1. Definition and Explanation

The phrasal verb “bring up” is a versatile expression with multiple meanings, making it a valuable addition to your IELTS vocabulary. Let’s explore its primary definitions:

1. To raise or care for a child until adulthood
2. To mention or introduce a topic in conversation
3. To vomit (informal usage)

Synonyms for “bring up” include:

• Raise (for definition 1)
• Mention, introduce, raise (for definition 2)
• Throw up, vomit (for definition 3)

2. Contextual Usage

Understanding how to use “bring up” in different contexts is crucial for effective communication:

1. Formal context: “The study brings up several important points about climate change.”
2. Informal context: “I was brought up in a small town in the countryside.”
3. Written form: “The author brings up the issue of social inequality in chapter three.”
4. Spoken form: “Can we bring up the budget concerns at the next meeting?”

Contextual usage of 'bring up' in IELTS

3. Grammar Analysis

“Bring up” is a separable phrasal verb, meaning you can place the object between “bring” and “up” or after “up”:

• “She brought up an interesting point.” (Object after “up”)
• “She brought an interesting point up.” (Object between “bring” and “up”)

When using pronouns, they must come between “bring” and “up”:

• Correct: “She brought it up.”
• Incorrect: “She brought up it.”

4. Application in IELTS

Speaking Section

In the IELTS Speaking test, using “bring up” can demonstrate your vocabulary range and fluency. Here are some examples:

1. Part 1 (Introduction and Interview):
   Q: “How was your childhood?”
   A: “I was brought up in a loving family in a small coastal town.”

2. Part 2 (Individual Long Turn):
   Topic: Describe a person who had a significant influence on you.
   “I’d like to talk about my grandfather, who brought me up after my parents passed away…”

3. Part 3 (Two-way Discussion):
   Q: “How has education changed in recent years?”
   A: “One important point to bring up is the increasing use of technology in classrooms…”

Writing Section

In IELTS Writing, “bring up” can add sophistication to your essays:

1. Task 1 (Academic):
   “The graph brings up several interesting trends in global population growth.”

2. Task 2 (Academic/General):
   “This essay will bring up three main arguments in favor of renewable energy sources.”

Remember to use “bring up” judiciously, as overuse can make your writing seem informal.

5. Related Phrasal Verbs

To expand your vocabulary, here are some related phrasal verbs:

1. Grow up /ɡrəʊ ʌp/: To become an adult
   Example: “I grew up in a multicultural neighborhood.”

2. Raise /reɪz/: To bring up or care for (a child)
   Example: “My aunt raised me after my parents divorced.”

3. Bring forward /brɪŋ ˈfɔːwəd/: To move something to an earlier time or date
   Example: “The meeting was brought forward to 2 pm.”

4. Bring about /brɪŋ əˈbaʊt/: To cause something to happen
   Example: “The new policy brought about significant changes in the education system.”

5. Bring down /brɪŋ daʊn/: To reduce or lower something
   Example: “The government is trying to bring down inflation rates.”

6. Sum up /sʌm ʌp/: To give a brief statement of the main points
   Example: “To sum up, the experiment proved our initial hypothesis.”

7. Wrap up /ræp ʌp/: To finish or conclude something
   Example: “Let’s wrap up this meeting in the next five minutes.”

Infographic of related phrasal verbs to 'bring up'

6. Practice Exercises

Fill in the Blanks

1. The teacher __ __ an interesting point about climate change.
2. I was __ __ in a small village in the countryside.
3. Can we __ __ the issue of overtime at the next meeting?
4. She didn’t want to __ __ her past mistakes.
5. The documentary __ __ several important environmental concerns.
6. It’s not polite to __ __ sensitive topics at a dinner party.
7. The politician __ __ the need for education reform.
8. My grandparents __ me __ after my parents passed away.
9. The researcher __ __ some fascinating new data in her presentation.
10. We should __ __ the budget concerns before finalizing the project.

Sentence Transformation

1. Original: She mentioned the problem during the meeting.
   Transformed: She __ __ the problem during the meeting.

2. Original: My parents raised me to be honest and hardworking.
   Transformed: I was __ __ to be honest and hardworking.

3. Original: The report introduces several key issues.
   Transformed: The report __ __ several key issues.

4. Original: Can we discuss the new policy at tomorrow’s meeting?
   Transformed: Can we __ __ the new policy at tomorrow’s meeting?

5. Original: The author mentions climate change in the third chapter.
   Transformed: The author __ __ climate change in the third chapter.

6. Original: They raised their children in a multicultural environment.
   Transformed: They __ __ their children in a multicultural environment.

7. Original: The study highlights some interesting trends in consumer behavior.
   Transformed: The study __ __ some interesting trends in consumer behavior.

8. Original: Let’s not mention that embarrassing incident again.
   Transformed: Let’s not __ __ that embarrassing incident again.

9. Original: The manager introduced the new team members at the meeting.
   Transformed: The manager __ __ the new team members at the meeting.

10. Original: My grandmother cared for me during my childhood.
    Transformed: My grandmother __ me __ during my childhood.

Answers and Explanations

Fill in the Blanks:

1. brought up
2. brought up
3. bring up
4. bring up
5. brings up
6. bring up
7. brought up
8. brought, up
9. brought up
10. bring up

Sentence Transformation:

1. brought up
2. brought up
3. brings up
4. bring up
5. brings up
6. brought up
7. brings up
8. bring up
9. brought up
10. brought, up

Explanations:

• In sentences 1-7 and 9, “bring up” is used to mean “mention” or “introduce a topic.”
• In sentences 2, 6, and 10, “bring up” means “to raise or care for a child.”
• Note that in sentence 8, the phrasal verb is separated because it’s followed by a pronoun (me).

7. Memorization Tips

To effectively remember and use “bring up” in your IELTS exam:

1. Visual association: Picture a person lifting a child (bringing them up) or raising a hand to speak (bringing up a topic).

2. Contextual learning: Create personal sentences using “bring up” in different contexts relevant to your life.

3. Mnemonic device: “B.U.P.” – “Bringing Up Points” in conversation or “Bringing Up People” (raising children).

4. Practice regularly: Incorporate “bring up” into your daily conversations or writing exercises.

5. Relate to synonyms: Connect “bring up” with its synonyms (raise, mention, introduce) to reinforce its meanings.

8. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Incorrect separation with pronouns:
   Incorrect: “She brought up it in the meeting.”
   Correct: “She brought it up in the meeting.”

2. Confusion with similar phrasal verbs:
   Be careful not to confuse “bring up” with “grow up” or “bring about.”

3. Overuse in formal writing:
   While “bring up” is versatile, use it sparingly in academic writing. Consider alternatives like “introduce” or “discuss” for variety.

4. Misusing tenses:
   Remember to use the correct tense. “I was brought up” (past) vs. “I am bringing up my children” (present continuous).

5. Inappropriate use of the informal meaning:
   Avoid using “bring up” to mean “vomit” in formal contexts or IELTS exams.

9. Conclusion

Mastering the phrasal verb “bring up” can significantly enhance your performance in the IELTS exam. Its versatility allows you to express ideas about childhood, discussion topics, and more. Remember to practice using it in various contexts, pay attention to its grammatical structure, and be mindful of its different meanings. By incorporating “bring up” naturally into your language, you’ll demonstrate a higher level of English proficiency, potentially boosting your IELTS score.

To further improve your phrasal verb usage, consider exploring related expressions like “grow up” and “catch up”. Regular practice and exposure to these phrases in context will help you use them confidently and accurately in your IELTS Speaking and Writing tasks.