Use of Phrasal Verbs | Vocabulary for IELTS PDF Download

Introduction

• Phrasal verbs are short phrases made up of a verb and one or two small words—like “up,”“off,” or “out”—that together create a brand-new meaning. 
•  They’re super common in English, and if you use them well in your IELTS Writing or Speaking, you can show off your language skills. 
•  But you’ve got to use them carefully—getting them wrong can hurt your score. 
•  Here’s what you need to know to make them work for you. 

What’s a Phrasal Verb?

It’s a combo of a verb (action word) and a little helper word (or two) that changes what the verb means. For example:

• “Look after” = “look” (see) + “after” = take care of. It’s not about looking—it’s about watching over something, like “I look after my dog.”
• “Give up” = “give” + “up” = stop trying. It’s not giving something away—it’s quitting, like “She gave up smoking.”

The catch? The meaning depends on how they’re used in a sentence—so context is your guide.

Why They’re Great for IELTS

• Phrasal verbs are a big deal in IELTS because they’re part of everyday English and test your word skills (that’s the Lexical Resource score).
• Instead of plain verbs like stop or help, phrasal verbs like cut off (end) or pick up (learn) add punch.
• Examiners notice when you swap I learned English for I picked up English—it shows you’ve got a wider vocab and a natural feel for the language, which can push you toward a top band.

How to Get Them Right

Using phrasal verbs can boost your score, but only if you nail them. A mix-up—like saying “pick out” (choose) when you mean “pick up” (learn)—can confuse things and cost you points. Here’s how to ace them:

• Know What They Mean: Look up phrasal verbs before the test. “Break down” means fail or cry, not smash—check a list or dictionary to be sure.
• Fit the Context: Make sure they match the idea. “I ran out of time” works for “no time left,” but “I ran up time” doesn’t make sense. Pick what fits the sentence.
• Start Easy: Try common ones first—like “find out” (discover), “set up” (start), or “run out” (use up). They’re safe bets and pop up in IELTS all the time.

Quick Practice Trick

• Grab a notebook and write five phrasal verbs—like “turn on,”“take off,”“run into,”“back up,” and “check out.”
• Next to each, jot a sentence: “I turned on the light,”“The plane took off.”
• Say them out loud or test yourself—cover the meaning, guess it, and then check.
• This sticks them in your head so they roll out naturally on test day.

Some Phrasal Verbs for Practice

Here is the list of vocabulary words for IELTS that the candidate can use: