Some synonyms for the commonly used adjectives:

*If you don’t know the meaning of any of these, check in the dictionary and practice using
them in a sentence.

Common adjective Uncommon synonyms

rich affluent, well-off, wealthy

poor hard up, penniless, badly-off

difficult challenging, tough, tricky

easy effortless, simple, uncomplicated

enjoyable pleasant, fun

expensive pricey, costly

cheap inexpensive, affordable, low-cost

friendly outgoing, sociable, likable, warm

unfriendly cold, unsociable, hostile

happy cheerful, content

unhappy miserable, depressed

busy hectic, tiring

fat overweight, large, plump

healthy (food) nutritious, wholesome

attractive, breathtaking, wonderful,

beautiful (landscape/view)
picturesque

beautiful (person) attractive, gorgeous, good-looking

delicious pleasant, scrumptious, yummy (informal)

Some synonyms for the commonly used adjectives:

Bad
negative, detrimental, inferior, inadequate, incorrect, poor, unsatisfactory, harmful,
unacceptable, unpleasant, discouraging, terrible

 Dumping waste exerts a negative effect on the environment

 Passive smoking can have a detrimental effect on anyone’s health.

Big
sizable, enormous, huge, immense, gigantic, vast, large, sizable, grand, great, tall, substantial,
mammoth, astronomical, ample, broad, expansive, spacious, stout, tremendous, titanic,
mountainous

 The mechanic spent an immense amount of time getting the engine into perfect
condition.
 Global warming influences a large number of people living in this area.

Amazing
unbelievable, improbable, fantastic, fabulous, incredible, wonderful, astonishing, astounding,
extraordinary

 This extraordinary event is held occasionally by the government.

 John has already had an incredible moment with his friends in England.

Awful
dreadful, terrible, abominable, bad, poor, unpleasant

 The dreadful service could decrease the number of visitors booking rooms in the
summer.
 Bad attitude may lead people into trouble on every occasion.

Angry
mad, furious, wrathful, indignant, exasperated, aroused, inflamed

 He could have been mad to decide to do this risky project.

 This furious decision could lead us into trouble.

Happy
pleased, contented, satisfied, delighted, elated, joyful, cheerful, ecstatic, jubilant, gay, tickled,
gratified, glad, blissful, overjoyed

 He is pleased to come to New Zealand to study MBA.

 She is gratified to accept this invitation.
Unhappy
miserable, uncomfortable, heart-broken, unfortunate, downhearted, sorrowful, depressed,
gloomy, dismal, discouraged, sad

 What has led to this miserable state of affairs?

 He did not know the reason why an unfortunate coincidence happens.

Interesting
fascinating, gripping, arresting, enthralling, engaging, attractive, inviting, intriguing,
provocative, thought-provoking, challenging, inspiring, titillating, tantalizing, exciting,
entertaining, piquant, engrossing, absorbing

 This challenging sport brings certain benefits to trainees.

 He had a fascinating idea to support this next project.

Boring
mundane, dull, monotonous, tiresome, humdrum

 This book is a little bit tiresome to read.

 Grinding is all well and good, but after a while, the monotonous repetition wears
away at your soul.

Lazy
indolent, slothful, idle, inactive, sluggish

 He lifted his dark face, indolent dark eyes.

 An inactive FED and low bond yields are effectively buoying the stock market and
driving major US indexes to record highs.

Great
noteworthy, worthy, distinguished, remarkable, grand, considerable, powerful, much, mighty

 ” To hear people call me a world record holder, it sounds remarkable. “

 Mr. Deeds became a powerful advocate for Representative Murphy’s mental health
bill.

Good
acceptable, adroit, commendable, competent, excellent, exceptional, fabulous, fantastic,
favorable, first-class, great, marvelous, proficient, satisfactory, skillful, splendid, stupendous,
super, superb, superior, tip-top, valuable, wonderful

 This immediately fulfilled my need to collect things but was also cheaper, more
socially acceptable, and more fun than cardboard.
 ” The US right now is in a very favorable position.”
Important
chief, critical, crucial, essential, imperative, key, necessary, urgent, weighty, vital

 She was taken to a local hospital where she was listed in critical but stable condition.
 That would be nice, but in many ways, it is kind of an imperative.

Beautiful
attractive, breathtaking, wonderful, picturesque (landscape/view)
glowing, gorgeous, good-looking (person)

 This means that the garden is no breathtaking work of land art.

 Behold the warrior women power, a sword hidden in a gorgeous dress, and so, so, so
many classic Wonder Woman trappings.

Brave
courageous, fearless, dauntless, intrepid, plucky, daring, heroic, valorous, audacious, bold,
gallant, valiant, doughty, mettlesome

 Transgender children and adults are the strongest and most courageous people I have
ever met.
 Glaring into a bottomless mining cycle, the acquisition may seem daring.

