IELTS Collocations

What is Collocation ? Collocation is the combination of two or more words formed into a sensible phrase. IELTS students can sound like native speakers by using collocations in a proper manner. Mainly, to score well in the IELTS writing test, test takers should use the collocations for IELTS appropriately in writing task 2. 

In this article, we have provided a list of collocations for IELTS, related examples, and how to use it in the right manner. You can develop your IELTS writing and speaking skills with the help of our resources. Your band score can be improved by understanding the different combinations of collocations and its usage. 

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Table of Contents:

• Importance of Collocations for IELTS Students
• How do I Learn Collocations to get an IELTS band 8 score ?
• List of 30 Important Collocations for IELTS Writing
• Collocation Examples for IELTS
• Types of Collocations IELTS
• Examples
• How to Use Collocations to Get a Good Band Score ?
• Conclusion
• FAQ

Importance of Collocations for IELTS Students

• The main objective of IELTS students is developing English proficiency to sound like a native speaker. As an IELTS aspirant, you can speak in a better flow by practicing the collocations in your speech consistently. 
• Using the collocations in a sentence while writing will look professional. So, It will be useful for IELTS students when they are attempting the IELTS writing test.
• Generally, collocations improve the vocabulary. So, you can deliver your emotions and feelings in a different setting with ease. Hence, you can perform well in the IELTS speaking test. 
• Collocations are familiar with a native English speakers. If you are studying abroad, then you have to speak with fellow students or local people. So, building relationships will be easier. 
• In Business settings, collocations are commonly used. Several collocations are routinely used such as set a price, draw a contract., etc. So, IELTS general candidates mainly get benefits by learning a lot of good collocations for IELTS. 
• Developing skills such as communication skills, reading speed, comprehension, and fluency is a sure way to attain a good IELTS band score. Collocations can help you with improving your English language skills. 

How do I Learn Collocations to get an IELTS Band 8 Score ?

Learning collocation words for IELTS can be easier with practice. Memorizing the collocations will not help since you need to contextually use it while writing and speaking. So, I used collocations in my everyday speech and writing assignments. In this way, I started using the collocations naturally. 

I use the collocation combination for ‘have’ to explain the way I learned. For instance, If I am writing an assignment, story or when I am speaking to someone, I run an internal dialogue in my mind. Like, how can I use the word ‘have’ to precisely tell or elucidate my point. Some of the examples: have a breakfast, have a coffee, have an illness, have an appointment, have an argument. 

Also Read: IELTS writing vocabulary

List of 30 Important Collocations for IELTS Writing Task 2

Below, you can find a list of 30 important collocations, which can help you to improvise your essay in the IELTS writing task 2. You can also improve your IELTS speaking fluency and flow by applying the following collocations in your speech. 

1. To benefit considerably/ enormously

• We have benefited enormously from the startup we initiated. 

2. To meet the need / demand/ requirements

• IELTS students must practice well in order to meet the requirements of a good band score. 

3. To reap the benefits

• You have to study well to reap the benefits of a good lifestyle. 

4. To satisfy demands/needs/desires

• As a parent, I should satisfy the needs of my children.

5. To derive benefits

• I derived lots of benefits by reading that book. 

6. To play a(n) important/ vital/ crucial role

• He played an important role in the reformation of Indian politics. 

7. To fulfill a promise

• Atlast, he fulfilled a promise made with her friend after a lot of struggles

8. Have fun

• People should have fun at an early age since they will have more responsibilities as they become older. 

9. Physical Activity

• Doing some form of physical activity everyday can improve physical well being. 

10. Keep /a smile on your face/it on the desk

• My grandfather advised me to keep a smile on my face during the hardships of life.

11. Take a knife/bath

• Could you please take that knife ? I want to cut the apple.

12. Time Constraints 

• I won’t complete the assignment because of the time constraint. 

13. Scientific Literature

• I learned that schizophrenic patients are resistant to accept the realist from the scientific literature.

14. Eye Witness

• According to an eyewitness, the thief stole the money and killed the girl.

15. Instant and quick solutions

• Today’s youth wants to find instant and quick solutions for their problems.

16. Business models

• Our company experimented with various business models to improve financial growth.

17. Job requirements

• My brother was rejected in the interview since he didn’t meet the job requirements. 

18. Equally beneficial

• This plan and its predicted outcomes will be equally beneficial for both parties. 

19. High cholesterol

• Her father is suffering from chest pain since he has high cholesterol.

20. Spend quality time together

• Please try to come to the party, we are going to meet after a long time, it’s a great opportunity to spend quality time together. 

21. Internet shopping

• Internet shopping could confuse us as it has unlimited options to choose from. 

22. Sophisticated modern technology

• My cousin told me that he is going to buy a phone built from sophisticated modern technology. 

24. Public Opinion

• As far as public opinion is concerned, our party can win in this election with large votes

25. Cultural Values 

• In today’s world, people are being indifferent to the cultural values, they are even mocking it.

26. Foreign Brands

• Globalization introduced a lot of foreign brands to our country.

27. Company Policies 

• Our Company policy tells us to not reveal the personal information of the employees.

