- Do you ever wonder if you’re using the right words when talking about how well-liked something is?
- Struggling to move beyond “very popular” and express a more nuanced idea of `popularity`?
- Want to sound more natural and fluent when discussing trends, success, or public opinion?
Understanding collocations—words that naturally go together—is a game-changer for English learners. Instead of translating word-for-word, learning collocations for terms like `popularity` helps you speak and write more naturally, enhancing your fluency, comprehension, and confidence. Let’s unlock the power of `popularity` together!
Essential Collocations using Popularity as a Noun
The word “popularity” functions solely as a noun, referring to the state or condition of being liked, admired, or supported by many people. Mastering its collocations will significantly enrich your vocabulary.
Verbs Describing Gaining or Increasing Popularity
These collocations focus on how something or someone becomes popular or experiences an increase in being liked.
- Achieve popularity: To successfully become popular.
Example: The new social media app quickly achieved popularity among teenagers.
- Gain popularity: To acquire or win widespread acceptance or admiration.
Example: The band started to gain popularity after their song went viral online.
- Win popularity: Similar to ‘gain popularity,’ often implying a deliberate effort or competition.
Example: The candidate worked hard to win popularity with voters by addressing local issues.
- Rise in popularity: To increase in terms of how many people like something.
Example: Plant-based diets have seen a significant rise in popularity in recent years.
- Grow in popularity: To develop or expand in public acceptance over time.
Example: Sustainable fashion continues to grow in popularity as consumers become more environmentally conscious.
- Boost popularity: To improve or increase public liking of something.
Example: The celebrity endorsement helped boost the popularity of the new product.
- Enhance popularity: To improve the quality or extent of being popular.
Example: Positive reviews from critics can greatly enhance the popularity of a film.
Verbs Describing Maintaining or Experiencing Popularity
These phrases describe what it’s like to be popular or to keep that status.
- Enjoy popularity: To experience or benefit from being widely liked or admired.
Example: The classic novel continues to enjoy popularity with readers of all ages.
- Maintain popularity: To keep or preserve the state of being widely liked.
Example: It’s challenging for pop stars to maintain popularity over many decades.
- Sustain popularity: Similar to ‘maintain,’ often implying continuous effort.
Example: The restaurant managed to sustain its popularity by consistently offering high-quality food.
Verbs Describing Losing or Decreasing Popularity
These collocations describe a reduction or decline in public acceptance.
- Lose popularity: To cease to be widely liked or admired.
Example: After the scandal, the politician began to lose popularity rapidly.
- Decline in popularity: To decrease in public acceptance.
Example: Landline phones have seen a sharp decline in popularity with the rise of mobile technology.
- Wane in popularity: To decrease in strength, intensity, or extent; to fade away.
Example: The once-trendy fashion style started to wane in popularity as new trends emerged.
Adjectives Describing the Nature or Extent of Popularity
These adjectives help to specify the kind or degree of public liking.
- Widespread popularity: Liked by a very large number of people over a broad area.
Example: The song achieved widespread popularity across the globe.
- Immense popularity: Extremely great or vast popularity.
Example: The band’s reunion concert generated immense popularity and sold out in minutes.
- Growing popularity: Increasing in public liking.
Example: E-sports are experiencing growing popularity, attracting millions of viewers.
- Sudden popularity: Becoming popular very quickly and unexpectedly.
Example: The new TikTok dance gained sudden popularity overnight.
- Enduring popularity: Remaining popular for a long time.
Example: Shakespeare’s plays have an enduring popularity that spans centuries.
- Fleeting popularity: Lasting for only a short time; temporary.
Example: Many internet memes have only fleeting popularity before being replaced.
- Declining popularity: Decreasing in public acceptance.
Example: Physical books, despite a recent resurgence, faced declining popularity with the advent of e-readers.
Prepositional Phrases with Popularity
Using the correct preposition is crucial for natural-sounding English.
- Popularity of [something/someone]: Refers to what or who is popular.
Example: The popularity of vintage clothing has surged among young adults.
- Popularity with [group/person]: Refers to the group or individual who likes something.
Example: The new policy has gained significant popularity with local residents.
- Popularity among [group]: Similar to ‘popularity with,’ used for a collective group.
Example: There’s a noticeable increase in the popularity among students for online learning.
- Popularity for [reason/quality]: Explains the reason something is popular.
Example: His popularity for his charismatic speeches is undeniable.