Bright
Shining, shiny, gleaming, brilliant, sparkling, shimmering, radiant, vivid, colorful, lustrous
Intelligent, knowing, smart, intellectual (person)

 They were left with vivid memories of him.

 While healthy competition is an intellectual stimulus, a cutthroat environment is
disruptive.

Calm
Quiet, peaceful, still, tranquil, mild, serene, smooth, composed, collected, unruffled, level-
headed, unexcited, detached, aloof

 Smaller demonstrations, community policing tactics and the use of officers on bikes
all played a role in the largely peaceful outcome.
 The product lines of Joy and Komatsu are mostly complimentary, which
should smooth antitrust concerns.

Strong
powerful, intense, firm, solid, potent

 She couldn’t predict the intense political climate and debate surrounding Syrian
refugees in the US and abroad.
  She recognizes the risks inherent in the most potent relationship of her life, yet is
unwilling to relinquish it.

Weak
frail, feeble, shaky, flimsy, fragile

 It’s the only known member of the group to have feeble arms with two fingers.
 My years in public offices have taught me that progress can be fragile.

Dangerous
perilous, hazardous, risky, uncertain, unsafe

 The most perilous situation came in the fourth when the Giants loaded the bases with
one out.
 The sequence of events surrounding the collapse remains uncertain.

Delicious
Savory, delectable, appetizing, luscious, scrumptious, palatable, delightful, enjoyable,
toothsome, exquisite

 The chicken has just the right amount of savory tang, the pickle brine playing nicely
against the sweetness of the maple.
 That doesn’t make it, or her, less political, even if, for her admirers, her presentation
is more palatable.

Famous
well-known, renowned, celebrated, famed, eminent, illustrious, distinguished, noted,
notorious

 So far, however, there has been no sign of Knight, the famed Indiana basketball
coach.
 Rabbi is among the most eminent and respected Rabbis in the country.

Fast
quick, rapid, speedy, fleet, hasty, snappy, mercurial, swiftly, rapidly, quickly, snappily,
speedily, posthaste, hastily, expeditiously, like a flash

 For every snappy scene or exchange, there are three or four that feel baggy and haft-
written.
 He sent a hasty, mistake-filled letter to Kent, hoping to lessen the potential damage.

Fat
plump, stout, corpulent, fleshy, beefy, paunchy, elephantine
  Some form plump landscapes, a la Grant Wood.
 The three fleshy nudes are at once solid and kinetic.

Funny
humorous, amusing, droll, comic, comical, laughable, silly

 The idea for a humorous ad came from Adam Barth, Felix’s predecessor.
 It needed to be unlike any traditional greeting, but it couldn’t be at all comical.

Serious
alarming, grave, pressing, pressuring, severe, urgent

 His grave is located at the edge of of the settlement and remains a pilgrimage site for
extremists.
 The most urgent tasks involve the key institutions of education, business, and
government.

Small
insignificant, insubstantial, minimal, minor, tiny

 The model shows that increasing the share of immigrants with, say, college degrees
had only a minimal effect on GDP and employment.
 A minor in dramatic arts, this is Norman’s stage.

New
fresh, unique, original, unusual, novel, modern, current, recent, up-to-date

 Mr Trump is a unique and present danger.

 The movie, airing Saturday night, is a continuation of a vibe that’s special
and unusual for TV.

Old
feeble, ancient, aged, used, worn, dilapidated, former, old-fashioned, outmoded, venerable,
primitive, traditional, archaic, outdated, antiquated, obsolete

 It’s true that society will probably always have devices to read DNA, so that gets
around the problem of obsolete readers.
 The reason, suggested Tom Mann, a political scholar at the Brookings Institution, is
downright primitive.

false
Fake, fraudulent, counterfeit, spurious, untrue, unfounded, erroneous, deceptive, groundless,
fallacious
  This is another problem with this game: It gives you erroneous notions of evolution.
 The accusations may be spurious, but they are serious and need to be addressed.

wrong
Amiss, arguable, askew, awry, bad, debatable, dubious, erroneous, fallacy, fallacious, false,
inaccurate, incorrect, miscalculated, misconstrued, misguided, mistaken, on the wrong track,
off-target, perverse, spurious, unsatisfactory, untrue

 All of the proposed solutions are debatable, and the next shooting has already
happened before those debates are over.
 The bright colors help them avoid being mistaken for game and shot.

