Academic Collocations for IELTS Writing Task 2: Beyond Single Words
Reading time: 14 minutes
Most IELTS vocabulary advice tells you to learn "advanced" words. Replace "good" with "beneficial." Replace "bad" with "detrimental." Replace "important" with "paramount."
This advice is incomplete. Knowing individual words is not enough — you need to know which words go together. Using the wrong combination creates an unnatural sentence that examiners immediately notice, even if each word is technically correct on its own.
These natural word combinations are called collocations, and they are one of the clearest markers that separate Band 6 writing from Band 7+.
What Is a Collocation?
A collocation is a pair or group of words that native speakers naturally use together. There is no grammar rule that dictates them — they are simply the way English works through convention.
For example:
- We say "make a decision" — not "do a decision"
- We say "heavy rain" — not "strong rain"
- We say "raise awareness" — not "lift awareness"
Each individual word is correct. But the wrong combination sounds unnatural to an examiner's ear — and it costs you marks on Lexical Resource.
Why Collocations Matter for Your IELTS Score
The Band 7 descriptor for Lexical Resource states that a candidate "uses less common lexical items with some awareness of style and collocation." The word "collocation" appears explicitly in the marking criteria.
At Band 6, the descriptor notes that candidates may "make errors in word choice and collocation" that do not impede communication. At Band 8, candidates use collocations "skilfully."
This means:
- Band 6: You use some collocations but make noticeable errors
- Band 7: You use collocations with reasonable accuracy and awareness
- Band 8: You use collocations naturally and precisely
If you want to move from Band 6 to Band 7, improving your collocations is one of the most direct paths. For more on what separates these bands, see Band 7 vs Band 8: What Actually Changes in IELTS Writing.
Type 1: Verb + Noun Collocations
These are the workhorses of academic writing. Using the right verb with a noun demonstrates natural command of English.
Common Verb + Noun Collocations for IELTS
| Collocation | Meaning | Example in context |
|---|---|---|
| pose a threat/challenge | present a danger or difficulty | Climate change poses a serious threat to coastal communities. |
| yield results/benefits | produce outcomes | Early intervention programmes yield significant benefits for at-risk youth. |
| spark debate/controversy | cause discussion | The proposal to ban private cars has sparked intense debate. |
| draw a distinction/comparison | identify a difference or similarity | It is important to draw a distinction between correlation and causation. |
| raise awareness/concerns | bring attention to something | Governments should raise awareness of the long-term effects of poor diet. |
| address an issue/problem | deal with something | Several measures could be taken to address the problem of urban congestion. |
| exert influence/pressure | apply force or power | Social media platforms exert considerable influence on young people's behaviour. |
| bear responsibility | be accountable | Parents bear the primary responsibility for their children's education. |
| conduct research/a study | carry out an investigation | Researchers have conducted numerous studies on the effects of screen time. |
| implement policies/measures | put plans into action | Governments should implement stricter regulations on industrial emissions. |
| undermine confidence/authority | weaken gradually | Frequent policy changes can undermine public confidence in institutions. |
| bridge the gap | reduce a difference | Education is often seen as the most effective way to bridge the gap between rich and poor. |
Common Mistakes
"do a research"→ conduct research (also: research is uncountable — no "a")"give awareness"→ raise awareness"make influence"→ exert influence"solve the issue"→ address the issue (solve works with "problem" but sounds less natural with "issue")
Type 2: Adjective + Noun Collocations
These add precision to your writing. Instead of saying something is "very big," you use the adjective that naturally pairs with the noun.
Common Adjective + Noun Collocations for IELTS
| Collocation | Meaning | Example in context |
|---|---|---|
| profound impact/effect | deep, significant influence | Technology has had a profound impact on how people communicate. |
| widespread adoption/use | used by many people | The widespread adoption of smartphones has transformed daily life. |
| stark contrast | very obvious difference | There is a stark contrast between urban and rural healthcare access. |
| inherent risk/flaw | built-in, unavoidable | There is an inherent risk in relying entirely on a single energy source. |
| viable alternative/solution | practical, workable | Public transport is a viable alternative to private car use in most cities. |
| pressing issue/concern | urgent, needing attention | Youth unemployment is one of the most pressing issues facing developing nations. |
| pivotal role | crucially important function | Teachers play a pivotal role in shaping children's attitudes toward learning. |
| tangible benefits/results | real, measurable | Exercise produces tangible benefits for both physical and mental health. |
| unprecedented growth/change | never seen before | The past decade has witnessed unprecedented growth in online education. |
| detrimental effect | harmful consequence | Air pollution has a detrimental effect on respiratory health. |
Common Mistakes
"big impact"→ significant/profound impact"strong contrast"→ stark/sharp contrast"high risk"→ significant/inherent risk (in academic writing)"good alternative"→ viable/feasible alternative
Type 3: Noun + Preposition Collocations
Getting the preposition right is one of the hardest parts of English for non-native speakers, and examiners notice when you get it wrong.
