Multi-word Verbs for IELTS Advanced Grammar
Multi-word verbs are combinations of verbs with prepositions or adverbs, for instance, to put out, to put up with, and more. These words all together make a different meaning. These multi-word verbs usually refer to phrasal verbs. Candidates trying to ace the IELTS exam must have proper knowledge about the most used phrasal verbs in the IELTS.
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Multi-word Verbs Form and Use
A native speaker always ensures to use phrasal verbs in all forms and any part of the sentence, to sound like a native speaker and impress the examiner you shall make sure to be well versed in all kinds of phrasal verbs and places to use them. Here are certain IELTS multi-word verbs for the usage which will help in increasing the IELTS score:
| Types | Forms | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Type 1 | intransitive phrasal verbs | e.g. take off: Sentence: On the arrival of the Queen the officer took off his hat. |
| Type 2 | transitive phrasal verbs | e.g. put something off: Sentence: The flights were put off due the bad weather conditions. |
| Type 3 | prepositional verbs | e.g. cope with something: Sentence: I have no idea how she cope with these kids here. |
| Type 4 | phrasal-prepositional verbs | e.g. look forward to something: Sentence: I am looking forward to see you soon. |
Practice Exercise
Q 1.
Underline the most suitable verb in bold in each of these sentences.
- Don’t stop now Liz. Continue/ Go on, I’m dying to hear the end of the story!
Answer: Go on
- In a bid to improve diplomatic relations, the Foreign Office has arranged/fixed up a visit by senior embassy staff.
Answer: arranged
- The court sentences you to life imprisonment, with the recommendation that you not be released /let out for a minimum period of twenty years.
Answer: released
- Owing to a lack of military support, the United Nations feels unable to maintain /keep up its presence in the war-torn province.
Answer: maintain
- I don’t think your dad trusts me – he’s always observing / looking at me.
Answer: looking at
- You’ve got to make an effort, darling. You’ll never lose weight unless you reduce / cut down on the amount of fatty food you eat.
Answer: cut down on
- The government have announced plans to abolish/ do away with the disabled person’s vehicle allowance in the next budget.
Answer: abolish
- My little brother’s always getting bullied at school. He just won’t confront/ face up to the other kids.
Answer: face up to
- The presidential party will arrive / turn up at the palace shortly before luncheon.
Answer: arrive
- My best friend always exaggerates – half the things he says are just invented/ made up!
Answer: made up
Q 2.
Rewrite these sentences using an appropriate multi-word verb. You must use a pronoun ( it, him, her, them) to replace the underlined object. In some cases you may have to change the word order. The exercise begins with an example.
- They’ve postponed the housewarming party until Friday.
==> They’ve put it off until Friday
- Would you mind organising the removal yourself?
Answer: Would you mind seeing to it/sorting it out yourself?
- I met Steve and Terri quite by chance at the supermarket this morning.
Answer: I ran into them at the supermarket this morning.
- I’ve arranged the meeting for ten o’clock tomorrow.
Answer: I’ve fixed it up for ten o’clock tomorrow.
- You’re always criticising your colleagues.
Answer: You’re always running them down.
- I’m sure the police will investigate the burglary.
Answer: I’m sure the police will look into it.
- The builders undertook the job very professionally.
Answer: The builders carried it out very professionally.
- Could you collect the children from school tonight?
Answer: Could you pick them up from school tonight?
- Has Perry recovered from the flu yet?
Answer: Has Perry got over it yet?
- She really resembles her parents, doesn’t she?
Answer: She really looks like them/takes after them, doesn’t she?
- Would you highlight the advantages for me?
Answer: Would you point them out for me?
Q 3.
What are the people saying in the pictures on the next page? Write a short sentence for each situation using multi-word verbs and a suitable pronoun (it, them, you, etc.). All the multi-word verbs you need can be formed from the verbs in brackets and the particles in the box. The first one has been done as an example (0).
| with | after | at | down | off | out | up (x2) |
- Answer: He takes after you.
- Answer: Put it down!
- Answer: Please take it off.
- Answer: It doesn’t go with it.
- Answer: Pick it up!
- Answer: Drink it up.
- Answer: Look at them!
Q 4.
Rewrite the parts of the sentences in brackets with the words in the correct order.
- Don’t (tomorrow/put/until/off/it); do it now.
==> Don’t put it off until tomorrow
- Thanks for the invitation; (looking/to/I’m/it/forward).
Answer: I’m looking forward to it
- The evil witch (frog/prince/the/into/turned/handsome/a).
Answer: turned the handsome prince into a frog/turned the frog into a handsome prince
- I won’t have any sugar thank you; (it/I’ve/up/given).
Answer: I’ve given it up
- There isn’t a death penalty any longer; (away/they’ve/it/done/with).
Answer: they’ve done away with it
- He’s the footballer (million/a/team/manager/for/the/paid/whom/dollars).
Answer: for whom the team manager paid a million dollars
- I have a small trust fund; (by/it/my/was/set/grandfather/up).
Answer: it was set up by my grandfather
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