Mastering ‘Rat on’: Boost Your IELTS Speaking Score with This Powerful Phrasal Verb

1. Definition and Explanation

The phrasal verb “rat on” is an informal expression that means to betray or inform on someone, especially to a person in authority. It’s often used in situations where someone reveals secret information about another person’s wrongdoings or misconduct.

Synonyms for “rat on” include:

• Inform on
• Snitch on
• Betray
• Tell on
• Squeal on

Common usage contexts

“Rat on” is primarily used in casual, informal situations. It’s important to note that this phrasal verb carries a negative connotation and is often associated with disapproval of the action of informing.

2. Contextual Usage

Here are some examples of how “rat on” can be used in different contexts:

1. Informal spoken English: “I can’t believe Tom ratted on his best friend to the teacher.”
2. Colloquial writing: “The criminal decided to rat on his accomplices in exchange for a lighter sentence.”
3. Formal context (less common): “The employee felt morally obligated to report his colleague’s unethical behavior, though he was hesitant to be perceived as someone who would rat on a coworker.”

Examples of 'Rat on' Usage in Context

3. Grammar Analysis

“Rat on” is an inseparable phrasal verb, meaning that the verb “rat” and the preposition “on” cannot be separated by an object.

Correct: He ratted on his friends.
Incorrect: He ratted his friends on.

The structure typically follows this pattern:
Subject + rat on + object

For example: “She ratted on her brother to their parents.”

4. Application in IELTS

In IELTS Speaking

While “rat on” is a useful phrasal verb to know, it’s important to use it judiciously in the IELTS Speaking test due to its informal nature. Here are some examples of how you might incorporate it:

1. When discussing loyalty or trust:
   “In my opinion, ratting on your friends is a betrayal of trust and can destroy relationships.”

2. Talking about workplace ethics:
   “Some people believe that employees who rat on their colleagues for minor infractions are doing more harm than good to the company culture.”

3. Describing a personal experience:
   “I once had a classmate who ratted on the entire class for cheating on a test. It was a controversial decision that led to a lot of tension in our school.”

In IELTS Writing

For the Writing section, it’s crucial to consider the formality of your essay. “Rat on” is generally too informal for most IELTS Writing tasks, especially Task 2 essays. However, you might use it in Task 1 if you’re writing an informal letter to a friend. In formal writing, consider using more appropriate alternatives such as:

• Report
• Disclose information about
• Inform against

5. Related Phrasal Verbs

1. Grass on /græs ɒn/: (British informal) To inform on someone to the authorities.
   Example: “He grassed on his neighbors to the police for their loud parties.”

2. Turn in /tɜːn ɪn/: To report or deliver someone to the authorities.
   Example: “The fugitive decided to turn himself in after years on the run.”

3. Sell out /sel aʊt/: To betray someone, especially for personal gain.
   Example: “Many fans felt the band had sold out when they changed their style to become more commercially successful.”

4. Blow the whistle /bləʊ ðə ˈwɪsl/: To expose wrongdoing or misconduct within an organization.
   Example: “The employee blew the whistle on the company’s illegal practices.”

5. Come clean /kʌm kliːn/: To confess or reveal the truth about something.
   Example: “After years of lying, he finally came clean about his past.”

Related Phrasal Verbs to 'Rat on'

6. Practice Exercises

A. Fill in the blanks

1. The criminal decided to __ __ his accomplices to get a reduced sentence.
2. I can’t believe you __ __ me to the teacher about skipping class!
3. In some cultures, __ __ your friends is considered a severe breach of trust.
4. The whistleblower chose to __ __ the company’s illegal activities.
5. He was afraid his coworkers would __ __ him if he didn’t join their scheme.
6. The student felt guilty and decided to __ __ about cheating on the exam.
7. It’s not always easy to decide whether to __ __ someone or keep their secret.
8. The spy was caught when one of his own team members __ __ him.
9. She refused to __ __ her brother, even though she knew he was in trouble.
10. The gang leader threatened anyone who might __ __ to the police.

B. Sentence Rewriting

Rewrite the following sentences using the phrasal verb “rat on” or its related expressions:

1. Original: Tom informed the police about his neighbor’s illegal activities.
   Rewrite: __

2. Original: The employee reported her manager’s misconduct to HR.
   Rewrite: __

3. Original: He confessed to stealing the money after feeling guilty for weeks.
   Rewrite: __

4. Original: The journalist exposed the company’s fraudulent practices.
   Rewrite: __

5. Original: Sarah told the teacher that John had cheated on the test.
   Rewrite: __

6. Original: The gang member betrayed his associates for a lighter sentence.
   Rewrite: __

7. Original: She finally admitted to lying about her qualifications.
   Rewrite: __

8. Original: The students reported their classmate’s bullying behavior to the principal.
   Rewrite: __

9. Original: He revealed the truth about the scandal to the media.
   Rewrite: __

10. Original: The team member disclosed confidential information to their competitors.
    Rewrite: __

Answers and Explanations

A. Fill in the blanks

1. rat on
2. ratted on
3. Ratting on
4. blow the whistle on
5. rat on
6. come clean
7. rat on
8. ratted on
9. rat on
10. rat on