Right
correct, accurate, factual, true, good, just, honest, upright, lawful, moral, proper, suitable, apt,
legal, fair

 It is always one step ahead of you, yet virtually everyone gets faster and
more accurate with practice.
 The appeals court responded with a judicial shrug to the trial court’s factual findings.

easy
Simple, effortless, straightforward, uncomplicated, child’s play

 The new tools aim to reverse that pattern, by using technology to make a saving
as effortless as spending.
 He left a lot of uncomplicated pleasure in his wake, and some complicated pleasure,
too.

difficult
Taxing, tough, challenging, daunting, tricky

 He recently won an appeal against the tough regime of his incarceration.

 It’s possible to serve draught beer on a plane – but the physics is tricky.

Used to
accustomed to, habituated to

 He is habituated to the pain

 He is used to driving in peak hours

Useful
helpful, handy, effective

 This tool is very useful

  “This is a set of useful synonyms”

Most of
maximum, highest

 Most of these people speak English.

 Most of these goods come from Punjab

Some adjectives related to topics:

PEOPLE
examples: She’s a helpful person.
He’s a selfish person.
PEOPLE
Good Bad
helpful unhelpful
friendly unfriendly
generous selfish
kind mean
compassionate wicked
sympathetic evil
reliable unreliable
gentle violent
honest dishonest
loving ruthless
caring uncaring
humble snobbish
receptive rude
understanding manipulative
cheerful angry
patient impatient
 trustworthy untrustworthy
loyal disloyal
faithful unfaithful

WEATHER
examples: The weather was warm and sunny.
The weather was cold and windy.

WEATHER
Good Bad
lovely stormy
sunny cold
warm freezing
pleasant windy
balmy awful
beautiful rainy
summery humid
mild foggy
fine cloudy
clear nasty
EXPERIENCE
examples: It was an amazing book.
It was a boring movie.

EXPERIENCE
Good Bad
amazing boring
exciting unpleasant
positive negative
wonderful difficult
enriching frightening
interesting scary
unique horrible
magnificent terrible
joyful depressing
productive traumatic
relaxing stressful

OTHER EXAMPLES
examples: What a pretty dress!
What a terrible accident!
OTHER EXAMPLES
Good Bad
a pretty dress a terrible accident
an attractive kitchen an evil plot
a colorful painting a tasteless meal
a splendid meal a horrible day
a terrific show a stupid idea
an amazing concert
a wonderful holiday
a superb actor
a magnificent collection
an excellent presentation
an exceptional teacher
an extraordinary performance
a marvelous holiday
a fantastic movie
a tremendous honor
an outstanding musician
a fabulous location
a beautiful woman
a breathtaking performance
a lovely home
an exquisite painting
an intelligent professor
a gorgeous view
a safe area
a proud parent
a well-behaved child
a flexible policy
a fragrant garden
a talented comedian
a comfortable bed
an optimistic attitude
a dreadful incident
a violent demonstration
an exhausting trip
a bitter employee
a vengeful gang
a tough customer
a dirty room
a dangerous neighborhood
a tiring day
a difficult exam
a challenging quiz
a notorious criminal
an illegal activity
an immoral act
an isolated place
a lonely widow
a frustrating time
a confusing situation
a disgusting smell
a shocking attack
a tense mood
a helpless feeling
a cowardly act
a strict rule
a careless driver
a pessimistic view
This list features academic words that you may see or hear on the reading and/or
listening sections of the IELTS test. Becoming familiar with these and similar
words will also help you on the writing and speaking portions of the tests.
*note: this list uses British spelling. (ex. 'maximise' — not 'maximize'.)
v. = verb, n. = noun, adj. = adjective

access verb to be able to enter, reach, approach, etc.

