Master PTE Academic Collocations

Collocations are words that naturally occur together in English. Mastering them is crucial for PTE Academic success, as they demonstrate your command of natural English usage.

What Are Collocations?

Collocations are combinations of words that are frequently used together. They sound natural to native speakers but may seem unusual to non-native speakers. For example:

• “strong coffee” (not “powerful coffee”)
• “make a decision” (not “do a decision”)
• “take a risk” (not “make a risk”)

Common Collocations in PTE Academic

Academic Writing Collocations

• Carry out a study/research
• Conduct an experiment/investigation
• Draw a conclusion
• Make a point
• Reach an agreement
• Support an argument
• Oppose a view
• Raise an issue
• Address a problem
• Highlight a concern

Decision & Action Collocations

• Make a decision
• Take action
• Take a step
• Take responsibility
• Bear in mind
• Keep in mind
• Bring about change
• Bring up a topic
• Bring forward a suggestion
• Call for change

Adjective + Noun Collocations

• Acute problem/shortage
• Significant impact/change
• Widespread concern/effect
• Remarkable achievement/success
• Substantial evidence/increase
• Critical issue/factor
• Fundamental principle/question
• Underlying cause/reason
• Compelling evidence/argument
• Striking difference/feature

Tips for Using Collocations Effectively

1. Read extensively - Expose yourself to collocations through reading quality English texts
2. Use flashcards - Create cards with collocations to practice regularly
3. Note patterns - Look for common word pairs and record them
4. Practice in context - Use collocations in sentences rather than memorizing lists
5. Listen actively - Pay attention to collocations in podcasts and lectures
6. Write regularly - Incorporate collocations into your writing practice

Collocations for Different Sections

Speaking Collocations

In speaking tasks, particularly in Describe Image and Retell Lecture, use these collocations:

• Depict/illustrate the situation
• Show/demonstrate the trend
• Indicate/suggest the pattern
• Reveal/display the relationship
• Present/outline the information

Reading Collocations

When discussing reading comprehension:

• Identify the main point
• Determine the purpose
• Recognize the pattern
• Clarify the meaning
• Infer the conclusion

Practice Exercise

Try incorporating these collocations in your next practice essay:

• Begin with “Considerable evidence suggests that…”
• Use “It is imperative to…” for strong points
• Include “To this end…” for conclusion linking
• Add “A compelling argument can be made that…” for support
• Use “In light of…” for addressing counterarguments

Conclusion

Mastering collocations takes time and consistent practice. Start by learning 5-10 new collocations each week, use them in your practice essays and speaking tasks, and gradually expand your collocation repertoire. With MarvelPTE’s focused approach, you’ll develop the natural-sounding English that impresses PTE examiners.

Remember: Quality matters more than quantity. Using 5 collocations naturally is better than attempting 20 awkwardly. Focus on accuracy and natural usage as you build your collocation skills.