Mastering ‘Count on’ for IELTS Success: Boost Your Speaking and Writing Skills

Understanding ‘Count on’ and Its Importance in IELTS

The phrasal verb ‘count on’ is a valuable addition to your IELTS vocabulary arsenal. Its versatility and common usage make it an excellent choice for both the Speaking and Writing sections of the test. By incorporating this phrasal verb effectively, you can demonstrate a higher level of English proficiency and potentially increase your band score.

Definition and Explanation

‘Count on’ is a phrasal verb that primarily means to rely on or depend on someone or something. It implies a sense of trust and expectation that someone or something will be there when needed or will behave in a certain way.

Synonyms for ‘count on’ include:

• Rely on
• Depend on
• Trust in
• Bank on

Usage in Context

Here are some examples of how to use ‘count on’ in different contexts:

1. Informal spoken English:
   “I can always count on my best friend to cheer me up when I’m feeling down.”

2. Formal written English:
   “The company’s stakeholders count on the management team to make sound financial decisions.”

3. IELTS Speaking context:
   “In my hometown, we can count on the local community to come together during festivals and celebrations.”

4. IELTS Writing context:
   “Developing countries often count on foreign aid to improve their infrastructure and educational systems.”

Various contexts for using 'count on'

Grammar Analysis

‘Count on’ is an inseparable phrasal verb, meaning that the verb ‘count’ and the preposition ‘on’ cannot be separated by an object. The structure is always:

count on + object

For example:

• Correct: “You can count on me.”
• Incorrect: “You can count me on.”

When using pronouns, they come after the entire phrasal verb:

• “I’m counting on you.”
• “They counted on us to finish the project on time.”

Application in IELTS

Speaking Section

In the IELTS Speaking test, using ‘count on’ can help you express ideas about relationships, responsibilities, and expectations more naturally. Here are some examples of how to incorporate it into your responses:

1. Describing relationships:
   “I can always count on my parents for advice and support.”

2. Talking about work or study:
   “In group projects, team members count on each other to complete their tasks on time.”

3. Discussing community issues:
   “We count on local volunteers to keep our neighborhood clean and safe.”

Sample answer for IELTS Speaking Part 2 (Describe a person you can rely on):

“I’d like to talk about my older sister, Sarah. She’s someone I can always count on, no matter what. Whether I need advice about my career or emotional support during tough times, I know I can turn to her. For instance, when I was preparing for my university entrance exams, I could count on Sarah to help me study and keep me motivated. Her reliability and support have been crucial in many aspects of my life, and I’m truly grateful to have someone I can depend on so completely.”

Writing Section

In IELTS Writing tasks, ‘count on’ can be used to discuss various topics, particularly in Task 2 essays where you might need to express ideas about social relationships, government responsibilities, or global issues.

Example for Task 2 essay:

Topic: Some people think that parents should be able to choose the school their children attend, while others believe the government should decide. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Paragraph excerpt:
“While some argue that the government should have full control over school assignments to ensure equal opportunities for all students, others believe that parents should be able to count on having a choice in their children’s education. Those who support parental choice contend that parents can be counted on to make the best decisions for their children’s unique needs and aspirations.”

Applications of 'count on' in IELTS Speaking and Writing

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs related to ‘count on’, along with their meanings and example sentences:

1. Rely on /rɪˈlaɪ ɒn/: To depend on someone or something with confidence.
   “I rely on my alarm clock to wake me up every morning.”

2. Depend on /dɪˈpend ɒn/: To need someone or something in order to survive or succeed.
   “Many small businesses depend on local customers for their survival.”

3. Bank on /bæŋk ɒn/: To be confident that something will happen.
   “We’re banking on good weather for our outdoor wedding next month.”

4. Fall back on /fɔːl bæk ɒn/: To use something as a last resort or backup plan.
   “If I can’t find a job in my field, I can always fall back on my teaching experience.”

5. Look to /lʊk tuː/: To turn to someone for help or guidance.
   “In times of crisis, people often look to their leaders for direction.”

6. Stand by /stænd baɪ/: To support or remain loyal to someone.
   “True friends stand by each other through good times and bad.”

7. Lean on /liːn ɒn/: To depend on someone for support, especially emotional support.
   “During difficult times, it’s important to have friends you can lean on.”

8. Hinge on /hɪndʒ ɒn/: To depend entirely on something.
   “The success of the project hinges on getting approval from the committee.”

9. Vouch for /vaʊtʃ fɔː/: To confirm or support the truth of something.
   “I can vouch for her honesty; she’s always been trustworthy in our business dealings.”

10. Swear by /sweə baɪ/: To have great faith in something, especially a product or method.
    “My grandmother swears by her homemade remedies for treating colds.”

