IELTS Grammar: collocations

A student asked me to explain which is better: 'a prime example' or 'a primary example'.

I would say 'a prime example'. Why? Both 'prime' and 'primary' can mean 'main' or 'important', and there is no grammar rule to explain which one is best.

Native speakers instinctively know which words go together more commonly. They recognise groups of words like 'prime example'. This is what we mean by "collocation".

Tip:
Put "prime example" and "primary example" into Google (don't forget the speech marks), and look at the numbers of results. It should be clear which collocation we prefer.

Comments

[sulaiman]

A-Collocations with money

Taxpayers’ money
Money laundering
Capital finance
Household income
Cash payment
Credit facilities
Currency crisis
Expenditure level
Finance minister
Price cut
Savings account

B-value and beliefs
Individual morals
Traditional values
Ethical code: adhere to ethical code
Follow customs
c- global problems and opportunities
annoying incident: I lost my wallet last week
awkward situation : both sides refuse to talk to each other
momentous event: my cousin’s wedding
memorable occasion
burning issue: energy costs have been a burning issue several times in the last few decades
devise issue:
terrible dilemma : all governments face a terrible dilemma over funding priorities
faint possibility: there is a faint possibility that the plan will succeed
serious problem
excellent opportunity
adverse circumstances
dangerous situation
perfect solution
unexpected outcome

c-the future
agricultural society
dominant culture
urban population
modern civilisation
governing elite

d-fruits
breathtaking view
planting season
tree conservation
spectacular scenery
derelict factory:
panoramic view
e-the world of work and training
career ladder
earn a livelihood
job opportunities
improve their job prospects
work ethic
impressive achievement
a lack of achievement
fair chance
considerable advantage
gain advantage
obvious disadvantage
have disadvantage
considerable benefit
enjoy benefit
massive improvement
show improvement
career opportunity
employment prospects
offer prospects
enormous success
achieve success

f- places
residential area
safe neighbourhood
northern region
tourist hot spot
pedestrian zone
g- collocations with the word relationship
broken relationship
build relationship
close relationship
family relationship
long-lasting relationship
network of relationship
parent-child relationship
professional relationship
special relationship
h- related to systems
electricity grid: cables, generator, national, pylons
gas supply: pipelines, appliance
oil industries: exploration, field, refinery, slick , wells
railway. Train infrastructure: bridges, lines, viaducts
satellite system:
water supply:

[Simon]

Good stuff Sulaiman!

[samereh]

hello to every one and thank you to you simon for your wonderful help.
today i had exam in manchester university.
topic for writting:recently man travel to the moon which is a huge step for human kind but some people do not agree with this.give your opinion and argue both side.
speaking:discribe one of your childhood character.
explain the effect of new cartoons on children compare to twenty years ago.

[vishal desai]

hiii simon, i know you are good a teacher and all students are praising about you , but in my case i have one problem when i gave last time exam and
i scored only 5.5(s-5,l-6,w-6,r-5.5), now i choose a date 25 august, and on me lot of pressure and i think this is my last chance,i know are a wonderful teacher please tell me something.

[reema]

HI Simon can you do this speaking topic on this site or give a piece of advice how to describe this topic.
(Discribe one of your childhood character)
thankyou very much
regards

[Simon]

Thanks for sharing Samereh.

...

Hi Vishal,

You don't need to put your comments in more than one place. I can see all comments together.

...

Hi Reema,

I don't think you remembered the question correctly. I don't really understand "Describe one of your childhood character" - it doesn't make sense.

[Kevin]

Hello Simon, I just know about a structure called "subjunctive" .

For ex: It is necessary that she WEAR a hat.

I always write like this : it is necessary that she WEARS a hat .

What is the difference between them ?

[Simon]

Hi Kevin,

Don't worry too much about it - native speakers regularly say it the way you said it.

If you want to know the strict grammar rules, look at this:

http://www.englishpage.com/minitutorials/subjunctive.html

[Avani]

Hi simon,

In writing test, Are they followed the strict grammar rules or will ignore such mistakes? Thnx.

[Simon]

Hi Avani,

They are strict about most aspects of grammar, but not about something like the point Kevin made.

[Goutam]

Hi Simon, you wrote above "there is no grammar rule to explain which one is best".

Will it be only 'best' or 'the best'? If I do such mistake in either speaking or writing, will I loose mark? Thanks.