1. collocation: word pairs
Some pairs of words in English which go together always come in a certain order, for example we always say ‘Ladies and Gentlemen’ and ‘right or wrong’ NOT gentlemen and ladies, wrong or right.

2. lemon butter knife thunder black breakfast backwards quiet
Take one word from A and match it with another from B. Then decide which one should come first. A B
lemon butter knife thunder black breakfast backwards quiet
fork white peace bed ice forwards bread lightning

3. Do these follow the same order in Italian?
lemon & ice bread & butter fork & knife thunder & lightening black & white bed & breakfast backwards & forwards peace & quiet

4. right or ___ sooner or ___ now or ___ all or ___ more or ___
Look at some common word pairs joined with or. What is the second word?
right or ___
sooner or ___
now or ___
all or ___
more or ___
once or ___

5. right or wrong sooner or later now or never all or nothing
Look at some common word pairs joined with or. What is the second word?
right or wrong
sooner or later
now or never
all or nothing
more or less
once or twice

6. I’m sick and tired of hearing you complain.
Replace the word pairs in these sentences with a synonymous expression.
I’m sick and tired of hearing you complain.
I didn’t buy much, just a few bits and pieces.
I’ve been having headaches now and again.
He’s unemployed and down and out.
Every relationship needs a bit of give and take.
We’ve had our ups and downs, but now we got on really well.
The army were called in to restore law and order.
Despite flying through a storm we arrived safe and sound.

7. Replace the word pairs in these sentences with a synonymous expression.
I’m fed up with (sick and tired) hearing you complain.
I didn’t buy much, just a few odds and ends / small things (bits and pieces).
I’ve been having headaches occasionally (now and again).
He’s unemployed and without money or a home (down and out).
Every relationship needs a bit of compromise (give and take).
We’ve had our problems (ups and downs), but now we got on really well.
The army were called in to restore respect for the law (law and order).
Despite flying through a storm we arrived without problem or injury (safe and sound).

8. Complete the sentences with a word pair.
He visits us ___, perhaps twice a year.
It’s your last chance I’m afraid. It’s ___.
Please stop making so much noise. I need a bit of ___.
After lots of adventures she arrived home ___.
___ he’ll realize that she’s not the woman for him.
After the riots the government sent soldiers in to try to establish ___
She’s ___ of he husband. She wants to leave him.
It was an amazing storm. There was lots of ___.

9. Complete the sentences with a word pair.
He visits us now and again, perhaps twice a year.
It’s your last chance I’m afraid. It’s now or never.
Please stop making so much noise. I need a bit of peace and quiet.
After lots of adventures she arrived home safe and sound.
Sooner or later he’ll realize that she’s not the woman for him.
After the riots the government sent soldiers in to try to establish law and order
She’s sick and tired of he husband. She wants to leave him.
It was an amazing storm. There was lots of thunder and lightening.