- Have you ever wondered if you “get,” “take,” or “win” a prize?
- Do you know the difference between a “top prize” and a “grand prize”?
- Did you know that “prize” can also be used as a verb to describe something you value deeply?
Mastering prize collocations is a vital step for any English learner aiming for fluency. Instead of simply memorizing the word “prize,” learning which words naturally sit next to it helps you sound more like a native speaker, reduces “Language Anxiety” by giving you ready-made phrases, and ensures your writing is professional and precise.
Common Collocations with PRIZE as a Noun
In English, “prize” is most commonly used as a noun to refer to an award given to a winner. However, the verbs and adjectives we pair with it change based on the level of formality and the context of the competition.
Verbs Used with Prize
These are the most frequent actions associated with receiving or giving an award.
- Win a prize: To be successful in a competition. (e.g., “She won first prize in the science fair.”)
- Award a prize: When a judge or organization gives the reward. (e.g., “The committee will award the prize for literature tomorrow.”)
- Claim a prize: To come forward and collect a reward you have won. (e.g., “The lottery winner has yet to claim their prize.”)
- Bag a prize: (Informal/UK) To successfully get or win something. (e.g., “The young director bagged the top prize at the film festival.”)
Adjectives Used with Prize
These words describe the nature, value, or rank of the award.
- First/Second/Third prize: Used to denote rank. (e.g., “He was disappointed to only get third prize.”)
- Prestigious prize: An award that is highly respected. (e.g., “The Nobel is the world’s most prestigious prize.”)
- Consolation prize: A small gift given to someone who did not win the main competition. (e.g., “Even though I lost, I received a book as a consolation prize.”)
- Cash prize: An award consisting of money. (e.g., “The tournament offers a $5,000 cash prize.”)
Noun + Noun Combinations
Sometimes “prize” acts as a modifier for another noun to create a specific concept.
- Prize money: The specific amount of money won. (e.g., “The prize money was split between the three finalists.”)
- Prize winner: The person who receives the award. (e.g., “The prize winner gave a moving speech.”)
- Prize draw: A competition where winners are chosen by chance (a lottery). (e.g., “Enter our prize draw for a chance to win a holiday!”)
Essential Collocations using PRIZE as a Verb
As a verb, “prize” moves away from competitions and focuses on the psychological value we place on things. Note: In British English, “prise” (meaning to force something open) is a different verb entirely. Here, we focus on “prize” meaning “to value.”
Adverbs Used with the Verb Prize
Since this verb is about emotion and value, we often use adverbs of degree.
- Highly prize: To value something very much. (e.g., “In this company, we highly prize creativity.”)
- Greatly prize: A formal way to express high value. (e.g., “Her advice was greatly prized by the council.”)
Common Objects for the Verb Prize
- Prize independence: To value one’s freedom. (e.g., “Many teenagers prize their independence above all else.”)
- Prize honesty: To value truthfulness in a relationship or workplace. (e.g., “Our culture prizes honesty and transparency.”)
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Win a prize | Verb + Noun | To come first in a contest. |
| Consolation prize | Adjective + Noun | A small reward for losing. |
| Prize possession | Participle + Noun | Your most valued item. |
| Highly prized | Adverb + Verb | Very much valued by people. |
| Eye on the prize | Idiom (Noun) | Staying focused on a goal. |
| Claim a prize | Verb + Noun | To officially collect a reward. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Gain a prize | Win a prize |
| Money prize | Cash prize or Prize money |
| He prizes his car (meaning to open it) | He pries his car open (US) / prises (UK) |
| I was the prize win | I was the prize winner |
“When Sarah entered the national essay contest, she never expected to win first prize. She had her eye on the prize for months, working late every night. When the judges finally awarded the prize to her, she was overwhelmed. Her laptop, which she used to write the essay, remains her most prized possession, and she uses the prize money to fund her further education.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Prize Collocations
Is it ‘prize’ or ‘price’?
