Mastering ‘Do away with’ for IELTS Success: A Comprehensive Guide

IELTS Mentor

2 months ago

1. Definition and Explanation

The phrasal verb “do away with” is a crucial expression for IELTS learners to master. It means to abolish, eliminate, or get rid of something completely. This versatile phrase can be used in various contexts, making it valuable for both the Speaking and Writing sections of the IELTS exam.

Synonyms for “do away with” include:

Abolish
Eliminate
Eradicate
Remove
Get rid of

Understanding the nuances of “do away with” can help you express ideas more precisely and naturally in English.

2. Usage in Context

“Do away with” is commonly used in both formal and informal settings. Here are some examples:

Formal: “The government plans to do away with outdated regulations.”
Informal: “We should do away with these old furniture pieces.”
Academic: “Researchers suggest doing away with traditional teaching methods in favor of more interactive approaches.”
Business: “The company decided to do away with the dress code policy.”

Examples of 'Do away with' usage

3. Grammar Analysis

“Do away with” is an inseparable phrasal verb, meaning that the object always comes after the entire phrase. For example:

Correct: “They want to do away with the old system.”
Incorrect: “They want to do the old system away with.”

When using this phrasal verb in different tenses, only the “do” part changes:

Present: do away with
Past: did away with
Present perfect: have/has done away with
Future: will do away with

4. Application in IELTS

In IELTS Speaking

Using “do away with” effectively in the Speaking test can demonstrate your command of complex vocabulary. Here are some examples:

Question: “What changes would you like to see in your city?”
Answer: “I believe we should do away with excessive traffic in the city center. By implementing better public transportation systems, we could significantly reduce congestion and improve air quality.”

Question: “How has technology changed education in your country?”
Answer: “Technology has done away with many traditional learning barriers. For instance, online courses have made education accessible to people in remote areas who previously couldn’t attend physical classes.”

In IELTS Writing

In the Writing test, “do away with” can be used to express opinions or describe changes in society:

Task 2 example: “Many argue that to improve public health, governments should do away with all forms of advertising for unhealthy foods and beverages.”

Task 1 example (for a process): “The new manufacturing process does away with the need for manual sorting, increasing efficiency by 30%.”

IELTS Speaking and Writing examples using 'Do away with'

5. Related Phrasal Verbs

Get rid of /ɡet rɪd əv/: To dispose of or remove something unwanted.
Example: “We need to get rid of these old files to make space in the office.”
Phase out /feɪz aʊt/: To gradually stop using or producing something.
Example: “The company plans to phase out plastic packaging over the next five years.”
Eliminate /ɪˈlɪmɪneɪt/: To completely remove or get rid of something.
Example: “The new policy aims to eliminate discrimination in the workplace.”
Abolish /əˈbɒlɪʃ/: To officially end a law, system, or practice.
Example: “Many countries have abolished the death penalty in recent years.”
Wipe out /waɪp aʊt/: To destroy or remove completely.
Example: “The new virus threatens to wipe out several species of plants.”
Dispose of /dɪˈspəʊz əv/: To get rid of something, especially by throwing it away.
Example: “We need to dispose of these chemicals safely to protect the environment.”
Eradicate /ɪˈrædɪkeɪt/: To completely destroy or remove something bad.
Example: “The government’s new program aims to eradicate poverty in rural areas.”
Root out /ruːt aʊt/: To find and remove people or things that are causing problems.
Example: “The company is determined to root out corruption among its employees.”
Stamp out /stæmp aʊt/: To stop something from continuing, especially something bad.
Example: “The police are working hard to stamp out drug trafficking in the city.”
Do in /duː ɪn/: To tire out or exhaust completely (informal).
Example: “The long hike really did me in; I could barely walk the next day.”

6. Practice Exercises

Fill in the Blanks

The government plans to ___ the current tax system and introduce a simpler one.
We need to ___ these outdated practices if we want to stay competitive.
The new software has ___ the need for manual data entry.
Many people believe that social media has ___ traditional forms of communication.
The company decided to ___ the dress code policy to create a more relaxed work environment.
Environmental groups are campaigning to ___ single-use plastics.
The school board voted to ___ standardized testing in favor of more holistic assessments.
Modern technology has ___ many of the limitations faced by previous generations.
The new manager wants to ___ inefficient processes in the department.
Some argue that we should ___ daylight saving time as it no longer serves its original purpose.

