Collocations for Discussion Essays
A myth vs fact guide to the most useful verb noun pairs and set phrases for “discuss both views” tasks. Learn families for weighing arguments, signalling balance, proposing conditions, and closing with nuance. Includes examples, a mini case, targets, and pitfalls.
Myth vs fact explainer
Myth 1: “On the one hand, on the other hand” is enough.
Fact: Variety matters. Rotate balance markers and add lenses, viewpoints like cost or equity, to focus comparisons.
Collocations to use
- weigh the costs against the benefits
- take an equity lens
- consider the trade offs
Mini template
From a cost lens, road widening offers short term benefits but creates long term trade offs in maintenance.
Myth 2: Strong verbs alone carry the argument.
Fact: Noun based pairs sound more academic and concise.
Collocations to use
- make a case for, present a rationale for
- offer a counterargument, raise an objection
- provide evidence, cite a precedent
Example 1, upgrade
Weak: People argue more roads are good.
Better: Supporters make a case for wider roads and cite evidence from cities that eased peak queues.
Myth 3: Hedging is weak.
Fact: Controlled hedging keeps claims accurate and examiner friendly.
Collocations to use
- to some extent, in many cases, on balance
- under certain conditions, within strict limits
- there is limited evidence that
Measured tip
Use one hedge per body paragraph and no more than two per essay.
Myth 4: Solution talk belongs only in opinion essays.
Fact: Discussion tasks reward conditional solutions that bridge views.
Collocations to use
- pilot a scheme, phase in a policy
- address concerns, mitigate risks
- set a threshold, set a target
Mini template
To address concerns about cost, the city could pilot bus lanes on one corridor and set a target for evaluation.
Myth 5: Rephrasing the question equals balance.
Fact: Balance needs a clear comparison line and a reasoned preference.
Collocations to use
- by comparison, in contrast, on the whole
- the stronger argument rests on, carries more weight
- this view is contingent on
Example 2, compare then prefer
Both options reduce congestion. By comparison, protected bike lanes carry more weight in dense centres where short trips dominate.
Myth 6: Fancy words sound advanced.
Fact: Band safe pairs beat obscure terms.
Safe families
- Problem: pose a risk, create pressure, cause delays
- Effect: result in, lead to, translate into
- Fix: allocate resources, enforce standards, expand access
Rule of thumb
Aim for one safe pair per sentence, not two.
Myth 7: The conclusion can repeat the introduction.
Fact: Close with a synthesising line that names a condition.
Collocations to use
- works best when, is preferable if
- depends on context, under these conditions
Closer template
On balance, bike lanes are preferable if corridors are short and schools lie on the route.
Mini case: Dhaka candidate lifts cohesion
Ruba wrote: On the one hand roads help, on the other hand bikes help. The essay repeated general verbs. She built a 20 item bank: weigh the costs, address concerns, phase in a policy, provide evidence, pose a risk, expand access. In the next draft she wrote: Supporters provide evidence that widening results in faster bus flows, but critics raise an objection about long term upkeep. A phased policy could address concerns by piloting one corridor. Her class rubric moved from 6 to 7 on coherence.
High value collocation table
| Function | Collocations | Sample line |
|---|---|---|
| Present view A | make a case for, present a rationale for | Advocates make a case for free city transport to cut short car trips. |
| Present view B | raise an objection, challenge the claim | Critics raise an objection about funding gaps. |
| Compare | by comparison, weighed against | By comparison, targeted subsidies are cheaper. |
| Balance | on balance, to some extent | On balance, the policy helps to some extent in dense areas. |
| Condition | works best when, is feasible if | The plan is feasible if buses run every ten minutes. |
| Close | carries more weight, is preferable if | The second view carries more weight where budgets are tight. |
Measurable routine
- Build a bank of 24 collocations, six per function above.
- Quota: one collocation per sentence, max eight per essay.
- Edit pass: delete double linkers, keep one contrast per sentence.
- Time drill: write two comparison lines in 90 seconds using by comparison and carries more weight.
Mistakes to avoid
- Double linking, therefore, as a result. Keep one.
- Mixed metaphors, tackle congestion while healing the economy.
- Countability slips, research is uncountable, evidence is uncountable.
- Over general hedging, avoid very, quite, really. Use precise hedges, in many cases.
Edge cases
- Topic shift within a paragraph, fix with a comparison line or a mini conclusion.
- Data claims without numbers, use cautious phrasing, there is limited evidence that.
- Register mismatch, avoid chatty phrases like on the flip side.
Mini glossary
- Collocation: natural word pair, for example weigh the costs.
- Lens: viewpoint for analysis, for example cost or equity.
- Hedge: softener, for example to some extent, used to stay accurate.
- Synthesis: combining both views into a conditional preference.
Actionable closing
Create a 24 item bank using the table. Draft two body paragraphs: one presents view A with make a case for, the other presents view B with raise an objection, then add a comparison line with by comparison and close with on balance plus a condition. Before you submit, run the edit pass and cap your collocations at one per sentence.