Verbs to Use with Crime
| Band 7+ Verbs | Simple Way |
| Commit crime/Carry out crime | Do a crime |
| Deter crime/Prevent crime | Stop crime |
| Control crime/Cut crime | Reduce crime |
| Combat crime/Tackle crime | Fight crime |
| Be driven to/Turn to crime | Start crime for a reason Example sentence: He was driven to crime because of his poor financial situation. |
Small/Big Crimes
Lesser/minor/petty crimes
major/serious/vicious/brutal crimes
Crime+Noun
Crime wave
Crime statistics
Crime rate
Crime prevention
1) He believes the police are overstretched and are unable to stop the recent __________
2) According to the latest ___________, over 70% of all criminals are male.
3) We need a positive programme of _______________
4) The __________ has fallen by 10% since last year in New York.
Phrases with Crime
The criminal justice system
A crackdown on crime-a serious attempt to reduce the amount of crime
Crime and punishment
A life of crime
The punishment should fit the crime
The punishment doesn’t fit the crime
Crime is prevalent- e.g. Crime is prevalent in New York especially during the night.
Criminality (noun) behaviour that is forbidden by the law
Criminal (noun) a person who has committed a crime
Criminal (adj) relating to crime e.g. criminal damage
Synonyms for Crime (Noun)
Unlawful act
Offence
Illegal act
Infraction/breach/violation of the law
Felony
Other Words linked to Crime
Rehabilitation-restoring someone to normal life
Victim-a person harmed as a result of a crime
jail/prison/detention centre/correctional facility
Juvenile delinquency-the problem of young people who are not yet adults committing crime.
Reoffend-to commit crime again
Synonyms for Put in Jail
Incarcerate
Imprison
Lock up
Take into custody
Alternatives to Criminal Sentence
Probation
A suspended sentence
Home arrest-curfew-electronic tag
Community Service
Death penalty
Fines
Example IELTS Writing Questions (Use these two questions to practice the new vocabulary you have learnt)
Some people think that prison is the best place for criminals, others believe there are better ways to deal with them.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Many criminals commit further crimes as soon as they are released from prison. What do you think are the causes of this? What possible solutions can you suggest?