Mastering ‘Go over’: Your Key to IELTS Speaking Success

1. Definition and Explanation

The phrasal verb “go over” is a versatile expression with multiple meanings, making it an excellent addition to your IELTS vocabulary arsenal. Let’s break down its primary definitions:

1. To examine or review something carefully
2. To explain or discuss something in detail
3. To repeat or practice something
4. To move across or above something

Understanding these various meanings will help you use “go over” accurately and confidently in your IELTS Speaking test.

Synonyms for “go over” include:

• Review
• Examine
• Rehearse
• Explain
• Discuss

2. Contextual Usage

To effectively use “go over” in different contexts, consider these example sentences:

• Formal: “Before the presentation, I’d like to go over the main points with you.”
• Informal: “Can we go over that math problem again? I didn’t quite get it.”
• Written: “The report goes over the company’s financial performance for the past quarter.”
• Spoken: “Let’s go over our travel plans one more time to make sure we haven’t forgotten anything.”

Go over phrasal verb used in different contexts

3. Grammar Analysis

“Go over” is a separable phrasal verb, meaning you can place the object between “go” and “over” or after “over.” For example:

• “Let’s go over the instructions.” (Object after the phrasal verb)
• “Let’s go the instructions over.” (Object between the verb and particle)

However, if you’re using a pronoun, it must come between “go” and “over”:

• “Let’s go them over.” (Correct)
• “Let’s go over them.” (Incorrect)

4. Application in IELTS

In Speaking:

Using “go over” can demonstrate your language proficiency in the IELTS Speaking test. Here are some ways to incorporate it:

1. When discussing study habits:
   “I always go over my notes before an exam to ensure I understand everything.”

2. When talking about work:
   “In our team meetings, we go over our progress and discuss any challenges we’re facing.”

3. When describing a process:
   “Before publishing an article, our editor goes over it carefully to check for any errors.”

In Writing:

While “go over” is more common in spoken English, you can still use it effectively in your IELTS Writing tasks:

1. In Task 1 (Academic):
   “The graph goes over the changes in population growth over the past decade.”

2. In Task 2:
   “This essay will go over the main advantages and disadvantages of remote work.”

Remember to use it sparingly in formal writing, as there might be more appropriate alternatives depending on the context.

5. Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs related to “go over” that you can use to enrich your IELTS vocabulary:

1. Run through /rʌn θruː/ – to quickly review or rehearse something
   Example: “Let’s run through the presentation one last time before the meeting.”

2. Look into /lʊk ˈɪntuː/ – to investigate or examine something
   Example: “The committee is looking into the causes of the recent power outages.”

3. Brush up on /brʌʃ ʌp ɒn/ – to review or improve knowledge or skills
   Example: “I need to brush up on my French before my trip to Paris.”

4. Touch on /tʌtʃ ɒn/ – to mention or discuss something briefly
   Example: “The lecturer touched on several important theories during the seminar.”

5. Delve into /delv ˈɪntuː/ – to examine or investigate something thoroughly
   Example: “The researcher delved into the historical records to find evidence for her theory.”

Infographic of related phrasal verbs

6. Practice Exercises

Fill in the Blanks

1. Before the exam, I always ___ my notes to refresh my memory.
2. Can you ___ the project details with the new team members?
3. The manager wants to ___ the sales figures at the next meeting.
4. We need to ___ the contract one more time before signing it.
5. The teacher will ___ the homework assignment in class tomorrow.
6. The documentary ___ the history of ancient civilizations.
7. Let’s ___ the plan again to make sure we haven’t missed anything.
8. The mechanic will ___ your car to identify any problems.
9. It’s important to ___ safety procedures regularly with all employees.
10. The guide will ___ the tour itinerary before we start.

Sentence Transformation

1. The committee examined the proposal carefully.
   The committee ___ the proposal carefully.

2. Can you explain the process to me again?
   Can you ___ the process with me again?

3. We need to practice our presentation one more time.
   We need to ___ our presentation one more time.

4. The bird flew across the lake.
   The bird ___ the lake.

5. The report discusses the company’s financial performance in detail.
   The report ___ the company’s financial performance in detail.

6. Let’s review the main points before we conclude.
   Let’s ___ the main points before we conclude.

7. The teacher repeated the instructions for clarity.
   The teacher ___ the instructions for clarity.

8. We should check the equipment before the event.
   We should ___ the equipment before the event.

9. The lawyer wants to discuss the case details with you.
   The lawyer wants to ___ the case details with you.

10. Can you explain the concept to me once more?
    Can you ___ the concept with me once more?

Answers and Explanations

Fill in the Blanks:

1. go over
2. go over
3. go over
4. go over
5. go over
6. goes over
7. go over
8. go over
9. go over
10. go over

Explanation: In all these sentences, “go over” is used in the sense of reviewing, examining, or explaining something in detail.

Sentence Transformation:

1. The committee went over the proposal carefully.
2. Can you go over the process with me again?
3. We need to go over our presentation one more time.
4. The bird went over the lake.
5. The report goes over the company’s financial performance in detail.
6. Let’s go over the main points before we conclude.
7. The teacher went over the instructions for clarity.
8. We should go over the equipment before the event.
9. The lawyer wants to go over the case details with you.
10. Can you go over the concept with me once more?

Explanation: In these transformations, “go over” replaces verbs like examine, explain, practice, fly across, discuss, review, repeat, and check, demonstrating its versatility in different contexts.

7. Memory Tips

To help you remember the various uses of “go over,” try these memory tricks:

1. Visualization: Imagine physically going over a pile of papers or books, reviewing their contents. This mental image can help you associate “go over” with the act of examining or reviewing.

2. Acronym: Create an acronym using the main meanings:
   G – Gather information
   O – Observe details

   O – Outline key points
   V – Verify understanding
   E – Explain thoroughly
   R – Repeat for clarity

3. Contextual association: Think of specific situations where you might use “go over,” such as studying for an exam, preparing for a presentation, or planning a trip. Associating the phrase with real-life scenarios can make it more memorable.

4. Phrase expansion: Expand “go over” into a memorable phrase that encompasses its meanings, such as “Go Over Everything Repeatedly” (GOER).

5. Practice through storytelling: Create a short story that incorporates multiple uses of “go over.” For example: “Before the big meeting, Sarah went over her notes, then went over the presentation with her team. As she went over the bridge to the office, she mentally went over her talking points one last time.”

8. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When using “go over” in your IELTS exam, be aware of these common mistakes:

1. Incorrect preposition: Don’t confuse “go over” with “go through.” While both can mean to examine something, “go through” often implies a more thorough examination.
   Incorrect: “Let’s go through the main points quickly.”
   Correct: “Let’s go over the main points quickly.”

2. Misusing the separable aspect: Remember that when using a pronoun, it must come between “go” and “over.”
   Incorrect: “Go over it.”
   Correct: “Go it over.”

3. Overuse in formal writing: While “go over” is perfectly acceptable in speaking and informal writing, it might be too casual for some parts of the IELTS Writing test. In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like “review,” “examine,” or “analyze.”

4. Confusion with literal meaning: Be careful not to use “go over” literally when you mean “go to” or “visit.”
   Incorrect: “I will go over your house tomorrow.”
   Correct: “I will go to your house tomorrow.”

5. Forgetting the context: Always consider the context when using “go over.” In some cases, a more specific verb might be more appropriate.
   Less specific: “The teacher went over the poem.”
   More specific: “The teacher analyzed the poem.”

To avoid these mistakes, practice using “go over” in various contexts, pay attention to its usage in native English content, and always consider the formality of the situation when choosing to use this phrasal verb.

9. Conclusion

Mastering the phrasal verb “go over” can significantly enhance your performance in the IELTS exam, particularly in the Speaking section. Its versatility allows you to express ideas related to reviewing, explaining, and practicing – all crucial aspects of language learning and test preparation.

Remember to practice using “go over” in different contexts, and don’t hesitate to incorporate it into your IELTS preparation routine. You could “go over” your notes, “go over” practice questions with a study partner, or even “go over” your previous test attempts to identify areas for improvement.

By confidently using phrasal verbs like “go over,” you demonstrate a higher level of English proficiency, which can positively impact your IELTS scores. Keep practicing, stay confident, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving your desired IELTS results!

For more insights on improving your IELTS performance, you might want to go over our article on whether governments should regulate social media companies. This topic could provide excellent practice for using “go over” in a more academic context while also preparing you for potential IELTS Writing or Speaking topics.