Common Noun + Preposition Collocations for IELTS
| Collocation | Example in context |
|---|---|
| implications for | This trend has serious implications for public health. |
| attitudes toward(s) | Attitudes towards working mothers have changed significantly. |
| approach to | A balanced approach to regulation is needed. |
| barrier to | Cost remains the primary barrier to higher education in many countries. |
| impact on | Social media has a measurable impact on self-esteem among teenagers. |
| emphasis on | Schools should place greater emphasis on critical thinking skills. |
| demand for | There is growing demand for renewable energy sources. |
| access to | Equal access to healthcare is a fundamental right. |
| decline in | There has been a steady decline in newspaper readership. |
| rise in | The rise in living costs has affected young people disproportionately. |
Common Mistakes
"impact to"→ impact on"barrier of"→ barrier to"attitude about"→ attitude toward(s)"emphasis in"→ emphasis on"decline of"→ decline in (when describing a trend)
Type 4: Adverb + Adjective Collocations
These help you modify your claims with precision — a skill that examiners associate with higher bands.
| Collocation | Example in context |
|---|---|
| highly effective | Peer learning is a highly effective method for developing communication skills. |
| widely recognised/accepted | It is widely recognised that early childhood education improves outcomes. |
| increasingly common | Remote work has become increasingly common since 2020. |
| fundamentally different | The two approaches are fundamentally different in their assumptions. |
| inherently flawed | The argument that money guarantees happiness is inherently flawed. |
| disproportionately affected | Low-income communities are disproportionately affected by pollution. |
Collocations by IELTS Topic
Here are high-value collocations grouped by the topics that appear most frequently in Task 2.
Education
- foster creativity/independence — Schools should foster creativity rather than prioritise exam results.
- acquire skills/knowledge — Students acquire practical skills through hands-on learning.
- broaden horizons — Studying abroad broadens students' cultural horizons.
- meet educational standards — Not all private tutoring services meet basic educational standards.
For more education vocabulary, see Essential Education Vocabulary for IELTS Writing Task 2.
Technology
- harness technology — Governments should harness technology to improve public services.
- digital literacy — Digital literacy is now as important as traditional reading and writing skills.
- bridge the digital divide — Subsidised internet access could help bridge the digital divide.
- technological advancement — Rapid technological advancement has outpaced regulatory frameworks.
For more technology vocabulary, see Technology Vocabulary for IELTS Writing Task 2.
Environment
- mitigate the effects — Reforestation can help mitigate the effects of climate change.
- deplete natural resources — Overconsumption continues to deplete natural resources at an alarming rate.
- sustainable development — Sustainable development requires balancing economic growth with environmental protection.
- carbon footprint — Individuals can reduce their carbon footprint by using public transport.
For more environment vocabulary, see Environment Vocabulary for IELTS Writing Task 2.
Health
- sedentary lifestyle — A sedentary lifestyle is a major contributor to obesity.
- mental well-being — Regular exercise has a positive effect on mental well-being.
- preventive measures — Governments should invest in preventive measures rather than treatment alone.
- public health crisis — Antibiotic resistance is emerging as a global public health crisis.
For more health vocabulary, see Health Vocabulary for IELTS Writing Task 2.
Urbanisation and Society
- rapid urbanisation — Rapid urbanisation has placed enormous strain on infrastructure.
- social cohesion — Community events help strengthen social cohesion in diverse neighbourhoods.
- widen the gap — Inadequate public schooling widens the gap between socioeconomic groups.
- ageing population — An ageing population poses challenges for healthcare funding.
For more urbanisation vocabulary, see Urbanisation Vocabulary for IELTS Writing Task 2.
How to Avoid Collocation Errors
1. Learn words in pairs, not isolation
When you encounter a new word, always note what words surround it. Do not just learn "impact" — learn "profound impact," "have an impact on," "adverse impact." This is more effective than memorising single-word synonym lists.
2. Read the collocation, not just the definition
When you look up a word in a dictionary, check the example sentences. They show you which words naturally appear alongside it. Online collocation dictionaries (like the Oxford Collocations Dictionary) are specifically designed for this.
3. Test yourself with the verb
The most common collocation errors involve verbs. When you learn a noun like "awareness," ask yourself: what verb goes with it? (Raise awareness, not make awareness or give awareness.)
4. Do not translate directly from your first language
Many collocation errors come from translating word-for-word from your native language. English word pairings often differ from those in other languages. For example, in many languages you "make" a decision, but in others you "take" one — English uses both, but "make" is more common.
For more on how vocabulary quality affects your score, see IELTS Vocabulary: Quality Over Quantity — What Examiners Actually Want.
Common Collocation Mistakes in IELTS Essays
Here are the errors examiners see most frequently:
| What students write | What they should write |
|---|---|
| "do efforts" | make efforts |
| "gain knowledge" (not wrong, but limited) | acquire knowledge (more academic) |
| "solve the issue" | address/tackle the issue |
| "technology developed fast" | technology advanced/evolved rapidly |
| "the economy raised" | the economy grew/expanded |
| "people become addicted in" | people become addicted to |
| "depend of" | depend on |
| "a big amount of" | a significant/considerable amount of |
Key Takeaways
- Collocations are explicitly mentioned in the IELTS marking criteria for Lexical Resource. They are not optional for Band 7+.
- Learn words in combinations, not in isolation. Knowing "profound" is useless if you pair it with the wrong noun.
- Verb + noun collocations cause the most errors. Focus on these first: raise awareness, conduct research, address issues, implement measures.
- Get the preposition right. Impact on, barrier to, decline in, emphasis on. Wrong prepositions are immediately noticeable.
- Use topic-specific collocations to demonstrate range. Each IELTS topic has its own set of natural word pairings.
- Do not translate collocations from your first language. Check an English collocation dictionary when in doubt.
The difference between Band 6 and Band 7 vocabulary is not about using longer or rarer words — it is about using the right words together. Master 30–40 collocations from this guide and your Lexical Resource score will improve.
Want to know if your collocations are accurate? Try BandWriteCoach — our AI evaluator flags unnatural word combinations and scores your Lexical Resource against IELTS band descriptors.