IELTS collocations: 40 natural word partnerships for Writing and Speaking
Learn high-value IELTS collocations by topic, why examiners reward them under Lexical Resource, and how to practise them effectively.
By English Grader study guides · AI-assisted educational content · Official sources linked below
The short answer
Collocations—words that naturally go together—raise Lexical Resource more reliably than rare single words.
Why collocations matter
The band descriptors mention 'collocation' at Band 7: candidates use less common lexical items with awareness of style and collocation. 'Make a decision' is natural; 'do a decision' is an error examiners notice immediately.
Related guide: Read the band descriptors explained
Collocations by common topic
Learn these as whole phrases.
- Education: acquire knowledge, academic performance, compulsory education
- Environment: tackle climate change, renewable energy, carbon footprint
- Health: a sedentary lifestyle, balanced diet, life expectancy
- Work: job satisfaction, career prospects, work-life balance
- Technology: rapid advances, screen time, digital literacy
- Society: widen the gap, raise awareness, pose a threat
Common collocation errors
Many errors come from translating word by word.
Get feedback on word choice in an essay →Wrong → Right
do a mistake → make a mistake strong rain → heavy rain learn knowledge → gain knowledge big damage → serious damage
How to practise
Check unfamiliar pairings in a collocation dictionary, then use two new phrases in each practice answer. Feedback shows whether they sounded natural.
Study vocabulary lists →Put this into practice
Open a topic vocabulary list, test yourself with flashcards or the matching game, then use phrases in a practice answer.
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Official sources and further reading
Practice examples and study routines are illustrative advice, not official band-scored answers or predictions of exam questions.