Mastering “Get by” to Ace Your IELTS Speaking Test

1. Definition and Explanation

The phrasal verb “get by” is an essential expression for IELTS candidates to master. It primarily means to manage with difficulty or to survive with minimal resources. This versatile phrase can be used in various contexts, making it valuable for both the speaking and writing sections of the IELTS test.

Key meanings:

1. To manage or survive with minimal resources
2. To pass or proceed with difficulty
3. To be acceptable or adequate

Synonyms: survive, manage, cope, scrape through

2. Usage in Context

“Get by” is commonly used in informal settings, making it particularly useful for the IELTS Speaking test. Here are some examples:

• “I barely got by on my student budget last semester.”
• “He’s not fluent in English, but he can get by in most conversations.”
• “We’re getting by with the limited staff we have, but it’s challenging.”

IELTS candidate using "get by" in speaking test

3. Grammar Analysis

“Get by” is an inseparable phrasal verb, meaning that no words can be inserted between “get” and “by.” It’s typically followed by a prepositional phrase or used alone.

Structure: Subject + get by + (prepositional phrase)

Example: “She gets by on her modest salary.”

4. Application in IELTS

In Speaking:

“Get by” can be effectively used to answer questions about challenges, lifestyle, or economic situations.

Sample question: “How do you manage your expenses as a student?”
Sample answer: “As a student, I have to be very careful with my spending. I get by on a tight budget by cooking at home and avoiding unnecessary purchases. It’s not easy, but I’ve learned to manage my finances efficiently.”

In Writing:

While “get by” is more informal, it can be used in Task 2 essays when discussing personal experiences or giving examples. However, use it sparingly in formal contexts.

Example: “Many recent graduates struggle to get by in expensive cities due to high living costs and entry-level salaries.”

5. Related Phrasal Verbs

1. Get along with (/ɡet əˈlɔːŋ wɪð/): To have a good relationship with someone
   Example: “I get along well with my colleagues at work.”

2. Get around (/ɡet əˈraʊnd/): To travel or move from place to place
   Example: “Public transportation makes it easy to get around the city.”

3. Get away (/ɡet əˈweɪ/): To escape or go on vacation
   Example: “We’re planning to get away for the weekend to relax.”

4. Get down to (/ɡet daʊn tuː/): To start doing something seriously
   Example: “It’s time to get down to studying for the IELTS exam.”

5. Get off (/ɡet ɒf/): To leave or descend from a vehicle
   Example: “Don’t forget to get off at the next station.”

6. Practice Exercises

Fill in the blanks:

1. Despite the economic downturn, many small businesses are managing to __ __.
2. She barely __ __ on her part-time job salary.
3. How do you __ __ in a foreign country without speaking the language?
4. We’ll have to __ __ with less staff this month due to budget cuts.
5. He’s not a great cook, but he can __ __ in the kitchen.
6. The old car __ __ for another year before we had to replace it.
7. Students often struggle to __ __ on limited budgets.
8. With careful planning, we should be able to __ __ until our next paycheck.
9. They’re __ __ on minimal resources during their backpacking trip.
10. How do you __ __ in such an expensive city?

Sentence Rewriting:

1. We manage with difficulty on our current income.
   Rewrite: We __ __ on our current income.

2. The company is surviving despite financial challenges.
   Rewrite: The company is __ __ despite financial challenges.

3. He’s coping adequately with his new responsibilities.
   Rewrite: He’s __ __ with his new responsibilities.

4. They’re managing to survive on a tight budget.
   Rewrite: They’re __ __ on a tight budget.

5. How do you survive financially as a freelancer?
   Rewrite: How do you __ __ financially as a freelancer?

6. The small team is coping with the increased workload.
   Rewrite: The small team is __ __ with the increased workload.

7. She’s managing to live on her savings for now.
   Rewrite: She’s __ __ on her savings for now.

8. We’re barely surviving on our current resources.
   Rewrite: We’re barely __ __ on our current resources.

9. They cope with the language barrier when traveling.
   Rewrite: They __ __ with the language barrier when traveling.

10. The local businesses are surviving despite the economic downturn.
    Rewrite: The local businesses are __ __ despite the economic downturn.

Answers and Explanations:

Fill in the blanks:

1. get by
2. gets by
3. get by
4. get by
5. get by
6. got by
7. get by
8. get by
9. getting by
10. get by

Sentence Rewriting:

1. We get by on our current income.
2. The company is getting by despite financial challenges.
3. He’s getting by with his new responsibilities.
4. They’re getting by on a tight budget.
5. How do you get by financially as a freelancer?
6. The small team is getting by with the increased workload.
7. She’s getting by on her savings for now.
8. We’re barely getting by on our current resources.
9. They get by with the language barrier when traveling.
10. The local businesses are getting by despite the economic downturn.

Explanation: In all these sentences, “get by” is used to express managing or surviving with difficulty or with minimal resources. The phrasal verb remains inseparable in all contexts, and its tense changes according to the subject and time frame of the sentence.

7. Memory Tips

To remember “get by,” visualize a person squeezing through a narrow gap or doorway. This image represents the idea of managing or passing through a difficult situation with minimal space or resources.

Another memory aid is the phrase “By hook or by crook, I’ll get by.” This emphasizes the determination needed to survive or manage in challenging circumstances.

Visual representation of "get by" for memory aid

8. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Mistake: Separating the phrasal verb (e.g., “get quickly by”)
   Correction: Always keep “get” and “by” together.

2. Mistake: Using the wrong preposition (e.g., “get with”)
   Correction: Remember, it’s always “get by.”

3. Mistake: Overusing in formal writing
   Correction: Use more formal alternatives in academic writing, such as “manage” or “sustain oneself.”

4. Mistake: Incorrect tense formation (e.g., “getted by”)
   Correction: The past tense is “got by” or “got by.”

To avoid these mistakes, practice using “get by” in various contexts and tenses. Pay attention to its usage in authentic materials like news articles, podcasts, or English language TV shows.

9. Conclusion

Mastering phrasal verbs like “get by” can significantly enhance your IELTS performance, particularly in the Speaking test. This versatile expression allows you to discuss challenges, financial situations, and adaptability effectively. Remember to use it naturally in your responses, and don’t forget to practice with the related phrasal verbs we’ve discussed. By incorporating “get by” and other phrasal verbs into your English repertoire, you’ll not only improve your IELTS score but also enhance your overall English fluency. Keep practicing, and you’ll find yourself getting along with the English language more comfortably in no time!