Understanding IELTS: Writing

STEP 1.14

VOCABULARY FOR DESCRIBING TRENDS

Verbs to describe a general increase

 Go up
 Rise
 Increase
 Climb

Verbs to describe a sudden, large increase

 Jump
 Shoot up
 Rocket

Verbs to describe a general decrease

 Go down
 Fall
 Decrease
 Drop

Verbs to describe a large decrease

 Plunge
 Plummet
 Collapse

To give more a more detailed description, you can use any of the general verbs with
additional adverbs.

© British Council 2020

 If a value goes up and down repeatedly, we say
it fluctuates.

If a value stays the same for a period of time, we can

say that it remains stable.

If it fluctuates, then stops fluctuating, we can say

it stabilises or levels off.

If a number reaches a high point and then drops

back again, we can say it peaks at a certain number
or reaches a peak.

For example, ‘the share price peaked at $115’ or

‘the share price reached a peak of $115.’ Again, be
careful to use the correct prepositions.

If a number drops a lot, then stops falling we can

say it bottoms out.

© British Council 2016

 Understanding IELTS: Writing

Speed

 To describe a change that happens quickly, you can also use rapidly or sharply.
 To describe a change that happens slowly, you can also use gradually.
 To describe a change that happens by approximately the same amount each
month/year etc. you can use steadily.

Amount
 To describe a large increase or decrease, you can use considerably, significantly
or substantially.
 To describe a smaller increase or decrease, you can use slightly or moderately.

Alternative structures
Remember that it is important to show your range of vocabulary and grammar in your writing
tasks and avoid repetition. If you are describing a series of changes, you not only need to
vary the words you choose, but also the forms you use.

 You can use verb + adverb forms - ‘sales increased substantially in 2016.’
 You can also use adjective + noun forms together with there is/was. For example,
‘there was a substantial increase in sales in 2016, followed by a slight drop in
2017.’ Be careful to use the correct prepositions!
 Another possibility is to use the verb see or witness - ‘2016 saw a substantial
increase in sales.’

© British Council 2020