IELTS collocations

 IELTS collocations

A comprehensive list of high-frequency IELTS collocations used in Speaking and Writing to achieve Band 7+, along with their synonyms and Nepali meanings.

These are grouped by common IELTS topics for easier learning.

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1. Education & Learning

Collocation	Synonym	Nepali Meaning	Example Sentence
Acquire knowledge	Gain knowledge	ज्ञान प्राप्त गर्नु	University helps students acquire knowledge in their chosen field.
Meet the requirements	Fulfill criteria	आवश्यकताहरू पूरा गर्नु	You must meet the requirements to be admitted to this course.
Pursue a degree	Study for a degree	डिग्री हासिल गर्नु	Many students go abroad to pursue a degree in engineering.
Strict discipline	Rigorous control	कडा अनुशासन	Private schools usually have strict discipline policies.
Formal education	Institutional learning	औपचारिक शिक्षा	Formal education begins at the age of five in most countries.
Catch up on studies	Make up for lost time	पढाइ समात्नु	I need to catch up on my studies after missing a week of classes.

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2. Work & Career

Collocation	Synonym	Nepali Meaning	Example Sentence
Land a job	Secure a job	जागिर पाउनु	It is becoming harder to land a job without work experience.
Flexible working hours	Variable schedule	लचिलो कामको समय	Employees prefer flexible working hours to maintain work-life balance.
Work under pressure	Handle stress	दबाबमा काम गर्नु	Doctors often have to work under pressure during emergencies.
Career prospects	Job opportunities	करियर सम्भावनाहरू	Studying computer science offers excellent career prospects.
Valuable experience	Useful exposure	बहुमूल्य अनुभव	Internships provide valuable experience for fresh graduates.
Resign from a post	Quit a position	पदबाट राजीनामा दिनु	She decided to resign from her post due to personal reasons.

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3. Technology & Internet

Collocation	Synonym	Nepali Meaning	Example Sentence
State-of-the-art	Cutting-edge	अत्याधुनिक	This hospital uses state-of-the-art equipment for surgery.
Glued to the screen	Addicted to screen	स्क्रिनमा टाँसिनु	Children are often glued to the screen playing video games.
Breakthrough technology	Revolutionary tech	आविष्कार/अत्याधुनिक प्रविधि	The smartphone was a breakthrough technology in communication.
Surf the internet	Browse online	इन्टरनेट चलाउनु	I usually surf the internet to find new recipes.
Cybercrime	Online crime	साइबर अपराध	Governments must take action against cybercrime.
Digital native	Tech-savvy person	डिजिटल पुस्ता	Young people today are digital natives as they grew up with technology.

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4. Environment & Nature

Collocation	Synonym	Nepali Meaning	Example Sentence
Carbon footprint	CO2 impact	कार्बन पदचिह्न	We should drive less to reduce our carbon footprint.
Renewable energy	Sustainable power	नवीकरणीय ऊर्जा	Solar panels are a great source of renewable energy.
Tackle climate change	Address global warming	जलवायु परिवर्तनको सामना गर्नु	International cooperation is needed to tackle climate change.
Natural habitat	Wild environment	प्राकृतिक बासस्थान	Deforestation is destroying the natural habitat of tigers.
Waste management	Disposal system	फोहोर व्यवस्थापन	Urban areas face serious challenges in waste management.
Protect the environment	Preserve nature	वातावरण जोगाउनु	It is our duty to protect the environment for future generations.

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5. Health & Fitness

Collocation	Synonym	Nepali Meaning	Example Sentence
Balanced diet	Nutritious food	सन्तुलित आहार	A balanced diet is essential for a healthy life.
Sedentary lifestyle	Inactive life	निष्क्रिय जीवनशैली	Sedentary lifestyles lead to obesity and heart disease.
Mental health issues	Psychological problems	मानसिक स्वास्थ्य समस्याहरू	People are more aware of mental health issues today.
Boost immunity	Strengthen defense	प्रतिरोधात्मक क्षमता बढाउनु	Eating fruits and vegetables helps boost immunity.
Break a habit	Quit a routine	बानी तोड्नु	It is difficult to break a habit like smoking.
Regular exercise	Physical activity	नियमित व्यायाम	Regular exercise improves both physical and mental health.

