Life Admin Collocations: Money, Shopping, Tech & Daily Errands
Do you shop around for deals or shop for deals? Can you run a system scan or do you make a system scan? English collocations — natural word partnerships — are essential for sounding fluent in everyday situations, but they're rarely taught systematically.
This challenge covers the most common collocations you need for daily life admin tasks. You'll practice shopping expressions (shop around, grab bargains, stock up on), money and banking phrases (apply for a mortgage, stick to a budget, pay bills), tech troubleshooting language (run a scan, boot up, back up files), and everyday errands (make appointments, run errands, pick up prescriptions). The 20 questions use single-choice, drop-down, drag-and-drop, and multi-choice formats to test your instinct for natural English combinations.
Try the quiz to check your knowledge!
Correct Answers
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence about shopping habits.
Sarah always _____ around for the best deals before making any major purchase.
The correct answer is shops.
"Shop around" is the correct collocation meaning to compare prices and options at different stores before buying something. It's a common phrasal verb in consumer contexts.
crash - when a computer or device suddenly stops working or freezes.
boot up - means to start or turn on a computer system.
back up my important files - means to create copies of files for safety and storage.
Join Mike as he organizes his busy day by completing these everyday tasks.
I have to make an appointment with my dentist. Don't forget to pick up your prescription from the pharmacy. I need to drop off these documents at the office.
Make an appointment - We "make appointments" with doctors, dentists, and other professionals.
Pick up your prescription - "Pick up" is used when collecting something that's ready and waiting for you.
Drop off these documents - "Drop off" means to deliver or leave something at a specific place.
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence about technology troubleshooting.
My laptop has been acting strange lately, so I decided to _____ a system scan to check for viruses.
The correct answer is run.
"Run a scan" is the standard collocation in computing contexts. We "run" programs, scans, diagnostics, and other computer processes.
Help Tom navigate online shopping by choosing the most natural collocations for each situation.
I love to browse through different websites before buying anything. Make sure to read the customer reviews before ordering. I need to track my package to see when it will arrive.
Browse through different websites - "Browse" is the most natural collocation for casually looking through websites while shopping.
Read the customer reviews - "Read reviews" is the standard collocation for examining customer feedback.
Track my package - "Track a package" is the specific term used in shipping and delivery contexts.
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence about household responsibilities.
My mother asked me to _____ the dishes after dinner while she puts the baby to bed.
The correct answer is do.
"Do the dishes" is the standard collocation for washing dishes. We use "do" with many household chores like "do the laundry," "do the cleaning," and "do the shopping."
Help Emma solve her technology problems by selecting the correct words.
My laptop won't connect to the Wi-Fi network. I need to charge my phone battery before it dies. Can you help me install this new software on my computer?
Connect to the Wi-Fi - We "connect to" networks, not "link to" or "join to."
Charge my phone battery - "Charge the battery" is the standard way to add power to electronic devices.
Install this new software - "Install software" is the technical term for putting programs on a computer.
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence about banking activities.
Before buying the house, they needed to _____ for a mortgage at several different banks.
The correct answer is apply.
"Apply for a mortgage" is the standard collocation in banking. You apply for loans, mortgages, credit cards, and other financial products.
Complete Lisa's money management sentences with the most natural word choices.
I'm trying to save money for my summer vacation. This month I need to stick to my budget more carefully. I always withdraw cash from the ATM on Fridays.
Save money - "Save money" means to keep money for future use rather than spending it.
Stick to my budget - "Stick to" means to follow something closely, especially a plan or limit.
Withdraw cash - "Withdraw" is the formal term for taking money out of your bank account.
The correct answers are I got a good deal on those shoes, The groceries were on sale, and I paid by credit card.
We "get a deal" on items, items are "on sale" (not "in sale"), and we "pay by credit card" (the preposition "by" is used for payment methods, not "with").
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence about household finances.
Don't forget to _____ the electricity bill before the due date, or they'll charge us a late fee.
The correct answer is pay.
"Pay the bill" is the correct collocation for settling financial obligations. We pay bills, invoices, and other charges.
stick to my budget - means to follow or adhere to your planned spending limits.
cut back on unnecessary expenses - means to reduce or decrease spending on non-essential items.
build up my emergency fund - means to gradually increase or accumulate money in savings.
The correct answers are make an appointment, run errands, and do the shopping.
We typically "make" appointments (not "create" them), "run errands" (not "walk errands"), and "do the shopping" (not "make the shopping"). These are standard collocations in everyday English.
grab some amazing bargains - means to quickly take advantage of good deals.
stock up on winter clothes - means to buy and store a large quantity of items for future use.
spotted a designer jacket - means to notice or discover something, especially something good.
The correct answers are My laptop crashed, The Wi-Fi is down, and I need to charge my phone.
Computers "crash" (not "break down" like cars), Wi-Fi goes "down" (not "broken"), and we "charge" devices (not "load" them).
pay my bills - means to make payments for services or debts owed.
settle my credit card debt - means to pay off or clear what you owe completely.
put aside some money - means to save or reserve money for a specific purpose.
Complete Jake's shopping adventure by choosing the right words for his grocery trip.
I need to make a shopping list before I go to the store. Don't forget to pick up some milk from the dairy section. I always compare prices before buying anything expensive.
Make a shopping list - The standard collocation is "make a list," not "do a list."
Pick up some milk - "Pick up" means to collect or buy something, especially when it's a quick task.
