# Words that go together **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 7, 2013, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-go-together/646317 "2013-01-07T04:51:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-go-together/646317/1 "2013-01-07T04:51:20Z")
In modern English, if you “wreak” something, it’s generally “havoc” (or possibly revenge). The only thing that can be “akimbo” is “arms”. There’s only “flotsam” where there’s also “jetsam” Is there a term for words like this that are solely or mainly used in just one context? And what are some more that people can think of? ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-go-together/646317/2 "2013-01-07T05:01:03Z")
You never hear _nook_ without _cranny_. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-go-together/646317/3 "2013-01-07T05:05:50Z")
> [@Peanuthead](#): > > You never hear _nook_ without _cranny_. I would say that is actually the other way around. I’ve never heard cranny in another context but I’ve heard of a breakfast nook. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-go-together/646317/4 "2013-01-07T05:07:50Z")
The technical term is [collocation](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collocation). You can’t write a picture, draw an essay, go the dishes, or play skiing. ---
**Author:** ![zombywoof](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/9e8a1a/32.png) [@zombywoof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zombywoof)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-go-together/646317/5 "2013-01-07T05:19:18Z")
“Ajar” (“Door”) ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-go-together/646317/6 "2013-01-07T05:21:03Z")
Yeah, that’s close. But this would be a particular type of collocation - one in which a component had fallen so much into disuse that it never appeared outside that specific context. I’m seeing [Collocational restriction](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collocational_restriction) on wiki as well, but again that isn’t quite it - the ‘white’ in ‘white wine’ or ‘white man’ might be different to ‘white paint’ but the word ‘white’ is still ubiquitous in other contexts. ---
**Author:** ![troubledwater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@troubledwater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/troubledwater)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-go-together/646317/7 "2013-01-07T05:21:21Z")
I was just noticing today that “nigh” is usually preceded by “The end of the world is.” ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-go-together/646317/8 "2013-01-07T05:25:40Z")
Michelle, ma belle, These are words that go together well. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-go-together/646317/9 "2013-01-07T05:34:41Z")
> [@Aspidistra](#): > > Yeah, that’s close. But this would be a particular type of collocation - one in which a component had fallen so much into disuse that it never appeared outside that specific context. > > I’m seeing [Collocational restriction](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collocational_restriction) on wiki as well, but again that isn’t quite it - the ‘white’ in ‘white wine’ or ‘white man’ might be different to ‘white paint’ but the word ‘white’ is still ubiquitous in other contexts. Yeah after more thought, there’s several different terms for “words that go together.” Compound nouns: the trash bag is never the waste bag because “trash bag” is a word in itself. Cliche, expression, saying: A bird in the hand is worth \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. Phrasal verbs: when a verb and a preposition are put together to form a new, specific meaning, they always must go together. I believe the OP has examples of all of the ones I mentioned in their original post except phrasal verbs. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-go-together/646317/10 "2013-01-07T06:37:17Z")
We had this discussion just last month, started by OP **Silver Tyger** > **[What's this type of stock phrase called?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=675139)** > > I’m sure somebody will come up with it minutes, but my brain is refusing to work. When two words are pretty much always used together, like ‘bated breath’ or ‘free rein’ ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-go-together/646317/11 "2013-01-07T06:39:03Z")
> [@troubledwater](#): > > I was just noticing today that “nigh” is usually preceded by “The end of the world is.” A train also draws nigh, especially when it’s about to plow over [Bill Grogan’s goat](http://www.djmorton.demon.co.uk/scouting/songs/goat.htm). ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-go-together/646317/12 "2013-01-07T07:04:13Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > We had this discussion just last month, started by OP **Silver Tyger** > > [What's this type of stock phrase called? - Factual Questions - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=675139) And the answer is [fossil word](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil_word). Lottsa good examples in the Wiki entry. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-go-together/646317/13 "2013-01-07T09:51:59Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > The technical term is [collocation](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collocation). > > You can’t write a picture, draw an essay, go the dishes, or play skiing. All those words go perfectly well with lots of other words. They are not in any way examples of what the OP is talking about. Furthermore, the fact that you cannot write a picture, etc., is not a fact about language at all, it is a fact about the natures of the acts and objects named. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-go-together/646317/14 "2013-01-07T09:53:28Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > And the answer is [fossil word](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil_word). Lottsa good examples in the Wiki entry. FTW! ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-go-together/646317/15 "2013-01-07T10:03:18Z")
> [@njtt](#): > > All those words go perfectly well with lots of other words. They are not in any way examples of what the OP is talking about. > > Furthermore, the fact that you cannot write a picture, etc., is not a fact about language at all, it is a fact about the natures of the acts and objects named. Had a long answer planned, but instead I’ll just call you ignorant and advise you to check any grammar book about “word choice error” or “collocation error.” ---
**Author:** ![Stealth\_Potato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Stealth\_Potato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stealth_Potato)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-go-together/646317/16 "2013-01-07T11:52:28Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > Had a long answer planned, but instead I’ll just call you ignorant and advise you to check any grammar book about “word choice error” or “collocation error.” If you generously grant that **njtt** meant “grammar” specifically and not “language” generally, his statement is correct. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-go-together/646317/17 "2013-01-07T11:54:38Z")
> [@Stealth\_Potato](#): > > If you generously grant that **njtt** meant “grammar” specifically and not “language” generally, his statement is correct. Sigh. Read my post above and follow the same instructions. If you’ve never heard of either, I’d suggest dropping it now and calling it a loss. ---
**Author:** ![Stealth\_Potato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Stealth\_Potato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stealth_Potato)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-go-together/646317/18 "2013-01-07T12:16:16Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > Sigh. Read my post above and follow the same instructions. > > If you’ve never heard of either, I’d suggest dropping it now and calling it a loss. Far be it for me to get into a grammar argument at 4 in the morning when I should be working, but according to my understanding, the invalidity of phrases like “write a picture” is semantic and not syntactic. “Write a picture” is as grammatical as “read a book.” ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-go-together/646317/19 "2013-01-07T12:17:50Z")
> [@Stealth\_Potato](#): > > Far be it for me to get into a grammar argument at 4 in the morning when I should be working, but according to my understanding, the invalidity of phrases like “write a picture” is semantic and not syntactic. “Write a picture” is as grammatical as “read a book.” Again, I would advise you to figure out what a “word choice error” and a “collocation error” are before you continue to embarrass yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Stealth\_Potato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Stealth\_Potato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stealth_Potato)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-go-together/646317/20 "2013-01-07T12:19:35Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > Again, I would advise you to figure out what a “word choice error” and a “collocation error” are before you continue to embarrass yourself. Alternatively, you could explain what a word choice error is and why it has anything to do with syntax. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-go-together/646317.md?page=2)