Practice Exercises

Fill in the Blanks

Complete the following sentences using the appropriate phrasal verb from the list above:

1. During the pandemic, many people ____ online shopping for their daily needs.
2. The hikers ____ their map and compass to navigate through the wilderness.
3. As a new employee, you can ____ your supervisor for guidance and support.
4. The company’s future ____ securing the new contract.
5. I can ____ John’s work ethic; he’s always been a dedicated employee.
6. Many athletes ____ a strict diet and exercise regimen to maintain their performance.
7. In emergencies, we ____ the emergency services to respond quickly.
8. If your first plan doesn’t work out, it’s good to have something to ____.
9. A strong team is one where members can ____ each other for support and collaboration.
10. As a freelancer, I can’t always ____ having a steady income each month.

Sentence Rewriting

Rewrite the following sentences using the phrasal verbs we’ve discussed:

1. The success of the event depends entirely on good weather.
   Rewrite: ____

2. I’m confident that my friend will help me move house next weekend.
   Rewrite: ____

3. Many people turn to social media for their news these days.
   Rewrite: ____

4. You can be certain that I’ll support you throughout this difficult time.
   Rewrite: ____

5. The company relies heavily on its experienced staff to train new employees.
   Rewrite: ____

6. I always use this brand of shampoo because I believe it’s the best.
   Rewrite: ____

7. In case of emergency, it’s good to have some savings to use.
   Rewrite: ____

8. The entire project depends on getting funding from investors.
   Rewrite: ____

9. I can confirm that Sarah is an excellent candidate for the position.
   Rewrite: ____

10. During tough times, it’s important to have friends who support you.
    Rewrite: ____

Answers and Explanations

Fill in the Blanks:

1. relied on
2. counted on
3. look to
4. hinges on
5. vouch for
6. swear by
7. count on
8. fall back on
9. lean on
10. bank on

Sentence Rewriting:

1. The success of the event hinges on good weather.
2. I’m counting on my friend to help me move house next weekend.
3. Many people look to social media for their news these days.
4. You can count on me to stand by you throughout this difficult time.
5. The company leans on its experienced staff to train new employees.
6. I swear by this brand of shampoo.
7. In case of emergency, it’s good to have some savings to fall back on.
8. The entire project hinges on getting funding from investors.
9. I can vouch for Sarah as an excellent candidate for the position.
10. During tough times, it’s important to have friends you can lean on.

Explanations:
These exercises help reinforce the usage of ‘count on’ and related phrasal verbs in various contexts. The fill-in-the-blanks exercise encourages you to choose the most appropriate phrasal verb based on the sentence’s meaning. The sentence rewriting task challenges you to restructure sentences using the target phrasal verbs, which helps improve your flexibility in English expression.

Memorization Tips

To effectively remember and use ‘count on’ and related phrasal verbs:

1. Create mental images: Visualize someone literally counting objects placed on top of something else.

2. Use mnemonic devices: “You can COUNT ON your friends to be there ON time.”

3. Practice in context: Create personalized sentences using ‘count on’ that relate to your life experiences.

4. Group related phrasal verbs: Create a mind map connecting ‘count on’ with its synonyms and related phrasal verbs.

5. Use spaced repetition: Review these phrasal verbs regularly, increasing the time between reviews as you become more familiar with them.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Mistake: Separating the phrasal verb (e.g., “I count you on.”)
   Correction: Keep ‘count on’ together (e.g., “I count on you.”)

2. Mistake: Using the wrong preposition (e.g., “count in” or “count at”)
   Correction: Always use ‘on’ with this phrasal verb.

3. Mistake: Overusing ‘count on’ in formal writing
   Correction: While ‘count on’ is acceptable in many contexts, consider using more formal alternatives like ‘rely on’ or ‘depend on’ in very formal writing tasks.

4. Mistake: Using ‘count on’ with inanimate objects that can’t be relied upon
   Correction: Use ‘count on’ for people, systems, or reliable things, not for unpredictable events or objects.

5. Mistake: Confusing ‘count on’ with ‘count down’
   Correction: Remember that ‘count on’ means to rely on, while ‘count down’ means to count backwards or await an event.

Conclusion

Mastering the phrasal verb ‘count on’ and its related expressions can significantly enhance your IELTS performance. By incorporating these versatile phrases into your Speaking and Writing responses, you demonstrate a higher level of English proficiency and natural expression. Remember to practice using these phrasal verbs in various contexts, and don’t hesitate to count on them during your IELTS exam!

For more IELTS preparation tips and sample answers, you might find these resources helpful:

• Describing cultural heritage sites in your country
• Discussing financial aid to developing countries
• Describing popular relaxation spots in your country

Keep practicing, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving your desired IELTS score!