Writing Tip
Academic Vocabulary for IELTS Writing
Build a powerful academic vocabulary with collocations, word formation, and formal expressions for high band scores.
Impact Indicator
Each section is tagged by IELTS criterion. Sections marked High Impact have the greatest potential to improve your band score. Look for the Before/After examples to see exactly what to change.
Full Guide
Academic Vocabulary for IELTS Writing
A wide range of vocabulary is one of the four assessment criteria. Using academic vocabulary correctly and appropriately will significantly boost your Lexical Resource score.
Word Formation: Expand Your Range
Show flexibility by using different forms of the same root word:
- increase → increasingly, increasing, increased
- environment → environmental, environmentally, environmentalist
- economy → economic, economically, economist
- society → social, socially, socialize
- technology → technological, technologically
- culture → cultural, culturally
Essential Academic Collocations
Collocations are words that naturally go together. Using them correctly shows native-like proficiency.
Verbs + Nouns
- make a decision (not "do a decision")
- take risks (not "make risks")
- conduct research (not "do research")
- draw conclusions (not "make conclusions")
- raise awareness (not "increase awareness" in some contexts)
- pose a threat (not "make a threat")
- provide assistance (not "give assistance" — both work but "provide" is more academic)
Adjective + Noun
- significant impact, significant progress
- rapid growth, rapid development
- severe consequences, severe drought
- fundamental change, fundamental difference
- widespread concern, widespread support
Verb + Preposition Combinations
- depend on, rely on, focus on
- result in, lead to, contribute to
- specialize in, participate in, believe in
- account for, approve of, adapt to
Formal vs. Informal Vocabulary
IELTS Writing requires formal academic language. Avoid colloquial expressions.
| Informal | Formal/Academic |
|---|---|
| a lot of | numerous, a significant number of |
| big | substantial, considerable, significant |
| get | obtain, acquire, achieve, gain |
| keep | maintain, preserve, sustain |
| show | demonstrate, illustrate, indicate |
| use | utilize, employ, implement |
| think | argue, contend, maintain, believe |
| stop | cease, halt, prevent |
| look into | investigate, examine, explore |
| find out | determine, ascertain, identify |
Vocabulary for Argument Essays
- Presenting a view: It can be argued that... / From my perspective... / In my opinion...
- Adding emphasis: Furthermore, Moreover, In addition, Equally important
- Introducing evidence: Research suggests... / Studies have shown... / According to experts...
- Contrast: Conversely, Nevertheless, Nonetheless, In contrast
- Drawing conclusions: Consequently, Therefore, Thus, As a result
Common Spelling Errors to Avoid
- affect / effect (verb/noun distinction)
- practice / practise (British: practice=noun, practise=verb)
- their / there / they're
- definite / definition (common misspelling: definate)
- necessary: one c, two s's (not "neccessary")