Mastering ‘Put down to’ for IELTS Success: A Comprehensive Guide

1. Definition and Explanation

The phrasal verb “put down to” is a versatile expression commonly used in English. It generally means to attribute or ascribe something to a particular cause or reason. This phrase is often used when discussing the origin or explanation for a situation, behavior, or outcome.

Meanings and Synonyms

1. To attribute or ascribe:

   • Synonym: Attribute to, ascribe to, blame on
   • Example: “He put his success down to hard work and determination.”

2. To consider as being caused by:

   • Synonym: Assign to, credit to
   • Example: “The team put the loss down to poor preparation.”

Understanding the nuances of “put down to” can significantly enhance your vocabulary and help you express ideas more precisely in the IELTS exam.

2. Contextual Usage

“Put down to” is versatile and can be used in various contexts, both formal and informal:

Formal Usage:

• “The researchers put the unexpected results down to environmental factors.”
• “The company’s growth can be put down to its innovative marketing strategies.”

Informal Usage:

• “I put my bad mood down to lack of sleep.”
• “She put her forgetfulness down to stress at work.”

Contextual usage of 'put down to'

3. Grammatical Analysis

“Put down to” is a separable phrasal verb, which means the object can be placed between “put” and “down to” or after the entire phrase.

Structure:

• Subject + put + (object) + down to + (object)

Examples:

1. “I put my success down to hard work.” (Object after the entire phrase)
2. “I put it down to hard work.” (Object between “put” and “down to”)

Note: When using pronouns, it’s more common to place them between “put” and “down to.”

4. Application in IELTS

In IELTS Speaking:

Using “put down to” can demonstrate your command of English phrasal verbs, potentially increasing your vocabulary score. Here are some ways to incorporate it:

1. When discussing reasons for success or failure:
   “I’d put my improvement in English down to consistent practice and exposure to native content.”

2. Explaining cultural differences:
   “The difference in work ethics between countries can often be put down to cultural values and traditions.”

In IELTS Writing:

While “put down to” is slightly informal, it can still be used effectively in Task 2 essays, especially when discussing causes and effects:

“The rise in obesity rates can be put down to several factors, including sedentary lifestyles and poor dietary choices.”

Remember to use this phrasal verb judiciously, balancing it with other vocabulary to maintain a formal tone when necessary.

5. Related Phrasal Verbs

1. Put up with /pʊt ʌp wɪð/: To tolerate or endure something unpleasant.
   Example: “I can’t put up with his constant complaining anymore.”

2. Put off /pʊt ɒf/: To postpone or delay.
   Example: “We decided to put off the meeting until next week.”

3. Put forward /pʊt ˈfɔːwəd/: To propose or suggest an idea.
   Example: “She put forward an interesting solution to the problem.”

4. Put out /pʊt aʊt/: To extinguish or stop from burning.
   Example: “The firefighters quickly put out the forest fire.”

5. Put through /pʊt θruː/: To connect someone on a phone call.
   Example: “Could you please put me through to the manager?”

Infographic of related phrasal verbs

6. Practice Exercises

A. Fill in the blanks:

1. His constant lateness can be __ __ __ poor time management.
2. The team’s success was __ __ __ their excellent teamwork.
3. I __ my headache __ __ dehydration.
4. She __ her weight gain __ __ stress eating.
5. The decrease in sales can be __ __ __ the economic downturn.
6. They __ their child’s bad behavior __ __ lack of discipline.
7. The scientist __ the unexpected results __ __ equipment malfunction.
8. I __ my improved grades __ __ the new study technique I learned.
9. The company __ its increased productivity __ __ the new management system.
10. He __ his fear of flying __ __ a traumatic childhood experience.

B. Sentence Transformation:

1. They attribute their success to hard work.
   They ___ hard work.

2. She believes stress is the cause of her insomnia.
   She ___ stress.

3. The experts consider climate change as the main reason for these weather patterns.
   The experts ___ climate change.

4. I think my improved fitness is because of my new exercise routine.
   I ___ my new exercise routine.

5. The coach attributes the team’s loss to lack of preparation.
   The coach ___ lack of preparation.

6. Scientists believe cosmic radiation is responsible for these anomalies.
   Scientists ___ cosmic radiation.

7. The company credits its growth to innovative marketing strategies.
   The company ___ innovative marketing strategies.

8. They think the accident was due to driver error.
   They ___ driver error.

9. I attribute my success in the IELTS exam to consistent practice.
   I ___ consistent practice.

10. The government believes the economic recovery is because of their new policies.
    The government ___ their new policies.

Answers and Explanations:

A. Fill in the blanks:

1. put down to
2. put down to
3. put down to
4. put down to
5. put down to
6. put down to
7. put down to
8. put down to
9. put down to
10. put down to

B. Sentence Transformation:

1. They put their success down to hard work.
2. She puts her insomnia down to stress.
3. The experts put these weather patterns down to climate change.
4. I put my improved fitness down to my new exercise routine.
5. The coach puts the team’s loss down to lack of preparation.
6. Scientists put these anomalies down to cosmic radiation.
7. The company puts its growth down to innovative marketing strategies.
8. They put the accident down to driver error.
9. I put my success in the IELTS exam down to consistent practice.
10. The government puts the economic recovery down to their new policies.

Explanation: In each sentence, we’ve replaced the original verb (attribute, believe, consider, think, credit) with the phrasal verb “put down to.” This transformation maintains the original meaning while demonstrating the usage of the target phrasal verb.

7. Memory Tips

To remember “put down to,” visualize the act of writing down a reason for something in a notebook. You’re literally “putting down” an explanation “to” paper.

Another method is to create a mnemonic:
P – Pinpoint
U – Underlying
T – Reasons

DOWN TO – Determine Origins With Notable Thought Output

This reminds you that when you “put down to,” you’re pinpointing underlying reasons and determining origins with notable thought output.

8. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Mistake: Using “put down” instead of “put down to”
   Correct: “I put my success down to hard work,” not “I put my success down hard work.”

2. Mistake: Incorrect word order
   Correct: “He put his failure down to lack of preparation,” not “He put down his failure to lack of preparation.”

3. Mistake: Confusing with “put down” (to criticize or insult)
   Remember: “Put down to” means to attribute, while “put down” alone can mean to criticize.

4. Mistake: Overusing in formal writing
   Tip: While acceptable in IELTS Writing Task 2, balance its use with other synonyms in very formal contexts.

5. Mistake: Using with abstract concepts
   Tip: “Put down to” is typically used with concrete reasons or causes, not abstract ideas.

9. Conclusion

Mastering phrasal verbs like “put down to” can significantly enhance your performance in the IELTS exam. This versatile phrase allows you to discuss causes and reasons eloquently, demonstrating a nuanced command of English. Remember to practice using it in various contexts, both in speaking and writing exercises. By incorporating “put down to” and other phrasal verbs into your language repertoire, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle the IELTS exam with confidence and achieve the score you desire. Keep practicing, and don’t hesitate to use this phrasal verb in your everyday English conversations to reinforce your learning.