Collocations for instrument - noun
1. tool for a particular task
ADJECTIVE
precision,
sensitive
sophisticated
reliable
crude
blunt
The autopsy revealed that the deceased had been hit with a blunt instrument.
Even though it was a somewhat blunt instrument (= not very precise), our questionnaire provided us with some interesting ideas.
sophisticated
reliable
crude
blunt
The autopsy revealed that the deceased had been hit with a blunt instrument.
Even though it was a somewhat blunt instrument (= not very precise), our questionnaire provided us with some interesting ideas.
sharp
small
delicate
appropriate
drawing, measuring, writing
astronomical, mathematical, medical, navigation, navigational, optical, scientific, surgical
cockpit, flight
small
delicate
appropriate
drawing, measuring, writing
astronomical, mathematical, medical, navigation, navigational, optical, scientific, surgical
cockpit, flight
VERB + instrument
use
All students should learn to use drawing instruments.
All students should learn to use drawing instruments.
check,
read
to read the instruments and make a note of the wind speed and direction
to read the instruments and make a note of the wind speed and direction
design,
develop,
devise,
invent
build, make
All the instruments are made from glass capillary tubing.
build, make
All the instruments are made from glass capillary tubing.
instrument + NOUN
check
The pilot did his instrument checks in preparation for take-off.
The pilot did his instrument checks in preparation for take-off.
maker
panel
There was a warning light flashing on the instrument panel.
panel
There was a warning light flashing on the instrument panel.
PHRASES
an instrument of torture
medieval instruments of torture such as the rack and the wheel
medieval instruments of torture such as the rack and the wheel
2. for playing music
ADJECTIVE
musical
beautiful, fine
classical
modern
traditional
period
baroque music played on period instruments
beautiful, fine
classical
modern
traditional
period
baroque music played on period instruments
solo
orchestral
brass, keyboard, percussion, string, stringed, wind, woodwind
acoustic, electric, electronic
orchestral
brass, keyboard, percussion, string, stringed, wind, woodwind
acoustic, electric, electronic
VERB + instrument
play
She plays three musical instruments.
She plays three musical instruments.
learn,
learn to play
tune
make
an instrument made by a violin maker in Canada
tune
make
an instrument made by a violin maker in Canada
3. sb/sth used to make sth happen
ADJECTIVE
chief,
key,
main,
major,
primary,
principal
good, great
Internet polls are considered to be better instruments than telephone polls.
good, great
Internet polls are considered to be better instruments than telephone polls.
ideal
important, valuable
powerful
useful
effective
More effective instruments of oversight are needed.
important, valuable
powerful
useful
effective
More effective instruments of oversight are needed.
flexible
mere
Some cynics say that popular music is a mere instrument of capitalist domination.
mere
Some cynics say that popular music is a mere instrument of capitalist domination.
chosen
The despot claimed to be the chosen instrument of divine providence.
The despot claimed to be the chosen instrument of divine providence.
political
financial, legal
financial, legal
VERB + instrument
regard sb/sth as,
see sb/sth as,
view sb/sth as
They saw criminal law as an instrument for improving public morals.
They saw criminal law as an instrument for improving public morals.
use sb/sth as
make sb/sth
make sb/sth
PREPOSITION
instrument for
Criminal law is not the best instrument for dealing with family matters.
Criminal law is not the best instrument for dealing with family matters.
instrument of
the use of language as an instrument of power and social control
the use of language as an instrument of power and social control