Condition Collocation for IELTS: A List to Boost Your Score

When preparing for the IELTS exam, one of the biggest challenges is expressing situations clearly and accurately. Words like ‘condition’ are extremely versatile in English, and mastering their collocations can help you sound more academic and natural. As a result, besides knowing what is collocation for IELTS, it is important to explore condition collocations for IELTS to enrich your speaking and writing answers. 

In this blog, we will explore condition collocations for IELTS, divided into key categories with meaning and examples.

Lists of Condition Collocations for IELTS to Boost Your Score

In IELTS Writing Task 2, you may be asked to discuss working conditions, environmental conditions, or health conditions. In IELTS Speaking, you may need to describe living conditions in your city, weather conditions, or the condition of old buildings. Using strong condition collocations to answer such topics instantly makes your answer more precise and advanced. Thus, the following tables will provide various condition collocations for IELTS. 

Adjective + Condition (State)

This category of condition collocations is often used when describing the physical state of objects, equipment, or buildings. Perfect for IELTS Writing Task 1 (describing processes, machines, or housing) and Speaking Part 2 (describing a place).

Verb + Condition (State of Health)

These condition collocations describe health or medical states. They are essential for IELTS topics like healthcare, lifestyle, and wellbeing.

Adjective + Conditions (Circumstances)

When used in plural (conditions), the word refers to circumstances or situations such as weather, working, or living conditions. It is very useful for Task 2 essays on work, environment, or society.

Other Important Condition Collocations

Beyond states, health, and circumstances, ‘condition’ appears in several fixed expressions. These are common in academic IELTS contexts like laws, the economy, and social systems.

Notes

• The expression ‘showroom condition’ means perfect condition. Here is another expression that means that something has never been used:
  • These stamps will fetch hundreds of pounds. They’re in mint condition.
• Note the following sentences with adjectives to say that living conditions are very bad:
  • The prisoners were kept under the most appalling conditions. They had no toilets or running water. How can anyone live in such dreadful conditions?
• Note the following uses:
  • You are in no condition to go to work, so just stay in bed and rest
  • I’m not fit. I really am out of condition.
• Note this common expression:
  • We went on strike for better pay and conditions.

Condition Collocation for IELTS: Practice Exercises

There are a few exercises given below that you will have to complete to assist you in improving your understanding and your ability to use condition collocations for the IELTS test.

Exercise A: Complete the sentences with these adjectives.

1. In my spare time I buy old motorcycles and restore them to their ­­__________ condition.
2. You can’t use that bike in its __________ condition. The brakes need fixing and the back tyre is punctured.
3. Although the lift has been operating non-stop for twenty years, it’s still in __________ working condition. It’s serviced regularly.
4. Nothing’s been spent on the house for years. It’s really in very__________ condition.
5. Although my car is 25 years old, it’s still in __________ condition. It really does look brand new.
6. I’d buy that car. I know it’s 8 years old and it’s got some rust, but it’s in __________ condition for its age. I mean, what else can you get for £ 1,000 these days?

Exercise B: Use the correct form of these verbs.

1. I’m pleased to say that your mother’s condition is __________ , but we’ll be keeping a close eye on her for a few days just to be on the safe side.
2. My brother __________ a rare heart condition. He could drop dead at any moment.
3. This man’s condition is critical and __________ urgent treatment. If we can’t get him to a hospital quickly, he won’t survive.
4. Nowadays steroids are used to__________ some types of skin condition.
5. I was given tablets to help clear up the rash on my arms, but they only __________ the condition. The rash became redder and more itchy and now it’s spread to my face and neck.
6. Our neighbour was rushed to hospital last week after her condition suddenly __________ . She was doing so well, then she just collapsed.

Exercise C: Complete the sentences below with the following.

1. The work on the bridge was completed under very__________ conditions. At one stage we almost gave up completely.
2. Doctors and nurses are having to work in seriously overcrowded and __________ conditions. This town badly needs a new hospital.
3. The match has been cancelled due to __________ conditions. Heavy rain has flooded the pitch, making it unplayable.
4. We took the car to Norway, but the __________ conditions on the way back were dreadful. We didn’t have winter tyres on the car, so we just had to take it slowly.
5. Living or studying in an English-speaking country provides the__________ conditions for learning the language.
6.  __________ conditions in the old folks’ home were atrocious. Inspectors said they were the worst they had ever seen.

Answer Keys for Practice Exercises Condition Collocations

Ex A:

1. original 2. present 3. excellent 4. poor 5. showroom 6.reasonable

Ex B:

1. improving 2. suffers from 3. requires 4. treat 5. aggravated 6. deteriorated

Ex C:

1. difficult 2. cramped 3. adverse weather 4. driving 5. ideal 6. Living

In conclusion, the word ‘condition’ is a high-utility academic term on the IELTS exam. It can refer to a state (the condition of buildings), health (suffer from a condition), or circumstances (harsh living conditions). By learning its collocations, you can replace basic words like ‘situation’ or ‘problem’ with advanced vocabulary. If you aim for Band 7 or above, practice using these collocations in essays, cue card answers, and speaking discussions. They will not only impress examiners but also make your English sound professional and natural.

Useful Links:

• Thought Collocation for IELTS: A List to Boost Your Score
• Consequence Collocation for IELTS: A List to Boost Your Score
• Top 20 Important Collocations for IELTS
• The Academic Collocation List
• Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English (eBook)