VERBS AND COLLOCATIONS
A strong command of verbs is essential for high scores in both IELTS and PTE, especially for Writing and Speaking. Many students overuse basic verbs like do, go, make, get, and have, which makes their responses sound repetitive and basic. We have categorized list of must-know verbs that high-scoring IELTS and PTE students should master. These include academic, formal, topic-specific, and versatile verbs used in both tasks.
1. High-Scoring Alternatives to Basic Verbs
Basic Verb High-Scoring Alternatives
do conduct, perform, carry out, execute
get obtain, acquire, receive, attain
make create, generate, produce, formulate
go attend, travel, proceed, commute
have possess, experience, undergo, encounter
say state, claim, argue, mention, assert
think believe, consider, assume, suppose
help assist, support, aid, facilitate
show illustrate, demonstrate, reveal, indicate
need require, demand, necessitate
2. Verbs for Describing Change or Trends (Task 1 Academic / Graphs)
Verb Type Verbs
Increase rise, grow, climb, surge, soar, escalate
Decrease fall, decline, drop, diminish, plummet, shrink
Stability remain steady, stabilize, plateau
Fluctuation fluctuate, vary, swing, oscillate
Comparison exceed, surpass, lag behind, equal, overtake
3. Verbs for Argument and Opinion (Task 2 IELTS & PTE Essay)
Function Verbs
Agreeing support, endorse, justify, advocate
Disagreeing oppose, reject, criticize, contradict
Giving Opinion believe, argue, claim, assert, maintain
Emphasis highlight, stress, underline, emphasize
Concluding conclude, summarize, infer, determine
4. Verbs for Describing Data or Examples (Writing/Speaking)
• Illustrate
• Describe
• Explain
• Compare
• Present
• Represent
• Outline
• Emphasize
• Highlight
5. Academic Verbs for Writing Task 2 (Formal Tone)
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Assess
• Consider
• Investigate
• Discuss
• Examine
• Interpret
• Explore
• Debate
6. Verbs for Problem-Solution Essays
• Address
• Tackle
• Mitigate
• Prevent
• Alleviate
• Eliminate
• Resolve
• Overcome
• Deal with
7. Verbs for Cause and Effect
Cause Effect
lead to result in
cause bring about
contribute to generate
be responsible for give rise to
stem from culminate in
8. Verbs for Speaking (to show fluency and vocabulary range)
Context Examples
Daily routine manage, schedule, participate, attend
Personal experience recall, enjoy, face, achieve, regret
Hobbies/Leisure explore, engage in, pursue, enjoy
Study/Work enroll, graduate, specialize, supervise
Travel/Places visit, discover, admire, experience
9. Verbs for Expressing Likes/Dislikes/Preferences
• prefer
• enjoy
• admire
• appreciate
• detest
• dislike
• avoid
• favor
10. Verbs for Formal Letters / General Training IELTS
• request
• apologize
• complain
• inquire
• confirm
• notify
• respond
• appreciate
• suggest
• recommend
Academic Collocations List for IELTS & PTE
Verb + Noun Collocations
Verb Noun
conduct research / survey / experiment
play a role / a part
pose a risk / a challenge / a threat
raise awareness / concerns / funds
achieve goals / success / results
reach a conclusion / agreement
draw attention / a conclusion
address an issue / a problem
provide evidence / support / information
face challenges / difficulties
gain access / insight / experience
allocate resources / funds / time
implement a policy / a strategy / changes
Adjective + Noun Collocations
Adjective Noun
significant difference / impact / amount
growing concern / number / demand
Major issue / change / factor
Effective solution / approach / strategy
High standard / level / percentage
Limited resources / time / access
economic growth / crisis / impact
Global warming / market / issue
sustainable development / solution / energy
Rapid= development / growth / decline
widespread =use / belief / support
Noun + Noun Collocations
Noun Noun
Research =findings / paper / study
government =policy / intervention / funding
Student= performance / debt / engagement
Education= system / sector / reform
Language= proficiency / barrier / skills
Job= market / satisfaction / security
Climate= change / policy / action
Adverb + Verb Collocations
Adverb Verb
Strongly= recommend / suggest / oppose
Widely= accepted / used / believed
Significantly= improve / increase / affect
Highly= valued / respected / developed
Carefully= consider / examine / monitor
Actively= participate / promote / support
Largely= depend / result / influence
Useful Essay Phrases / Collocations
Function Collocation Examples
Introducing ideas= It is widely believed that...
Giving reasons= Due to the fact that...
Making comparisons= In comparison to..., Compared with...
Showing results= As a result, This leads to...
Concluding= In conclusion, To sum up, It can be said…
Expressing opinion= I firmly believe that..., It is my view…