- Do you ever wonder if you should say “big population” or “large population”?
- Struggling to describe changes in the number of people without sounding repetitive or unnatural?
- Do you want to sound more like a native speaker when discussing demographics or social issues?
Mastering collocations isn’t just about learning new words; it’s about learning words that naturally go together. For a crucial term like ‘population,’ knowing its common partners—verbs, adjectives, and other nouns—will significantly boost your fluency, make your English sound more natural, and improve your comprehension in academic and everyday contexts. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of ‘population’ collocations!
Essential Collocations using POPULATION as a Noun
As a noun, ‘population’ refers to the total number of people or organisms in a specific area, or the inhabitants themselves. It’s a foundational term in many fields, from geography to sociology. Understanding how it connects with other words is key to precise communication.
Verbs that Collocate with POPULATION
These verbs describe actions or changes related to the number of people.
- increase/grow/rise: To become larger in number.
- Example: The city’s population has increased rapidly over the past decade.
- Example: Experts predict the global population will grow to 10 billion by 2050.
- decrease/decline/fall/drop: To become smaller in number.
- Example: The rural population is decreasing due as people move to urban areas.
- Example: There has been a steady decline in the population of several European countries.
- explode/boom: To increase very quickly and dramatically.
- Example: After the discovery of oil, the town’s population exploded.
- Example: The region experienced a population boom in the 1990s.
- stabilize: To stop changing and remain constant.
- Example: After years of fluctuation, the population began to stabilize.
- control/manage: To regulate or limit the size of a population.
- Example: Some policies aim to control population growth in certain areas.
- survey/count: To conduct a study or census to determine the number of people.
- Example: Governments often survey the population to gather demographic data.
Adjectives that Describe POPULATION
These adjectives help to specify characteristics or states of a population.
- large/small: Referring to the overall size. (Use ‘large,’ not ‘big’).
- Example: China has a very large population.
- Example: The island has a relatively small population.
- dense/sparse: Describing how spread out or concentrated the inhabitants are.
- Example: New York City is known for its dense population.
- Example: Australia has a very sparse population outside its coastal cities.
- urban/rural: Indicating the type of area where people live.
- Example: The urban population continues to grow globally.
- Example: Maintaining services for the rural population can be challenging.
- aging/elderly: Describing a population with a high proportion of older people.
- Example: Many developed countries are facing the challenges of an aging population.
- young/youthful: Describing a population with a high proportion of younger people.
- Example: Some developing nations have a very young population, presenting both opportunities and challenges.
- global/world: Referring to the entire human population.
- Example: Addressing climate change requires cooperation from the entire global population.
- local/resident: Referring to the people living in a specific, immediate area.
- Example: The new park will benefit the local population greatly.
- diverse/heterogeneous: Describing a population with varied ethnic, cultural, or social backgrounds.
- Example: London has a highly diverse population.
- total/estimated: Referring to the complete number or an approximate number.
- Example: The total population of the country is over 300 million.
- Example: The estimated population of the city is around 5 million.
Nouns that Collocate with POPULATION (as a noun phrase)
These phrases combine ‘population’ with another noun to form a specific concept.
- population growth: The increase in the number of people over time.
- Example: Rapid population growth can put a strain on resources.
- population density: The number of people per unit of area.
- Example: Monaco has one of the highest population densities in the world.
- population decline: The decrease in the number of people over time.
- Example: Several factors contribute to population decline, including low birth rates.
- population control: Policies aimed at limiting the growth of population.
- Example: Debates surrounding population control often involve ethical considerations.
- population census: An official count or survey of a population.
- Example: Every ten years, the government conducts a population census.
- population explosion: A sudden, rapid increase in the number of people.
- Example: The 20th century saw a dramatic population explosion worldwide.
- population shift/movement: Changes in where people live.
- Example: There’s been a significant population shift from the countryside to urban centers.
Prepositions with POPULATION
Understanding prepositions used with ‘population’ helps structure sentences correctly.
- population of: Used to specify the group or area.
- Example: The population of Tokyo is over 14 million.
- Example: A significant percentage of the population voted in the election.
- population in: Used to indicate a specific location or context.
