Stand Out in IELTS Speaking: Mastering the Phrasal Verb ‘Stand Out’

Understanding ‘Stand Out’: Definition and Explanation

The phrasal verb ‘stand out’ is a powerful tool in the English language, especially for IELTS candidates aiming to elevate their speaking and writing skills. ‘Stand out’ essentially means to be easily noticed or to be obviously better than others in a particular group. It’s often used to describe someone or something that is distinctive, remarkable, or exceptional.

Synonyms for ‘stand out’ include:

• Be conspicuous
• Be prominent
• Be noticeable
• Distinguish oneself

Different Contexts and Meanings

1. To be visually noticeable: “The red car stood out among all the black and white vehicles.”
2. To be exceptional or superior: “Her presentation stood out as the best in the class.”
3. To be memorable: “His kindness really stood out during our difficult times.”

How to Use ‘Stand Out’ in Context

‘Stand out’ is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal settings. Here are some examples:

• Formal: “The candidate’s extensive experience stood out among all the applicants.”
• Informal: “Wow, your new haircut really stands out!”
• Written: “In her essay, the author’s unique perspective stood out to the judges.”
• Spoken: “I tried to stand out at the job fair by wearing a bright tie.”

Mastering 'Stand Out' in IELTS Speaking

Grammar Analysis

‘Stand out’ is an intransitive phrasal verb, meaning it doesn’t take a direct object. It’s also inseparable, so you can’t put a word between ‘stand’ and ‘out’.

Correct: “She stands out in the crowd.”
Incorrect: “She stands the crowd out.”

The verb can be used in various tenses:

• Present: stands out
• Past: stood out
• Present perfect: has/have stood out
• Future: will stand out

Application in IELTS

In IELTS Speaking

‘Stand out’ can be effectively used to enhance your responses in the IELTS Speaking test. Here are some examples:

1. When describing a person:
   “My grandfather really stands out in my family. His wisdom and life experiences make him a unique source of inspiration.”

2. Talking about achievements:
   “In my professional life, the project that really stood out was when I led a team to develop an eco-friendly product.”

3. Discussing preferences:
   “Among all the places I’ve visited, Japan stands out as my favorite because of its unique blend of tradition and modernity.”

In IELTS Writing

In Writing Task 2, ‘stand out’ can be used to make your essay more dynamic and expressive:

“In the competitive job market of today, it’s crucial for graduates to find ways to stand out from their peers. Developing unique skills and gaining diverse experiences can help one’s application stand out to potential employers.”

Remember, while ‘stand out’ is a useful phrasal verb, it’s important to use it judiciously and not overuse it in your writing.

Related Phrasal Verbs

1. Stick out /stɪk aʊt/: To be very noticeable
   Example: “His bright red hair stuck out in the crowd.”

2. Pop out /pɒp aʊt/: To become suddenly noticeable
   Example: “The spelling mistake popped out as soon as I looked at the document.”

3. Come across /kʌm əˈkrɒs/: To seem or appear to be
   Example: “She comes across as very confident in interviews.”

4. Show off /ʃəʊ ɒf/: To try to impress others
   Example: “He’s always showing off his new car to his colleagues.”

5. Set apart /set əˈpɑːt/: To make someone or something different or special
   Example: “Her attention to detail sets her apart from other designers.”

6. Shine through /ʃaɪn θruː/: To be easily noticed or recognized
   Example: “His talent for music really shines through in his compositions.”

7. Break out /breɪk aʊt/: To become successful suddenly
   Example: “The band broke out after their performance on national television.”

Phrasal Verbs Related to 'Stand Out'

Practice Exercises

Fill in the Blanks

1. Her unique style really __ __ at the fashion show.
2. If you want to __ __ in your job interview, prepare some thoughtful questions.
3. The new skyscraper __ __ on the city skyline.
4. His kindness __ __ during the difficult project.
5. The spelling mistake __ __ on the first page of the report.
6. She tried to __ __ by wearing a bright red dress to the party.
7. His talent for public speaking really __ __ during the debate.
8. The company’s innovative approach __ it __ from its competitors.
9. The lead singer’s voice __ __ in the chorus.
10. To __ __ in the job market, you need to develop unique skills.

Rewrite the Sentences

1. The red car was very noticeable in the parking lot.
   The red car __ __ in the parking lot.

2. Her presentation was clearly the best among all the students.
   Her presentation __ __ among all the students.

3. If you want to be noticed by employers, you should develop unique skills.
   If you want to __ __ to employers, you should develop unique skills.

4. The painting was the most eye-catching in the exhibition.
   The painting __ __ in the exhibition.

5. His comment was particularly memorable during the meeting.
   His comment really __ __ during the meeting.

6. She’s always trying to impress others with her knowledge.
   She’s always __ __ her knowledge.

7. The company’s innovative approach makes it different from its competitors.
   The company’s innovative approach __ it __ from its competitors.

8. His talent for music is easily recognized in his compositions.
   His talent for music really __ __ in his compositions.

9. The band suddenly became successful after their TV performance.
   The band __ __ after their TV performance.

10. The bright colors make this painting very noticeable.
    The bright colors make this painting really __ __.

Answers and Explanations

Fill in the Blanks:

1. stood out
2. stand out
3. stands out
4. stood out
5. popped out
6. stand out
7. shone through
8. sets, apart
9. stood out
10. stand out

Rewrite the Sentences:

1. stood out
2. stood out
3. stand out
4. stood out
5. stood out
6. showing off
7. sets, apart
8. shines through
9. broke out
10. stand out

Explanations:

• In sentences 1-5 and 10, ‘stand out’ is used to describe something noticeable or exceptional.
• In sentence 6, ‘show off’ means to try to impress others.
• In sentence 7, ‘set apart’ means to make something different or special.
• In sentence 8, ‘shine through’ means to be easily noticed or recognized.
• In sentence 9, ‘break out’ means to become suddenly successful.

Memory Tips

To remember ‘stand out’ and its usage, visualize a person literally standing out from a crowd. This image reinforces the idea of being noticeable or different.

You can also create a mnemonic: “Special Talent And Notable Difference – Outstanding Use To Stand Out.” This reminds you of the meaning and encourages you to use it to make your language more impressive.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Mistake: Using ‘stand out’ as a separable phrasal verb.
   Correct: “She stands out in the class.”
   Incorrect: “She stands the class out.”

2. Mistake: Using ‘stand out’ with a direct object.
   Correct: “His skills stand out among the candidates.”
   Incorrect: “His skills stand out the candidates.”

3. Mistake: Overusing ‘stand out’ in formal writing.
   Tip: While ‘stand out’ is acceptable in formal contexts, use it sparingly and consider synonyms like ‘distinguish oneself’ or ‘be prominent’ for variety.

4. Mistake: Confusing ‘stand out’ with ‘stand up’.
   Remember: ‘Stand out’ means to be noticeable, while ‘stand up’ means to rise to one’s feet or to defend someone.

Conclusion

Mastering phrasal verbs like ‘stand out’ can significantly enhance your English proficiency and help you excel in the IELTS test. By understanding its various meanings, correct usage, and practicing with the exercises provided, you can confidently incorporate ‘stand out’ into your speaking and writing.

Remember, the key to success in IELTS is not just knowing these phrases, but using them naturally and appropriately. Continue to practice and expose yourself to English in various contexts to truly make your language skills stand out. With dedication and consistent practice, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your desired IELTS score and making your English proficiency truly stand out.