How to Use Idioms and Phrasal Verbs in IELTS Speaking?

To improve your IELTS speaking score, it is important to incorporate idioms and phrasal verbs effectively. Idioms add naturalness and fluency to your speech, while phrasal verbs enhance your vocabulary. However, it is essential to use them judiciously, ensuring that they are relevant and accurate, and that they enhance your communication rather than detract from it. In this guide, you will learn about IELTS speaking idioms and phrasal verbs commonly used in daily life, along with their definitions, uses, and some helpful tips.

What is an Idiom?

An idiom is a phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the literal meanings of its individual words. Instead, idioms carry a figurative meaning that is understood by native speakers or those familiar with the language and culture.

For example, when someone says they are “feeling under the weather,” they do not mean they are literally standing beneath rain or snow. Instead, they are using the idiom to express that they are feeling unwell or sick.

IELTS Value

Using idioms correctly can significantly boost your IELTS speaking score, especially in the Lexical Resource criterion. Incorporating appropriate idioms demonstrates a strong command of the English language and can make your responses sound more natural and fluent, similar to a native speaker. Thus, idioms can add color and engagement to your language.

How to Use Idioms?

1. Understand the Meaning: Make sure you thoroughly grasp the meaning of an idiom before using it. Consider doing an IELTS speaking mock test to help with practice.
2. Context is Key: Ensure that the idiom you choose fits the context of your conversation or writing.
3. Avoid Overuse: While idioms can be effective, using too many can make your speech sound unnatural or forced.
4. Practice with Confidence: Use idioms in everyday English conversations to build fluency and naturalness.
5. Listen to Native Speakers: Pay attention to how native English speakers use idioms in various contexts.

Important Note: Idioms are generally considered informal, so it’s best to avoid them in formal writing, such as academic essays or technical documents. Moreover, consider taking IELTS online coaching for a better understanding of idioms.

What is a Phrasal Verb?

A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and one or more particles (prepositions and adverbs) that function together as a single verb with a meaning distinct from the original verb. For example, “give up” combines “give” and “up” to mean “to quit.”

IELTS Value

Using phrasal verbs can significantly improve your IELTS score by demonstrating a wider vocabulary and enhancing your ability to communicate naturally and fluently. They allow for more nuanced expression and add an authentic flow to your language, positively contributing to your lexical resources and overall score. Their versatility means they can be applied to various topics, adding depth to your responses in speaking and writing tasks.

How to Use Phrasal Verbs

1. Recognize them in Context: Phrasal verbs are very common in spoken English and informal writing. Understanding their meaning within a sentence is crucial for achieving fluency.
2. Learn by Observing Usage: Instead of trying to memorize lists of phrasal verbs, it is often more effective to learn them by observing how native speakers use them in real-world conversations.
3. Pay Attention to the Particle: While the verb part of a phrasal verb follows regular conjugation rules (e.g., get up, got up, getting up), the particle (e.g., “up,” “off,” “in”) remains unchanged.
4. Understand Separability:
   1. Separable Phrasal Verbs: These allow the object to be placed between the verb and the particles. If the object is a pronoun, it must be placed in the middle.

1. Example: “Turn off the lights” and “Turn the lights off” are both correct.
2. Example with Pronoun: “Turn them off” is correct, while “Turn off them” is incorrect.

                        b. Inseparable Phrasal Verbs: The verb and the particle must always stay together.

1. Example: “She looks after her younger brother” is correct, while “She look her younger brother after” is incorrect.
2. Tip: All three-word phrasal verbs are inseparable.
3. Be Aware of Multiple Meanings:

Some phrasal verbs can have several different meanings depending on the context in which they are used.

• Example: “Take off” can mean to remove clothing, to leave the ground (like an airplane), to make great progress, or informally mean to leave.
• Context is key to determining the correct meaning.

Learning phrasal verbs takes practice and exposure. By understanding their structure, focusing on context, and regularly taking IELTS mock test, you can significantly improve your English communication skills.

Commonly Used Idioms in Daily Life

Here are ten examples of commonly used idioms:

1. Piece of cake: Something that is very easy to do.
2. Break a leg: A wish of good luck, often said to performers before a show.
3. Under the weather: Feeling unwell or sick.
4. Spill the beans: To reveal a secret, either accidentally or intentionally.
5. Hit the nail on the head: To be exactly right about something; to describe something precisely.
6. The ball is in your court: It’s your turn to make a decision or take action.
7. Once in a blue moon: Very rarely.
8. A blessing in disguise: Something that seems bad at first but turns out to be good in the end.
9. Kill two birds with one stone: To accomplish two things with a single action.
10. Cost an arm and a leg: Something that is very expensive.

Tips for Effective Use of Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Here are some tips to help you use IELTS speaking idioms and phrasal verbs effectively:

• Listen to Native Speakers: Pay attention to how native English speakers use idioms and phrasal verbs in everyday conversation.
• Practice Using Them in Context: Create your own sentences and try to incorporate them into your speaking practice.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Make Mistakes: Learning takes time, and mistakes are a natural part of the process.
• Focus on Quality, Not Quantity: It’s better to use a few idioms and phrasal verbs correctly than to use many incorrectly, especially in the IELTS cue cards Speaking section.

Conclusion

In summary, using IELTS speaking idioms and phrasal verbs can significantly improve your score by demonstrating a broader vocabulary and more natural-sounding speech. However, it is essential to use them accurately and appropriately. Learning them in context and practicing regularly will ensure they enhance your communication skills.