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6. Society & Government

Collocation	Synonym	Nepali Meaning	Example Sentence
Public transport	Mass transit	सार्वजनिक यातायात	Using public transport reduces traffic congestion.
Quality of life	Standard of living	जीवनको गुणस्तर	Better healthcare improves the quality of life in a country.
Address the issue	Tackle the problem	मुद्दा समाधान गर्नु	The government must address the issue of unemployment.
Impose a tax	Levy a charge	कर लगाउनु	They decided to impose a tax on sugary drinks.
Bridge the gap	Reduce differences	अन्तर कम गर्नु	Technology helps bridge the gap between rich and poor in education.
Law and order	Legal system	कानून र व्यवस्था	The police are responsible for maintaining law and order.

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7. Business & Economy

Collocation	Synonym	Nepali Meaning	Example Sentence
Small-scale business	Local enterprise	सानो व्यवसाय	Many people prefer to start a small-scale business online.
Economic growth	GDP increase	आर्थिक वृद्धि	Tourism contributes significantly to economic growth.
Standard of living	Living conditions	जीवनस्तर	The standard of living has risen in urban areas.
Generate revenue	Produce income	राजस्व उत्पन्न गर्नु	The new factory will help generate revenue for the state.
Sustainable development	Green growth	दिगो विकास	Countries should focus on sustainable development.
Market demand	Consumer need	बजार माग	The market demand for electric cars is increasing.

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8. General High-Frequency Collocations (For any essay/speech)

Collocation	Synonym	Nepali Meaning	Example Sentence
Come to a conclusion	Conclude	निष्कर्ष निकाल्नु	After much debate, we came to a conclusion.
Make a decision	Decide	निर्णय लिनु	You need to make a decision about your career today.
Take into consideration	Consider	ध्यानमा राख्नु	You should take into consideration all the risks.
Play a vital role	Be crucial	महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका खेल्नु	Parents play a vital role in a child's education.
Pay attention to	Focus on	ध्यान दिनु	Students must pay attention to their teachers.
Raise awareness	Spread knowledge	जनचेतना जगाउनु	NGOs help raise awareness about hygiene.
Keep in mind	Remember	सम्झनु/मनमा राख्नु	Keep in mind that practice is the key to success.
Take responsibility	Be accountable	जिम्मेवारी लिनु	We should take responsibility for our own actions.
Face challenges	Overcome difficulties	चुनौतीहरूको सामना गर्नु	Immigrants often face challenges in a new country.
Lead to	Result in	नेतृत्व गर्नु/कारण बन्नु	Stress can lead to serious health problems.

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Pro Tips for Band 7+ Using Collocations:

1.      Don't just use the synonym: Do not say "People want better life"; say "People are striving to enhance their quality of life."

2.      Use them naturally: Collocations are about natural pairing. You say "make a mistake" (not do a mistake) and "heavy rain" (not strong rain).

3.      In Writing: Use "It is widely acknowledged that..." or "This essay will address the issue of..." to start strong.

4.      In Speaking: Use "In a nutshell..." or "To be honest, I firmly believe..." to sound fluent and native-like.

5.      Mix them: Don't use just one or two. In a 250-word essay, try to naturally include 8-10 strong collocations to impress the examiner.

100 more high-frequency IELTS collocations used in various situations (Speaking & Writing), neatly categorized by function and topic, complete with synonyms and Nepali meanings to help you secure a Band 7+.

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Category 1: Expressing Opinions & Arguments (Essential for Essays)

