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Collocation Lists - Sports
By Kenneth Beare, About.com Guide
By Kenneth Beare, About.com Guide
Vocabulary is generally used in groups of words that go together. This is often referred to as 'chunking', another common term for this is collocation. Think about the noun 'money':
'Money' combines with verbs:
save money
spend money
pay money
etc.
Money combines with adjectives:
prize money
play money
pocket money
etc.
Money combines with other nouns:
money management
money supply
money order
etc.
Here's a page for more information on collocations with 'money', as well as example sentences to provide context.
This resource provides colocation lists for nouns related to sports using three common collocations in each category for each noun. Each page provides a new sport.
On the following pages you will find collocation lists with the following sports:
· Skiing
· Soccer
· Tennis
· Golf
· Basketball
3 Verbs + Skis
put on
remove
rent
Example Sentences
Let's put on the skis and hit the slope.
I removed my skis and went into the lodge.
I rented skis for the weekend.
3 Adjectives + Skis
alpine
back-country
powder
Example Sentences
Most alpine skis are expensive.
Back-country skis are not very common these days.
You should buy powder skis if you plan to ski off the groomed trails.
Ski + 3 nouns
pole
resort
slope
Example Sentences
Make sure your ski poles are long enough.
We've never been to that ski resort before.
Let's go over to that ski slope and give it a try.
3 Verbs + Soccer
play
watch
enjoy
Example Sentences
He doesn't play soccer.
They like watching soccer on the weekends.
Do you enjoy soccer?
3 Adjectives + Soccer
amateur
professional
youth
Example Sentences
Amateur soccer is extremely popular in the US.
Professional soccer has yet to become successful in the US.
Are there any youth soccer teams in this town?
Soccer + 3 Nouns
ball
field
fan
Example Sentences
We need a new soccer ball.
The soccer field was very muddy.
The soccer fan sold his car to buy tickets to the World Cup.
2 Verbs + Tennis
play
watch
Example Sentences
I've played tennis for more than twenty years.
When I watch tennis, I usually want to go play.
3 Adjectives + Tennis
doubles
singles
competitive
Example Sentences
I play doubles tennis on Wednesday evenings.
Most singles tennis is more exciting to watch than doubles tennis.
Not everyone who plays competitive tennis earns money.
Tennis + 3 Nouns
ball
racket
court
Example Sentences
I'll buy a new can of tennis balls for the match.
Peter usually needs to buy a few tennis rackets every year.
Have you booked the tennis court for tomorrow?
3 Verbs + Golf
play
take up
watch
Example Sentences
Jerry has played golf since he was ten years old.
I took up golf three years ago.
I love watching golf on TV on the weekends.
3 Adjectives + Golf
mini
championship
pro
Example Sentences
Most people play mini golf with children.
Championship golf is only for the very rich.
Pro golf is extremely popular in South Africa.
Golf + 3 Nouns
course
club
glove
Example Sentences
There are four golf courses within five miles of our house.
Golf clubs can be very expensive.
Make sure to wear a golf glove when you play.
3 Verbs + Basketball
play
coach
watch
Example Sentences
Jane played on her high school basketball team.
Have you ever coached basketball?
My family enjoys watching basketball on TV.
3 Adjectives + Basketball
college
pro
varsity
Example Sentences
College basketball is extremely competitive in the US.
Pro basketball players can earn millions of dollars per season.
Varsity basketball teams receive a lot more money than junior-varsity basketball teams.
Basketball + 3 Nouns
court
player
team
Example Sentences
Our high-school has a new basketball court.
The basketball player was traded to a different team.
The local basketball team is awful.