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Achieve popularity | Verb + Noun | Become popular |
| Gain popularity | Verb + Noun | Acquire public liking |
| Enjoy popularity | Verb + Noun | Be liked by many |
| Maintain popularity | Verb + Noun | Keep being liked |
| Lose popularity | Verb + Noun | Stop being liked by many |
| Rise in popularity | Verb + Prep + Noun | Increase in public liking |
| Decline in popularity | Verb + Prep + Noun | Decrease in public liking |
| Widespread popularity | Adjective + Noun | Liked by many in many places |
| Enduring popularity | Adjective + Noun | Liked for a long time |
| Fleeting popularity | Adjective + Noun | Liked only for a short time |
| Popularity of X | Noun + Preposition | Refers to what/who is popular |
| Popularity with Y | Noun + Preposition | Refers to the group that likes it |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
English learners often make direct translations from their native language, resulting in phrases that are grammatically correct but sound unnatural to native speakers. Avoid these common pitfalls to sound more fluent!
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Make popularity | Gain / Achieve popularity |
| Have popularity | Enjoy popularity |
| Big popularity | Widespread / Immense popularity |
| Small popularity | Limited popularity / Low popularity |
| Popularity went up | Popularity rose / Increased in popularity |
| Popularity went down | Popularity declined / Waned in popularity / Lost popularity |
In a recent internal memo, Sarah from Marketing outlined strategies to enhance the new app’s growing popularity. “We need to ensure it continues to gain popularity among our target demographic,” she wrote. “While it currently enjoys widespread popularity, we must work to maintain its popularity to prevent a future decline in popularity, especially with new competitors emerging. Our goal is not just a sudden popularity surge, but an enduring popularity that secures our market position.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Popularity Collocations
What’s the difference between “popular” and “popularity”?
Popular is an adjective describing something or someone that is liked by many people (e.g., “The singer is very popular“). Popularity is a noun referring to the state or quality of being popular (e.g., “The singer’s popularity grew rapidly”). Essentially, “popular” describes, while “popularity” names the concept.
Can I use “get popularity” instead of “gain popularity”?
While “get popularity” is understandable, “gain popularity” is significantly more common and natural-sounding in modern English. It aligns with other similar collocations like “gain respect” or “gain momentum.” “Achieve popularity” is another excellent, more formal alternative.
Are there different “types” of popularity I should be aware of?
Yes, you can describe different aspects of popularity using adjectives. For instance, “widespread popularity” indicates geographical reach, “sudden popularity” refers to how quickly it emerged, and “enduring popularity” highlights its longevity. Understanding these nuances helps you convey more precise meanings.
Which prepositions are most commonly used with “popularity”?
The most common prepositions are “of,” “with,” and “among.” You use “popularity of [something/someone]” to specify what or who is popular (e.g., the popularity of jazz music). You use “popularity with [group/person]” or “popularity among [group]” to specify the group that likes it (e.g., popularity with teenagers, popularity among young adults). Occasionally, “popularity for [reason]” is used to explain the cause of the popularity.
Is “fame” the same as “popularity”?
Not entirely. While often overlapping, fame generally refers to being known by many people, usually publicly, often associated with celebrities, achievements, or notoriety (positive or negative). Popularity, on the other hand, specifically implies being liked, admired, or supported. Someone can be famous but not popular (e.g., a controversial figure), or popular without being globally famous (e.g., a popular local politician).
I used to just say 'He is very popular.' Now I can say 'He has achieved great popularity in his field.' It sounds much more sophisticated!
This is very helpful for my writing. Is it okay to say 'rapidly gain popularity' or is 'rapidly' not the right adverb?
Actually, 'rapidly' is a perfect adverb to use there, Priya! You can also use 'quickly,' 'steadily,' or 'increasingly' to describe how something is gaining popularity.
I've heard the term 'popularity contest.' Is that related to these collocations?
I tried using 'achieve popularity' in a sentence today and my teacher was impressed! It sounds much more professional than 'become popular.'
That's wonderful to hear, Fatima! Using noun-based collocations like 'achieve popularity' is a hallmark of an advanced English level. Keep up the great work!
Does 'popularity' always have a positive connotation? Or can someone have 'negative popularity'?
Could you provide some collocations for 'popularity' regarding how it is measured? For example, 'measure popularity' or 'test popularity'?
Great idea for a follow-up, Kenji! You can 'gauge popularity,' 'measure popularity,' or 'track popularity' (especially in marketing). 'Polls' are often used to 'measure the popularity' of a leader.
I'm an English teacher in France and I find these 'Collocation Spotlights' incredibly useful for my advanced students who want to sound more natural. Keep them coming!
Is 'instant popularity' a common phrase? I want to describe a video that went viral overnight.
Yes, Diego! 'Instant popularity' or 'overnight popularity' are both perfect for describing something that goes viral. You could also say the video 'gained popularity instantly.'
Can we say 'lose popularity' as well? Like if a trend is going away?
In Germany, we struggle with the 'popularity/popular' distinction. Sometimes my students say 'He has a lot of popular.' I will share this post with them to clarify that 'popularity' is the noun!
That is a very common mistake for learners, Hans! Sharing these specific collocations is a great way to help them remember that 'popularity' is the noun form. Thanks for sharing with your class!