Collocation	Synonym	Nepali Meaning	Example Sentence
1. Strongly believe	Firmly think	दृढतापूर्वक विश्वास गर्नु	I strongly believe that education is a basic human right.
2. Hold a view	Have an opinion	विचार राख्नु	Many people hold the view that technology isolates us.
3. Widely accepted	Generally agreed	व्यापक रूपमा स्वीकृत	It is widely accepted that climate change is real.
4. Commonly held belief	Popular opinion	सामान्य विश्वास	There is a commonly held belief that money brings happiness.
5. Opposing viewpoint	Contrary opinion	विपरीत दृष्टिकोण	We must consider the opposing viewpoint before deciding.
6. Weigh the pros and cons	Evaluate advantages/disadvantages	फाइदा बेफाइदा तुलना गर्नु	You should weigh the pros and cons before changing jobs.
7. Substantial evidence	Solid proof	ठोस प्रमाण	There is substantial evidence linking smoking to cancer.
8. Draw a conclusion	Infer	निष्कर्ष निकाल्नु	It is difficult to draw a conclusion without more data.
9. Justify an argument	Defend a point	तर्कको पुष्टि गर्नु	You need facts to justify your argument in an essay.
10. Present a case	Argue for	पक्षमा तर्क प्रस्तुत गर्नु	The lawyer will present a case for the defendant.

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Category 2: Describing Change & Trends (Academic Writing Task 1)

Collocation	Synonym	Nepali Meaning	Example Sentence
11. Significant increase	Major rise	उल्लेखनीय वृद्धि	There was a significant increase in sales last quarter.
12. Sharp decline	Steep fall	तीव्र गिरावट	The graph shows a sharp decline in birth rates.
13. Gradual improvement	Slow progress	क्रमिक सुधार	We are seeing a gradual improvement in the economy.
14. Sudden fluctuation	Unstable change	अचानक उतारचढाव	The stock market showed a sudden fluctuation yesterday.
15. Upward trend	Rising pattern	उर्ध्वगामी प्रवृत्ति	The data indicates a clear upward trend in tourism.
16. Downward spiral	Continuous fall	अधोगामी अवस्था	Without intervention, the economy could enter a downward spiral.
17. Hit a plateau	Stabilize	स्थिर अवस्थामा पुग्नु	Population growth has hit a plateau in developed nations.
18. Radical change	Drastic shift	आमूल परिवर्तन	The internet brought a radical change in communication.
19. Slight variation	Minor difference	सानो फरक	There is a slight variation in temperature today.
20. Overall pattern	General tendency	समग्र ढाँचा	The overall pattern shows that people are living longer.

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Category 3: Cause, Effect & Solutions (Problem/Solution Essays)

Collocation	Synonym	Nepali Meaning	Example Sentence
21. Root cause	Primary reason	मूल कारण	Poverty is the root cause of many social problems.
22. Lead to	Result in	नेतृत्व गर्नु	Overeating can lead to obesity and heart disease.
23. Give rise to	Cause	जन्म दिनु	Urbanization gives rise to overcrowding.
24. Tackle a problem	Address an issue	समस्या समाधान गर्नु	Governments must tackle the problem of pollution.
25. Find a solution	Discover an answer	समाधान पत्ता लगाउनु	Scientists are trying to find a solution to global warming.
26. Alleviate suffering	Reduce pain	पीडा कम गर्नु	Aid workers help alleviate suffering in war zones.
27. Mitigate the effects	Lessen impacts	असर कम गर्नु	Planting trees can help mitigate the effects of flooding.
28. Preventative measure	Precaution	रोकथामका उपाय	Vaccination is a crucial preventative measure against disease.
29. Address the root	Fix the source	मूल समाधान गर्नु	We need to address the root of the conflict, not the symptoms.
30. Long-term solution	Permanent fix	दीर्घकालीन समाधान	Education is a long-term solution to poverty.

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Category 4: Comparing & Contrasting (Both Speaking & Writing)

Collocation	Synonym	Nepali Meaning	Example Sentence
31. Vast difference	Huge gap	ठूलो भिन्नता	There is a vast difference between city and village life.
32. Striking similarity	Obvious likeness	आश्चर्यजनक समानता	I noticed a striking similarity between the two paintings.
33. Draw a parallel	Compare	समानता कोर्नु	We can draw a parallel between human and animal behavior.
34. Contrast sharply	Differ hugely	तीव्र भिन्नता देखाउनु	Their lifestyles contrast sharply with each other.
35. Common ground	Shared interest	समान आधार	It is hard to find common ground between the two parties.
36. On one hand... on the other	First point... second point	एकातिर... अर्कोतिर	On one hand, it saves money; on the other, it wastes time.
37. Relative advantage	Comparative benefit	सापेक्षिक लाभ	Electric cars have a relative advantage over petrol cars.
38. Trade-off	Compromise	सम्झौता / आदानप्रदान	There is a trade-off between cost and quality.
39. Marginally higher	Slightly more	केही बढी	The price is marginally higher than last year.
40. Diametrically opposed	Completely opposite	एकदम विपरीत	Their political views are diametrically opposed.