something
“He couldn’t access his email account because someone
had changed his password.”
access noun the ability or right to enter, reach, approach,
etc. something
“I don’t have access to those files.”
accurate adjective precise or exact; free from error (opposite =
inaccurate)
“The victim was unable to provide an accurate description
of the criminal.”
achieve verb to accomplish; to reach a certain standard
“As a result of her hard work, she achieved an excellent
score on her final.”
acquire verb to get or come into possession of
something; to accumulate or collect
“Over 20 years of collecting stamps, I’ve acquired over
4,000 of them!”
analyse verb to look at something closely; to examine in
detail
“After analysing the DNA sample, the police were able to
identify the killer.”
aspect noun a part or an element of something
“Flexibility is just one aspect of being a successful
gymnast.”
assist verb to help or aid someone (noun = assistance)
“They were assisted by an outside company when
designing the program.”
available adjective free to help; present or in stock (in regards
to inventory)
“We do not have enough resources available to complete
the project.”
aware adjective having knowledge of something; being
conscious or cognizant of something
“I wasn’t aware of the problem. Thank you for informing
me.”
benefit (from) verb to receive an advantage or make an
improvement
“Society has greatly benefited from technological
advancements.”
benign adjective gentle or kind; favorable; passive or
inactive
“The military cannot afford to be benign in this war.”
comment (on) verb to make a statement about something
“First, I would like to comment on the current
environmental situation”
compensate (for) verb to give an equivalent or a return for
something else
“If the government expects citizens to do this, they must
compensate their citizens fairly.”
component noun a part or element of something (see also:
aspect)
“To understand the whole problem, you must look at all of
its separate components.”
concentrate (on) verb to focus your attention on something
“In order to move forward, we must concentrate on finding
realistic solutions to the problem.”
consequence noun a result or effect of something
“He was executed as a consequence for his heinous
actions.”
consist (of) verb to be made of something; to be composed
of something
 “A healthy relationship must consist of trust and mutual
respect.”
constant adjective regular and seemingly permanent (adverb =
constantly)
“It is difficult to deal with constant disagreement when
working in a group.”
construct verb to develop or build; to make
“Numerous condos are currently being constructed in the
downtown core.”
contribute verb to give to a common cause, supply, or fund
“I contributed over $300 to charity last year.”
convert (into) verb to change or transform into
“That building was recently converted into a restaurant.”
correspond (with/to) verb to be similar to something; to be in
agreement with something
“The words of politicians often don’t correspond with their
actions.”
crucial adjective very important; vital
“The media was crucial to changing public opinion about
the Viet Nam war.”
define (as) verb to provide a definition; to give clarity or
definition to something
“The word ‘crucial’ can be defined as ‘extremely
important’ or ‘vital.’”
demonstrate verb to provide a demonstration or to show how
something functions
“This satellite will demonstrate the technological power of
our organization”
design verb to create or model
“The factory assembly line was partially designed by
Henry Ford.”
disposal noun the act of arranging or distributing; getting
rid of something
 “A general is responsible for the effective disposal of his
soldiers.”
distinct adjective clear and having easily-identifiable or
specific characteristics
“Dark chocolate is known for its distinct smell and taste.”
emphasise verb to place emphasis or special focus on
something
“The media constantly emphasises the dangers of illegal
drugs.”
erode verb to destroy slowly over time; to disintegrate
“Many religious leaders feel that secularism has eroded
morality.”
error noun a mistake
“Despite constant reminders and protests, governments
continue to make errors.”
estimate verb, noun to make an educated guess; to give a
projection
“Scientists have been estimating a massive population
explosion over the next two decades.”
exclude verb to keep someone/something from entering a
group, society, project, etc.
“When I was in high school, I was excluded from many
activities due to my disability.”
extract verb to get or obtain something from something
else
“Physical torture is not an effective means of extracting
information from a human being.”
flexible adjective not rigid; able to be shaped (opposite =
inflexible)
“Employers need to be flexible to the needs of their
employees.”
function noun the working purpose of something; ability
“Cell phones are useful because they can serve multiple
useful functions.”
identical adjective the same or alike in appearance and/or
character
“The problem I have with suburban neighbourhoods is that
all the houses look identical.”
identify verb to recognise or verify the identity of
someone/something
“Even today, scientists continue to identify new types of
plants and animals.”
indicate verb to show or give evidence of something
“Research indicates that cell phones can cause cancer.”
indication (of) noun a sign or token
“High blood pressure is a clear indication of stress.”
interpretation noun an explanation or perception of something
“Religious writings can have multiple interpretations.”
item noun a separate piece or article of something
“Anthropologists have recently uncovered 200 physical
items pertaining to the Incas.”
legislation noun the act or process of making laws; the laws
which have been made
“The current health legislation will be difficult for all
political parties to accept.”
location noun the place of something
“Niagara Falls is a popular location for tourists.”
logical adjective able to be explained or understood clearly
(opposite = illogical)
“The CEO has promised to take logical steps to ensure the
future success of the company.”
majority noun the greater part or number; over 50% of the
population
“The majority of citizens oppose the government’s
proposed budget.”
maximise verb to use to maximum effect or potential
“The goal of any business is to maximise its profits.”
minimise verb to reduce as much as possible
“In any war, one of the primary objectives should be to
minimise civilian casualties.”
monitor verb to watch and give attention
“Companies have numerous ways to monitor employee
behaviour.”
obtain verb to get or receive
“In order to obtain respect, a person has to earn it.”
obvious adjective clear and easy to see
“There are some obvious similarities between French and
English vocabulary.”
occur verb to happen or take place
“An earthquake is expected to occur here in the next 2-3
years.”
option noun a choice; one of several possibilities to be
chosen
“When our options are limited, we are more likely to act
decisively.”
participate verb to take part in something
“Thousands of talented athletes participate in the
Olympics.”
participation noun the act of taking part in something
“Portugal was ridiculed for its participation in slavery.”
period noun a portion of time; a significant interval of
time in history
“The 1700s were a period of great scientific advance.”
precise adjective exact or definite
“It is important for a teacher to give precise instructions.”
predictable adjective able to be predicted (opposite =
unpredictable)
“The goal of science is to find predictable results.”
prohibited adjective, not allowed; forbidden
verb
 “These days, smoking is prohibited in many public places.”
proportion noun a part of a larger whole; the size of
something
“A large proportion of modern problems are a result of
negligence.”
prospect noun a potential candidate; a possibility of
success, profit, etc.
“I was excited by the prospect of winning the lottery.”
psychological adjective relating to the mind or psychology
“We must pay attention to our psychological health.”
purchase verb to buy
“We’re planning to purchase a house next year.”
pursue verb to chase or follow
“Acting is a difficult career to pursue.”
relevant adjective connected to the current situation; pertinent
(opposite = irrelevant)
“In an essay, we must only focus on relevant supporting
details.”
reliable adjective able to be predicted or trusted; dependable
(opposite = unreliable)
“Finding a reliable babysitter is difficult for most parents.”
require verb to have need of something; to need
“To take a masters course, one requires an undergraduate
degree.”
requirement noun something which is obligatory, demanded,
or needed
“You do not meet the requirements for this position”
resource noun a support, supply, or aid of something that
can be used when needed
“If you want me to do this presentation, I will need more
resources.”
respond verb to reply
 “When faced with a bully, it is important not to respond
with anger.”
retain verb to remember; to continue to use
“The most difficult part of learning is retaining the
information”
role noun a position or customary function
“The role of a parent is to provide safety for his/her child.”
sector noun a part or subdivision
“It is the government’s job to protect all sectors of
society.”
secure adjective safe; protected from harm (opposite =
insecure)
“Everyone wants to live in a secure neighbourhood.”
select verb to choose
“We selected the best candidate for the job.”
significant adjective important; of consequence (opposite =
insignificant)
“Man landing on the moon was a significant achievement
for science.”
source noun any place, person, or thing from which
something else comes or originates
“We can’t seem to locate the source of the problem.”
status noun someone’s position in relation to other
people; the state or condition
“His status as the top player in the game is
unquestionable.”
structure noun the organization or arrangement of
something
“The structure of the education system needs to change.”
substitute noun, verb a replacement for someone/something
“If you want to succeed, there is no substitute for hard
work.”
symbolise verb to represent or be a symbol for something
 “In most cultures, it is understood that the dove symbolises
peace.”
task noun a job or duty to be performed
“Raising a family is not an easy task.”
technique noun a specific way of doing something; a certain
skill
“Most people don’t know that cooking requires hundreds
of difficult techniques.”
topical adjective pertaining to current or local events or
interests
“Global warming has been extremely topical in the first
half of the 21st century.”
transform verb to change into a different form
“The internet has transformed the way we communicate.”
trend noun a style that is currently popular; the general
course of something
“Fashion trends are always changing.”
vary verb to be different; to alternate; to change or
alter; to diversify
“To write a good essay, you need to vary your
vocabulary.”
veritable adjective being truly or very much so
“I felt a veritable pain in my abdomen”
visible adjective able to be seen (opposite = invisible)
“There has been a visible shift in public opinion towards
the government.”
wane verb to decrease in strength, intensity, etc.
“My interest in the movie waned the longer we watched
it.”
List of Common collocations in English

