📝 Collocations for IELTS Writing Task 2 (Organized by Essay Type)

One way to boost your score in IELTS Writing Task 2 is by using natural collocations — combinations of words that frequently appear together. This not only improves your Lexical Resource score, but also makes your writing sound more fluent and academic. Below you'll find high-impact collocations grouped by essay type, with examples you can easily adapt to different topics.

🧠 What Are Collocations?

Collocations are word pairings or groupings that are commonly used by native speakers. For example: “make a decision,” “play a vital role,” or “face challenges.” Using them naturally improves your vocabulary score.

💬 1. Opinion Essays

These ask whether you agree/disagree or to what extent you agree.

Form an opinion – “It is important to form an opinion based on evidence.”
Take a stance – “This essay will take a firm stance against capital punishment.”
Strongly believe that – “I strongly believe that education should be free.”
From my perspective – “From my perspective, public transport is more sustainable.”
Play a vital role in – “Technology plays a vital role in modern education.”

🛠️ 2. Problem–Solution Essays

These ask you to identify a problem and propose one or more solutions.

Address the issue of – “Governments should address the issue of housing shortages.”
Implement measures – “Several measures can be implemented to combat pollution.”
Find a viable solution – “Finding a viable solution to traffic congestion is essential.”
Mitigate the effects – “Awareness campaigns can mitigate the effects of fast food consumption.”
Raise public awareness – “Schools can help raise public awareness about cyberbullying.”

⚖️ 3. Advantage–Disadvantage Essays

These ask you to discuss both benefits and drawbacks.

Bring about benefits – “Working remotely brings about several benefits.”
On the downside – “On the downside, it can lead to social isolation.”
Weigh the pros and cons – “Citizens must weigh the pros and cons of online banking.”
Offer a range of advantages – “Online learning offers a range of advantages for students.”
Potential drawbacks – “However, there are potential drawbacks to consider.”

💬 4. Discussion Essays

These ask you to discuss both sides of an issue.

Some argue that – “Some argue that higher education should be universal.”
Others claim that – “Others claim that it is a personal responsibility.”
There is a growing debate – “There is a growing debate surrounding climate change.”
Strike a balance between – “It is crucial to strike a balance between work and leisure.”
Reach a consensus – “It is difficult to reach a consensus on animal testing.”

🧩 Bonus Collocations for Any Essay Type

Take immediate action
Face significant challenges
Exert a positive influence
Lead to undesirable outcomes
Fulfill a crucial role

📌 Final Tips for Using Collocations

✔️ Don’t memorize full sentences — focus on natural word pairs
✔️ Don’t force collocations into every sentence — use them where they fit
✔️ Practice paraphrasing ideas with collocations for better fluency
✔️ Read model Band 7+ essays and highlight repeated collocations

Mastering collocations not only boosts your lexical resource score but also gives your writing a more academic and polished tone — a key to scoring 7 or higher in IELTS Writing Task 2.

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