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When a single-word Latinate verb is the better choice for Writing Task 2.
Why you specifically
The rule
In IELTS Writing Task 2, a phrasal verb is often less suitable when a single-word Latinate verb sounds more formal, precise, and academic. This does not mean phrasal verbs are always wrong. It means you should prefer verbs such as postpone, reduce, investigate, implement, eliminate, maintain, reveal, and terminate when the meaning is the same and the register should be formal.
The trap
The committee will put off the meeting until next week.
The committee will postpone the meeting until next week.
In formal writing, postpone is better than the phrasal verb put off.
The report will point out the main causes of the problem.
The report will highlight the main causes of the problem.
In IELTS Writing Task 2, highlight is usually more appropriate than point out when you mean 'emphasize clearly' in a formal way.
The government should cut down traffic in the city center.
The government should reduce traffic in the city center.
Reduce is the more formal choice; cut down is more conversational and less suitable for academic writing.
The company will end up the contract if the rules are broken.
The company will terminate the contract if the rules are broken.
Terminate is more formal than the phrasal verb end up with or the simple verb end, especially in official or academic contexts.
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