Control Collocation for IELTS - Advanced Vocabulary for Band 8+

Kasturika Samanta

6 min read

Updated On Oct 08, 2025

Curious to know more advanced vocabulary to showcase lexical flexibility? Explore essential Control Collocation for IELTS for a band 8+ and learn how to use verbs, adjectives, and expressions in real contexts for your IELTS Speaking & Writing sections.

Control Collocation for IELTS - Advanced Vocabulary for Band 8+

What are the Two Types of Control Collocation for IELTS?
How to Use Control Collocation for IELTS?
Exercise on Control Collocations for IELTS

Limited-Time Offer : Access a FREE 10-Day IELTS Study Plan!

Using vocabulary in IELTS Speaking and Writing is not just about knowing words such as Control Collocation for IELTS, but it is about using them accurately and naturally. Because it can be used in formal, academic, as well as everyday contexts, the word is highly useful for getting a higher band in the IELTS Exam. You can show variation from "take control" to something more academic like "under strict control", these collocations for control would make you sound smooth and professional. Therefore, learning its usage is crucial so that you can become exam-ready.

Connect with our IELTS Trainers to crack your IELTS exam in no time! FREE Demo.

What are the Two Types of Control Collocation for IELTS?

As you learn to utilize different collocations in your Speaking and IELTS Writing Sections, you need to get familiar with the two types of control collocation. Learning just the terms will not help you elevate your proficiency level; rather you must showcase how you can use these advanced vocabulary in appropriate grammatical structures. Let’s look at the types and try to understand how sentences can be used.

1. Verb + Control

Collocations using the word ‘Control' are used the most, especially in reference to any necessary actions about a particular subject area or to gain authority. In Task 2 essays, these collocations work with the writing about government, technology, or behavior management.

[Verb] + control (+ object)

Exercise control

Parents should exercise control and decide on the type of content their children watch online.

Exert control

Many multinational companies exert control over the media and public opinion.

Lose control

Many people lose control of their emotions due to stress.

Maintain control

The teacher managed to maintain control in a noisy classroom.

Take control

Technology has taken control of many aspects of our lives.

Gain control

The government is trying to gain control over rising inflation.

2. Adjective Collocations with Control

Adjective collocations with control describe the level or type of power and management. Use these in health, education, politics, or economics essays to increase sophistication and precision.

[Adjective] + control (of/over + noun)

Strict control

There should be strict control over the sale of harmful chemicals.

Complete control

He was in complete control of the situation.

Tight control

The company keeps tight control over its budget.

Absolute control

Dictators often have absolute control over their citizens.

Limited control

Teachers have limited control over students’ use of mobile phones.

Effective control

Vaccination programs provide effective control of infectious diseases.

Prepare yourself with An Exclusive Grammar Workbook: Guide to All Grammatical Woes!

How to Use Control Collocation for IELTS?

To improve clarity in your IELTS Speaking and Writing tasks, it is imperative that you must first get familiar with how to use Control Collocation in your answers. This knowledge will improve your band score in the parameter of lexical resources. Below are some of the ways in which you can incorporate the different types of control collocation in your answers for the Speaking & Writing sections.

IELTS Speaking

Part 1 – Personal Questions

What are some of the ways you control stress in daily life?

I try to manage it with meditation. Personally, I believe it helps me control my thoughts and focus on one particular thing.

Part 2 – Cue Card

Tell me about a time when you were not able to control something completely.

Once I was driving on a road on a rainy day and I lost control of the wheel. I tried not to panic and was strategizing on how to slow down. Eventually, I was very relieved when I could stop the vehicle. After this experience, I learnt a lesson on how to control stressful situations.

Part 3 - Discussion Questions

Do you think that social media should be under government restrictions?

Yes, I believe that some restrictions are required as it would limit misinformation. However, too much control would be an infringement on the freedom of speech.

IELTS Writing

When discussing governance, especially on technology, environment, education, personal behaviour and even about the use of technology, the word ‘control’ can be appropriately used. It is best to use such collocations to enhance fluency in your answer and have a higher chance of achieving a band 8+.

Some people believe governments should control the public health system, while others think the health of the individual should be a personal responsibility. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

It is the government’s duty to control the public through policies like the ban on tobacco and the taxation of sugar.
Yet people, too, have to show self-control in their dietary and exercise habits.
In my view, these measures are the most effective control since it includes a combination of government and individual actions.

Check out the Top 10 IELTS Grammar Books and get a chance to score a band 8+.

Exercise on Control Collocations for IELTS

Having gone through collocations with 'control' in IELTS, now it is time to put them into real-life situations. These practice exercises are the perfect way to check if you're using them correctly and where you need more practice. Let’s start now!

EXERCISE 1. Use the correct form of these verbs where you would use the collocation verb + control:

exercise	go out of	have
keep	lose	take

1 The rebels have______control of the city. They seized control early this morning when they stormed the presidential palace and assassinated the President.

2 I don’t know what happened. I just______control of the car and went into the ditch. I think it must have been a patch of ice.

3 When he was giving his speech at the wedding, you could tell he was very emotional by the way he struggled to______control of his voice.

4 A lot of parents______absolutely no control over their own children – so how do they expect the school to get them to behave?

5 I like a few beers; but you have to______some self-control if you have the car. I always stick to orange juice.

6 As it entered the tunnel, the car she was in______control and crashed. She only lived for a few hours after being rushed to hospital.

EXERCISE 2. Match the two halves based on the adjective collocations given in the sentences. You need to focus on the meaning and the grammatical structure of the sentences.

1. In order to stop young people drinking, the government ought to impose stricter controls	a. on the ownership of guns.
2. The government’s economic policy involves keeping tight control	b. over the press, radio and TV.
3. After the shooting, a government official said that there would have to be more stringent control	c. over difficult students..
4. One quality of an effective teacher is the ability to exercise firm control	d. of the economy.
5. In certain countries the state has total control	e. on the sale of alcohol.
6. Some people are afraid that the Chancellor is not in complete control	f. on inflation

EXERCISE 3. Complete the sentences with these words:

birth	crowd	passport	quality
remote	air-traffic	overall	traffic

1 The man was arrested as he was collecting his luggage just after he had gone through______control.

2 If you don’t want to start a family immediately, your family doctor will give you advice on suitable methods of______control.

3 I hope this new scheme for______control in the city centre will ease congestion.

4 Our strict system of______control ensures that no faulty goods leave our factory.

5 What’s on the other channels? I’ve no idea. Where’s the______control?

6 One of the few effective methods of______control involves the use of water cannon.

7 Managers can make most decisions, but the CEO has______control within the company.

8 The reason we were delayed coming back was that______control were on strike!

Answers for the Exercise on Control Collocation for IELTS

Good work! Now, compare your answers with the correct ones to make sure you used everything correctly. This step would improve your understanding of context and takes you one step further towards improving your IELTS Band Score.

Exercise 1:

taken	lost	keep
have	exercise	went out of

Exercise 2:

e	f	a
c	b	d

Exercise 3:

1. passport	2. birth	3. traffic	4. quality
5. remote	6. crowd	overall	air-traffic

Enroll into our Free IELTS Webinar and learn more about techniques to improve your grammar for IELTS.

As you practice using control collocations for IELTS, you can use such advanced vocabulary in both formal and informal environments. So, go on and continue the practice by crafting sentences and use them in speaking. With such IELTS Vocabulary, this step will help you get closer to achieving a band 8+.