A study on common errors related to the usage of DO and MAKE collocations by English non-major students at Thai Nguyen University of Economics and Business Administration (TUEBA)

VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES & INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES - - PHẠM THỊ NGÀ A STUDY ON COMMON ERRORS RELATED TO THE USAGE OF DO AND MAKE COLLOCATIONS BY ENGLISH NON-MAJOR STUDENTS AT THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (NGHIÊN CỨU VỀ NHỮNG LỖI THƯỜNG GẶP TRONG VIỆC DÙNG QUÁN NGỮ CHỨA ĐỘNG TỪ DO VÀ MAKE CỦA SINH VIÊN KHÔNG CHUYÊN TIẾNG ANH Ở TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC KINH TẾ & QUẢN TRỊ KINH DOANH THÁI NGUYÊN) M.A MINOR THESIS FIELD: ENGLISH LINGUISTICS CODE: 60.22.15 Hanoi - 2012 VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES & INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES - - PHẠM THỊ NGÀ A STUDY ON COMMON ERRORS RELATED TO THE USAGE OF DO AND MAKE COLLOCATIONS BY ENGLISH NON-MAJOR STUDENTS AT THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (NGHIÊN CỨU VỀ NHỮNG LỖI THƯỜNG GẶP TRONG VIỆC DÙNG QUÁN NGỮ CHỨA ĐỘNG TỪ DO VÀ MAKE CỦA SINH VIÊN KHÔNG CHUYÊN TIẾNG ANH Ở TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC KINH TẾ & QUẢN TRỊ KINH DOANH THÁI NGUYÊN) M.A MINOR THESIS FIELD: ENGLISH LINGUISTICS CODE: 60.22.15 SUPERVISOR: ASSOC PROF DR VÕ ĐẠI QUANG Ha noi - 2012 TABLE OF CONTENT Page Part A: INTRODUCTION …………………………………………………… 1 Rationale of the study ………………………………………………… … 2 Aims and objectives of the study …………………………………….……… Scope of the study …………………………………………………… …… … Significance of the study ………………………………… ………… … Structure of the study ……………………….…………… ………… … Part B: DEVELOPMENT ……………………………………… ……….…… Chapter 1: Literature Review 1.1 Review of previous studies related to the research area of the thesis … 1.1.1 Related research 1……………………………………………………… … 1.1.2 Related research ………………………………………………………… 1.1.3 Related research ……………………………………………………… 1.1.4 Related research ………………………………………………………… 1.1.5 Related research ……………………………………………………… 1.1.6 Related research ………………………………………………………… 1.1.7 Related research ……………………………………………………… 1.1.8 Related research ………………………………………………… …… 1.1.9 Related research ……………………………………………………… 1.1.10 Related research 10 …………………………………………………… Theoretical background ………………………………………………… …… 10 2.1 Collocations ……………………………………………………………… 10 2.2 Types of collocations …………………………………………… …… … 13 2.3 Characteristics of collocations …………………………………… ………… 16 2.4 Collocations, free compounds, and idioms ……………… 17 2.5 Collocations with Do and Make …………………… ……………………… 20 iv Summary ……………………………………………………………………… 27 Chapter 2: Methodology 27 2.1 Research – governing principles……………………… …………… … … 28 2.1.1 Research questions …………………………………….………….………… 28 2.1.2 Sampling …………………………………………………… ……………… 28 2.1.3 Research setting…………………………………………………….…… … 28 2.1.4 Research types…………………………………………………….…… … 28 2.1.5 Research approaches ……………………………………………… ……… 29 2.1.6 Principle/criteria for intended data collection and data analysis …………… 29 2.2 Research methods…………………………………………………………… 30 2.2.1 Major methods and supporting methods ………………………………… 30 2.2.2 Research procedure ………………………………………………………… 30 2.2.3 Data collection instruments ………………………………………….……… 31 2.2.4 Data analysis techniques …………………………………………………… 33 2.3 Summary ……………………………………………………………….…… 33 Chapter 3: Analysis, Findings and Discussion …………………………… … 34 3.1 Criteria for classification of the findings……………………………….… 34 3.2 Finding & Discussion on this finding………………………………… … 34 3.3 Finding & Discussion on this finding…………………………… ….…… 36 3.4 Finding & Discussion on this finding………………………………… … 38 3.5 Summary ……………………………………………….………………….… 40 Part C: CONCLUSION ………………………………………………….……… 41 Recapitulation…………………………………………………………… …… 42 Concluding remarks…………………………………………………… …… 42 2.1 Concluding remarks on objective 1…………………………………… … 42 2.1.1 Objective restated 42 2.1.2 Remarks …………………………………………… …………………… 42 2.2 Concluding remarks on objective 2………………………………………… 43 2.2.1 Objective restated……………………………………………… …….… 43 v 2.2.2 Remarks………………………………………………………………… … 43 2.3 Concluding remarks on objective 3…………………………………….…… 43 2.3.1 Objective restated…………………………………………………… … 43 2.3.2 Remarks…………………………………………………………….……… 43 Limitations of the study ……………………………………………….…….… 45 Suggestions for further studies ……………………………………….…… 45 REFERENCES ……………………………………………………… …… … 46 APPENDICES …………………………………………………………………… I Appendix 1: Test 1………………………………………………………… … II Appendix 2: Test 2……………………………………………………… … … VI Appendix 3: Test 3………………………………………………… ……….