Master ‘Add up’ to Boost Your IELTS Speaking Score

1. Definition and Explanation

The phrasal verb “add up” is a versatile expression that can significantly enhance your IELTS performance. It primarily means to calculate the total of a group of numbers or to make sense or seem reasonable.

Primary meanings:

1. To calculate a total: “Let’s add up the expenses for our trip.”
2. To make sense or be logical: “His story doesn’t add up; there are too many inconsistencies.”

Synonyms:

• To calculate a total: sum up, total, tally
• To make sense: make sense, be logical, be consistent

2. Usage in Context

“Add up” can be used in both formal and informal settings, making it a valuable addition to your IELTS vocabulary.

Formal context:

“The accountant needs to add up all the expenses before filing the tax return.”

Informal context:

“I can’t figure out why my bank statement doesn’t add up this month.”

3. Grammar Analysis

“Add up” is a separable phrasal verb, meaning the object can be placed between “add” and “up” or after “up.”

• Separable: “Can you add the numbers up?” or “Can you add up the numbers?”
• With pronouns: “Can you add them up?” (Not: “Can you add up them?”)

Grammar analysis of 'add up' phrasal verb

4. Application in IELTS

In IELTS Speaking:

Using “add up” can demonstrate your grasp of idiomatic English, potentially boosting your vocabulary score.

Example response to “Describe a situation where you had to solve a problem”:

“Last month, I noticed my monthly expenses didn’t add up. After carefully reviewing my receipts, I realized I had forgotten to include some cash purchases. This experience taught me the importance of keeping track of all expenses, no matter how small.”

In IELTS Writing:

While “add up” is more common in speech, it can be used effectively in writing tasks, especially in Task 2 essays discussing financial topics or logical arguments.

Example:
“Many argue that the benefits of remote work add up to significant cost savings for both employees and employers.”

5. Related Phrasal Verbs

1. Sum up /sʌm ʌp/ – To give a brief statement of the main points
   Example: “To sum up, the advantages of this approach outweigh the disadvantages.”

2. Tally up /ˈtæli ʌp/ – To count or calculate a total
   Example: “After the fundraiser, we need to tally up the donations.”

3. Figure out /ˈfɪɡər aʊt/ – To understand or solve something
   Example: “I’m trying to figure out why the numbers don’t add up in this report.”

4. Work out /wɜːrk aʊt/ – To calculate or solve
   Example: “Can you work out how much we’ll save if we switch to this new supplier?”

5. Come to /kʌm tuː/ – To amount to a particular total
   Example: “The total cost comes to $500, including tax and shipping.”

Infographic of related phrasal verbs

6. Practice Exercises

Fill in the blanks:

1. Can you __ __ these figures for me? I need the total.
2. His explanation doesn’t __ __. Something seems off.
3. After __ __ all the pros and cons, we decided to go ahead with the project.
4. The cashier needs to __ __ the day’s sales before closing.
5. I’m trying to __ __ why my budget is off this month.
6. The cost of living in big cities often __ __ to a significant amount.
7. Let’s __ __ the main points of our discussion before we end the meeting.
8. The accountant will __ __ all the expenses for the tax report.
9. We need to __ __ how much we’ve spent on this project so far.
10. The benefits of regular exercise __ __ to improved overall health.

Sentence Transformation:

1. Original: The total cost is $500.
   Transformed: The expenses __ __ __ $500.

2. Original: His story doesn’t make sense.
   Transformed: His story doesn’t __ __.

3. Original: Can you calculate the total of these numbers?
   Transformed: Can you __ __ these numbers?

4. Original: Let’s summarize the main points of the meeting.
   Transformed: Let’s __ __ the main points of the meeting.

5. Original: I’m trying to understand why this happened.
   Transformed: I’m trying to __ __ why this happened.

6. Original: The cashier is counting the day’s sales.
   Transformed: The cashier is __ __ the day’s sales.

7. Original: We need to calculate how much we’ve spent so far.
   Transformed: We need to __ __ how much we’ve spent so far.

8. Original: The benefits amount to a significant improvement in quality of life.
   Transformed: The benefits __ __ __ a significant improvement in quality of life.

9. Original: Can you give a brief statement of your main arguments?
   Transformed: Can you __ __ your main arguments?

10. Original: We’re trying to solve this complex problem.
    Transformed: We’re trying to __ __ this complex problem.

Answers and Explanations:

Fill in the blanks:

1. add up
2. add up
3. adding up
4. tally up
5. figure out
6. adds up
7. sum up
8. add up
9. work out
10. add up

Sentence Transformation:

1. add up to
2. add up
3. add up
4. sum up
5. figure out
6. tallying up
7. work out
8. add up to
9. sum up
10. figure out

Explanations:

1. “Add up” is used to calculate a total.
2. “Add up” means to make sense or be logical.
3. “Adding up” is used for ongoing calculations or considerations.
4. “Tally up” is often used in retail contexts for counting sales.
5. “Figure out” means to understand or solve a problem.
6. “Adds up” is used when a total reaches a significant amount.
7. “Sum up” means to briefly state the main points.
8. “Add up” is used for calculating expenses.
9. “Work out” means to calculate or solve.
10. “Add up” is used to describe cumulative benefits.

For the sentence transformations, we’ve used various phrasal verbs that maintain the original meaning while demonstrating different ways to express similar ideas using idiomatic English.

7. Memory Tips

To remember “add up,” visualize a calculator adding numbers vertically, with the total appearing at the bottom. This image reinforces both meanings:

1. Calculating a total (numbers literally adding up)
2. Making sense (when things logically “stack up” or align)

Another mnemonic device: “When facts ADD UP, they stack UP to the truth.”

8. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Mistake: Using “add up” as a transitive verb without “up”
   Incorrect: “Can you add the numbers?” (when meaning to calculate the total)
   Correct: “Can you add up the numbers?” or “Can you add the numbers up?”

2. Mistake: Using “add up” when a single-word verb would be more appropriate in formal writing
   Less formal: “The evidence doesn’t add up.”
   More formal: “The evidence is inconsistent.”

3. Mistake: Confusing “add up” with “add on”
   “Add up” means to calculate a total or make sense
   “Add on” means to include an extra item or charge

To avoid these mistakes, practice using “add up” in various contexts and be mindful of the formality of your language, especially in IELTS Writing tasks.

9. Conclusion

Mastering phrasal verbs like “add up” can significantly enhance your IELTS performance by demonstrating a nuanced understanding of English. Remember to use it appropriately in both speaking and writing tasks, considering the context and formality level. Regular practice with exercises and real-life applications will help solidify your grasp of this versatile phrasal verb.

For more tips on improving your IELTS performance, check out our guide on IELTS Speaking follow-up question techniques. Additionally, expanding your phrasal verb repertoire with expressions like “show up” can further enhance your language skills.