Understanding the Phrasal Verb ‘Bear out’
The phrasal verb ‘bear out’ is a valuable linguistic tool that can significantly enhance your IELTS performance. This versatile expression not only demonstrates a higher level of English proficiency but also adds depth and precision to your communication.
Definition and Explanation
‘Bear out’ primarily means to confirm or support the truth of something. It’s often used when evidence or facts prove that a statement, theory, or prediction is correct. Synonyms include ‘confirm,’ ‘substantiate,’ or ‘corroborate.’
Contextual Usage
In formal contexts:
- “The latest research findings bear out our initial hypothesis.”
- “The statistics bear out the government’s claims of economic growth.”
In informal situations:
- “My friend’s experience bears out what I’ve been saying about the job market.”
- “The weather forecast was borne out by the sudden downpour.”
Contextual usage of 'bear out' in IELTS
Grammatical Analysis
‘Bear out’ is a separable phrasal verb. This means the object can come between ‘bear’ and ‘out’ or after ‘out.’
- “The evidence bears out the theory.” (Object after the phrasal verb)
- “The evidence bears the theory out.” (Object between the verb and particle)
When using pronouns, they must come between ‘bear’ and ‘out’:
- “The results bear it out.” (Correct)
- “The results bear out it.” (Incorrect)
Application in IELTS
Speaking Section
In the IELTS Speaking test, using ‘bear out’ can demonstrate your advanced vocabulary and grasp of complex language structures.
Example response to “Do you think social media has changed the way people communicate?”:
“Recent studies bear out the belief that social media has dramatically altered communication patterns. For instance, research bears out the claim that people now prefer shorter, more frequent interactions rather than lengthy conversations.”
Writing Section
In IELTS Writing, ‘bear out’ can be effectively used in Task 2 essays to support arguments with evidence.
Example:
“Statistics from the World Health Organization bear out the assertion that regular exercise significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. This is further borne out by numerous long-term studies on physical activity and health outcomes.”
Related Phrasal Verbs
-
Bring out (/ brɪŋ aʊt /): To emphasize or make more noticeable.
Example: “The new lighting brings out the colors in the painting.” -
Carry out (/ ˈkæri aʊt /): To perform or conduct.
Example: “Scientists are carrying out experiments to test the new drug.” -
Point out (/ pɔɪnt aʊt /): To draw attention to or indicate.
Example: “The teacher pointed out several errors in my essay.” -
Work out (/ wɜːrk aʊt /): To solve or to exercise.
Example: “We need to work out a solution to this problem.” -
Turn out (/ tɜːrn aʊt /): To prove to be in the end.
Example: “The party turned out to be a great success.”
Practice Exercises
Fill in the Blanks
- The recent survey results __ __ the government’s claims about improved air quality.
- Her prediction about the market crash was __ __ by subsequent events.
- The experiment __ __ the scientist’s theory about cell regeneration.
- The sales figures __ __ the marketing team’s strategy.
- Historical records __ __ the legend of the ancient city’s existence.
- The witness’s testimony __ __ the defendant’s alibi.
- Recent discoveries __ __ the archaeologist’s assumptions about the site.
- The company’s success __ __ the CEO’s innovative approach.
- The medical tests __ __ the doctor’s initial diagnosis.
- The economic data __ __ the expert’s forecast of a recession.
Sentence Transformation
-
The evidence confirms the police’s suspicions.
The evidence __ __ the police’s suspicions. -
Recent studies support the theory of climate change.
Recent studies __ __ the theory of climate change. -
The audit results validate the accountant’s concerns.
The audit results __ __ the accountant’s concerns. -
New research substantiates the benefits of meditation.
New research __ __ the benefits of meditation. -
The sales data corroborate the marketing strategy’s effectiveness.
The sales data __ __ the marketing strategy’s effectiveness. -
The experiment results confirm the scientist’s hypothesis.
The experiment results __ __ the scientist’s hypothesis. -
Historical documents support the historian’s interpretation of events.
Historical documents __ __ the historian’s interpretation of events. -
The survey findings validate the company’s decision to expand.
The survey findings __ __ the company’s decision to expand. -
Recent observations confirm the astronomers’ predictions about the comet.
Recent observations __ __ the astronomers’ predictions about the comet. -
The latest statistics support the government’s economic policies.
The latest statistics __ __ the government’s economic policies.
Answers and Explanations
Fill in the Blanks:
- bear out
- borne out
- bore out
- bore out
- bear out
- bore out
- bear out
- bears out
- bore out
- bear out
Sentence Transformation:
- The evidence bears out the police’s suspicions.
- Recent studies bear out the theory of climate change.
- The audit results bear out the accountant’s concerns.
- New research bears out the benefits of meditation.
- The sales data bear out the marketing strategy’s effectiveness.
- The experiment results bear out the scientist’s hypothesis.
- Historical documents bear out the historian’s interpretation of events.
- The survey findings bear out the company’s decision to expand.
- Recent observations bear out the astronomers’ predictions about the comet.
- The latest statistics bear out the government’s economic policies.
Explanation: In each case, ‘bear out’ is used to replace synonyms like confirm, support, validate, substantiate, and corroborate. The tense may vary (bear out, bears out, bore out, borne out) depending on the context and time frame of the action.
Memorization Tips
To remember ‘bear out,’ visualize a bear carrying a sign that says “TRUTH” out of a cave. This image represents the phrasal verb’s meaning of bringing forth or supporting the truth of something.
Another technique is to create a mnemonic: “BEARs Only Understand Truth” – the first letters spell out ‘BOUT,’ reminding you of ‘bear out’ and its connection to confirming truth.
Visual mnemonic for 'bear out'
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
-
Confusion with ‘bear with’: ‘Bear with’ means to be patient, while ‘bear out’ means to confirm.
Incorrect: “Please bear out while I check your reservation.”
Correct: “Please bear with me while I check your reservation.” -
Using the wrong tense:
Incorrect: “The results have bear out our theory.”
Correct: “The results have borne out our theory.” -
Incorrect word order with pronouns:
Incorrect: “The evidence bears out it.”
Correct: “The evidence bears it out.” -
Overuse in informal contexts:
While ‘bear out’ is versatile, it’s more common in formal or academic settings. In very casual conversations, simpler alternatives like ‘prove’ or ‘show’ might be more natural.
To avoid these mistakes, practice using ‘bear out’ in various contexts and tenses. Pay attention to its formal tone and ensure you’re using it to express confirmation or support of a statement or theory.
Conclusion
Mastering the phrasal verb ‘bear out’ can significantly enhance your IELTS performance. Its precise meaning and formal tone make it particularly useful in academic and professional contexts, aligning well with the requirements of the IELTS exam. By incorporating ‘bear out’ into your speaking and writing, you demonstrate a sophisticated command of English, potentially boosting your scores.
Remember to practice using ‘bear out’ in various contexts and tenses. Pay attention to its separability and correct usage with pronouns. With consistent practice, you’ll find that this phrasal verb becomes a natural part of your English expression, helping you to articulate your ideas more effectively in the IELTS test and beyond.
For more insights on improving your IELTS performance, consider exploring related topics such as the impact of climate change on polar bears or how to describe a person passionate about social causes. These resources can provide additional context and vocabulary to enrich your language skills further.
