Part 1: Accommodation Collocations
Collocations are words that naturally go together. These phrases are common when talking about places to stay.
Common Accommodation Collocations
| Collocation | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| check into a hotel | "We checked into a hotel near the beach." | Register and begin your stay |
| book a room | "I booked a room with a sea view." | Reserve accommodation |
| fully furnished apartment | "We rented a fully furnished apartment downtown." | Apartment with all furniture included |
| shared accommodation | "Students often live in shared accommodation." | Housing shared with others |
| long-term rental | "He signed a long-term rental contract." | Rental agreement for several months or more |
| security deposit | "We paid a security deposit before moving in." | Money paid in case of damage |
More Accommodation Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| vacant room | "The hotel only had one vacant room left." |
| maintenance request | "I submitted a maintenance request for a broken heater." |
| tenant agreement | "Make sure you read the tenant agreement carefully." |
| monthly utilities | "Monthly utilities are not included in the rent." |
| private balcony | "Our room comes with a private balcony." |
Practice: Collocations
Exercise 1: Complete the collocations (no hints)
1. We need to __________ a room before the holiday season starts.
2. They __________ into a small hotel in the old town.
3. Students often choose __________ accommodation to save money.
4. The landlord asked for a __________ deposit before handing over the keys.
5. They prefer a __________ furnished apartment so they don't need to buy furniture.
Part 2: Accommodation Idioms
Idioms add colour and natural expression to your English when talking about accommodation and living situations.
Common Accommodation Idioms:
- live out of a suitcase – move constantly; not settle "I lived out of a suitcase for a year while travelling."
- home sweet home – happiness of returning home "After a long trip, it felt like home sweet home."
- house-hunting – searching for a place to live "They're house-hunting this weekend."
- make yourself at home – relax and act as if you are home "Come in and make yourself at home."
- break the bank – cost too much "Staying in that luxury hotel will break the bank."
- a roof over your head – basic shelter "At least we still have a roof over our heads."
Practice: Idioms
Exercise 2: Complete the idioms (no hints)
1. They spent the whole weekend __________-hunting in the countryside.
2. Staying in that five-star resort would definitely __________ the bank.
3. After months of travelling, he was tired of living out of a __________.
4. Come in, sit down, and make yourself at __________.
5. Things were tough, but at least they still had a __________ over their heads.
Part 3: Accommodation Phrasal Verbs
These phrasal verbs are commonly used when talking about accommodation, staying somewhere, or renting.
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| move in | Start living in a new place | "They moved in last weekend." |
| move out | Stop living in a place | "We have to move out by the end of the month." |
| look around | Inspect or explore a place | "Let's look around the apartment before deciding." |
| check out | Leave a hotel after paying | "We need to check out by noon." |
| settle in | Become comfortable in a new place | "It took a few days to settle in." |
Usage Tips:
Move in / move out are essential for talking about life transitions.
Settle in is perfect for describing adjustment.
Look around is common when viewing a property.
Practice: Phrasal Verbs
Exercise 3: Complete the phrasal verbs (no hints)
1. We’ll __________ in once the furniture arrives.
2. They need to __________ out before the new tenants come.
3. Take your time and __________ around the flat before deciding.
4. It took her a few weeks to really __________ in after the move.
5. We have to __________ out by 11 AM tomorrow.
Great job! You're now checked in to better English!