Top 20 Important Collocations for IELTS

Verb + Noun

Used to express actions related to personal achievements, academic goals, and problem-solving scenarios.

Make a decision, Take a risk, Gain experience, Achieve success, Solve a problem

Adjective + Noun

Useful for describing trends, qualities, and evaluations in IELTS Writing Task 2 and Task 1.

Strong argument, Rapid growth, Significant improvement, High demand, Key factor

Noun + Noun

Commonly used in topics related to society, environment, and economics.

Crime rate, Education system, Job market, Cost of living, Climate change

Verb + Adverb

Essential for describing changes and performances in IELTS Writing Task 1 or Speaking.

Speak fluently, Perform well, Increase dramatically, Rise sharply, Function effectively

Adverb + Adjective

Adds precision and intensity to descriptions, useful in both writing and speaking.

Deeply concerned, Highly skilled, Extremely important, Widely accepted, Slightly higher

Preposition + Noun

Essential for structured arguments and cohesive writing in both tasks.

In conclusion, On purpose, At risk, By chance, Under pressure

Verb + Preposition

Explains relationships and dependencies in Writing Task 2 and Speaking Part 3.

Depend on, Rely upon, Lead to, Result in, Cope with

Adjective + Preposition

Useful for opinions and discussions in Speaking and Writing.

Interested in, Concerned about, Familiar with, Responsible for, Capable of

Noun + Preposition

Perfect for describing trends and analyses in Writing Task 1 and Task 2.

A solution to, An increase in, A decrease in, The reason for, The effect of

Using Incorrect Word Combinations

• Certain collocations are fixed, and some words don't naturally pair together.
• Practice collocations in context.

Make a crime

Commit a crime

Overusing Basic Collocations

• Repeated use of basic collocations (e.g., ‘very important’) can sound repetitive.
• Use more varied and advanced phrases.

The environment is very important. Pollution is a very big problem.

The environment plays a crucial role. Pollution poses a significant challenge.

Misusing Collocations in Context

• Ensure that the collocation is suitable for the subject and context.

The government should reap the benefits of reducing unemployment.

The citizens should reap the benefits of government efforts to reduce unemployment.

Mixing Formal and Informal Collocations

• Mixing informal (e.g., ‘loads of people’) with formal collocations can affect tone.
• Be mindful of the formality required in IELTS.

The data shows that loads of people face difficulties in finding a job.

The data shows that a significant number of people face difficulties in finding a job.

Overloading Sentences with Collocations

• Using too many collocations in one sentence can make it sound unnatural.
• Focus on clarity and avoid over-complicating.

The government needs to take drastic measures to address the serious issues of rising unemployment and increasing inflation, which are causing numerous adverse effects on the economy.

The government must take decisive action to address unemployment and inflation, which significantly impact the economy.

Relying on Memorized Collocations Without Adaptation

• Memorizing collocations without understanding how to apply them to different topics can lead to mistakes.
• Learn in context.

The graph plays a crucial role in human survival.

The graph illustrates a significant trend in population growth over time.