Mastering ‘Abide by’: Your Key to IELTS Speaking Success

IELTS Mentor

1 week ago

Understanding ‘Abide by’ and Its Importance in IELTS

‘Abide by’ is a crucial phrasal verb that IELTS candidates should master to enhance their speaking and writing skills. This versatile expression is frequently used in both formal and informal contexts, making it particularly valuable for the IELTS exam. Understanding and effectively using ‘abide by’ can significantly improve your language proficiency and help you achieve a higher score.

Definition and Explanation

‘Abide by’ means to accept or follow a decision, rule, or agreement. It implies adhering to or obeying something, usually a set of rules, laws, or terms. This phrasal verb is often used in legal, professional, and everyday contexts.

Synonyms for ‘abide by’ include:

Comply with
Adhere to
Observe
Respect
Follow

Usage in Context

Here are some examples of how ‘abide by’ can be used in different contexts:

Formal: “All citizens must abide by the laws of the country.”
Professional: “Employees are expected to abide by the company’s code of conduct.”
Everyday: “We agreed to abide by the rules of the game.”
Academic: “Researchers must abide by ethical guidelines when conducting experiments.”

Abide by usage in different contexts

Grammar Analysis

‘Abide by’ is an inseparable phrasal verb, meaning that ‘abide’ and ‘by’ cannot be separated by other words. The object always comes after ‘by’. For example:

Correct: “We must abide by the contract.”
Incorrect: “We must abide the contract by.”

In terms of sentence structure, ‘abide by’ is typically followed by a noun or noun phrase representing the rule, law, or agreement being followed.

Application in IELTS

Speaking

In the IELTS Speaking test, using ‘abide by’ can demonstrate your ability to use advanced vocabulary and phrasal verbs effectively. Here are some examples of how you might use it:

Question: “What are some important rules in your workplace or school?”
Sample answer: “In my workplace, we have to abide by several important rules. For instance, we must abide by strict confidentiality agreements to protect our clients’ information. Additionally, all employees are expected to abide by the dress code, which helps maintain a professional atmosphere.”

Writing

In IELTS Writing, ‘abide by’ can be used to express ideas related to rules, laws, or agreements. It’s particularly useful in Task 2 essays discussing social issues, government policies, or international relations.

Example: “It is crucial for nations to abide by international environmental agreements to combat climate change effectively.”

Remember to use ‘abide by’ judiciously, as overusing any phrasal verb can make your writing seem repetitive.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Comply with /kəmˈplaɪ wɪð/: To act in accordance with a wish or command.
Example: “All citizens must comply with the new traffic regulations.”
Adhere to /ədˈhɪər tuː/: To stick to or follow closely (a rule, belief, or method).
Example: “The company strictly adheres to safety protocols.”
Stick to /stɪk tuː/: To continue to do or use something, especially when it is difficult.
Example: “Despite challenges, we decided to stick to our original plan.”
Live up to /lɪv ʌp tuː/: To fulfill expectations or promises.
Example: “The new employee is trying hard to live up to the company’s standards.”
Go along with /ɡoʊ əˈlɔːŋ wɪð/: To agree with or support someone or something.
Example: “Although skeptical, I decided to go along with my friend’s suggestion.”

Comparison of related phrasal verbs

Practice Exercises

Fill in the Blanks

Employees must __ __ the company’s dress code.
It’s important to __ __ traffic rules to ensure safety.
Students are expected to __ __ the university’s academic integrity policy.
All team members agreed to __ __ the decision made in the meeting.
Travelers must __ __ local customs when visiting foreign countries.
The government insists that all citizens __ __ the new regulations.
Athletes must __ __ strict training schedules to maintain their performance.
It’s crucial for businesses to __ __ environmental protection laws.
Participants in the study were asked to __ __ certain dietary restrictions.
To maintain harmony, family members should __ __ agreed-upon household rules.

