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Collocations are crucial for excelling in the IELTS exam, particularly in the Writing and Speaking sections. Many learners struggle with collocations, which can impact their scores. This blog will guide you through understanding collocations, common structures, and essential words to help you achieve Band 7 or above.
Collocations and Their Importance
Collocations refer to the natural pairing or grouping of words. They improve oral communication, listening comprehension, and reading speed. Mastering collocations helps learners sound more like native speakers, enhancing fluency and naturalness. For instance, instead of saying make a decision, using phrases like reach a decision or take a stance can elevate your IELTS writing and speaking.
Using collocations effectively shows examiners your advanced grasp of English, making your responses fluid and professional. They are particularly impactful in the Lexical Resource category of the IELTS scoring system.
Most Important Collocation Patterns for IELTS
Below are the key collocation patterns and examples to enhance your performance in Writing and Speaking tasks:
| Collocation Pattern | Usage/Context | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Verb + Noun | Actions related to achievements and problem-solving. | Make a decision, Take a risk, Gain experience, Solve a problem |
| Adjective + Noun | Describing trends and qualities in Writing Tasks. | Strong argument, Rapid growth, High demand |
| Noun + Noun | Common in societal and economic topics. | Crime rate, Education system, Climate change |
| Verb + Adverb | Describing changes and performances. | Speak fluently, Rise sharply |
| Adverb + Adjective | Adding precision to descriptions. | Highly skilled, Widely accepted |
| Preposition + Noun | Structured arguments and cohesive writing. | In conclusion, Under pressure |
| Verb + Preposition | Explaining relationships and dependencies. | Depend on, Lead to |
| Adjective + Preposition | Useful for opinions and discussions. | Interested in, Responsible for |
| Noun + Preposition | Describing trends and analyses. | Solution to, Increase in |
20 Essential Collocations to Master for IELTS Writing
Here’s the list of 20 collocations to boost your IELTS Writing Task 2 score and improve your overall writing score as well.
| Collocation | Meaning/Usage | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Play a crucial role in | To be essential or critical in achieving something. | University education plays a crucial role in improving workforce quality. |
| Make a significant contribution to | To add value or improve something significantly. | Medical advances have made significant contributions to healthcare. |
| Solve the problem | To find a solution to a specific issue. | Whoever created this problem should solve it. |
| Be key factors influencing | To be the main causes affecting something. | The number of vehicles is a key factor influencing pollution. |
| Reap the benefits of | To gain advantages or profits from something. | Customers reap the benefits of globalization every day. |
| Be a contributing factor | To be one of the primary causes of something. | Vaccination has been a contributing factor in improved public health. |
| Contribute to | To help bring about something. | Alcohol contributes to numerous deaths annually in the U.S. |
| Gain benefit from | To obtain advantages from something. | Students gained enormous benefits from the course. |
| Have a right to | To be entitled to perform an action. | Everyone should have the right to express their opinions freely. |
| Benefit considerably from | To gain significant advantages from something. | Thousands of people have benefited considerably from the new treatment. |
| Achieve great success in | To accomplish significant achievements. | Our students aim to achieve great success in their exams. |
| Launch a full-scale investigation into | To begin an extensive inquiry into an issue. | Authorities are planning to launch a full-scale investigation into the crash. |
| Meet the needs of | To fulfill or satisfy a requirement or request. | The charity exists to meet the needs of elderly people. |
| Fulfill a dream/ambition | To successfully achieve something desired. | Visiting Disneyland fulfilled a boyhood dream. |
| Satisfy someone’s needs | To meet someone’s expectations or desires. | The program satisfies the needs of adult learners effectively. |
| Gain understanding of | To acquire knowledge about something. | Travel allows us to gain understanding of different cultures. |
| Make common cause with | To work together for a shared goal. | Governments are making common cause against climate change. |
| Cause someone to | To provoke or compel someone to take action. | What caused you to change your career path? |
| Bring about change | To lead to a significant transformation. | Effective leadership can bring about change in an organization. |
| Strike a balance | To find an equilibrium between two things. | It’s vital to strike a balance between work and personal life. |
Common Mistakes When Using Collocations in IELTS
Collocations play a crucial role in achieving a high score in IELTS Writing and Speaking. They showcase your ability to use natural and fluent English. However, misusing collocations can disrupt the flow of your writing or speaking and negatively impact your IELTS band score.
Here’s a breakdown of common errors candidates often make with collocations, along with tips to avoid them.
| Error | How to Avoid It | Example of Incorrect Usage | Example of Correct Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using Incorrect Word Combinations |
|
Make a crime | Commit a crime |
| Overusing Basic Collocations |
|
The environment is very important. Pollution is a very big problem. | The environment plays a crucial role. Pollution poses a significant challenge. |
| Misusing Collocations in Context |
|
The government should reap the benefits of reducing unemployment. | The citizens should reap the benefits of government efforts to reduce unemployment. |
| Mixing Formal and Informal Collocations |
|
The data shows that loads of people face difficulties in finding a job. | The data shows that a significant number of people face difficulties in finding a job. |
| Overloading Sentences with Collocations |
|
The government needs to take drastic measures to address the serious issues of rising unemployment and increasing inflation, which are causing numerous adverse effects on the economy. | The government must take decisive action to address unemployment and inflation, which significantly impact the economy. |
| Relying on Memorized Collocations Without Adaptation |
|
The graph plays a crucial role in human survival. | The graph illustrates a significant trend in population growth over time. |
Tips for Effectively Using Collocations in IELTS Writing
Collocations for IELTS are essential aspects of IELTS vocabulary that will boost your score as well as improve your language skills in the long run. So, go through these tips to use the collocations for IELTS.
- Ensure Collocations Fit the Topic: Collocations should blend naturally into your essay’s context. Practice integrating them into sample essays to develop familiarity with their use.
- Avoid Overusing Collocations: While collocations enhance your writing, excessive use can make it sound unnatural. Aim for a balanced approach by including 4-5 collocations in your IELTS Writing Task 2 essay.
- Vary Your Collocation Usage: Don’t repeat the same collocations in every essay. Continuously expand your repertoire to maintain diversity and keep your writing engaging.
- Learn from High-Scoring Essays: Observe how top-scoring candidates use collocations effectively. Read extensively to identify practical examples and adopt them in your own writing.
Mastering collocations is a proven strategy to boost your IELTS Writing score. They showcase a strong command of English, adding depth and polish to your essays. Begin using these essential collocations in your practice writing, and with dedication, you’ll notice significant improvements in your skills and confidence!
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