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Category 5: Giving Advice & Recommendations (Task 2 / Speaking)

Collocation	Synonym	Nepali Meaning	Example Sentence
41. Take proactive steps	Act beforehand	सक्रिय कदम चाल्नु	We should take proactive steps to prevent cybercrime.
42. Make an effort	Try hard	प्रयास गर्नु	Everyone should make an effort to recycle more.
43. Invest heavily	Spend a lot	ठूलो लगानी गर्नु	The government must invest heavily in public transport.
44. Set priorities	Rank importance	प्राथमिकता निर्धारण गर्नु	Students need to set priorities to manage their time well.
45. Strike a balance	Find a middle way	सन्तुलन कायम राख्नु	You must strike a balance between work and leisure.
46. Take into account	Consider	ध्यानमा राख्नु	We must take into account the cultural differences.
47. Reach a consensus	Agree mutually	सहमतिमा पुग्नु	The committee failed to reach a consensus.
48. Seek professional help	Consult an expert	विज्ञको सहायता लिनु	If you are stressed, you should seek professional help.
49. Opt for	Choose	रोज्नु	More people opt for online shopping these days.
50. Refrain from	Avoid	टाढा रहनु	You should refrain from making hasty decisions.

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Category 6: Technology & Digital Life

Collocation	Synonym	Nepali Meaning	Example Sentence
51. Technological advancement	Tech progress	प्राविधिक प्रगति	Technological advancement has revolutionized healthcare.
52. Cutting-edge innovation	Latest invention	नवीनतम आविष्कार	This company is famous for cutting-edge innovation.
53. Viral content	Widely shared media	भाइरल सामग्री	Viral content spreads quickly on social media.
54. Data privacy	Information security	डाटा गोपनीयता	Data privacy is a major concern for internet users.
55. Hardwired into	Deeply ingrained	कडाइसाथ गाँसिएको	Social media is hardwired into our daily routines now.
56. User-friendly interface	Easy to use	प्रयोगकर्ता-मैत्री	Smartphones have a very user-friendly interface.
57. Artificial intelligence	Machine learning	कृत्रिम बुद्धिमत्ता	Artificial intelligence is replacing many manual jobs.
58. Digital divide	Tech gap	डिजिटल विभाजन	The digital divide affects rural areas the most.
59. Online presence	Internet visibility	अनलाइन उपस्थिति	Every business today needs a strong online presence.
60. Hack into	Breach security	ह्याक गर्नु	Criminals tried to hack into the bank's system.

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Category 7: Environment & Energy

Collocation	Synonym	Nepali Meaning	Example Sentence
61. Fossil fuels	Non-renewable energy	जीवाश्म इन्धन	We rely too heavily on fossil fuels like coal and oil.
62. Exhaust fumes	Vehicle emissions	निकास धुवाँ	Exhaust fumes from cars pollute the city air.
63. Greenhouse gases	Global warming gases	हरितगृह ग्यास	Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere.
64. Sustainable practices	Eco-friendly methods	दिगो अभ्यास	Farmers must adopt sustainable practices to save soil.
65. Deplete natural resources	Use up reserves	प्राकृतिक स्रोतको क्षय गर्नु	Overpopulation can deplete natural resources.
66. Conserve water	Save water	पानी बचाउनु	We must conserve water during the dry season.
67. Recycle waste	Reuse materials	फोहोर पुन: प्रयोग गर्नु	We can recycle waste to reduce landfill pressure.
68. Endangered species	At-risk animals	लोपोन्मुख प्रजातिहरू	The giant panda is an endangered species.
69. Eco-friendly alternatives	Green options	वातावरणमैत्री विकल्प	Consumers are looking for eco-friendly alternatives to plastic.
70. Wasteful consumption	Excessive use	खेरफोक खपत	Wasteful consumption of energy harms the planet.