… VIII Appendix 4: Tables of the collocations under investigation …….… … … XI vi List of abbreviations CALD: Cambridge Advanced Learners‟ Dictionary CUP: Cambridge University Press OCD: Oxford Collocations Dictionary OCU: Oxford Collocations in Use OUP: Oxford University Press TUEBA: Thai Nguyen University of Economics and Business Administration List of Tables Table 1: Collocations under investigation in the thesis Table 2: Nouns as object constituent in DO collocations Table 3: Nouns as object constituent in MAKE collocations Table 4: A summary of the results of the test on learners‟ understanding of DO meanings Table 5: A summary of the results of the test on learners‟ understanding of MAKE meanings Table 6: A summary of the results of the test on learners‟ understanding of nouns as object constituent in DO collocations Table 7: A summary of the results of the test on learners‟ understanding of nouns as object constituent in MAKE collocations Table 8: A summary of the results of the test on learners‟ use of both DO and MAKE Definition of key technical terms In this thesis, the key technical terms are to be employed in the senses as stated below: i Error = Misuse or breach of the code arising from incompetence in the target language ii Context = the circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood (Oxford Dictionary) iii Pragmatic meaning = Meaning in context iv Collocation= a group of words or phrase which is frequently used with another word or phrase, in a way that sounds correct to people who have spoken the language all their lives, but might not be expected from the meaning (CALD, 2005) Part A: INTRODUCTION Rationale of the study “No piece of natural spoken or written English is totally free of collocation” (OCD, 2009) Therefore, learning collocation is important for EFL learners For students, choosing the right collocation will make his/her speech and writing sound much more natural, more native-speaker-like Poor collocation in exams is also likely to lead to lower marks However, during the time working as a teacher of English at Thai Nguyen University of Economics and Business Administration (TUEBA), I have found out that English non- major students at different levels often make mistakes in using DO and MAKE collocations For this reason, I decided to choose this as the theme for my MA thesis Aims and objectives of the study The ultimate purposes of the research are: i To help English non-major students gain an insight into DO and MAKE collocations ii To examine the influenced factors to possible errors made by the students iii To improve my own teaching of English at TUEBA To achieve these aims, the following objectives are pursued forward:  Establishing the types of errors related to DO and MAKE collocations commonly committed by English non-major students at TUEBA  Finding out the causes of students‟ errors related to the usage of DO and MAKE collocations  Working out possible solutions to the problems encountered by students in using collocations with DO and MAKE Scope of the study The survey was conducted at TUEBA The population was not large, only 300 Accounting students who were at pre-intermediate level of English Only errors related to the uses of DO and MAKE collocations in the form of “verb + noun” pattern were taken into consideration APPENDICES I APPENDIX Test 1: (These self-designed tests are to check the students‟ understanding of the meanings of DO and MAKE Part A & B are designed by reference to Cambridge Advanced Learners‟ Dictionary 2005) Part A: Understanding the meanings of the verb DO in collocations Choose the best answer (a, b or c) for the meaning of DO in the underlined collocations „I want to the living room this afternoon‟ a to repair b to reserve c to clean You've done those flowers beautifully a watered b.arranged c bought I can't come out tonight - I've got to my history essay a create b send c introduce The children are doing a play at the end of term a presenting b performing c working He did three years for his part in the robbery II a spent three years in prison b worked three years in a factory c took three years at home I've never been able to crosswords a create b solve c play How long have you been doing heroin? a taking b.selling c producing Diane did anthropology at university a passed b tested c studying We were doing 150 (km an hour) along the motorway a travellingat b running at c working at 10 We didn't manage to Nice when we were in France a make b buy c visit III Part B: Understanding the meanings of the verb MAKE in collocations Choose the best answer (a, b or c) for the meaning of MAKE in the underlined collocations Could