Current English collocations dictionaries

Abstract

Since the structure of the English language is to a large extent determined by the existence of fixed lexical combinations which must be learnt by heart and used as ready-made expressions, it is no wonder that, in the realm of EFL/ESL, both linguists and teachers have paid and are currently paying much attention to this area. A specific type of instrument which can boost the teaching and learning of collocations, and, hence, help the foreign language learner produce fluent, natural-sounding text is the dictionary of collocations. This article sets out to draw a comparison of the latest editions of the best known English collocations dictionaries nowadays. Its ultimate objective is to offer the reader a perceptive, informed view of the strengths and weaknesses of each of these works.