A collocation is made up of two or more words that are commonly used together in English.
A collocation is a very useful term of English grammar.

Here is a list of common collocations in English Grammar:

Collocation with Go
 Go bankrupt
 Go astray
 Go bad
 Go bald
 Go mad/angry
 Go finishing
 Go insane (idiom)
 Go crazy
 Go blind
 Go deaf
 Go to the beach/to the movie
 Go overseas
 Go out of business
 Go quiet
 Go sailing
 Go on a picnic
 Go abroad
 Go on a date
 Go smoothly
 Go missing
 Go to war
 Go online
 Go on foot
 Out of fashion
Collocation with Get
 Get a ticket
 Get hot (ter)
 Get nowhere
 Get a/the right
 Get into trouble
 Get home (arrive)
 Get lost
 Get married
 Get good/top/bad marks
 Get getting dark
 Get frightened
 Get ready for
 Get permission
 Get pregnant
 Get one’s hair cut
 Get old
 Get out of breath
 Get fired
 Get enthusiastic
 Get dark
 Get changed (change clothes)
 Get cool
 Get angry
 Get a tan
 Get a splitting headache
 Get a shock
 Get a letter (receive)
 Get a job
  Get a joke
 Get upset
 Get the ticket (buy)
 Get the sack
 Get tired
 Get a chance
 Get a degree/ a diploma
 Get a cold
 Get a clue
 Get to sleep
 Get a call
 Get divorced
 Get stuck in a traffic jam
 Get hungry
 Get started
 Get together
 Get sleep
 Get dressed/ undressed
 Get wet
 Get the message
 Get the impression
 Get worried
 Get drunk

