watch a film in English, try to recognize collocations and remember them in context.
Here is the list of the collocations about friendship:
- Make friends
- Strike up a friendship
- Close friend
- Lifelong friend
- A long-standing friendship
- Casual acquaintance
- On friendly terms
- Stand the test of time
- Win someone’s trust
- Develop a friendship
- Renew a friendship
- Spoil a friendship
Collocations about friendship
Make friends
Meaning: to become friends with someone.
- Children usually make friends more easily than adults.
- I’ve made friends with my new neighbour. He’s a great guy!
Strike up a friendship
Meaning: to start a relationship with someone.
- I’ve always found it easy to strike up a friendship on holidays.
- Sara never liked her husband to strike up a friendship with other women.
Close friend
Meaning: a person you can confide in and talk about anything.
- People usually feel comfortable when they are with their close friends and enjoy their company.
- David is my close friend and confidant. I feel I can tell him anything.
Collocations about friendship
Lifelong friend
Meaning: someone you are connected with for a long time and you feel as if you will be friends for life.
- When I first met Simon back in school, I didn’t know we would become lifelong friends.
- They spent some tough war years together and later became lifelong friends.
A long-standing friendship
Meaning: a friendship that exists for a long time.
- The two men grew a long-standing friendship over the years.
- Tara and Mary shared a long-standing friendship although they haven’t seen each other very often.
Casual acquaintance
Meaning: someone you know but you are not a friend with them.
- I’ve known Paul for a few years but he’s nothing more than a casual acquaintance.
- Fiona met a casual acquaintance when she was in Bristol.
Collocations about friendship
On friendly terms
Meaning: when people are friendly with each other.
- Celia was on friendly terms with all her colleagues.
- Although they were divorced, they remained on friendly terms.
Stand the test of time
Meaning: a strong relationship which can last for a long time.
- If their friendship is true, it will stand the test of time and last forever.
- The old couple’s marriage has stood the test of time many times.
Win someone’s trust
Meaning: to believe that someone is a reliable and honest person.
- In order to get on friendly terms with someone, you need to win their trust first.
- It may take some time until he wins her trust.
Collocations about friendship
Develop a friendship
Meaning: to become a good friend with someone over a period of time.
- Mira developed a friendship with Terry while they were working together.
- They developed a friendship which grew into a romantic relationship.
Renew a friendship
Meaning: to start being friends with someone you haven’t seen for some time.
- He was looking forward to renewing a friendship with his old school friend he hasn’t seen for years.
- Meeting you again gives us the opportunity to renew our friendship.
Spoil a friendship
Meaning: to destroy a friendship.
- I hope Mark’s occasional lack of empathy won’t spoil our friendship.
- Her jealousy spoiled their friendship.
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