If you want a score in IELTS Speaking which indicates comfortable fluency – such as a band 7- then phrasal verbs are a really useful tool. By showing your examiner that you can use phrasal verbs correctly you will show your examiner that you have an awareness of higher level vocabulary. However, if you make mistakes in your phrasal verb usage you will not achieve the desired result.
On this page we present some typical phrasal verb mistakes and some corrections.
Topic – watching sports
Candidate – I like watching my favourite team play at their home stadium. I like to cheer them up by cheering and chanting.
Note – the problem here is that the candidate has chosen the wrong phrasal verb. When we cheer someone up it is to stop them feeling sad. Here we should use cheer them on.
Correction – I like watching my favourite team play at their home stadium. I like to cheer them on by cheering and chanting.
Topic – Childhood friends
Question – what difficulties do children face when trying to make friends?
Candidate – some children are very confident and they find it very easy to get around other children..
Note – on this case the candidate has chosen the wrong verb. He should have used ‘be’ + preposition to show that some children find it easy to socialise.
Correction – some children are very confident and find it easy to be around other kids. For them making friends and socialising is natural and easy.
Topic – jobs
Question – Is it a good idea to change jobs regularly?
Candidate – Well it is a good idea to leave a job if you don’t like it and it doesn’t satisfy you. However, if we find a good job we should stick on it as these days decent jobs are hard to find.
Note – The problem with this sentence is the phrasal verb has the wrong preposition. We stick to a task rather than sticking on.
Stick on can be used in other contexts during the IELTS exam. For example you can stick on something with glue, or you might stick a stamp onto an envelope. However, we use to stick to to describe following a routine, exercise plan, diet, or New Year’s Resolution.
Correction – Well it is a good idea to leave a job if you don’t like it and it doesn’t satisfy you. However, if we find a good job we should stick to it, as these days decent jobs are hard to find.
Topic – presents gifts
Question – (Part 2) Describe a gift/present you gave someone
Candidate – Last year I gave my friend an ornament that I bought from a trendy shop in town. After I buying it I took it home and wrapped it up in beautiful wrapping paper. On the day of her birthday I handed it to her to unwrap up………..
Note – Here we see a candidate that is aware of the phrasal verb wrap up. This is used to show that something is covered. For example, before giving a Christmas or Birthday present to a recipient we usually wrap it up with wrapping paper.
The opposite of the verb wrap is to unwrap. However, we can not make a phrasal verb of the opposite meaning. Instead of saying unwrap up, we would say unwrap.
Correction – Last year I gave my friend an ornament that I bought from a trendy shop in town. After I buying it I took it home and wrapped it up in beautiful wrapping paper. On the day of her birthday I handed it to her to unwrap………
Topic – Nature in the city
Question – (part 3) Is it difficult for city dwellers (people who live in cities) to connect with nature?
Candidate – People who live in the city are drowned off from nature….
Notes – although the preposition off is correct the student has chosen the wrong verb, here we we should use cut off from nature.
Correction – It is very difficult for people who live in cities to stay connected with nature. Most city dwellers are cut off from nature completely.
More Mistakes
Candidate: When I visit the city I feel really cheer out because I can go shopping and see my friends.
Note: on this occasion the candidate has used the wrong preposition
Correction: When I visit the city it really cheers me up because I can go shopping and see my friends.