Collocation with Keep

 Keep someone’s place
 Keep in touch
 Keep control
 Keep quiet
 Keep records
  Keep a secret
 Keep a promise
 Keep score
 Keep a diary
 Keep the change
 Keep calm
 Keep an appointment
 Keep your balance

Collocation with Take

 Take a look
 Take advantage (of)
 Take care
 Take a message
 Take ages
 Take action
 Take an exam/ a test/ a course
 Take an opportunity
 Take a while/ a minute/ five minutes
 Take a test
 Take a taxi/bus/train/plane
 Take medicine
 Take exercise
 Take hostage
 Take charge
 Take care of
 Take drugs
 Take a step
 Take a shower (have)
 Take a picture
 Take a number
 Take a photo/ a photograph
 Take a nap
 Take a lesson
 Take a holiday
 Take a decision (make)
 Take a class
 Take a call
 Take a chance
 Take turns
 Take sb’s place
 Take prisoner
 Take someone’s temperature
 Take (sb’s) temperature
 Take a break
 Take a bow
 Take a bite
 Take time
 Take (sb) to court
 Take a rest
 Take part
 Take advice
 Take notice
 Take time of
 Take notes
 Take a risk
 Take up space
 Take pride in
 Take place
 Take your time
  Take a seat

Collocation with Do
 Do a good/great/terrible job
 Do nothing
 Do sums
 Do a report
 Do someone a favour
 Do laundry
 Do something right
 Do something wrong
 Do homework
 Do harm
 Do gymnastics
 Do the math
 Do the housework
 Do the ironing
 Do the cooking
 Do the cleaning
 Do the dishes
 Do good
 Do experiments
 Do business
 Do badly
 Do better
 Do anything/something/everything
 Do a favour
 Do a deal
 Do a course
 Do your makeup
  Do work
 Do well
 Do your best
 Do your duty
 Do crosswords
 Do the right thing
 Do research
 Do the paperwork
 Do Your hair
 Do the minimum
 Do damage
 Do your nails
 Do the washing up
 Do the shopping
 The maximum
 Do exercise

Collocation with Give

 Give a headache
 Give an answer
 Give a lecture or speech or performance
 Give a hand
 Give a ride
 Give advice
 Give a damn
 Give a choice
 Give a chance
 Give evidence
 Give birth
 Give credit
  Give an idea
 Give an example
 Give an opinion
 Give a call (a ring, a buzz)
 Give up
 Give sb a lift
 Give sb a chance
 Give something a go
 Give the impression
 Give priority
 Give a hug or kiss
 Give permission
 Give thought (to)
 Give notice
 Give up hope
 Give sb a call
 Give rise to
 Give way

Collocation with Catch

 Catch a bus/ a train
 Catch (on) fire
 Catch a ball
 Catch the flu
 Catch sight of
 Catch a whiff
 Catch someone Red-Handed
 Catch someone’s attention
 Catch a cold
 Catch a cold
  Catch someone’s eye
 Catch a chill
 Catch you Later!
 Catch a thief
 Catch a glimpse
 Catch your breath

Collocation with Come

 Come first
 Come close
 Come complete with
 Come early
 Come right back
 Come on time
 Come prepared
 Come last
 Come into view
 Come late
 Come to terms with
 Come to an agreement
 Come to a stop
 Come to an end
 Come to life
 Come to a decision
 Come clean about
 Come to a conclusion
 Come to sb’s rescue
 Come to a compromise
 Come under attack
 Come to a stand still (idiom)
  Come to a realization
 Come up with

