Collocation with 'Use' for IELTS - Advanced Vocabulary for Band 8+

Nehasri Ravishenbagam

6 min read

Updated On Nov 12, 2025

Master Collocations with “Use” for IELTS to discuss topics such as technology, education, or environment in the writing and speaking sections to get a band 8+. Learn about 3 grammatical structures, advanced vocabulary, examples, and more.

Collocation with 'Use' for IELTS - Advanced Vocabulary for Band 8+

3 Grammatical Structures in Collocation with 'Use' for IELTS
Exercise on Collocation with 'Use' for IELTS

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By using Collocation with 'Use' for IELTS, you can discuss topics such as technology, education, or environmental issues. However, to achieve a band 8+, you need to go beyond simple sentences and incorporate advanced vocabulary words to add both clarity and complexity to your language. Mastering collocations with “use” would guide you to express ideas about application, function, and efficiency with clarity. Knowledge about the list of word pairings can level up your preparation for the IELTS Exam.

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3 Grammatical Structures in Collocation with 'Use' for IELTS

The term ‘Use’ can denote how something is done, the purpose that it fulfills, or the worth that it adds. However, to achieve a Band 8+, it is necessary to recognize the usage of the word through various forms in IELTS Grammar as it will make you sound precise, natural and academically polished. Below are the 3 grammatical structures where you can incorporate the word and create appropriate word pairings.

1. Verb + Use

This collocation is related to actions concerning the application, management, or control of something. Below are some of the collocations where you can incorporate verbs to the term ‘use’.

Collocation	Meaning	Example
make use of	utilize something in an efficient manner	Students are encouraged to make use of online learning platforms for the purpose of gaining their knowledge.
put something to use	apply a certain amount of knowledge, skill, or resource	He managed to put his talents to use in the new project.
limit the use of	impose restrictions on or to lower the amount of usage	Governments should limit the use of plastic bags as one of the steps to protect the environment.
encourage the use of	Focus on the act of using	Teachers should encourage the use of creative techniques in classrooms.
ban the use of	to prevent the act of using something by law	Many countries have banned the use of chemical pesticides that are dangerous to humans and animals.

2. Noun + Preposition + Use

These expressions translate to context, purpose or effect, thus, they enable you to express relationships and consequences clearly. The table below suggests the collocation type, its meaning, and example related to the word ‘use’.

Collocation	Meaning	Example
advantage of use	benefit that a person gets from using something at first	Usability of renewable energy is the main advantage of its use besides sustainability.
importance of use	Value of using something	The importance of using data analysis is increasing in the business world.
increase in use	the amount of usages has increased	There has been an increase in the use of electric vehicles globally.
dependence on use	the level of reliance on something	The use of technology can be harmful due to the extreme level of dependence on its use.

3. Adjective + Use

As you seamlessly try to fit into different sentences, such collocations will explain the quality, degree, or area of usage in an academic manner. By diving into the table given below, you can get familiar with the list of common adjective expressions with the word ‘use’ along with its meaning and example.

Collocation	Meaning	Example
effective use	Efficient application	Good command of vocabulary can lead to an increase in your scores through effective use.
proper use	Appropriate application	The proper use of grammar in a way is very important for successful communication.
widespread use	common or popular usage	The widespread use of smartphones has transformed communication.
practical use	useful application	Scientific research often leads to discoveries with practical use.

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Exercise on Collocation with 'Use' for IELTS

After you have grasped the Collocation with 'Use' for IELTS that consistent practice will be the key to success. Every exercise you do recalls expressions to you quicker and makes you use them more naturally. This method over a period will hone your fluency and take you to a Band 8+ performance with confidence.

EXERCISE 1. Use the correct form of these verbs and follow the collocation ‘Verb + Use’ to fill in the blanks:

Introduce
Ban
Have
Lose
Recommend
Share
Make

1 I’m afraid she can’t walk. She ____________ the use of her legs in a road accident a few years ago.

2 As there is a shortage of practice facilities, both teams will have to ____________ the use of the gymnasium.

3 In order to reduce pollution we need to ____________ more use of the energy provided by the sun and the wind.

4 Let’s go for a drive. I ____________ the use of my father’s car for the weekend.

5 Doctors discourage the use of fats in cooking and ____________ the use of oils instead.

6 The United Nations should ____________ the use of all chemical weapons.

7 The aim of the course is to ____________ you to the uses of the internet.

EXERCISE 2. Complete the following expressions with the correct collocation on ‘Noun + preposition + use’, then use them in the sentences below:

guidelines………the use	ease………use
increase………the use	range………uses
restrictions………the use	years………use

1 The steep _____________ of mobile phones in recent years has led to a dramatic reduction in the use of phone boxes.

2 The steps in the castle had been worn away by _____________ .

3 Our organisation has to follow very strict _____________ and storage of personal details on computers.

4 During the war there were _____________ of cars and many people travelled everywhere by bicycle.

5 Buy a food processor. It has a _____________ in the kitchen. It can mix, chop and juice.

6 It’s very user-friendly. There is a large handle at the front of the device for ____________ .

EXERCISE 3. Choose the more natural collocation in each sentence:

1 This medicine is for external / outside use only. It should not be taken internally.

2 This entrance is in constant / full use. Please do not park in front of it.

3 Your son is very clever, but he doesn’t make complete / full use of his abilities. He is capable of much better results.

4 I thought I’d give my tennis racket to Andy since I’ve no remaining / further use for it. I’m just too old to play now.

5 The sign next to the fire alarm said ‘Penalty for improper / wrong use – £200’.

6 The everyday / widespread use of antibiotics is causing a lot of unexpected health problems. As a result doctors are beginning to restrict their use of these drugs.

7 This shampoo is very mild and doesn’t dry your hair out. It’s ideal for everyday / widespread use.

8 Members of the club have constant / unlimited use of the swimming pool at weekends.

Notes

1. Note the following useful expressions:

Organic vegetables are grown without the use of chemical fertilisers.
All of the equipment must be sterilised before use in the operating theatre.
Teenage drug use is on the increase.

2. There are different ways :

If something is used a lot, we say: heavy use, extensive use
If something is used normally, we say: normal use, ordinary use
If something is used a little, we say: occasional use, limited use

3. If something is of little use, it is no longer useful and may even be useless.

4. The question What’s the use? means What’s the point? For example:

What’s the use of complaining? Nobody listens!

Answers for the Exercise on Collocation with ‘Use’ for IELTS

By looking at the answers provided below, you get an opportunity to critically assess your performance. Compare what you have selected and pay attention to the collocation's relationships with verbs, the structure of the sentence, and the tone. This will not only help you to find out what you need to improve but also strengthen your knowledge for an IELTS Band Score of 8+.

EXERCISE 1.

lost
share
make
have
recommend
ban
introduce

EXERCISE 2.

1. increase in the use	2. years of use	3. guidelines on the use
4. restrictions on the use	5. range of uses	6. ease of use

EXERCISE 3.

1. external	2. constant	3.full	4.further
5. improper	6. widespread	7. everyday	8. unlimited

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Having gone through the process of grammatically incorporating advanced vocabulary in Collocation with 'Use' for IELTS, now it is time to make these a part of your language. Don’t stop here and start creating sentences in your daily life by using those collocations. Remember to compare your sentences with the correct answers and observe how collocations enhance the meaning and tone. With regular practice, you take a step towards refining your fluency and get a band 8+.