Mastering ‘Pass Away’ for IELTS Success: A Comprehensive Guide

1. Definition and Explanation

The phrasal verb “pass away” is a euphemistic expression used to describe the act of dying. It is considered a more gentle and polite way to refer to death, especially in formal or sensitive contexts.

Synonyms and Equivalent Expressions

• To die
• To depart (this life)
• To breathe one’s last
• To expire
• To decease

2. Usage in Context

“Pass away” is commonly used in both formal and informal situations, making it versatile for various IELTS tasks.

Examples:

• “Her grandmother passed away peacefully in her sleep last night.”
• “The famous author passed away after a long battle with cancer.”

IELTS speaking candidate using 'pass away' in conversation

3. Grammatical Analysis

“Pass away” is an intransitive phrasal verb, meaning it does not take a direct object. It is always used in its complete form and cannot be separated.

Structure: Subject + pass away + (time/place/manner)

Note: The past tense and past participle forms are “passed away.”

4. Application in IELTS

In IELTS Speaking

Using “pass away” can demonstrate your ability to use formal language and handle sensitive topics tactfully.

Sample answer for “Describe a person who has had an important influence on your life”:

“I’d like to talk about my grandfather, who unfortunately passed away last year. His influence on my life has been profound…”

In IELTS Writing

In Task 2 essays, “pass away” can be used when discussing topics related to life expectancy, healthcare, or social issues.

Example:
“In many developed countries, people are living longer before passing away, which has significant implications for healthcare systems.”

5. Related Phrasal Verbs

1. Give up (on) /gɪv ʌp/ – to stop trying or abandon hope
   Example: “Despite his illness, he never gave up on his dream of becoming a doctor.”

2. Take after /teɪk ˈɑːftər/ – to resemble (a parent or relative) in appearance or character
   Example: “She takes after her mother in both looks and personality.”

3. Look up to /lʊk ʌp tuː/ – to admire or respect someone
   Example: “Many young athletes look up to her as a role model.”

4. Get over /get ˈəʊvər/ – to recover from an illness or a difficult experience
   Example: “It took him months to get over the loss of his job.”

5. Bring up /brɪŋ ʌp/ – to raise a child
   Example: “She was brought up by her grandparents after her parents passed away.”

Infographic showing phrasal verbs related to 'pass away'

6. Practice Exercises

Fill in the Blanks

1. After a long illness, his father finally __ __ last week.
2. It’s been difficult for her to __ __ the loss of her pet.
3. The community __ __ to help the family after their house burned down.
4. He decided to __ __ smoking for his health.
5. She __ __ her grandmother in her artistic talents.
6. Many people __ __ celebrities without really knowing them.
7. The teacher __ __ an interesting topic during the lesson.
8. It’s important to __ children __ with good values.
9. The athlete refused to __ __ despite his injury.
10. After the accident, it took him weeks to __ __ the shock.

Sentence Rewriting

1. Original: The famous actor died last night.
   Rewrite: The famous actor __ __ last night.

2. Original: She resembles her father in many ways.
   Rewrite: She __ __ her father in many ways.

3. Original: It’s difficult to recover from a breakup.
   Rewrite: It’s difficult to __ __ a breakup.

4. Original: He stopped trying to learn the piano.
   Rewrite: He __ __ trying to learn the piano.

5. Original: Many students admire their teachers.
   Rewrite: Many students __ __ __ their teachers.

6. Original: His parents raised him to be independent.
   Rewrite: His parents __ him __ to be independent.

7. Original: The charity collected donations for the flood victims.
   Rewrite: The charity __ __ donations for the flood victims.

8. Original: She mentioned the issue during the meeting.
   Rewrite: She __ __ the issue during the meeting.

9. Original: Despite the challenges, he didn’t abandon his dream.
   Rewrite: Despite the challenges, he didn’t __ __ __ his dream.

10. Original: It took time for the community to recover from the tragedy.
    Rewrite: It took time for the community to __ __ the tragedy.

Answers and Explanations:

Fill in the Blanks:

1. passed away
2. get over
3. gave up
4. give up
5. takes after
6. look up to
7. brought up
8. bring up
9. give up
10. get over

Sentence Rewriting:

1. passed away
2. takes after
3. get over
4. gave up
5. look up to
6. brought up
7. gave up
8. brought up
9. give up on
10. get over

Explanations:

1. “Passed away” is a polite way to say someone died.
2. “Takes after” means to resemble or be similar to a family member.
3. “Get over” means to recover from an emotional experience.
4. “Gave up” means to stop trying or abandon an effort.
5. “Look up to” means to admire or respect someone.
6. “Brought up” means to raise or rear a child.
7. “Gave up” in this context means to collect or gather.
8. “Brought up” here means to mention or introduce a topic.
9. “Give up on” means to stop believing in the possibility of something.
10. “Get over” means to recover from a difficult experience.

7. Memory Tips

To remember “pass away” and its usage:

1. Visualize a person peacefully passing through a doorway, symbolizing the transition from life to death.
2. Create a mnemonic: “People Always Say Something Softly When Announcing You’ve passed away” (PASS WAY).
3. Associate it with the idea of “passing on to another realm” or “passing into the afterlife.”

8. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Mistake: Using “pass away” with an object (e.g., “He passed away his grandfather.”)
   Correction: “Pass away” is intransitive and doesn’t take an object. Use it only for the subject.

2. Mistake: Using it in very casual or insensitive contexts.
   Correction: While less formal than “die,” it’s still a respectful term. Use simpler terms like “die” for animals or in medical discussions.

3. Mistake: Separating the phrasal verb (e.g., “She passed yesterday away.”)
   Correction: Always keep “pass” and “away” together.

4. Mistake: Using it in the continuous tense (e.g., “He is passing away.”)
   Correction: It’s typically used in simple tenses. Use “He is dying” for ongoing situations.

5. Mistake: Overusing in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays.
   Correction: While appropriate for discussing mortality, vary your language with synonyms like “die,” “decease,” or “expire” for a more academic tone.

9. Conclusion

Mastering phrasal verbs like “pass away” is crucial for achieving a high score in IELTS. It demonstrates your ability to use English naturally and appropriately in various contexts. Remember to practice using “pass away” in your speaking and writing, but also be mindful of the context and tone of your communication. By incorporating this and other phrasal verbs into your language repertoire, you’ll be well on your way to improving your IELTS score and communicating more effectively in English.

To further enhance your IELTS preparation, consider exploring related topics such as passive forms with modal verbs and practicing describing places for weekend getaways. These resources will help you expand your vocabulary and improve your overall language skills, essential for success in the IELTS exam.