Mastering ‘Draw up’ for IELTS Success: A Comprehensive Guide

1. Definition and Explanation

The phrasal verb ‘draw up’ is an essential component of advanced English vocabulary, particularly useful for IELTS candidates aiming to enhance their language proficiency. ‘Draw up’ primarily means to prepare or create a formal document or plan.

Key meanings:

1. To create or prepare a formal document
2. To formulate a plan or proposal
3. To bring a vehicle to a stop

Synonyms and equivalent expressions:

• Prepare
• Formulate
• Draft
• Compose
• Design

2. Contextual Usage

Understanding how to use ‘draw up’ in various contexts is crucial for IELTS success. Here are some examples:

• Formal: “The legal team drew up a contract for the merger.”
• Informal: “Let’s draw up a list of groceries before we go shopping.”
• Written: “The committee has drawn up new guidelines for workplace safety.”
• Spoken: “Can you help me draw up a study schedule for the IELTS exam?”

Drawing up a formal document

3. Grammatical Analysis

‘Draw up’ is a separable phrasal verb, which means the object can be placed between ‘draw’ and ‘up’ or after ‘up’.

Examples:

• “They drew up the contract.” (Object after the phrasal verb)
• “They drew the contract up.” (Object between the verb and particle)

Note: When using pronouns, they must be placed between ‘draw’ and ‘up’:

• “They drew it up.” (Correct)
• “They drew up it.” (Incorrect)

4. Application in IELTS

In IELTS Speaking:

‘Draw up’ can be effectively used to demonstrate advanced vocabulary in various IELTS Speaking topics:

• Work: “In my job, I often draw up project proposals for clients.”
• Study: “Before exams, I always draw up a detailed study plan.”
• Planning: “When organizing events, it’s essential to draw up a budget.”

Sample answer for “Describe a time when you had to organize something”:
“Last year, I had to organize a charity event for my university. The first step was to draw up a comprehensive plan detailing all aspects of the event, from budgeting to marketing strategies. Drawing up this plan helped ensure that every team member understood their responsibilities and that we didn’t overlook any crucial details.”

In IELTS Writing:

Incorporating ‘draw up’ in your essays can enhance your lexical resource score. However, use it judiciously and ensure it fits the context appropriately.

Example for Task 2 essay on government policies:
“To address the housing crisis, the government should draw up new regulations that encourage affordable housing development. By drawing up such policies, authorities can create a framework that benefits both developers and potential homeowners.”

5. Related Phrasal Verbs

1. Make up (/meɪk ʌp/) – to invent a story or lie
   Example: “Don’t make up excuses; just tell the truth.”

2. Set up (/set ʌp/) – to establish or arrange
   Example: “We need to set up a meeting with the client.”

3. Come up with (/kʌm ʌp wɪð/) – to think of an idea or plan
   Example: “Can you come up with a solution to this problem?”

4. Write up (/raɪt ʌp/) – to write a full or final version of something
   Example: “I need to write up the report by tomorrow.”

5. Sum up (/sʌm ʌp/) – to give a brief statement of the main points
   Example: “To sum up, the project was a great success.”

Mind map of related phrasal verbs

6. Practice Exercises

Fill in the blanks:

1. The lawyers will a new contract for the merger.
2. Can you a list of potential candidates for the position?
3. We need to a budget for the upcoming project.
4. The committee has new guidelines for workplace safety.
5. Let’s a plan for our vacation next month.
6. The architect will the blueprints for the new building.
7. The government is expected to legislation to address climate change.
8. Before the meeting, please an agenda.
9. The team needs to a marketing strategy for the new product.
10. We should a schedule for the conference.

Sentence Transformation:

1. Original: The company created a new policy for remote work.
   Transformed: The company a new policy for remote work.

2. Original: We need to prepare a detailed report on the findings.
   Transformed: We need to a detailed report on the findings.

3. Original: Can you create a list of things we need for the party?
   Transformed: Can you a list of things we need for the party?

4. Original: The committee is formulating new rules for the competition.
   Transformed: The committee is new rules for the competition.

5. Original: They designed a comprehensive plan for urban development.
   Transformed: They a comprehensive plan for urban development.

6. Original: We should compose a formal letter of complaint.
   Transformed: We should a formal letter of complaint.

7. Original: The team is creating a proposal for the new project.
   Transformed: The team is a proposal for the new project.

8. Original: Can you prepare an itinerary for our business trip?
   Transformed: Can you an itinerary for our business trip?

9. Original: The government is drafting new legislation on data privacy.
   Transformed: The government is new legislation on data privacy.

10. Original: We need to create a detailed timeline for the project.
    Transformed: We need to a detailed timeline for the project.

Answers and Explanations:

Fill in the blanks:

1. draw up
2. draw up
3. draw up
4. drawn up
5. draw up
6. draw up
7. draw up
8. draw up
9. draw up
10. draw up

Sentence Transformation:

1. drew up
2. draw up
3. draw up
4. drawing up
5. drew up
6. draw up
7. drawing up
8. draw up
9. drawing up
10. draw up

Explanation: In all these sentences, ‘draw up’ is used to replace verbs like create, prepare, formulate, design, compose, and draft. This phrasal verb is particularly useful when talking about creating formal documents, plans, or proposals.

7. Memory Tips

To remember ‘draw up’, visualize the action of pulling something upwards, like drawing a curtain up. This upward motion can represent the process of creating or bringing a document or plan into existence.

Another helpful tip is to associate ‘draw up’ with the image of an architect drawing up blueprints. This mental picture combines the literal meaning of ‘draw’ with the figurative sense of creating a formal plan or document.

8. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Mistake: Using ‘draw up’ for informal lists or notes.
   Correction: Reserve ‘draw up’ for more formal documents or plans.

2. Mistake: Placing pronouns after the entire phrasal verb.
   Correction: Always put pronouns between ‘draw’ and ‘up’ (e.g., “draw it up,” not “draw up it”).

3. Mistake: Overusing ‘draw up’ in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays.
   Correction: Use it sparingly and only when discussing formal plans or documents.

4. Mistake: Confusing ‘draw up’ with ‘make up’ (to invent a story).
   Correction: Remember that ‘draw up’ is about creating real plans or documents, not fictional stories.

5. Mistake: Using ‘draw up’ in passive voice incorrectly.
   Correction: The correct passive form is “be drawn up” (e.g., “The contract was drawn up by our lawyers”).

9. Conclusion

Mastering phrasal verbs like ‘draw up’ can significantly enhance your performance in the IELTS exam. It demonstrates a sophisticated command of English and can help you express complex ideas more succinctly. Remember to practice using ‘draw up’ in various contexts, both in speaking and writing tasks. By incorporating this phrasal verb naturally into your language, you’ll not only improve your IELTS score but also enhance your overall English proficiency.

For more tips on improving your IELTS performance, check out our guides on other essential phrasal verbs and how to approach group projects, which often involve drawing up plans and proposals. Keep practicing, and you’ll see your confidence and proficiency grow as you prepare for the IELTS exam.