Collocation with Have

 Have a workout
 Have an interview
 Have a fight
 Have food
 Have a doubt
 Have breakfast/lunch/dinner
 Have an idea
 Have difficulty
 Have faith
 Have an ice-cream
 Have an experience
 Have an excuse
 Have room
 Have patience
 Have rest
 Have no education
 Have a depression/etc
 Have a discussion
 Have fun/a good time
 Have no fear
 Have a bath
 Have an exam
 Have a rest
 Have a stretch
 Have an event
 Have a snooze
 Have a snack
 Have an appointment with
 Have access (to)
 Have an accident
 Have a chance
 Have a think
 Have a word
 Have a day off
 Have a competition
 Have a bite
 Have a bad temper
 Have a cup of tea/ coffee
 Have a break
 Have a dance
 Have a wish
 Have a wash
 Have a cold
 Have a game
 Have a walk
 Have a backache
 Have a touch
 Have a relationship
 Have a try
 Have trouble
 Have success
 Have soul
 Have sympathy
 Have a holiday
 Have a problem
 Have a swim
 Have a temperature
 Have a taste
 Have a talk
 Have the chance (to)
 Have a confrontation
 Have a stroke
 Have a bad fall
 Have a jacuzzi
 Have a jog
 Have an argument
 Have a listen
 Have a laugh
 Have a lecture
 Have skills
 Have a night mare
 Have a good time
 Have a great weekend
 Have a haircut
 Have a good/nice/etc day!
 Have a dispute
 Have a nap
 Have a moment
 Have a meeting
 Have an opportunity
 Have a smell
 Have a dream
 Have sex
 Have a meal
 Have a massage
 Have a look
 Have a career/a goal
 Have a busy day
 Have a business trip
 Have a go
 Have a glass of wine
 Have a hard time
 Have time
 Have a baby
 Have a birthday
 Have a party/concert
 Have a goal
 Have a passion for
 Have a drill
 Have a conversation/chat
 Have self-esteem
 Have an effect (on)
 Have a headache
 Have a quarrel
 Have work
 Have a safe journey
 Have a chat
 Have a sandwich
 Have a shower
 Have a fit
 Have a salad
 Have a shave
 Have a scrub
 Have a ride
 Have a lesson
 Have a lie down
  Have a lisp
 Have a limp
 Have something to eat
 Have some sugar/ milk
 Have a right
 Have a run
 Have a plan
 Have a feeling
 Have a drink
 Have an energy bar

Collocation with Ask

 Ask if/ whether
 Ask after somebody
 Ask about
 Ask for advice
 Ask for directions
 Ask for something
 Ask permission
 Ask a question
 Ask a favor
 Ask sb out

Collocation with Make

 Make an effort
 Make food
 Make money
 Make an enquiry
 Make fun of someone
 Make ends meet
 Make furniture
 Make love
 Make contact
 Make coffee
 Make changes
 Make progress
 Make peace
 Make plans
 Make one’s bow
 Make noise
 Make one’s own way back
 Make breakfast/lunch/dinner
 Make a profit
 Make a suggestion
 Make believe
 Make a statement
 Make a speech
 Make an objection
 Make an excuse
 Make an impression
 Make an exception
 Make an effort
 Make an attempt
 Make an arrangement
 Make a bed
 Make an appointment
 Make an allusion
 Make a presentation
 Make an appearance
 Make up
 Make the bed
 Make sure
 Make time
 Make a cup of tea
 Make a point
 Make a tea
 Make an agreement
 Make amends
 Make a threat
 Make tracks
 Make a takeover bid
 Make a deal
 Make a decision
 Make an observation
 Make a fuss
 Make a difference
 Make a discovery
 Make sense
 Make a move
 Make a call
 Make a comment
 Make a complaint
 Make a choice
 Make a mistake
 Make a mess
 Make a living
 Make friends
 Make a sound
 Make sb feel sth
 Make a list
 Make a joke
 Make a habit
 Make a bundle (idiom)
 Make a break with somebody
 Make a confession/an admission
 Make trouble
 Make a note (of)
 Make a cake
 Make a pass at
 Make room
 Make an offer
 Make a contract
 Make a prediction
 Make up your mind
 Make a reservation
 Make a salad
 Make a snack
 Make a rude gesture
 Make your bed
 Make a sandwich
 Make a sales call
 Make a promise
 Make a dress
 Make a fire
 Make a fortune
 Make a fool of yourself
 Make something easy
 Make someone angry/mad/happy/sad
 Make a recovery
 Make a remark
  Make a phone call
 Make war
 Make arrangements

Collocation with Break

 Break a leg
 Break a code
 Break a habit
 Break a law
 Break ground
 Break even
 Break free
 Break a record
 Break a promise
 Break a window
 Break the silence
 Break the ice
 Break the bank
 Break the mold
 Break the news to someone
 Break news
 Break a bone/ your arm
 Break new ground
 Break the rules
 Break loose
 Break the spell
 Break someone’s heart
 Break one’s fall
 Break wind
Collocation with Save
 Save space
 Save one’s strength
 Save money
 Save someone a seat
 Save someone’s life
 Save electricity
 Save something
 Save time
 Save lives
 Save energy
 Save yourself the trouble

Collocation with Pay

 Pay one’s respects
 Pay attention
 Pay a visit
 Pay by credit card
 Pay cash
 Pay interest
 Pay someone a compliment
 Pay a fine
 Pay a bill
 Pay someone a visit

