1. Definition and Explanation

The phrasal verb “put up with” is an essential expression for IELTS candidates to master. It means to tolerate or endure something unpleasant or annoying without complaining. 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 “put up with” include:

• Tolerate
• Endure
• Bear
• Stand
• Cope with

2. Usage in Context

“Put up with” is commonly used in everyday conversations and can be applied to various situations. Here are some examples:

• Informal: “I can’t put up with my noisy neighbors anymore.”
• Formal: “Employees are expected to put up with occasional overtime work.”
• Speaking: “I had to put up with long commutes in my previous job.”
• Writing: “Many residents have been putting up with poor air quality for years.”

Examples of 'Put up with' usage in different contexts

3. Grammar Analysis

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

Correct: “I can’t put up with this noise.”
Incorrect: “I can’t put this noise up with.”

When using pronouns, they should be placed after the entire phrasal verb:

• “I can’t put up with it.”
• “She has to put up with them.”

4. Application in IELTS

In Speaking:

“Put up with” can be effectively used to answer questions about challenges, experiences, or situations you’ve had to endure. For example:

Question: “What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?”
Sample answer: “I’d say the most challenging aspect is having to put up with constant deadlines. It can be quite stressful, but I’ve learned to manage my time effectively.”

In Writing:

In Task 2 essays, “put up with” can be used to discuss social issues, personal experiences, or general observations. For example:

“Many city dwellers have to put up with high levels of pollution, which can have serious health implications.”

Remember to use this phrasal verb judiciously in formal writing, as it may be considered slightly informal for academic essays.

5. Related Phrasal Verbs

1. Cope with /kəʊp wɪð/: To deal successfully with a difficult situation
   Example: “She’s learning to cope with the stress of her new job.”

2. Deal with /diːl wɪð/: To take action to solve a problem or handle a situation
   Example: “The manager had to deal with several customer complaints today.”

3. Get over /ɡet ˈəʊvə/: To recover from an illness, disappointment, or difficult experience
   Example: “It took him months to get over the loss of his pet.”

4. Stick it out /stɪk ɪt aʊt/: To persevere in a difficult situation
   Example: “Even though the job was tough, she decided to stick it out for a year.”

5. Grin and bear it /ɡrɪn ənd beər ɪt/: To endure something unpleasant without complaint
   Example: “The dentist visit was painful, but I had to grin and bear it.”

Infographic of related phrasal verbs to 'put up with'

6. Practice Exercises

Fill in the blanks:

1. I can’t __ __ __ this noise anymore. It’s driving me crazy!
2. How do you __ __ living in such a small apartment?
3. She’s had to __ __ __ her colleague’s bad attitude for years.
4. We shouldn’t have to __ __ __ poor customer service.
5. If you want to succeed, you’ll need to __ __ __ some criticism.
6. The soldiers had to __ __ __ harsh conditions during their training.
7. How long are you willing to __ __ __ this situation?
8. Parents often have to __ __ __ their children’s tantrums.
9. I can’t believe you’ve been __ __ __ that old car for so long.
10. Sometimes we have to __ __ __ things we don’t like for the greater good.

Rewrite the sentences:

1. I tolerate his bad habits because he’s my best friend.
   Rewrite: I __ __ __ his bad habits because he’s my best friend.

2. The citizens endured the strict lockdown measures without complaining.
   Rewrite: The citizens __ __ __ the strict lockdown measures without complaining.

3. How do you manage to cope with the stress of your job?
   Rewrite: How do you manage to __ __ __ the stress of your job?

4. We shouldn’t have to tolerate such poor working conditions.
   Rewrite: We shouldn’t have to __ __ __ such poor working conditions.

5. She’s been enduring his snoring for years.
   Rewrite: She’s been __ __ __ his snoring for years.

6. I can’t stand this hot weather anymore!
   Rewrite: I can’t __ __ __ this hot weather anymore!

7. How long are you going to tolerate their rude behavior?
   Rewrite: How long are you going to __ __ __ their rude behavior?

8. The hikers had to endure harsh weather conditions during their trek.
   Rewrite: The hikers had to __ __ __ harsh weather conditions during their trek.

9. We’ve been tolerating the construction noise for months now.
   Rewrite: We’ve been __ __ __ the construction noise for months now.

10. She couldn’t bear his constant complaining any longer.
    Rewrite: She couldn’t __ __ __ his constant complaining any longer.

Answers and Explanations:

Fill in the blanks:

1. put up with
2. put up with
3. put up with
4. put up with
5. put up with
6. put up with
7. put up with
8. put up with
9. putting up with
10. put up with

Rewrite the sentences:

1. I put up with his bad habits because he’s my best friend.
2. The citizens put up with the strict lockdown measures without complaining.
3. How do you manage to put up with the stress of your job?
4. We shouldn’t have to put up with such poor working conditions.
5. She’s been putting up with his snoring for years.
6. I can’t put up with this hot weather anymore!
7. How long are you going to put up with their rude behavior?
8. The hikers had to put up with harsh weather conditions during their trek.
9. We’ve been putting up with the construction noise for months now.
10. She couldn’t put up with his constant complaining any longer.

Explanation: In all these sentences, “put up with” is used to replace synonyms like tolerate, endure, cope with, or stand. The phrasal verb maintains its structure (put + up + with) in all tenses and forms, including the continuous form (putting up with).

7. Memorization Tips

To remember “put up with,” visualize yourself literally putting up a shield to protect yourself from annoying situations. This mental image can help you associate the phrase with its meaning of tolerating or enduring something unpleasant.

Another mnemonic device is to think of the phrase “PUT UP WITH = PUt up a Wall against Irritating Things Happening.” This can help you remember both the structure and the meaning of the phrasal verb.

8. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Separating the phrasal verb:
   Incorrect: “I can’t put it up with.”
   Correct: “I can’t put up with it.”

2. Using the wrong preposition:
   Incorrect: “She has to put up to his behavior.”
   Correct: “She has to put up with his behavior.”

3. Forgetting to change the tense:
   Incorrect: “I have put up with this for years.”
   Correct: “I have been putting up with this for years.” (when emphasizing the ongoing nature of the action)

4. Using it in overly formal contexts:
   While “put up with” is acceptable in most situations, in very formal writing or speaking, you might want to use more formal alternatives like “tolerate” or “endure.”

To avoid these mistakes, practice using “put up with” in various contexts and tenses. Pay attention to its usage in native English content, such as news articles, podcasts, or TV shows.

9. Conclusion

Mastering phrasal verbs like “put up with” is crucial for success in the IELTS exam. This versatile expression can help you express ideas about tolerance, endurance, and dealing with difficult situations more naturally and fluently. Remember to practice using it in various contexts and tenses to become more comfortable with its usage.

By incorporating “put up with” and related phrasal verbs into your English vocabulary, you’ll be better equipped to handle a wide range of topics in both the Speaking and Writing sections of the IELTS test. Keep practicing, and don’t forget to use these phrases in your everyday English conversations to reinforce your learning.

For more useful phrasal verbs that can boost your IELTS score, check out our guides on catch up, show up, and put down to. These resources will help you expand your vocabulary and improve your overall language proficiency.