IELTS Collocations

decide after consideration

“Voters will make a decision on the proposal next spring.”

advance or improve

“The country has made significant progress in reducing poverty.”

try hard to do something

“Schools should make a genuine effort to include every child.”

do something incorrectly

“Beginners inevitably make mistakes when learning a language.”

give or add something of value

“Immigrants make a substantial contribution to the economy.”

accept accountability

“Manufacturers must take responsibility for the waste they create.”

act to address something

“Governments must take action on air quality without delay.”

do something despite possible loss

“Entrepreneurs take considerable risks when launching a business.”

use an opportunity fully

“Students should take advantage of free university resources.”

watch or consider carefully

“Planners rarely pay enough attention to pedestrians.”

be one of the causes or factors

“Diet plays a crucial role in preventing chronic disease.”

investigate systematically

“The team did extensive research into consumer habits.”

cause damage or injury

“Sensational reporting can do real harm to public trust.”

trade or deal commercially

“The two firms have done business together for decades.”

affect something noticeably

“Automation has had a profound impact on manufacturing jobs.”

be able to use or obtain

“Millions still do not have access to clean drinking water.”

settle a matter after discussion

“The two sides reached an agreement after lengthy talks.”

decide what is true from evidence

“It is too early to draw a firm conclusion from the data.”

find an answer to a difficulty

“Technology alone cannot solve the problem of loneliness.”

make people more informed

“The campaign raised awareness of recycling among teenagers.”

bring up an issue for discussion

“The findings raise serious questions about food labelling.”

finish something by its due time

“Journalists work under constant pressure to meet deadlines.”

satisfy a condition

“Applicants must meet the language requirement before enrolling.”

decide on an objective

“Learners who set clear goals tend to progress faster.”

behave in a way for others to copy

“Public figures should set an example for younger generations.”

carry out an illegal act

“Most offenders commit their first crime before adulthood.”

harm something physically

“The floods caused extensive damage to coastal towns.”

acquire practical knowledge

“Internships help graduates gain valuable workplace experience.”

stop being engaged

“Pupils quickly lose interest when lessons are purely theoretical.”

do what one said one would

“Politicians who keep their promises earn lasting trust.”

intense rainfall

“Heavy rain disrupted transport across the region.”

dense, slow-moving vehicles

“Commuters sit in heavy traffic for hours each week.”

a robust, healthy economy

“A strong economy depends on a skilled workforce.”

a firmly held view

“Residents hold strong opinions about the new development.”

great desire for something

“Skilled nurses are in high demand worldwide.”

an excellent level of quality

“The college maintains high standards of teaching.”

little money earned

“Families on low incomes spend proportionally more on food.”

fast increase or expansion

“The region has experienced rapid growth in tourism.”

an opinion held by many people

“There is a widespread belief that exams cause unnecessary stress.”

a usual, accepted way of doing things

“Flexible hours are now common practice in many offices.”

an essential function

“Bees play a vital role in global food production.”

a notable effect

“Remote work has had a significant impact on city centres.”

an important worry

“Youth unemployment remains a major concern for policymakers.”

an urgent matter

“Housing affordability is the most pressing issue facing young people.”

useful practical knowledge

“Volunteering abroad provides valuable experience.”

power from inexhaustible sources

“Investment in renewable energy has doubled in a decade.”

nutritionally varied eating

“A balanced diet lowers the risk of chronic illness.”

a way of life with little exercise

“Office work encourages a sedentary lifestyle.”

growth that protects future resources

“Sustainable development balances growth with conservation.”

the rise in Earth's temperature

“Global warming threatens low-lying island nations.”

success in study

“Sleep quality strongly affects academic performance.”

an indispensable ability

“Critical thinking is an essential skill in the digital age.”

a deep, far-reaching influence

“The pandemic had a profound effect on working patterns.”

an increasing quantity

“A growing number of consumers prefer second-hand goods.”

a main element or cause

“Cost is the key factor behind most purchasing decisions.”

working extremely well

“Vaccination remains a highly effective public health measure.”

having advanced abilities

“The sector struggles to attract highly skilled engineers.”

very worried

“Scientists are deeply concerned about biodiversity loss.”