28. Recreational purposes

• Actually, I am doing exercises for recreational purposes, not for building muscles and physique.

29. Internal Politics

• Internal politics that are happening in our department is tremendously worrying me. 

30. International affairs

• Are you aware of international affairs ? No, I am not even aware of what is happening in our country. 

Check out: IELTS speaking vocabulary

 Types of Collocations IELTS

There are six common types of collocations which we have listed below,

• Adjective + Noun
• Noun + Noun (such as collective nouns)
• Verb + Noun
• Adverb + Adjective
• Verb + prepositional phrase (phrasal verbs)
• Verb + Adverb 

Examples

1. Adjective + Noun

• My neighbour is proud of her intelligent son
• Yesterday, in our place, there was heavy rain which really caused a lot of trouble
• Physics is an amazing subject that made me think in different possible ways. 
• Her boyfriend was attracted to valuable accessories which cost him thousands of rupees.
• My parents made me join swimming class since I showed keen interest in swimming
• One friend of mine told me that his poor handwriting is became a cause of his mark reduction

2. Noun + Noun

• According to the data, people love to watch more thriller movies.
• One of the Indian car manufacturers became the richest man in the world.
• The entertainment industry seizes almost all the spheres of our life.
• Police officers found the culprit by using the lie detector

3. Verb + Noun

• I told him to have a drink in a friendly manner, but he reacted cruelly.
• My friend broke the law, so he has to be in prison for 2 months.
• Pay attention while I am talking to you or else don't speak to me hereafter.
• She has to save money in order to pay her daughter's college fee.
• When you are reading a book, take notes. It will help you to remember important points and ideas.

4. Adverb + Adjective

• In a debate, she made him understand that he is utterly wrong about his statement through his argument.
• She was deeply affected by the incident
• He was highly successful in his field that made him popular.
• My fellow classmate was deeply hurted by the words I used.
• Though he faced lots of struggles, he is perfectly normal.
• When I saw the stars in the sky, I was completely amazed.

5. Verb + prepositional phrase

• When I was outside, he was looking for my telephone.
• My girlfriend is looking at my childhood photo.
• I got relieved from my stress by listening to the songs.
• He is asking for a discount for a small purchase.

6. Verb + Adverb

• My neighbour talked loudly and that made my baby cry.
• Zizek argued strongly which resonated with the people who heard his arguments.
• He runs quickly whenever I motivate him.
• She acted bravely when she was confronted by thieves which is appreciable.

Download collocation list for IELTS pdf for your future reference

Common Mistakes: Using Collocations In IELTS Writing Test

So-So & and so on

In IELTS Writing Tasks, you need to write in a formal manner, obviously, except informal letter writing tasks. The words such as so-so, and so on, or like, can affect your writing band score. So, it is better to pick formal words to write. 

Basic Words

Using basic words such as good, bad is not a problem. But, it's better to use varied synonyms since one of the IELTS writing band descriptors is lexical resource. For example, you can replace the word ‘bad’ with unpleasant or terrible. 

Idioms

Avoid using idioms in the IELTS writing exam since it is considered as informal. But, you can use it in the IELTS speaking test, which is not an issue.

Vague words

Vague words lack specificity. So, it's better to use the solid or specific words in your writing task. For example, you can use the words such as despairing, devastated replacing the word ‘sad’.

Shortened Words 

Do not use the short form words such as asap (as soon as possible) or a/c (account). It is informal and can be misunderstood if it is out of context. Thus, use the long form words rather than its related short form words. 

How to Use Collocations to Get a Good Band Score ?

In the IELTS writing test, you have to meet two of the band descriptors, namely, lexical resource and grammatical range and accuracy. Collocations equip you with that. You can come up with new sentences and words by using the collocations. Especially, in the writing task 2, you can use the collocations to convey your point well. 

You can find the same two band descriptors in the IELTS speaking test to measure your English Proficiency. Your speech can sound like a native speaker with the help of IELTS collocations. Fluency also be improved with the usage of collocations. Use a varied combination of collocations to improve your band score. 

Read IELTS Listening words to improve your listening vocabulary

Conclusion

We believe that our article will help to improve your knowledge about “collocations for IELTS”. Our academic collocation list can be used for both IELTS writing and speaking tests to get a good band score. Use this in your IELTS preparation to practice the collocations in the best possible way. 

FAQ

1. What are basic collocations ?

Basic collocations are combinations of two or more easy words that are frequently used together. For example: make, do, have can be used with a particular noun or noun phrase. 

2. What are the rules of collocations ?

There is no such thing as rules in using collocations. It is just a combination of words that people are familiar with and has a social relevance. 

3. What is strong collocation ?

In strong collocation, the link between the words is quite restricted and fixed. ‘Turn on a light’ is considered as a strong collocation. 

4. Why do we use collocations ?

Speaker’s language can sound natural by using the collocations. It is also found to improve fluency and language flow. 

5. Can collocations be idioms ?

There is a difference between collocations and idioms. Idioms are single lexical items, whereas collocations are combos of lexical items. And, another major difference is collocations are semantically clear, while idioms are not.