Why Collocations Are Essential for IELTS Success ?

Module 3- lesson 1

Ahmed Abdirahman

9/29/20252 min read

One of the most important elements in achieving a high score in IELTS Speaking and Writing is the effective use of collocations. Collocations are natural combinations of words that frequently occur together in English. For example, native speakers say make a decision rather than do a decision, or heavy rain instead of big rain. These word partnerships sound natural and fluent, which is why examiners pay close attention to them when assessing lexical resource.

In IELTS, lexical resource accounts for 25% of the overall score in both the Writing and Speaking sections. According to the IELTS band descriptors, high-scoring candidates must demonstrate “a wide range of vocabulary with natural and sophisticated control” (IDP, 2022). This does not mean simply knowing many words, but also being able to use them accurately in context. Collocations are a clear indicator of this ability. For instance, when describing education, a student who says “students sit an exam and gain knowledge” will sound much more natural than one who says “students do an exam and take knowledge.”

Collocations are important for several reasons. First, they increase fluency and coherence in communication. Students who rely only on single words often repeat “basic” terms like good, bad, big, or small. Using collocations such as serious problem, considerable improvement, or make progress adds variety and makes language more precise. Second, collocations help learners avoid unnatural expressions caused by direct translation from their mother tongue. In many languages, the word combination may differ, leading to errors if students do not practice collocational accuracy.

Research has also shown that collocational proficiency strongly affects writing quality. A study published in Studies in Second Language Acquisition highlighted that learners who used a greater range of collocations received higher ratings from examiners in academic writing tasks (Paquot & Granger, 2012). Similarly, in speaking, collocations help answers flow more smoothly and reduce hesitation. Instead of pausing to search for the right word, a learner can produce a ready-made chunk like “maintain good health” or “rapid technological development.”

Practical examples can illustrate this further. Consider the topic of health. A candidate may try to say “people must eat food that is good for the body.” While correct, this sounds simple. A stronger alternative would be “people must follow a balanced diet to maintain good health.” The second version uses collocations that make the answer more academic and natural. Similarly, in technology, instead of “technology grows fast,” a better choice is “technology is experiencing rapid development.”

To succeed in IELTS, students should actively learn collocations. Strategies include keeping a collocation journal, practicing with dictionaries such as Collins or Cambridge (which provide collocation entries), and noticing collocations when reading or listening. Online resources like the British Council vocabulary site also provide opportunities to explore topic-based collocations. Repetition and recycling are also key: reviewing collocations regularly helps store them in long-term memory.

In conclusion, collocations are not just “extra vocabulary” but a central feature of natural English. Mastering them can greatly improve fluency, accuracy, and exam performance. Learners aiming for Band 7 or above must move beyond single words and focus on word partnerships that reflect real English use. With consistent practice, collocations will become a powerful tool in achieving IELTS success.

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