📖 Word Banks
Common Words by Topic
Essential vocabulary banks organised by topic and task — with meanings, collocations, and example sentences.
The essential verbs, nouns, and phrases for describing every type of movement in graphs and charts.
riserise sharply / steadily / gradually / slightly
go up generally
e.g.Temperatures rose steadily over the decade.
increaseincrease significantly / considerably / marginally
become greater in number or amount
e.g.Sales increased by 30% in the final quarter.
growgrow rapidly / slowly / consistently
expand organically over time
e.g.The elderly population grew substantially.
climbclimb steadily / relentlessly
rise continuously and steadily
e.g.Unemployment climbed throughout the recession.
surgesurge dramatically / unexpectedly
rise suddenly and dramatically
e.g.Demand for electric cars surged in 2022.
soarsoar to / soar above
rise very rapidly and impressively
e.g.Property prices soared to record levels.
doublealmost double / more than double
become twice as large
e.g.The figure doubled between 2000 and 2020.
triplenearly triple / more than triple
become three times as large
e.g.Renewable capacity nearly tripled over the period.
recoverrecover steadily / sharply
return to a previous level after a fall
e.g.The market recovered strongly after the 2008 dip.
bounce back(semi-formal — use with care)
return quickly after a setback
e.g.Exports bounced back after the trade deal was signed.