Sentence Rewriting

Original: The company follows all safety regulations.
Rewrite: The company __ __ all safety regulations.
Original: We must respect the terms of the contract.
Rewrite: We must __ __ the terms of the contract.
Original: She always adheres to her personal code of ethics.
Rewrite: She always __ __ her personal code of ethics.
Original: The team agreed to follow the coach’s instructions.
Rewrite: The team agreed to __ __ the coach’s instructions.
Original: Countries should comply with international treaties.
Rewrite: Countries should __ __ international treaties.
Original: It’s important to observe the rules of the game.
Rewrite: It’s important to __ __ the rules of the game.
Original: The organization strictly follows environmental guidelines.
Rewrite: The organization strictly __ __ environmental guidelines.
Original: All citizens are expected to obey the law.
Rewrite: All citizens are expected to __ __ the law.
Original: Students must adhere to the school’s code of conduct.
Rewrite: Students must __ __ the school’s code of conduct.
Original: The company pledged to respect the agreement.
Rewrite: The company pledged to __ __ the agreement.

Answers and Explanations

Fill in the Blanks:

abide by
abide by
abide by
abide by
abide by
abide by
abide by
abide by
abide by
abide by

Explanation: In all these sentences, ‘abide by’ is used to express the idea of following or complying with rules, regulations, or agreements.

Sentence Rewriting:

The company abides by all safety regulations.
We must abide by the terms of the contract.
She always abides by her personal code of ethics.
The team agreed to abide by the coach’s instructions.
Countries should abide by international treaties.
It’s important to abide by the rules of the game.
The organization strictly abides by environmental guidelines.
All citizens are expected to abide by the law.
Students must abide by the school’s code of conduct.
The company pledged to abide by the agreement.

Explanation: In each rewritten sentence, ‘abide by’ replaces synonymous expressions like ‘follow’, ‘respect’, ‘adhere to’, ‘comply with’, and ‘observe’. This demonstrates how versatile and useful ‘abide by’ can be in various contexts.

Tips for Memorization

To effectively memorize and use ‘abide by’, consider the following tips:

Break it down: ‘Abide’ means to accept or continue, and ‘by’ in this context means ‘according to’. Together, they form the idea of accepting and following something.
Create a mental image: Picture yourself standing firmly (abiding) next to (by) a rulebook or contract. This visual association can help reinforce the meaning.
Use it in daily life: Try to incorporate ‘abide by’ into your everyday conversations. The more you use it, the more natural it will become.
Create memorable phrases: Come up with catchy phrases like “Always abide by what’s right” to help cement the phrasal verb in your memory.
Practice with news articles: Look for news stories about laws, regulations, or agreements, and try to rephrase sentences using ‘abide by’.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Incorrect word order: Remember, ‘abide by’ is inseparable. Always keep ‘abide’ and ‘by’ together.
Incorrect: “We must abide the rules by.”
Correct: “We must abide by the rules.”
Confusing with similar phrases: Don’t mix up ‘abide by’ with ‘abide with’ (which means to live with or tolerate).
Incorrect: “We need to abide with the regulations.”
Correct: “We need to abide by the regulations.”
Overuse: While ‘abide by’ is useful, avoid overusing it. Vary your language with synonyms like ‘comply with’ or ‘adhere to’ when appropriate.
Incorrect preposition: Some learners mistakenly use ‘to’ instead of ‘by’.
Incorrect: “You should abide to the agreement.”
Correct: “You should abide by the agreement.”
Using it with abstract concepts: ‘Abide by’ is typically used with concrete rules, laws, or agreements, not abstract ideas.
Incorrect: “We must abide by honesty.”
Correct: “We must abide by the principles of honesty.”

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can use ‘abide by’ more accurately and effectively in your IELTS exam and everyday English usage.

Conclusion

Mastering the phrasal verb ‘abide by’ is a valuable asset for IELTS candidates. Its versatility in both formal and informal contexts makes it an excellent tool for enhancing your speaking and writing skills. By understanding its definition, usage, and related phrasal verbs, and by practicing with the provided exercises, you can confidently incorporate ‘abide by’ into your English language repertoire. Remember to use it naturally and appropriately, and you’ll be well on your way to improving your IELTS score and overall English proficiency.

As you continue to prepare for your IELTS exam, consider exploring other aspects of language and communication that can enhance your performance. For instance, understanding the unique aspects of human and animal communication can provide valuable insights into language use and evolution. Additionally, reflecting on topics like the importance of ethical leadership can help you develop more nuanced perspectives for IELTS Writing and Speaking tasks. These broader areas of knowledge can complement your language skills and contribute to a more well-rounded performance in the IELTS exam.