Collocations for IELTS Word Item

Collocations are important for the IELTS exam as it not only boosts the overall score of the candidates but it also helps in speaking and writing English as a native speaker. They are important for the speaking section in IELTS because an understanding of collocations makes the English language sound more idiomatic and gives a natural sound to it. A candidate who uses collocations while responding or writing answers end up scoring high bands in IELTS.

Check: Get 10 Free Sample Papers

Check: Register for IELTS Coaching - Join for Free Trial Class Now

Collocation for IELTS word- “Item”

Collocation is a combination of two or more words that go together and sound natural to a native English speaker. For example, we always say “fast food” not "quick food" while we use quick with shower to say “quick shower” not "fast shower". Although both the words "quick" and "fast" are synonyms, the usage of the word varies with what we want to say. In collocations, a word can be contemplated with all its possible meanings which include the parts of speech like adjective, noun, verb and preposition.

The collocation for the word “item” is a unit or single entity of a set. However, when considered as a preposition, it can be used with “of” to suggest an item of a particular thing. The following article will look at the meaning of the word “item” in context to all its potential meaning.

Item as a single thing in a group of things:

The word “item” means a single thing in a group of things or a list. The usage of the word in this respect with relation to different parts of speeches like adjective and preposition are given below:

1. Item as an Adjective:

The word item can be put to use as an adjective to give more information about the noun. For example, if we say “individual item”, it would mean every single item that is mentioned. The usage of the same word as an adjective can be perceived as follows:

i) Meaning: one, single, specific

Sentence: Every single item on the shelf was expired.

ii) Meaning: important, needed, essential

Sentence: Only essential items were allowed to be carried by them on their journey.

iii) Meaning: main, major

Sentence: Her signature green scarf was one of the main items for bidding in the clothes sale.

Check: Get 10 Free Sample Papers

Check: Register for IELTS Coaching - Join for Free Trial Class Now

Read More IELTS Collocations Related Samples

iv) Meaning: expensive, valuable

Sentence: The diamond necklace was the most valuable item for her since she bought it from the Tiffany store.

v) Meaning: commodity, consumer

Sentence: According to the graph, there was a sharp rise in the consumption of commodity items by manufacturing companies to cater to the needs of people.

vi) Meaning: luxury

Sentence: The price of luxury items have always been beyond the affordability of the common masses of a country where approximately 98 million population is poor.

vii) Meaning: food

Sentence: The food item turned rancid hence I did not serve it to the guests.

viii) Meaning: household

Sentence: During her relocation, the household items like utensils and dishwashers were misplaced.

ix) Meaning: collector’s

Sentence: The artefact found in the excavation was a collector’s item.

x) Meaning: agenda

Sentence: Fall in the selling of beauty products was one of the agenda items in the board meeting.

xi) Meaning: data

Sentence: The data item is analyzed carefully by the logistics team to draw out a concrete inference.

xii) Meaning: news

Sentence: The negligence of the government towards the flood victims was a popular news item for all the channels.

Check: Get 10 Free Sample Papers

Check: Register for IELTS Coaching - Join for Free Trial Class Now

2. Item as a Preposition:

As a preposition, "item" can be used with of/on. When it is used with of, it would establish the relationship with something. For example, an item of clothing would mean a product that is of category clothing. "Item" can be juxtaposed with prepostions as follows:

i) Meaning: of

Sentence: So many items of her clothing are bought from thrift stores.

ii) Meaning: on

Sentence: Several items on clothing were featured on fashion related channels.

3. Item as a Phrase:

Item can be used as a phrase when it is united with other words. A phrase is a group of words that make a unit to give meaning. When using the word item as a phrase, there would be words that combine to give some more details and context to it. The usage of the word item as a phrase can be understood as:

i) Meaning: item by item

Sentence: The whole luggage was checked thoroughly item by item in order to find the missing hat.

ii) Meaning: an item on the menu

Sentence: She rejected every item on the menu for her wedding function and ordered a refund from the catering company.

iii) Meaning: range of items

Sentence: Gold was used to make an impressive range of items that were put on display by the jewellers.