Mastering ‘Bank on’ for IELTS Success: A Comprehensive Guide

1. Definition and Explanation

The phrasal verb “bank on” is an essential expression for IELTS learners to master. It means to rely on or depend on something or someone with confidence, especially in terms of future plans or expectations.

Synonyms for “bank on” include:

• Count on
• Depend on
• Rely on
• Trust in

“Bank on” is often used in both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile for various IELTS tasks.

2. Contextual Usage

Here are some examples of how to use “bank on” in different contexts:

• Informal: “I’m banking on my friend to help me move this weekend.”
• Formal: “The company is banking on the success of its new product to increase market share.”
• Speaking: “I’m banking on my hard work to get me through this exam.”
• Writing: “Many developing countries bank on tourism as a significant source of income.”

3. Grammatical Analysis

“Bank on” is an inseparable phrasal verb, meaning the verb and preposition cannot be separated by an object. The correct structure is:

Subject + bank on + object

For example:

• Correct: “We bank on your support.”
• Incorrect: “We bank your support on.”

4. Application in IELTS

In IELTS Speaking:

Using “bank on” can demonstrate your command of idiomatic expressions, potentially boosting your vocabulary score. Here’s an example of how to use it in response to a common IELTS Speaking question:

Question: “What are your plans after graduation?”
Sample answer: “After graduation, I’m banking on securing a position in a multinational corporation. I believe my degree and internship experience will give me a competitive edge in the job market.”

In IELTS Writing:

Incorporating “bank on” in your essays can add sophistication to your writing. However, use it judiciously, ensuring it fits the context and tone of your essay.

Example for Task 2: “In today’s competitive job market, graduates cannot solely bank on their academic qualifications. They must also develop practical skills to stand out to potential employers.”

Mastering 'Bank on' for IELTS Success

5. Related Phrasal Verbs

To expand your vocabulary, here are some related phrasal verbs with their meanings and example sentences:

1. Count on /kaʊnt ɒn/: to depend on or rely on
   Example: “You can always count on your family for support.”

2. Fall back on /fɔːl bæk ɒn/: to rely on something when other options fail
   Example: “If the job doesn’t work out, I can fall back on my savings.”

3. Bet on /bet ɒn/: to be confident about something happening
   Example: “I wouldn’t bet on the weather being good for our picnic tomorrow.”

4. Lean on /liːn ɒn/: to depend on someone for support
   Example: “During difficult times, it’s important to lean on your friends.”

5. Hedge against /hedʒ əˈɡenst/: to protect against possible loss
   Example: “Many investors buy gold to hedge against inflation.”

6. Cash in on /kæʃ ɪn ɒn/: to take advantage of or profit from a situation
   Example: “The company is trying to cash in on the growing demand for organic products.”

7. Pin hopes on /pɪn həʊps ɒn/: to expect something to happen or someone to do something
   Example: “The team is pinning their hopes on winning the championship this year.”

6. Practice Exercises

Fill in the blanks:

1. The government is ___ on economic growth to reduce unemployment.
2. Don’t ___ on winning the lottery; it’s not a reliable financial plan.
3. We’re ___ on good weather for our outdoor wedding next month.
4. Many retirees ___ on their pension funds for financial security.
5. The company is ___ on its new technology to revolutionize the industry.
6. Students often ___ on their parents for financial support during university.
7. You shouldn’t ___ on getting a promotion without putting in extra effort.
8. The charity ___ on donations to continue its important work.
9. I’m ___ on my savings to cover the cost of the trip.
10. Politicians often ___ on public support to pass new legislation.

Rewrite the sentences:

1. We’re depending on your assistance for this project.
   Rewrite: We’re ___ your assistance for this project.

2. The team relies on their star player to score goals.
   Rewrite: The team ___ their star player to score goals.

3. Don’t expect me to always be available to help you.
   Rewrite: Don’t ___ me to always be available to help you.

4. The success of the event depends on good weather.
   Rewrite: The success of the event is ___ good weather.

5. I’m confident that my experience will help me get the job.
   Rewrite: I’m ___ my experience to help me get the job.

6. Many businesses rely on seasonal sales for their annual profits.
   Rewrite: Many businesses ___ seasonal sales for their annual profits.

7. You shouldn’t count on winning; the competition is very tough.
   Rewrite: You shouldn’t ___ winning; the competition is very tough.

8. The company depends on innovation to stay ahead of competitors.
   Rewrite: The company ___ innovation to stay ahead of competitors.

9. We’re confident that the new strategy will increase our market share.
   Rewrite: We’re ___ the new strategy to increase our market share.

10. Don’t rely on luck; prepare thoroughly for your interview.
    Rewrite: Don’t ___ luck; prepare thoroughly for your interview.

Answers and Explanations:

Fill in the blanks:

1. banking, 2. bank, 3. banking, 4. bank, 5. banking, 6. bank, 7. bank, 8. banks, 9. banking, 10. bank

Rewrite the sentences:

1. We’re banking on your assistance for this project.
2. The team banks on their star player to score goals.
3. Don’t bank on me to always be available to help you.
4. The success of the event is banking on good weather.
5. I’m banking on my experience to help me get the job.
6. Many businesses bank on seasonal sales for their annual profits.
7. You shouldn’t bank on winning; the competition is very tough.
8. The company banks on innovation to stay ahead of competitors.
9. We’re banking on the new strategy to increase our market share.
10. Don’t bank on luck; prepare thoroughly for your interview.

Explanation: In each sentence, we’ve replaced the original verb or phrase with “bank on” or its appropriate form. This exercise helps reinforce the usage and versatility of the phrasal verb in different contexts.

7. Memorization Tips

To help remember “bank on,” visualize a piggy bank filled with your hopes and expectations. Just as you trust a bank to keep your money safe, you “bank on” something or someone to fulfill your expectations.

Another memory aid is to think of the phrase “You can take that to the bank,” which means you can be certain about something. This connects the idea of reliability with banking.

Visual Aid for Memorizing 'Bank on'

8. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Mistake: Using “bank in” instead of “bank on”
   Correct: “I’m banking on getting a promotion this year.”
   Incorrect: “I’m banking in getting a promotion this year.”

2. Mistake: Separating the phrasal verb
   Correct: “We bank on your support.”
   Incorrect: “We bank your support on.”

3. Mistake: Overusing in formal writing
   While “bank on” is acceptable in formal contexts, overuse can make your writing seem less academic. Use it sparingly in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays, balancing it with other expressions.

4. Mistake: Misunderstanding the level of certainty
   “Bank on” implies a high level of confidence but not absolute certainty. Be cautious about using it for things that are completely guaranteed.

To avoid these mistakes, practice using “bank on” in various contexts and review your usage regularly. Pay attention to how native speakers use the phrase in different situations.

9. Conclusion

Mastering phrasal verbs like “bank on” can significantly enhance your IELTS performance. It demonstrates a nuanced understanding of English and can help you express complex ideas more efficiently. Remember to use it appropriately in both speaking and writing tasks, and always consider the context and formality level.

As you prepare for your IELTS exam, don’t just bank on memorizing vocabulary lists. Instead, focus on understanding and using phrases in context. This approach will not only improve your IELTS score but also enhance your overall English proficiency.

For more insights on how language evolution impacts various sectors, including banking, check out our article on how AI is transforming banking. This will help you understand the broader context of language use in professional settings, which can be valuable for IELTS preparation.

Practice regularly, seek opportunities to use “bank on” in your everyday English conversations, and you’ll find yourself using it naturally in your IELTS exam. Good luck with your preparation!