Master ‘Come up with’ to Ace Your IELTS Speaking Test

Phrasal verbs are essential components of the English language, and mastering them can significantly boost your IELTS score. In this article, we’ll focus on the phrasal verb “come up with” and explore how to effectively use it in your IELTS Speaking test.

1. Definition and Explanation

“Come up with” is a phrasal verb that means to think of or produce an idea, plan, or solution. It’s often used when discussing creativity, problem-solving, or innovation. Synonyms include “devise,” “conceive,” or “think of.”

2. Usage in Context

Here are some examples of how to use “come up with” in different contexts:

• Formal: “The research team came up with a groundbreaking solution to reduce carbon emissions.”
• Informal: “I can’t come up with any good ideas for my birthday party.”
• Written: “In her essay, she came up with several compelling arguments to support her thesis.”
• Spoken: “Let’s brainstorm and see if we can come up with some creative marketing strategies.”

3. Grammar Analysis

“Come up with” is an inseparable phrasal verb, meaning that you cannot place an object between “come” and “up with.” The correct structure is:

Subject + come up with + object

For example:

• Correct: “She came up with a brilliant idea.”
• Incorrect: “She came a brilliant idea up with.”

4. Application in IELTS

In IELTS Speaking:

Using “come up with” can demonstrate your ability to use idiomatic language naturally. Here are some ways to incorporate it into your responses:

• When discussing problem-solving: “When faced with challenges, I always try to come up with innovative solutions.”
• Talking about creativity: “As an artist, I constantly need to come up with fresh ideas for my paintings.”
• Describing decision-making processes: “Our team had to come up with a new marketing strategy to boost sales.”

Using 'Come up with' in IELTS Speaking Test

In IELTS Writing:

While “come up with” is more commonly used in spoken English, it can be incorporated into your writing tasks as well. However, be mindful of the formality level required:

• Task 1 (Academic): “The graph shows that scientists came up with new technologies to improve crop yields.”
• Task 2: “Governments need to come up with effective policies to address climate change.”

5. Related Phrasal Verbs

1. Think up /θɪŋk ʌp/: To invent or create an idea or plan.
   Example: “We need to think up a solution to this problem quickly.”

2. Dream up /driːm ʌp/: To imagine or invent, often something unrealistic.
   Example: “She’s always dreaming up wild stories for her novels.”

3. Conjure up /ˈkʌndʒər ʌp/: To make something appear as if by magic.
   Example: “The chef conjured up a delicious meal from the few ingredients we had.”

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

5. Cook up /kʊk ʌp/: To invent a story or plan, often dishonestly.
   Example: “He cooked up an excuse for being late to the meeting.”

6. Practice Exercises

Fill in the blanks:

1. The marketing team needs to __ __ __ a new slogan for our brand.
2. Can you __ __ __ any ideas for the school fundraiser?
3. Scientists are trying to __ __ __ solutions to global warming.
4. I can’t __ __ __ an excuse for missing the deadline.
5. The government must __ __ __ effective strategies to reduce unemployment.

Rewrite the sentences:

1. They invented a new method to purify water.
   They __ __ __ a new method to purify water.

2. Our team needs to create innovative ideas for the project.
   Our team needs to __ __ __ innovative ideas for the project.

3. The author imagined an intriguing plot for her latest novel.
   The author __ __ __ an intriguing plot for her latest novel.

4. Can you think of a way to solve this problem?
   Can you __ __ __ a way to solve this problem?

5. The company devised a plan to increase productivity.
   The company __ __ __ a plan to increase productivity.

(Answers and explanations will be provided at the end of the article)

7. Memorization Tips

To remember “come up with,” visualize someone climbing up a ladder (come up) and pulling an idea out of a hat at the top (with). This mental image can help reinforce the meaning of generating or producing an idea.

Another technique is to create a memorable sentence: “Clever Olivia Must Easily Come Up With Ideas.” The first letters spell out “COME UP WITH,” making it easier to recall the phrasal verb.

8. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Incorrect word order: Remember, “come up with” is inseparable.
   Incorrect: “She came an idea up with.”
   Correct: “She came up with an idea.”

2. Confusion with similar phrases: Don’t confuse “come up with” with “come up to” (approach) or “come up against” (encounter a problem).

3. Overuse: While it’s good to use phrasal verbs, don’t overuse “come up with” in your IELTS responses. Vary your vocabulary to showcase your language skills.

Common Mistakes Using 'Come up with'

9. Conclusion

Mastering phrasal verbs like “come up with” can significantly enhance your performance in the IELTS Speaking and Writing tests. By understanding its meaning, usage, and incorporating it naturally into your language, you’ll demonstrate a higher level of English proficiency. Remember to practice using “come up with” in various contexts and combine it with other vocabulary to create more dynamic and engaging responses.

To further improve your IELTS skills, check out our guides on how to come up with ideas for IELTS writing and what to do if you can’t come up with a good answer in IELTS speaking. These resources will help you develop strategies to generate ideas quickly and effectively during your IELTS test.

Answers to Practice Exercises:

Fill in the blanks:

1. come up with
2. come up with
3. come up with
4. come up with
5. come up with

Rewrite the sentences:

1. They came up with a new method to purify water.
2. Our team needs to come up with innovative ideas for the project.
3. The author came up with an intriguing plot for her latest novel.
4. Can you come up with a way to solve this problem?
5. The company came up with a plan to increase productivity.

Explanation: In all these sentences, “come up with” is used to express the idea of creating, inventing, or producing a solution, idea, or plan. This phrasal verb is versatile and can be used in various contexts, making it a valuable addition to your IELTS vocabulary.