A “price” is the amount of money you pay for something. A “prize” is a reward you win in a competition or something you value highly. They are often confused due to similar pronunciation, but their meanings are entirely different.
What is the preposition used with ‘prize’?
We usually say “a prize for [something].” For example, “He won a prize for bravery.” If you are talking about the competition, you might say “The prize in the lottery.”
What does the idiom ‘eye on the prize’ mean?
This is a common English idiom that means to stay focused on your ultimate goal and not get distracted by small difficulties along the way.
Can I use ‘prize’ to mean ‘force something open’?
In British English, the spelling is “prise” (e.g., “to prise a lid off”). In American English, the word is “pry.” While “prize” is occasionally seen in older texts for this meaning, it is best to use “pry” (US) or “prise” (UK) in 2024 to avoid confusion with “award.”
What is a ‘booby prize’?
A “booby prize” is a joke prize given to the person who finishes in last place. It is intended to be funny rather than a real reward.
I appreciate the focus on reducing 'Language Anxiety.' This blog consistently provides content that makes learning less intimidating. Collocations are definitely key to fluency.
Thank you for your kind words, Diego! We're so glad our content resonates with you and helps make your learning journey more enjoyable and less stressful. Fluency is built on mastering these natural language patterns, and we're here to help you every step of the way!
Thank you for this! As a beginner, memorizing entire phrases like 'win first prize' instead of just 'prize' feels so much more productive. It really helps with natural flow.
Is there a common mistake learners make with 'prize' collocations that wasn't mentioned? I want to avoid all pitfalls!
That's a proactive approach, Hiroshi! A common pitfall is overusing 'get a prize' for every context. While 'get' is versatile, 'win a prize' for competitions, 'receive a prize' for formality, or 'be awarded a prize' for official contexts often sound more polished and native-like. Also, sometimes learners confuse 'prize' with 'price' – remembering that 'prize' is an award and 'price' is cost helps! Keep asking these great questions!
I always forget that collocations are more than just verbs with nouns. The adjective examples like 'top prize' or 'grand prize' are just as important! This was a great reminder.
Could you explain if there's any difference in formality between 'win a prize' and 'be awarded a prize'? I'm thinking about official announcements.
That's a very insightful question, Ivan! 'Win a prize' is active and direct (e.g., 'She won the Nobel Prize'). 'Be awarded a prize' is passive and slightly more formal, often used in official announcements where the focus is on the prize being given rather than the winner's action (e.g., 'The Nobel Prize was awarded to her'). Both are correct, but 'be awarded' can sound more formal and detached.
This article is a real gem! I'm trying to improve my academic writing, and using the correct collocations makes such a difference. I'll be more mindful of 'award a prize' when describing organizational actions.
I often see 'first prize,' 'second prize,' etc. in lists. Does 'first prize' fall under 'top prize' or is it its own category when we talk about collocations?
Hi Rahul! 'First prize' is definitely a specific instance of a 'top prize' or the highest award in a given competition. While 'top prize' is a more general descriptive term, 'first prize' is a precise numerical ranking. Both are correct and useful collocations! Good thinking about the specificity!
The 'prize' as a verb part reminded me of how 'value' can also be a noun and a verb. English is full of these interesting double-duty words! Thanks for making me think about it.
Are there any informal or slang collocations with 'prize' that native speakers might use? For example, would someone ever say 'snag a prize'?
Excellent question about informal usage, Kwame! Yes, 'snag a prize' is a great example of an informal collocation! It implies getting a prize, often unexpectedly or with a bit of effort, and usually in a casual context (e.g., 'He managed to snag a prize at the carnival'). Other informal ones might include 'grab a prize' or 'pocket a prize' (if it's money or small). You've got a good ear for these nuances!
I loved the point about reducing 'Language Anxiety'! It's so true. When you have these ready-made phrases, you don't have to translate word-for-word from your own language. It just flows better.