B. Sentence Rewriting

1. Tom ratted on his neighbor to the police about their illegal activities.
2. The employee blew the whistle on her manager’s misconduct to HR.
3. He came clean about stealing the money after feeling guilty for weeks.
4. The journalist blew the whistle on the company’s fraudulent practices.
5. Sarah ratted on John to the teacher for cheating on the test.
6. The gang member ratted on his associates for a lighter sentence.
7. She finally came clean about lying about her qualifications.
8. The students ratted on their classmate to the principal for bullying behavior.
9. He blew the whistle on the scandal to the media.
10. The team member sold out their company by disclosing confidential information to competitors.

Explanations:

• In sentences 1, 5, 6, and 8, we directly used “rat on” as it fits the informal context of someone informing on another person’s wrongdoings.
• For sentences 2, 4, and 9, we used “blow the whistle on” as it’s more appropriate for exposing misconduct in professional or serious contexts.
• In sentences 3 and 7, “come clean” is used as it best describes the act of confessing or admitting to one’s own wrongdoings.
• For sentence 10, “sold out” is used to emphasize the betrayal aspect of the action, especially since it involved giving information to competitors.

7. Memorization Tips

To help remember the phrasal verb “rat on” and its usage, consider the following memory aids:

1. Visual Association: Picture a rat sneaking around and whispering secrets. Rats are often associated with betrayal in popular culture, which aligns with the meaning of “rat on.”

2. Contextual Story: Imagine a scenario in a school where one student (let’s call him Ray the Rat) always tells the teacher about other students’ misbehavior. You could create a memorable phrase like “Ray the Rat always rats on his classmates.”

3. Acronym: R.A.T. – Report A Transgression. This can help you remember that “rat on” means to report someone’s wrongdoing.

4. Rhyme: “When you rat on a friend, the trust might end.” This rhyme can help you remember both the meaning and the potential consequences of the action.

5. Related Words: Associate “rat on” with other words in the same semantic field, such as “snitch,” “tattle,” or “squeal.” This can help reinforce the meaning and usage in your memory.

8. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When using “rat on” in English, especially in the context of IELTS, be aware of these common mistakes:

1. Incorrect Formality: Using “rat on” in formal writing or speaking situations.
   Avoid by: Reserving this phrasal verb for informal contexts in the IELTS Speaking test, and using more formal alternatives in Writing tasks.

2. Separating the Phrasal Verb: Saying “rat someone on” instead of “rat on someone.”
   Avoid by: Always keeping “rat” and “on” together, followed by the object.

3. Misunderstanding the Connotation: Using “rat on” without realizing its negative implications.
   Avoid by: Being aware that this phrase often implies disapproval of the action of informing.

4. Overuse: Repeatedly using “rat on” in the IELTS Speaking test.
   Avoid by: Using it sparingly and showcasing a variety of vocabulary to describe similar concepts.

5. Incorrect Preposition: Saying “rat out” instead of “rat on.”
   Avoid by: Memorizing the correct form and practicing it in context.

To use “rat on” effectively in IELTS:

• In Speaking: Use it to demonstrate knowledge of colloquial English, but balance it with more formal vocabulary.
• In Writing: Generally avoid it in Task 2 essays. It might be appropriate in Task 1 if writing an informal letter, but use with caution.
• Practice using it in context to ensure you’re comfortable with its usage and connotations.

9. Conclusion

Mastering phrasal verbs like “rat on” can significantly enhance your English proficiency and potentially boost your IELTS score. While it’s an informal expression, understanding its usage, connotations, and appropriate contexts demonstrates a nuanced grasp of the English language.

Remember to use “rat on” judiciously in your IELTS test, especially in the Speaking section where showcasing knowledge of colloquial expressions can be advantageous. For the Writing section, particularly in formal essays, opt for more formal alternatives.

Continuous practice and exposure to various contexts will help you internalize this phrasal verb and use it naturally. As you prepare for your IELTS test, don’t forget to explore other phrasal verbs and idiomatic expressions to further enrich your English vocabulary.

For more strategies to excel in your IELTS preparation, especially in the Listening section, check out our guides on IELTS listening strategies for beginners and techniques for IELTS listening prediction. These resources will complement your vocabulary skills and help you achieve a well-rounded performance in the test.