Mastering ‘Account for’ to Elevate Your IELTS Score: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding ‘Account for’ in IELTS Context

The phrasal verb ‘account for’ is a valuable linguistic tool that can significantly enhance your IELTS performance. Its versatility and frequent occurrence in both academic and everyday English make it an essential component of advanced language proficiency.

Definition and Explanation

‘Account for’ primarily means to explain or give reasons for something. It can also mean to constitute or make up a certain amount or proportion. In some contexts, it may mean to take into consideration or to be responsible for something.

Synonyms include:

• Explain
• Justify
• Clarify
• Constitute
• Represent

Usage in Context

Let’s explore how ‘account for’ can be used in various situations:

1. Explaining reasons: “The recent heat wave accounts for the rise in energy consumption.”
2. Representing a proportion: “International students account for 20% of the university’s population.”
3. Taking responsibility: “As a team leader, you must account for the project’s success or failure.”

Grammatical Analysis

‘Account for’ is an inseparable phrasal verb, meaning no words can be inserted between ‘account’ and ‘for’. It’s typically followed by a noun or noun phrase.

Sentence structure: Subject + account(s) for + noun/noun phrase

Applying ‘Account for’ in IELTS

In IELTS Speaking

Incorporating ‘account for’ in your IELTS Speaking responses can demonstrate advanced vocabulary usage. Here’s an example:

Question: “Why do you think obesity rates are increasing in many countries?”

Sample answer: “Several factors account for the rising obesity rates. Sedentary lifestyles, the prevalence of fast food, and lack of nutritional education are major contributors. These elements combined account for a significant portion of the obesity epidemic we’re witnessing globally.”

In IELTS Writing

In IELTS Writing, ‘account for’ can be used to explain trends, proportions, or reasons in Task 1 reports and Task 2 essays.

Task 1 example: “According to the pie chart, renewable energy sources account for 25% of the country’s total energy production.”

Task 2 example: “While technological advancements account for much of the progress in modern medicine, we cannot overlook the importance of traditional healing practices.”

IELTS writing task examples with charts and graphs

Related Phrasal Verbs

1. Make up for (compensate for): “He tried to make up for his absence by working overtime.”
2. Add up to (amount to): “Small expenses can add up to a large sum over time.”
3. Boil down to (be reduced to): “The complex issue boils down to a matter of trust.”
4. Factor in (include as a factor): “We need to factor in the potential risks before making a decision.”
5. Sum up (summarize): “To sum up, the report highlights three main areas for improvement.”

Practice Exercises

Fill in the Blanks

1. Fossil fuels ___ for 70% of global energy consumption.
2. Can you ___ for your whereabouts last night?
3. The new policy aims to ___ for the needs of minority groups.
4. Stress ___ for many health problems in modern society.
5. How do you ___ for the discrepancy in the data?
6. Online sales ___ for a growing portion of the company’s revenue.
7. The manager must ___ for all expenses in the project budget.
8. Climate change ___ for the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.
9. Social media ___ for a significant portion of people’s daily screen time.
10. The theory fails to ___ for recent scientific discoveries.

Sentence Transformation

1. Original: The rise in temperature is due to greenhouse gas emissions.
   Rewrite: Greenhouse gas emissions ___ the rise in temperature.
2. Original: What’s your explanation for the delay?
   Rewrite: How do you ___ the delay?
3. Original: Half of the company’s profits come from overseas markets.
   Rewrite: Overseas markets ___ half of the company’s profits.
4. Original: Can you explain your absence yesterday?
   Rewrite: Can you ___ your absence yesterday?
5. Original: The new tax regulations are responsible for the increase in prices.
   Rewrite: The new tax regulations ___ the increase in prices.
6. Original: Technological advancements are the reason for increased productivity.
   Rewrite: Technological advancements ___ increased productivity.
7. Original: How do you explain the sudden change in customer behavior?
   Rewrite: How do you ___ the sudden change in customer behavior?
8. Original: Renewable energy sources make up 30% of the country’s power generation.
   Rewrite: Renewable energy sources ___ 30% of the country’s power generation.
9. Original: What’s the reason for the project’s failure?
   Rewrite: What ___ the project’s failure?
10. Original: The team leader is responsible for the project’s outcome.
    Rewrite: The team leader must ___ the project’s outcome.

Practice exercises for using "account for" in IELTS

Answers and Explanations

Fill in the Blanks:

1. account for
2. account for
3. account for
4. accounts for
5. account for
6. account for
7. account for
8. accounts for
9. accounts for
10. account for

Sentence Transformation:

1. account for
2. account for
3. account for
4. account for
5. account for
6. account for
7. account for
8. account for
9. accounts for
10. account for

Explanations:

• In all cases, ‘account for’ is used to explain, give reasons for, or represent a proportion of something.
• The verb form changes to ‘accounts for’ when the subject is singular (e.g., “Stress accounts for…”).
• The structure remains consistent: Subject + account(s) for + noun/noun phrase.

Memorization Tips

To remember ‘account for’, visualize an accountant explaining financial records. This imagery combines the idea of ‘accounting’ (financial responsibility) with ‘explaining’ or ‘being responsible for’ something.

Another helpful mnemonic: “AC counts FOR explanation” – AC (Account) counts FOR (giving reasons or explanations).

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Mistake: Using ‘of’ instead of ‘for’ (e.g., “account of”).
   Correction: Always use ‘for’ – “account for”.
2. Mistake: Separating the phrasal verb (e.g., “account fully for”).
   Correction: Keep ‘account’ and ‘for’ together – “fully account for”.
3. Mistake: Using it for future events.
   Correction: ‘Account for’ is typically used for past or present situations, not future predictions.
4. Mistake: Confusing with ‘take into account’.
   Correction: ‘Take into account’ means to consider, while ‘account for’ means to explain or represent.

Conclusion

Mastering ‘account for’ can significantly enhance your IELTS performance. Its versatility allows you to explain reasons, describe proportions, and demonstrate responsibility – all crucial aspects in both the Speaking and Writing modules. Regular practice and conscious application in your English usage will help you incorporate this phrasal verb naturally and effectively in your IELTS responses.

Remember, while ‘account for’ is a valuable addition to your vocabulary, it’s equally important to use a variety of expressions in your IELTS exam. Balancing ‘account for’ with other phrasal verbs and advanced vocabulary will showcase your language proficiency and help you achieve a higher score in IELTS.

As you prepare for your IELTS exam, consider how phrasal verbs like ‘account for’ can be applied to various topics. For instance, you might discuss how fast fashion companies should be held accountable for pollution, or explore corporate accountability for environmental sustainability. These real-world applications will not only improve your language skills but also broaden your understanding of current global issues, which is invaluable for the IELTS exam.