agreed by most people

“It is widely accepted that exercise improves mental health.”

easy to obtain in many places

“High-speed internet is now widely available in rural areas.”

liked by more and more people

“Plant-based diets are increasingly popular among students.”

harmed very badly

“Several historic buildings were severely damaged by the storm.”

notably greater

“Graduates earn significantly higher salaries on average.”

agree completely

“Most respondents strongly agree that fares are too high.”

advise with conviction

“Doctors strongly recommend regular health screenings.”

completely conscious of

“Consumers are fully aware that their data is collected.”

not alike in any way

“City life is completely different from rural living.”

relying totally on something

“Some economies are entirely dependent on tourism.”

depending greatly on something

“Modern agriculture is heavily reliant on irrigation.”

extremely let down

“Fans were bitterly disappointed by the cancellation.”

firmly proven or set up

“The link between smoking and cancer is well established.”

completely fine or appropriate

“Casual dress is perfectly acceptable in many workplaces now.”

easy to get immediately

“Fresh produce is readily available at weekly markets.”

participating energetically

“Parents should be actively involved in school life.”

absolutely essential

“Early diagnosis is vitally important for treatment success.”

need for support; be decided by

“Rural communities depend on reliable bus services.”

trust or need something

“Millions rely on smartphones for daily banking.”

cause a particular outcome

“Poor planning results in chronic congestion.”

be caused by

“Many injuries result from inadequate training.”

cause to happen

“Excessive screen time can lead to sleep problems.”

help cause or add to

“Road transport contributes to urban air pollution.”

gain advantage from

“Small firms benefit from simplified tax rules.”

be affected by something bad

“A growing number of teenagers suffer from anxiety.”

be made up of

“The committee consists of twelve elected members.”

concentrate attention on

“The curriculum should focus on practical skills.”

demand firmly

“Some employers still insist on formal qualifications.”

achieve a desired aim

“Few start-ups succeed in their first five years.”

take part in

“All students are encouraged to participate in sport.”

put money or effort into

“Cities must invest in flood defences.”

manage a difficult situation

“Hospitals struggled to cope with rising admissions.”

obey a rule or standard

“Factories must comply with strict emission limits.”

disrupt or obstruct

“Noise pollution interferes with children's concentration.”

say sorry for

“The airline apologised for the lengthy delays.”

make up a proportion; explain

“Housing costs account for a third of household spending.”

being the cause of; in charge of

“Human activity is largely responsible for climate change.”

knowing about

“Few users are aware of how their data is shared.”

having the ability to

“Modern software is capable of translating speech instantly.”

wanting to know about

“Employers are increasingly interested in soft skills.”

the right or ability to use

“Equal access to education underpins social mobility.”

an answer to a problem

“There is no single solution to traffic congestion.”

long-term shifts in global weather

“Climate change is reshaping agriculture worldwide.”

influence from one's social group

“Peer pressure strongly affects teenage spending habits.”

shared transport services

“Affordable public transport reduces car dependency.”

businesses not owned by the state

“The private sector creates most new jobs.”

fulfilment from one's work

“Autonomy is a strong predictor of job satisfaction.”

future professional opportunities

“A second language improves career prospects considerably.”

average expected lifespan

“Life expectancy has risen steadily for a century.”

the level of comfort and wealth

“Living standards improved sharply after the reforms.”

one's first language

“Children learn best in their mother tongue at first.”

overcrowded roads

“Traffic congestion costs the economy billions annually.”

increase in the number of people

“Rapid population growth strains public services.”

uneven distribution of earnings

“Income inequality has widened in most developed nations.”

frequency of offences

“The crime rate fell after community policing was introduced.”

share of people without work

“The unemployment rate reached a ten-year low.”

positive effects on health

“The health benefits of walking are well documented.”

the amount of energy used

“Smart meters help households cut energy consumption.”

insufficient water supply

“Prolonged drought caused severe water shortages.”

getting rid of refuse

“Illegal waste disposal carries heavy fines.”

prevention of traffic accidents

“Lower speed limits demonstrably improve road safety.”

equilibrium of job and personal life

“Flexible schedules support a healthier work-life balance.”