Compare prices - We "compare prices" to see which option costs less or offers better value.
The correct answers are The internet is slow, I need to restart the router, and The connection keeps dropping.
Internet is "slow" (not "lazy"), we "restart" devices (not "start again"), and connections "drop" (not "fall").
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence about online account management.
After moving to a new address, remember to _____ your profile information on the digital platform to reflect your current location.
The correct answer is update.
"Update your profile information" is the standard collocation in digital contexts. You "refresh" a page, "revise" a document, and "upgrade" to a better version, but you specifically "update" profile information, account details, and personal data on digital platforms.
send back the package - means to return items to the seller by mail or delivery.
return policy - refers to the rules and conditions for returning purchased items.
get my refund - means to receive back the money you paid for returned items.
Adjective
Adjective vs adverb: both describe things, but adjectives attach to nouns while adverbs attach to verbs. A quick answer (adjective → noun) vs answered quickly (adverb → verb).
An adjective modifies a noun or pronoun — telling you what kind, which one, or how many: a red car, something useful, three heavy boxes.
Diagnostic test: if the word describes a thing or person, use the adjective form. If it describes an action, you need the adverb (-ly) form instead.
Phrasal verb
Phrasal verb vs verb + preposition: a phrasal verb has a non-literal combined meaning (run into = meet by chance). A verb + preposition keeps its literal meaning (run into the room = physically run inside). The test: is the meaning predictable from the parts? No → phrasal verb. Yes → just a verb followed by a preposition.
Phrasal verbs combine verbs with particles/prepositions to create new meanings. They're the single biggest gap between textbook English and real native usage.
Diagnostic: can you guess the meaning from the individual words? No → phrasal verb (learn as unit). Yes → literal verb + preposition.
Preposition
Preposition vs particle: same words (in, on, up, off), different jobs. A preposition links to a noun (look at the book). A particle changes verb meaning without a noun (give up = quit). Test: is there a noun/pronoun after it forming a prepositional phrase? → preposition. Does it change the verb's meaning? → particle in a phrasal verb.
A preposition = small word connecting a noun to the sentence (time, place, manner, relationship). Choice is idiomatic per verb/adjective combination.
Diagnostic: struggling with which preposition to use? It's almost never about logic — look up the specific verb/adjective + preposition combination.
Verb
Verb vs noun vs adjective: nouns name things. Adjectives describe. Verbs express what happens or what IS. The test: can it take tense (walked, will walk)? Can it take -ing? Can it follow to as an infinitive (to walk)? Yes to any → verb. English often converts freely between classes (run = noun or verb), so context decides.
A verb = action/state/occurrence word. 5 forms (base, -s, past, past participle, -ing). Carries tense, aspect, mood, voice. The one required element in every sentence.
Diagnostic: does it change for tense (walk → walked)? Can you put to before it (to walk)? Does it take -ing (walking)? → verb.
Collocations
Collocation vs idiom: both are fixed expressions, but collocations are transparent (you can guess the meaning from the words: heavy rain = a lot of rain), while idioms are opaque (kick the bucket ≠ literally kick anything). Collocations are about which words pair naturally; idioms are about hidden meaning.
Collocations are habitual word combinations: make a decision, strong coffee, take a shower. Grammar allows alternatives, but fluency demands the conventional pairing.
Diagnostic: if the meaning is clear but the combination sounds "off" to native ears (do a mistake instead of make a mistake) — it's a collocation issue.
B1 | Intermediate
B1 vs B2: B1 handles standard everyday communication and simple opinions. B2 handles abstract topics, sustained arguments, and nuanced register. If you can chat about your life but struggle to debate an issue or write a formal essay, you're B1.
B1 is the intermediate CEFR level: independent handling of familiar topics, second conditional, basic passive, reported speech, and linking words for cause and contrast.
Diagnostic: can you read a newspaper article on a familiar topic and summarise the argument? Comfortably → B2. Struggle with abstractions → still B1.
B2 | Upper Intermediate
B2 vs C1: B2 means effective communication on complex topics with some effort. C1 means effortless fluency with precise register control. If you can argue a point but still reach for words and make structural slips under pressure, you're B2.
B2 is the upper-intermediate CEFR level: mixed conditionals, complex passives, reported speech with backshift, participle clauses, and sustained written argument.
Diagnostic: does your writing read as "competent non-native" or "could be native"? The former → B2. The latter → C1.
Easy
Easy vs Medium vs Hard: Easy = one rule, obvious answer, A1–A2. Medium = one rule but realistic distractors, A2–B1. Hard = interacting rules, edge cases, B2+. Start Easy to check you have the basics before moving up.
The Easy tag filters for single-rule, short-sentence, common-vocabulary challenges designed for beginners or for anyone wanting a confidence check on fundamentals.
Diagnostic: if you get Easy questions wrong, stay here — your foundations need work. If they feel trivial, move to Medium.
Medium
Medium vs Easy: Easy has one obviously correct answer and clearly wrong distractors. Medium has one correct answer but plausible distractors — you need to actually know the rule, not just guess from sound.
The Medium tag filters for A2–B1 challenges with realistic difficulty: one rule per question, plausible alternatives, everyday contexts.
Diagnostic: if you're scoring 90%+ on Easy, move here. If you're below 60% on Medium, go back to Easy for that topic. Target 70–80% accuracy for maximum learning.