Noun + Verb collocation

 Bear a resemblance (to somebody/something)
 Call in sick
 Serve a purpose
 Stand trial
 Offer condolences
 Cast a vote
 Turn around
 Beat a record
 Serve interests
 Call the police
 Strike a balance
 Call attention to
 Stall for time
 Know the score
 Carry weight
 Take time off
 Cast a spell
 Turn a corner
 Call an election
 Spend your life
 Call a strike
 Spend time
 Call a name
 Solve a problem
 Claim responsibility
 Eke out a living
 Wage war
 Hold a referendum
 Change the subject
 Hurt somebody’s feelings
 Vote against
 Change your mind
 Follow advice
 Vote for
 Cause trouble
 Undergo treatment
 Miss a flight
 Miss a goal
 Cast doubt
 Undergo surgery
 Change course
 Use somebody’s phone
 Lose a game
 Call a meeting
 Solve a crime
 Raise questions
 Join the army
 Follow directions
 Admit defeat
 Return a call
 Bring to justice
 Set menu
 Achieve a goal
 Retain control
 Accept responsibility
 Restore order
 Boost morale
 Set a standard
 Blow your nose
 Set a goal
 Book a flight
 Set a record
 Lose weight
 Beat to death
 Set a date
 Balance a budget
 Fight a fire
 See reason
 Fill a gap
 Kill time
 Meet with approval
 Love dearly
 Lose control
 Live at home
 Meet a target
 Lose faith
 Lead the world
 Meet opposition
 Attract someone’s attention
 Score a goal
 Attract attention
 Scare tactic
 Lose your temper
 Open an account
 Apply for a job
 Satisfy demand
 Leave school
 Answer the door
 Hold an inquiry
 Satisfy a need
 Raise money
 Answer the phone
 Fill in a form
 Satisfy a requirement
 Lead the field
 Lead the way
 Lay the groundwork
 Express concern
 Leave a message
 Fire a shot
 Doesn’t matter
 Hold office
 Win an election
 Cross sb’s mind
 Wave goodbye
 Cover costs
 Watch your weight
 Cut costs
 Hold sb prisoner
 Win a game
 Fight corruption
 Pass the time
 Raise doubts
 Hold talks
 Answer a letter
 Return home
 Answer an advertisement
 Safety net
 Answer a question
 Run the risk of
 Answer a prayer
 Run a business
 Face the fact(s)
 Declare war
 Face a challenge
 Win a war
 Join a club
 Issue a permit
 Join forces
 Meet a need
 Against the law
 Return fire
 Light a fire
 Pick your nose
 Place an order
 Bring about change
 Set a table
 Push a button
 Play a part
 Play music
 Conduct research
 Waste an opportunity
 Quit a job
 Owe an explanation
 Part company
 Pass (the) time
 Pack a suitcase
 Miss an opportunity
 Enter politics
 Put up your hand
 Put up wages
 Hold an election
 Put up prices
 Call sb names
 Stay awake
 Follow a pattern
 Accept an invitation
 Restore confidence
 Express interest (in)
 Obey an order
 Commit suicide
 Warm welcome
 Put out a fire
 Put out a cigarette
 Put on weight
 Kick a goal
 Lose money
 Lose interest
 Lose hope
 Open fire
 Open an investigation
 Jump to a conclusion
 Pass a law
 Lead to believe
 Deliver a baby
 Win an award
 Leading role
 Leave home
 Lose a job
 Fail miserably
 Quit drinking
 Owe an apology
 Quit smoking
 Offer a job
 Meet a standard
 Hold sb hostage
 Exceed expectations
 Close the gap
 Wait your turn
 Bring attention to
 Set an alarm
 Pass a test
 Raise hopes
 Drop the subject
 Follow instructions
 Worth a fortune
 Find time
 Reach a verdict
 Lose your life
 Abuse drugs
 Read aloud
 Accept an apology
 Enter a plea
 Resort to violence
 Offer your services
 Reach an agreement
 Accept a challenge
 Repair damage
 Accept (a) defeat
 Regain control
 Raise taxes
 Pose a risk
 Pose a threat
 Hold hands
  Fall in love
 Pull a muscle
 Press a key
 Cost a fortune
 Waste time
 Consider a possibility
 Waste money
 Gain access
 Raise your voice
 Rapid growth
 Raise a family
 Fight a war
 Impose conditions
 Impose restrictions
 Impose sanctions
 Offer an explanation
 Earn a living
 Extend a deadline
 Yield results
 Bring to an end
 Set fire to
 set on fire

Use this link to learn some common adverbs and their usage:

https://ieltsmaterial.com/advanced-grammar-for-ielts-adverbs/