Sentence Rewriting

Original: The company eliminated the old filing system.
Rewrite: The company ___ the old filing system.
Original: We need to abolish these outdated laws.
Rewrite: We need to ___ these outdated laws.
Original: The new policy will remove the need for paper documents.
Rewrite: The new policy will ___ the need for paper documents.
Original: They want to eradicate corruption from the organization.
Rewrite: They want to ___ corruption from the organization.
Original: The government is planning to phase out fossil fuels.
Rewrite: The government is planning to ___ fossil fuels.
Original: We should get rid of these old habits to improve our productivity.
Rewrite: We should ___ these old habits to improve our productivity.
Original: The new system will eliminate the need for manual data entry.
Rewrite: The new system will ___ the need for manual data entry.
Original: They’re working to stamp out discrimination in the workplace.
Rewrite: They’re working to ___ discrimination in the workplace.
Original: The company wants to dispose of old equipment responsibly.
Rewrite: The company wants to ___ old equipment responsibly.
Original: We need to root out inefficiency in our processes.
Rewrite: We need to ___ inefficiency in our processes.

Answers and Explanations

Fill in the Blanks:

do away with
do away with
done away with
done away with
do away with
do away with
do away with
done away with
do away with
do away with

Explanation: In all these sentences, “do away with” is used to express the idea of eliminating, abolishing, or getting rid of something completely.

Sentence Rewriting:

The company did away with the old filing system.
We need to do away with these outdated laws.
The new policy will do away with the need for paper documents.
They want to do away with corruption from the organization.
The government is planning to do away with fossil fuels.
We should do away with these old habits to improve our productivity.
The new system will do away with the need for manual data entry.
They’re working to do away with discrimination in the workplace.
The company wants to do away with old equipment responsibly.
We need to do away with inefficiency in our processes.

Explanation: In each rewritten sentence, “do away with” replaces the original verb (eliminate, abolish, remove, eradicate, phase out, get rid of, stamp out, dispose of, root out) while maintaining the same meaning. This exercise helps practice using “do away with” in various contexts and tenses.

7. Memory Tips

To remember the phrase “do away with” and its meaning, try these memory techniques:

Visualization: Imagine physically pushing away or throwing out unwanted items. This action of “doing away” with objects can help reinforce the meaning of elimination or removal.
Mnemonic device: Create a memorable phrase like “DO Always Withdraw Annoying Yields” where each word starts with the letters in “do away with” and relates to the idea of removal.
Context association: Think of a personal situation where you’d like to “do away with” something, such as a bad habit or an outdated rule at work. Associating the phrase with a real-life scenario can make it more memorable.
Word breakdown: Notice that “do away” sounds similar to “go away.” When you want something to “go away” permanently, you “do away with” it.
Practice in daily conversations: Try to use “do away with” in your everyday English conversations. The more you use it, the more natural it will become.

8. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Mistake: Separating the phrasal verb
Incorrect: “We should do the old system away with.”
Correct: “We should do away with the old system.”
Tip: Always keep “do away with” together as a unit.
Mistake: Using the wrong preposition
Incorrect: “They want to do away from traditional methods.”
Correct: “They want to do away with traditional methods.”
Tip: Remember that “with” is always the preposition used in this phrase.
Mistake: Incorrect tense formation
Incorrect: “They have did away with the policy.”
Correct: “They have done away with the policy.”
Tip: In perfect tenses, use “done” instead of “did.”
Mistake: Using it in overly casual contexts
Tip: While “do away with” can be used in informal settings, be cautious about using it in very formal writing or speeches. In extremely formal contexts, consider alternatives like “abolish” or “eliminate.”
Mistake: Overuse in IELTS speaking
Tip: While it’s good to use phrasal verbs, don’t overuse “do away with” in your IELTS speaking test. Aim for variety in your vocabulary to showcase your language skills.

9. Conclusion

Mastering the phrasal verb “do away with” can significantly enhance your English language skills, particularly for the IELTS exam. Its versatility allows you to express ideas of elimination and change in various contexts, from casual conversations to formal writing. Remember to practice using it in different tenses and situations to internalize its usage.

For IELTS success, incorporate “do away with” naturally into your speaking and writing, but also ensure you have a range of synonyms and alternative expressions at your disposal. This balanced approach will demonstrate your vocabulary depth and language fluency, key factors in achieving a high score in the IELTS exam.

Continue to practice with the exercises provided, and don’t hesitate to use “do away with” in your everyday English conversations. The more you use it, the more comfortable and natural it will become, helping you to express yourself more effectively in English.

To further enhance your IELTS preparation, consider exploring other phrasal verbs and idiomatic expressions. You might find our guides on get down to and get away helpful for expanding your phrasal verb repertoire. Additionally, for practice in describing places, which often involves using various phrasal verbs, check out our resources on describing places where you enjoy spending time outdoors and places where you go to spend time with nature.

Remember, consistent practice and exposure to English in various contexts is key to improving your language skills and achieving success in the IELTS exam. Keep learning, keep practicing, and you’ll see improvement in your English proficiency and confidence.