PTE Collocation List: Improve Vocabulary for a Higher Score

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Updated on Mar 24, 2025, 07:06

For the PTE exam, learning and mastering collocations help you earn a good score in the Reading and Writing sections of the PTE exam. Collocations are pairings of words that a native speaker would use, and they help with fluency and coherence.

 

If you want to be successful in this area, you need to know combinations of words that coincide with each other. What kinds of tips can you use to help develop your knowledge of collocation list for PTE reading?

 

Let’s discuss the collocation words list for pte, pearson pte academic collocation list and good learning practices, as well as some errors to avoid to help you achieve a higher PTE score.

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1. What Are Collocations in PTE?

Natural word pairs or combinations of words in English are called collocations. For example, “make a decision” and “strong commitment” are commonly used together.

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2. How Collocations Affect Your PTE Score?

When you use collocations correctly, you demonstrate a higher level of language proficiency, which can enhance your speaking and writing scores.

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3. PTE Collocation List – Most Common Word Combinations

The PTE Collocation List focuses on the most frequently used word combinations in English.

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4. PTE Collocation List Practice Questions

Here are some PTE Fill in the Blanks questions for 2025 inspired:

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1.

What Are Collocations in PTE?

Natural word pairs or combinations of words in English are called collocations. For example, “make a decision” and “strong commitment” are commonly used together. Using collocations in the PTE exam is important for fluency and accuracy in your reading, writing, speaking, and listening abilities. 

 

Knowing these word pairs leads to better understanding and grammatically acceptable responses.

 

Why Collocations Matter in PTE Reading & Writing?

 

  • In your responses to various PTE tasks, you must include collocations if you want them to sound natural and grammatically correct.  Because the test measures how well you use different forms of the language, the use of words that commonly go together will help your reading comprehension and written response. 
  • Knowing collocations helps you predict the missing words in Fill in the Blanks quickly and accurately. Also, using proper collocations in writing tasks helps in clarity and coherence.
2.

How Collocations Affect Your PTE Score?

When you use collocations correctly, you demonstrate a higher level of language proficiency, which can enhance your speaking and writing scores.


Here are some details:

Collocations in Reading Fill in the Blanks

Collocations help identify the correct word choice in Reading Fill in the Blanks. Many options may seem grammatically correct, but only the right collocation makes sense contextually. For example:

 

  • Incorrect: make a crime (should be "commit a crime")
  • Correct: To commit a crime, recognising collocations allows you to eliminate incorrect choices and select the best answer.
Collocations in Writing & Speaking Sections
  • Using collocations would enhance performance in writing and speaking. Using proper word combinations increases the coherence, fluency, and grammatical correctness of the speech/ writing. 
  • In collocations writing essays, we use collocations that make it more professional and precise. In speaking tasks, we also use collocations that help us respond smoothly and naturally.
3.

PTE Collocation List – Most Common Word Combinations

The PTE Collocation List focuses on the most frequently used word combinations in English, which are essential for achieving fluency and accuracy in spoken and written communication.

 

Lets look at some list of collocations for PTE now:

 

High-Frequency Collocations in PTE

 

Some of the most commonly tested collocations in PTE include:

 

  • Verb-Noun: take responsibility, make progress, hold a discussion
  • Adjective-Noun: strong argument, deep concern, high demand
  • Noun-Noun: research study, economic growth, climate change
  • Preposition-Based: interested in, capable of, responsible for
  • Adverb-Adjective: highly beneficial, deeply concerned, widely accepted

 

Categorised List of Collocations (Verb-Noun, Adjective-Noun, etc.)

 

Here are categorised examples of essential collocations:


Lets look at some list of collocations for PTE now:

 

Category Examples
Verb-Noun Take action, Make a decision
Adjective-Noun Strong evidence, Heavy rain
Noun-Noun Business strategy, Data analysis
Adverb-Adjective Completely satisfied, Highly skilled
Preposition-Based Interested in, Focused on

 

Read More:
 

 

4.

PTE Collocation List Practice Questions

The Collocation List Practice helps test-takers recognise and apply commonly used word pairings.

Practice Question
  1. The company is looking to ______ a new strategy to improve sales. (adopt, accept, take)
  2. The government has taken ______ measures to control inflation. (rigorous, strong, heavy)
  3. He expressed ______ concern about the environmental impact of deforestation. (deep, broad, large)
Repeated Collocation Questions with Answers

Many repeated questions appear in PTE exams. Here are some commonly seen ones:

 

  1. The professor will ______ a lecture on climate change. (deliver, give, take) → Answer: deliver
  2. The scientist conducted an important ______ on genetics. (research, study, experiment) → Answer: study
Free Practice Tests & Resources

Several websites provide free PTE Fill in the Blanks practice tests, including:

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FAQs

Q. What is the PTE Collocation List?

 A. The PTE Collocation List is a compilation of commonly used word pairings that appear in the PTE Academic test. It helps candidates recognise natural word combinations and improve their vocabulary, grammar, and fluency in the exam.

Q. How does a collocation list help in PTE?

 A. A collocation list enhances reading and writing skills by improving word selection accuracy. It helps candidates quickly identify correct word pairings, making it easier to complete Reading Fill in the Blanks and other vocabulary-based tasks in the PTE exam.

Q. Where can I download the PTE Collocation List PDF?

A. The official Pearson PTE website and various test preparation platforms offer downloadable PTE Collocation List PDFs. Candidates can also find study guides and practice materials that include collocations to help improve their performance.

Q. What are the best strategies to memorise PTE collocations?

A. The best strategies include using flashcards, practising with example sentences, reading academic texts, and engaging in regular listening exercises. Repeating and applying collocations in writing and speaking tasks also reinforces retention.

Q. How can I practice collocations effectively for PTE?

 A. Candidates can practice collocations by completing fill-in-the-blank exercises, reading academic articles, listening to native speakers, and using online PTE practice tests. Regularly reviewing the official collocation list also helps in improving accuracy.

Q. What are some common collocation mistakes in PTE?

 A. Common mistakes include choosing incorrect word pairings, relying on direct translations, and using uncommon or unnatural combinations. To avoid errors, candidates should study high-frequency collocations and practice their application in context.

Q. Why are PTE collocations important for the PTE test?

 A. PTE collocations are important because they demonstrate a candidate’s ability to use natural and grammatically correct word combinations. This skill is essential for achieving a high reading, writing, and listening score.

Q. How to use the Pearson Collocation List for PTE Academic?

 A. Candidates should review the list, practice with sample sentences, and apply collocations in writing and speaking tasks. Engaging with mock tests and reading academic content reinforces understanding of commonly tested word pairings.

Q. What are the types of collocations?

A. The main types of collocations include adjective-noun (e.g., "strong argument"), verb-noun (e.g., "make a decision"), noun-noun (e.g., "traffic jam"), and adverb-adjective (e.g., "highly recommended"). Understanding these types helps improve word usage.

Q. Where are collocations used in PTE?

A. Collocations are tested in the Reading Fill in the Blanks, Writing tasks, and Listening exercises. Recognising correct word pairings enhances fluency and improves scores in multiple sections of the PTE exam.

Q. Which is the most common collocation?

 A. Some of the most common collocations include “make a decision,” “take a risk,” “strong argument,” and “highly recommended.” These frequently appear in the PTE test and everyday English usage.