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Category 8: Work, Business & Success

Collocation	Synonym	Nepali Meaning	Example Sentence
71. Climb the corporate ladder	Get promoted	पदोन्नति पाउनु	She wants to climb the corporate ladder quickly.
72. Meet a deadline	Finish on time	समयमा काम सक्नु	I have to work overnight to meet the deadline.
73. Launch a product	Introduce an item	उत्पादन प्रक्षेपण गर्नु	The company will launch a new product next month.
74. Generate profit	Make money	नाफा कमाउनु	The store generates profit by selling organic food.
75. Market leader	Top brand	बजार नेता	Samsung is a market leader in electronics.
76. Job satisfaction	Work happiness	जागिरको सन्तुष्टि	Job satisfaction is more important than salary for many.
77. Skill set	Abilities	सीपको सेट	You need a diverse skill set to succeed today.
78. Career path	Professional route	करियर मार्ग	Teaching is a highly respected career path.
79. Take on a role	Accept responsibility	भूमिका ग्रहण गर्नु	She decided to take on a role as team leader.
80. Show initiative	Be proactive	पहल गर्नु	Employers value employees who show initiative.

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Category 9: Health & Lifestyle

Collocation	Synonym	Nepali Meaning	Example Sentence
81. Medical treatment	Healthcare	चिकित्सा उपचार	She is receiving medical treatment for her illness.
82. Junk food	Unhealthy snacks	फास्ट फूड	Eating junk food daily is very harmful.
83. Mental well-being	Psychological health	मानसिक स्वास्थ्य	Yoga improves your mental well-being.
84. Physical fitness	Body strength	शारीरिक फिटनेस	Regular workouts are crucial for physical fitness.
85. Lead a healthy life	Live healthily	स्वस्थ जीवन बिताउनु	To lead a healthy life, you need to exercise regularly.
86. Medical check-up	Health exam	चिकित्सा जाँच	You should have a medical check-up once a year.
87. Infectious disease	Contagious illness	संक्रामक रोग	COVID-19 is an infectious disease.
88. Cope with stress	Manage tension	तनाव सामना गर्नु	Exercise helps me cope with stress better.
89. Fast-paced life	Hectic schedule	तीव्र गतिको जीवन	People in cities live a fast-paced life.
90. Optimum health	Peak condition	उत्तम स्वास्थ्य	You need optimum health to run a marathon.

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Category 10: Society, Travel & Culture

Collocation	Synonym	Nepali Meaning	Example Sentence
91. Cultural heritage	Traditions	सांस्कृतिक सम्पदा	We must protect our cultural heritage for future generations.
92. Sense of belonging	Feeling of acceptance	अपनत्वको भावना	Community events create a sense of belonging.
93. Community service	Volunteer work	समुदाय सेवा	He spends his weekends doing community service.
94. Bustling city	Crowded urban area	व्यस्त सहर	Shanghai is a bustling city with millions of people.
95. Scenic beauty	Picturesque views	प्राकृतिक दृश्य	The Himalayas are famous for their scenic beauty.
96. Immigration laws	Border rules	आप्रवासन कानून	The government recently changed its immigration laws.
97. Ethnic diversity	Cultural variety	जातीय विविधता	London is famous for its ethnic diversity.
98. Standard of living	Quality of life	जीवनस्तर	The standard of living is higher in urban areas.
99. Public facilities	Civic amenities	सार्वजनिक सुविधाहरू	The city needs better public facilities like hospitals.
100. Urbanization	City growth	सहरीकरण	Urbanization often leads to environmental degradation.

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Quick Revision Tip for Band 7+:

• In Writing Task 2: Use collocations like "It is widely accepted...", "This leads to...", "The root cause is...", and "We must strike a balance..."
• In Speaking: Use phrases like "To be honest, I strongly believe...", "On the other hand...", and "We need to take proactive steps..." to sound natural and fluent.
• Avoid repetition: Instead of saying "important" 5 times, use crucial, vital, significant, essential, key combined with nouns (e.g., play a vital role).