- Example: The elderly population in rural areas needs more support.
- population by: Used to categorize or group.
- Example: The data shows the population classified by age group.
Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| increase/decrease population | Verb + Noun | To make the number of people larger/smaller |
| large/small population | Adjective + Noun | A big/small number of people |
| dense/sparse population | Adjective + Noun | Many/few people per square mile |
| aging/young population | Adjective + Noun | A population with many old/young people |
| population growth | Noun + Noun | An increase in the number of people |
| population density | Noun + Noun | How crowded an area is with people |
| population census | Noun + Noun | An official count of a country’s people |
| population of [place] | Noun + Prepositional Phrase | The number of people living in a specific place |
| control population | Verb + Noun | To limit the number of people |
| global population | Adjective + Noun | All the people in the world |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
English learners often make direct translations from their native languages, leading to phrases that, while understandable, don’t sound natural to native speakers. Here are some common pitfalls with ‘population’:
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| big population | large population |
| population raise | population increase or population growth |
| the population is going up/down | the population is increasing/decreasing or the population is growing/declining |
| population problem | population issue or challenges of population growth/decline |
| have a population | be home to a population or simply refer to the population (e.g., “The city’s population is 5 million.”) |
In a recent city council meeting, the mayor discussed the challenges facing our community. “While we’ve seen a steady population growth over the past five years, particularly in the urban areas, we also observe a significant aging population in the historic districts,” she stated. “Our aim is to create sustainable development that supports both the local population and attracts new residents, without negatively impacting the natural environment. We need to analyze the latest population census data to manage resources effectively and ensure our infrastructure can support a projected large population.” She emphasized the need to avoid a population decline in key industries while simultaneously addressing traffic congestion that affects the entire resident population.
Frequently Asked Questions about Population Collocations
What’s the difference between “large population” and “big population”?
While “big” and “large” are often interchangeable, “large” is almost always preferred when referring to the size of a population. “Big population” isn’t technically incorrect, but “large population” is the standard, more formal, and natural-sounding collocation in English.
Can “population” be used to refer to animals or plants?
Yes, absolutely! While we often discuss human populations, “population” is also correctly used for animals (e.g., “the deer population in the forest,” “an endangered species population”) and even plants or microorganisms (e.g., “the plant population on the island,” “a bacterial population”).
Is it correct to say “population explosion”?
Yes, “population explosion” is a perfectly natural and widely used collocation. It describes a sudden and very rapid increase in the number of people, often with dramatic consequences for resources or the environment. It’s a vivid and commonly understood term.
What’s the best way to talk about the number of people in a city?
You have a few good options: “The population of [city] is X million,” “The city has a population of X million,” or “X million people live in [city].” Avoid saying “The city has a big population,” opt for “a large population” if you don’t specify the exact number.
Are there specific prepositions I should always use with “population”?
The most common and versatile preposition is “of” (e.g., “the population of a country”). You also often see “in” (e.g., “the population in urban areas”) when specifying a location or context. “Among” can also be used, for instance, “an issue common among the population.”
Does 'population growth' always refer to people? I sometimes see it in business for customer bases.
When talking about animals, do we still use 'population'? For example, 'the bee population'?
Great post! I’ll definitely use 'stable population' in my next sociology report. Is 'static population' also okay?
Wait, what's the difference between 'population' and 'inhabitants'? Can they be used interchangeably?
Can I say 'the population plummeted'? I want to describe a very sharp decrease after a war or famine.
I'm interested in the verb 'control.' Does 'population control' sound negative to native speakers or is it a neutral scientific term?
Is it correct to say 'rural population' and 'urban population' to distinguish between the countryside and the city?
This helps a lot with my essay writing. I used to say 'many people' all the time, but 'large population' sounds much more sophisticated.
Can we use 'population explosion' to describe rapid growth? I think I saw this in a geography book.
I struggle with the verbs for 'falling.' Is 'plummet' too strong for a population decrease?
It's a strong word, Chloe! 'Plummet' implies a very fast and dramatic drop. You would use it for a sudden event, like a mass migration or a natural disaster. For a slow change, 'decline' or 'dip' is better.