you make the meeting at am? a have b plan c arrive I don't think he will ever make a (good) lawyer a work b become c meet How much you make the total? a calculate b produce c get The kids made such a mess in the kitchen a.do b cause c take How you make a living as a painter? a earn b have c work The company has made huge profits/losses IV a produced b gained c got We made an offer of £150 000 for the house a produce b send c perform Those little bows round the neck really make the dress! a.to cause to be perfect b sew c buy She makes all her own clothes a produce b sell c buy 10 In a relationship you have to make time for each other a have (free time) b spend (free time) c plan (free time) V APPENDIX Test 2: (These self-designed tests are to check the students‟ understanding of nouns as object constituent in DO and MAKE collocations Part A & B are designed by reference to Oxford Collocations Dictionary 2009) Part A: Understanding the meanings of nouns as object constituent in DO collocations Circle a noun (or a noun phrase) that can combine with the verb DO to make a collocation a the accounts b a dress a a deal b a decision a credit b a decision a trade b an effort a delivery b.an enquiry a amends b paperwork a arrangements b homework a a choice b housework a coffee b your job 10 a a comment b marketing 11 a an excuse b a loan 12 a sum b a visit 13 a check-up b a fool of yourself 14 a business b a journey 15 a transaction b the catering 16 a a remark b time (to go to prison) 17 a an appointment b analysis 18 a a bargain b experiment 19 a cutbacks b the marketing 20 a a deal b a mistake VI Part B: Understanding the meanings of nouns as object constituent in MAKE collocations Circle a noun (or a noun phrase) that can combine with the verb DO to make a collocation make a amends b presentation make a arrangements b shopping make a a choice b rehearsal make a total b surgery make a charge b sum make a the account b an enquiry make a credit b redundancy make a experiment b order make a an interview b a fortune 10 make a marketing b bargain 11 make a a comment b a deal 12 make a investment b trade 13 make a decision b check-up 14 make a a difference b interview 15 make a an effort b a job 16 make a paperwork b calculation 17 make a a project b a journey 18 make a a survey b profit 19 make a a report b cutbacks 20 make a a transaction b a loan VII APPENDIX TEST 3: (This self-designed test aims to check the students‟ understanding of the meanings of DO and MAKE in given contexts The test is designed by reference to example from two reliable dictionaries: Cambridge Advanced Learners‟ Dictionary 2005 and Oxford Collocations Dictionaries 2009) Choose the best answer (a, b, c or d) to complete the following sentences Many of the gang members time while they were still teenagers A did B made C took D got Have you all the arrangements yet? A made B had C done D taken She as an accountant for a big bank in the city centre A does B works C makes D takes We normally the shopping on Saturday mornings A go B C make D take Before opening a new web store, no one liked this idea and she couldn‟t enough money A produce B launch C collect D raise Those two companies don't like to business with each other A B have C make D take After the yoga courses, employees claim more energy A to make B to receive VIII C had D to have The company a profit of three million dollars so far A has done B has made C has gained D has earned I'd like to an inquiry regarding room availability for the 22nd of October A B have C make D take 10 You don't need to win the competition, just your best! A B have C make D take 11 This kind of our service _customers not to pay all immediately after their purchase A makes B lets C allows D has 12 Can you me 20 photocopies of this report A B make C create D produce 13 The police officer was only his duty when he questioned you about the robbery A doing B having C making D taking 14 After my brother lost his job he just sat around nothing A doing B having C making D taking 15 I just cannot find the time to the accounts I'm way behind with my work A B get C make D take 16 Tomorrow, I‟m _a presentation to his sales staff on our new products IX A having B making C doing D performing 17 I just cannot find the time to the accounts I'm way behind with my work A finish B make C D form 18 I used to a lot of sugar in your coffee, but now I don‟t because it‟s not very good for you A take B make C have D 19 The pub only _food at lunchtimes, not in the evenings A does B makes C takes D has 20 If they ask any awkward questions, just let me the talking A B make C get X D have APPENDIX Table 1: Collocations under investigation in the thesis Common collocations of Do Common collocations of Make a crossword make amends make a mess the ironing make arrangements make a mistake the laundry make the washing pretend) make a noise the accounts make a choice make a phone call your work make coffee make a plan homework make a comment make a point housework make a cup of tea make a profit your job make a dress make a promise anything make a decision make a remark everything make a difference make a sound a deal make an effort make a speech the paperwork make an enquiry make a suggestion business make an excuse make time the dishes make a fool of yourself make a visit a favor make food make your bed the marketing make a fortune make a dress the catering make a fuss make a move time (to go to prison) make a journey make a bargain some research make an appointment make an investment your best make a loss make cutbacks your hair believe make a loan your nails your worst make a profit XI (to make money make a transaction Table 2: Nouns as object constituent in DO collocations (source: Oxford Collocations Dictionary, 2009) A level , abortion , account , act , acting , activity , addition , alteration , analysis , arithmetic , arrangement , article , assessment , assignment , athletics , audition , autopsy , battle , book , bookkeeping , boxing , business , calculation, catering , check , check-up , chore , circuit , climb , comedy , commentary , commercial , composition , comprehension , cooking , count , course , courtesy , credit , crime , crossword , damage , dance , dancing , deal , deed , degree , delivery , demonstration , dictation , discredit , dish , dissertation , disservice , division , doctorate , documentary , drawing , duty , encore , episode , errand , essay , evaluation , evil , exam , examination , excavation , exercise , experiment , favour , feat , feature , fieldwork , filling , film , final , food , garden , gardening , gig , good , graft , groundwork , gymnastics , hair , harm , homework , honour , housework , imitation , impression , injury , injustice , interview , introduction , ironing , jigsaw , job , judo , jump , justice , karate , knitting , knot , lap , laundry , length , level , lunch , magic , maintenance , make-up , manoeuvre , marketing , master , meditation , menu , mile , mileage , miracle , mischief , model , module , monologue , nail , overtime , packing , painting , paper , paperwork , parody , part , pee , penance , photocopy , pitch , planning , poll , portrait , post-mortem , practice , preparation , presentation , problem , programme , project , promotion , puzzle , question , quiz , race , reading , reconnaissance , recording , rehearsal , renovation , repair , report , research , retreat , reverse , review , revision , ritual , round , scan , search , seminar , sequel , service , session , sewing , share , shift , shopping , shorthand , sightseeing , sketch , solo , song , sport , spreadsheet , stint , stitch , stretch , stroke , study , stunt , sum , surgery , surveillance , survey , swap , swing , task , tattoo , test , thesis , thing , thinking , tour , track and field , trade , trail , training , transaction , transfer , translation , transplant , trial , trick , trip , turn , XII typing , U-turn , update , valuation , version , video , walk , waltz , wash , washing , washing-up , wee , work , workout , workshop , writing , wrong , Xray , yoga Table 3: Nouns as object constituent in MAKE collocations (source: Oxford Collocations Dictionary, 2009) accommodation , accompaniment , accusation , acquaintance , acquisition , adaptation , addition , adjustment , admission , advance , album , ale , allegation , alliance , allocation , allusion , alteration , amendment , analogy , analysis , angle , announcement , apology , appeal , appearance , application , appointment , appraisal , approach , approximation , arc , arch , argument , arrangement , arrest , arrival , article , ascent , assault , assertion , assessment , assumption , assurance , attack , attempt , award , baby , bargain , basket , bed , bequest , bet , bid , biscuit , bishop , blessing , blunder , blush , boast , bomb , bonfire , booking , bow , bread , break , breakthrough , broadcast , bun , business , butter , cake , calculation , call , camp , cancellation , car , career , carpet , case , casserole , catch , CD , celebrity , chance , change , charcoal , charge , check , cheese , chip , choice , choke , circle , circuit , claim , clamour , clang , clarification , classification , clatter , click , climb , cloth , clothes , cock-up , cocktail , coffee , collection , comeback , comment , commercial , commitment , commotion , comparison , complaint , compound , compromise , concession , confession , connection , conquest , contact , contract , contrast , contribution , conversation , convert , cookie , copy , correction , costume , couple , crash , crater , criticism , critique , crossing , cry , cup , curve , custard , cut , cutback , dash , date , deadline , deal , decision , declaration , deduction , defence , delivery , demand , denial , dent , denunciation , departure , deposit , descent , dessert , detour , device , diagnosis , difference , difficulty , dig , din , disciple , discovery , discrimination , dish , distinction , distribution , disturbance , dive , XIII diversion , division , documentary , donation , dough , drawing , drink , duplicate , DVD , echo , economy , effort , electricity , endeavour , endorsement , enemy , enquiry , entrance , entry , episode , epitaph , error , escape , estimate , evaluation , examination , exception , exclamation , excursion excuse , exit , expedition , expenditure , explosive , fabric , face , farewell , feast , film , final , find , finding , fire , fist , fix , fixture , flesh , flight , flinch , focal point , food , footprint , forecast , forget , fortune , friend , friendship , fuss , gain , gasp , generalization , gesture , gift , glass , goal , goods , grant , grimace , groove , guess , habit , happen , haste , hay , hesitate , history , hit , hole , honey , hut , hypothesis , identification , idol , impact , impression , imprint , improvement , incision , inference , insinuation , inspection , instrument , interpretation , intervention , introduction , inventory , investment , iron , itch , jam , jelly , jewellery , joint , joke , journey , judgement , jump , jumper , kill , killing , king , lace , landing , laugh , leap , link , list , living , loan , look , loop , loss , love , lunch , lunge , machine , manoeuvre , map , mark , martyr , match , measurement , mention , mess , miracle , miscalculation , mischief , mission , mistake , moan , model , modification , money , motion , mould , move , movement , movie , muddle , music , name , nest , news , noise , noose , note , objection , observation , offer , offering , opening , orbit , order , outcast , outlay , outline , overture , pact , painting , pair , pancake , parallel , partner , paste , pastry , path , pattern , pay , payment , peace , photocopy , photograph , piano , picnic , pie , pilgrimage , pitch , plan , plastic , play , plea , pledge , point , post , poster , posting , pot , pottery , prediction , preparation , presentation , proclamation , profit , programme , progress , projection , promise , prophecy , proposal , protest , prototype , provision , puppet , purchase , push , queen , quilt , racket , raft , raid , range , read , reading , reality , reconnaissance , realize , record , recipe , recording , recommendation , recovery , reduction , reconciliation , redundancy , reference , reform , refund , regulation , relax , remark , rendezvous , renovation XIV , repair , repayment , replica , reply , report , representation , reputation , request , reservation , resolution , response , rethink , retort , retreat , return , revision , revolution , rhythm , ripple , ritual , room , roster , round , round trip , rug , rule , ruling , run , sacrifice , salad , sale , sandwich , sauce , sausage , save , saving , scapegoat , scene , schedule , score , scratch , sculpture , search , seizure , selection , sense , sequel , setting , settlement , shadow , shape , shelter , shine , shipment , shiver , shortlist , show , showing , shudder , sign , signal , simplification , sketch , slip , slur , smile , snack , sneeze , software , song , sound , soundtrack , soup , space , speech , splash , spreadsheet , sprint , squad , squirm , stab , stance , stand , star , start , statement , steel , step , stink , stipulation , stock , stop , stopover , stride , strike , study , submission , success , suggestion , summary , supposition , survey , swap , swear , sweat , sweep , swerve , swing , switch , tackle , talk , tape , target , tart , tea , team , tear , tender , thing , threat , throb , thrust , thud , tighten , time , toast , total , tour , track , trail , train , transaction , transcript , transfer , transformation , transition , translation , treaty , trek , tremble , trip , trouble , truce , tunnel , turn , U-turn , undertaking , use , valuation , vanish , video , videotape , visit , vomit , vow , voyage , wage , war , way , web , website , weep , whisky , whole , will , wince , wine , wish , withdrawal , wonder , word , work , world , yawn XV