Consequence Collocation for IELTS: A List to Boost Your Score

When preparing for the IELTS exam, one area where candidates often struggle is expressing cause-and-effect relationships. Examiners expect test-takers to clearly explain why something happens and what the results are. This is where the word ‘consequence’ and its collocations become very powerful. In IELTS Writing Task 2, for example, you may be asked to discuss the impact of technology, education reforms, or climate change. Instead of using simple phrases like ‘the result is’ or ‘it causes’, you can demonstrate a higher level of vocabulary by using consequence collocations.

In this blog, we will break down the most important consequence collocations and provide tables with meanings and IELTS-specific examples.

Lists of Consequence Collocations for IELTS to Boost Your Score

Using the top important collocations for IELTS consequence has multiple benefits. They help you structure cause-effect essays logically, show examiners you can use advanced, academic expressions, allow you to describe real-world issues naturally in Part 3 and improve your ability to notice nuanced meaning in academic texts.

Therefore, we will explore lists of different consequence collocations for IELTS in the tables below. Each table will have the meanings and original IELTS-style example sentences for the specific collocation for ‘consequence ’.

Verb + Consequence Collocations

These consequence collocations describe how people or societies interact with consequences. They are particularly useful in IELTS Writing Task 2 when discussing the outcomes of policies or actions.

Common Adjective + Consequence Collocations

Adjective collocations describe the nature, degree, or seriousness of a consequence. They allow you to sound precise and academic in both essays and IELTS Speaking answers.

Other Important Consequence Collocations

Apart from verbs and adjectives, there are other common consequence collocations that IELTS candidates should know. These include phrases, prepositions, and fixed expressions often found in academic writing.

Notes

• In 2-1 dire is also possible and in 2-2 fatal can also be used.
• Note the following expression:
  • Scientists report that most of the fish population was killed as a consequence of the oil spill.
  • We need to compensate those people who are suffering and dying as a consequence of working with asbestos.
• Note the use of the verbs face, take, and accept:
  • These pilots must now face the consequences of their actions and be brought to trial.
  • As a manager, you have to be prepared to accept the consequences of your decisions.
  • My boss was responsible for the mess, but I had to take the consequences!
• Note this useful expression:
  • Global warming will have disastrous consequences for millions of people living near the coast.
• If something is ‘of little consequence’, it is of no importance.

Consequence Collocation for IELTS: Practice Exercises

In order to enhance your comprehension and use of the consequence collocations for IELTS exam, you will have the opportunity to complete a few exercises given below.

Exercise A: Use the correct form of these verbs. Then, underline the verb collocations.

1. I’ve had too many late nights over the past few weeks. I’m now __________ the consequences!
2. My friend Neil can be very irresponsible. He’s always making snap decisions and never __________ the consequences.
3. The lawyer said that her client fully __________ the consequences of her actions and was prepared to go to jail for them.
4. You__________ the consequences of smoking at your peril. I’d give it up now if I were you.
5. The peace process has broken down again. I think the whole__________ world the consequences of another war.
6. I can see now that it was a mistake to let people just turn up without letting us know in advance. I didn’t__________ what the consequences would be.

Exercise B: Complete the sentences with these adjectives.

1. Europeans introduced the rabbit to Australia with __________ consequences. Their numbers grew very quickly and they became a huge problem to farmers.
2. Following the death of 5-year-old Michael Richards last weekend, the police have reminded parents of the potentially__________ consequences of allowing children to light fireworks without adult supervision.
3. The government’s investment in road building will have some __________ consequences. For example, fewer goods will be moved by rail.
4. The sharp rise in oil prices in the I970’s had __________ consequences. The whole world was affected by it in one way or another.
5. Huge traffic jams in the city centre were the __________ consequence of the rail strike. Everyone took their cars to work and jammed up the roads.
6. Unfortunately, there were a number of__________ consequences which nobody could have predicted, (unforeseen / invisible)
7. Historians say that it is too early to assess the __________ consequences of the collapse of the Soviet Union, (long-term / short-term)
8. The most __________ consequences of raising income tax is that the government will lose the next election! (likely / unlikely)

Answer Keys for Practice Exercises Consequence Collocations

The word ‘consequence’ and its collocations are indispensable for IELTS candidates aiming for Band 7 or higher. Instead of repeating basic connectors like ‘so’ or ‘because of that’, you can impress the examiner with precise expressions such as ‘face serious consequences’, ‘far-reaching consequences’, or ‘as a consequence of’. By practicing these collocations, you’ll be able to write logically structured essays that demonstrate academic vocabulary, speak fluently and naturally when discussing results or impacts, and understand complex texts in IELTS Reading and Listening with ease. Therefore, mastering consequence collocations doesn’t just improve your IELTS band score; it also equips you with the academic English skills you’ll need for study, work, and life abroad.

Useful Links:

• Plan Collocation for IELTS: A List to Boost Your Score
• Situation Collocation for IELTS: A List to Boost Your Score
• What is Collocation for IELTS?
• English Collocations in Use - Intermediate (Ebook)
• Useful Resources & Websites for IELTS Vocabulary 
• How to Improve Your Grammar for IELTS?