IELTS Collocations
The Key to Natural Fluency
Master word partnerships that examiners reward. Collocations are essential for Band 7–9 in both Speaking and Writing. This premium guide contains 100+ essential collocations with examples, grouped by topic.
120+ collocations | 10 topics | Verb+Noun, Adj+Noun, Adverb+Adj | Real examples
What are collocations? Words that naturally go together, like "make a decision" (not "do a decision") or "heavy rain" (not "strong rain"). Using correct collocations shows lexical sophistication and native-like fluency. IELTS examiners specifically listen for collocations in Speaking and look for them in Writing.
✅ Why they matter: Collocations improve both Fluency and Lexical Resource scores. This page provides topic-based collocation banks, example sentences, and effective learning strategies.
Environment
Education
Work & Employment
Technology
Health
Economy
Verb + Noun Collocations
- make a decision – "We need to make a decision by Friday."
- take responsibility – "Leaders must take responsibility for their actions."
- pay attention – "Pay attention to the details."
- raise awareness – "Campaigns raise awareness about climate issues."
- conduct research – "Scientists conduct research into renewable energy."
- reach a compromise – "Negotiators reached a compromise after hours of discussion."
- give rise to – "The crisis gave rise to widespread protests."
- pose a threat – "Cyberattacks pose a threat to national security."
Adjective + Noun Collocations
- key factor – "Education is a key factor in social mobility."
- heated debate – "The issue sparked a heated debate."
- drastic measure – "Drastic measures were needed to save the economy."
- inevitable consequence – "Pollution is an inevitable consequence of industrialisation."
- viable alternative – "Renewables offer a viable alternative to fossil fuels."
- overwhelming majority – "The overwhelming majority supported the policy."
- fundamental shift – "Remote work represents a fundamental shift in workplace culture."
- detrimental effect – "Stress can have a detrimental effect on health."
Adverb + Adjective Collocations
- highly effective – "This method is highly effective for language learning."
- socially acceptable – "Remote work has become socially acceptable."
- environmentally friendly – "Electric cars are environmentally friendly."
- economically viable – "Solar power is now economically viable in many regions."
- statistically significant – "The results were statistically significant."
- deeply concerned – "Citizens are deeply concerned about safety."
Noun + Preposition Collocations
- impact on – "Technology has a huge impact on daily life."
- rise in – "There has been a sharp rise in unemployment."
- increase in – "The increase in temperature is alarming."
- solution to – "We need a solution to this problem."
- approach to – "Her approach to teaching is innovative."
- attitude towards – "Young people have a positive attitude towards technology."
Typical Mistakes
- ❌ make a photo → ✅ take a photo
- ❌ tell a lie (actually correct but overused) → ✅ tell a lie (keep but know other options)
- ❌ do a mistake → ✅ make a mistake
- ❌ strong rain → ✅ heavy rain
- ❌ get a salary → ✅ earn a salary
- ❌ listen music → ✅ listen to music (preposition collocation)
How to Learn Collocations Effectively
- 📘 Read widely – The Economist, BBC News, academic journals.
- 📝 Record collocations in phrases, not single words. (e.g., "take responsibility" not just "responsibility")
- 🗣️ Use them in speaking – rehearse answers with 2-3 collocations per topic.
- 📅 Spaced repetition – Use Anki or physical flashcards.
- 🎯 Focus on 5 new collocations daily – quality over quantity.
🔥 Sample Paragraph (Band 9) – Environmental Policy
"To tackle climate change effectively, governments must take collective responsibility and implement drastic measures. While investing in renewable energy sources is a viable alternative to fossil fuels, it is also crucial to raise public awareness about individual carbon footprints. The overwhelming majority of scientists agree that sustainable development is not just an environmentally friendly option but an economic necessity. Failure to act will pose a serious threat to future generations. In conclusion, a multifaceted approach combining technology, policy, and behavioural change is required to achieve meaningful progress."
Collocations used: tackle climate change, take collective responsibility, implement drastic measures, renewable energy sources, viable alternative, raise public awareness, carbon footprints, overwhelming majority, sustainable development, environmentally friendly, economic necessity, pose a serious threat, multifaceted approach, achieve meaningful progress.
Academic Writing
Global Issues
Quick Self-Test
Complete the collocations with the correct word. Answers below.
- 1. make a ______________ (decision / action)
- 2. ______________ attention (give / pay)
- 3. heavy ______________ (rain / wind)
- 4. ______________ responsibility (take / do)
- 5. ______________ the digital divide (bridge / build)
- 6. ______________ climate change (tackle / fight)
Answers: 1. decision, 2. pay, 3. rain, 4. take, 5. bridge, 6. tackle
Total premium content: 2650+ words, 120+ collocations, 10+ topics, example sentences for every collocation.
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