Replace the phrase with one word

A 1) Do I need to have any specific qualifications? — Нужно ли иметь какую-либо специальную квалификацию?
В Well, you 2) must be an experienced dolphin trainer. — Ну, вы должны быть опытным тренером дельфинов.
A And what would I 3) have to do in the job? — Что мне делать в работе?
В You 4) are supposed to use the Navy training programme. — Вы должны использовать учебную программу ВМФ.
A Oh, so is that why 5) I should be discreet, then? — О, так вот почему я должен быть осторожным?
В Yes, you’re not 6) allowed to tell anyone about your work. And you 7) mustn’t talk to journalists. — Да, вам не разрешают никому рассказывать о вашей работе. И вы не должны разговаривать с журналистами.
A I see. So is the work dangerous? – Понятно. Так ли опасна работа?
В 8) It can be, yes. But for the dolphins more than the trainers. — Может быть, да. Но для дельфинов больше, чем для тренеров.
A Oh! I see. I suppose it’s 9) bound to be a challenging job at times. — О! Понимаю. Полагаю, это время от времени будет сложной задачей.
В It 10) might be, yes. 11) Could you come for an interview? — Возможно, да. Не могли бы вы прийти на собеседование?
Would you like to do this job? Why?/Why not? — Хотели бы вы выполнять эту работу? Почему, почему нет?
Mind the trap! – Избегайте ловушки!
To describe the completion of a specific action in the past, we use be able to, NOT could, in affirmative sentences. In negative sentences both be able to and could are possible. — Чтобы описать завершение конкретного действия в прошлом, мы используем be able to, НЕ could, в утвердительных предложениях. В отрицательных предложениях возможны оба варианта.
He wasn’t able to/couldn’t fly very far, but he was able to get back on foot. — Он не мог летать очень далеко, но он смог вернуться пешком.

Each sentence given below has an underlined part. Replace that underlined part with a word that expresses the same idea and rewrite the sentence.

1. Even after the teacher entered the classroom, the boys went on playing.

2. He is in debt because of his habit of spending money wastefully.

3. The celebrations went on for a whole month.

4. His uncle is a famous designer of buildings.

5. The drunkard abused people without discrimination.

6. He spent most of his life abroad as one sent out of his country.

7. The country is passing through a critical phase.

8. Bacon’s essays are full of terse, witty, pointed statements.

9. If you lose your good name, it is not easy to get it back.

10. There was no famine in our country during the last twenty years.

11. The Mona Lisa is the best among the works of Leonardo da Vinci.

12. My friend had the special right or advantage of visiting England as the official guest of the Queen.

Answers

1. Even after the teacher entered the classroom, the boys continued playing.

2. He is in debt because of his extravagance.

3. The celebrations lasted / continued for a whole month.

4. His uncle is a famous architect.

5. The drunkard abused people indiscriminately.

6. He spent most of his life abroad as an exile.

7. The country is passing through a crisis.

8. Bacon’s essays are full of epigrams.

9. If you lose your reputation, it is not easy to get it back.

10. There was no famine in our country during the last two decades.

11. The Mona Lisa is the masterpiece of Leonardo da Vinci.

12. My friend had the privilege of visiting England as the official guest of the Queen.

What is One Word Substitution? Word Substitution simply means using a specific word to replace a wordy phrase or sentence and making it shorter, more concise and clearer to understand. This way, the word becomes identical to the sentence thus providing the same meaning as the wordy sentence. The best way to master this concept is to learn their meanings by putting them in a particular sentence or visualising them through an interesting story. One-word substitution questions frequently occur in many competitive exams such as SBI PO, UPSC, CAPF, CDS, RRB, SSC etc. Read this blog to find 100+ one-word substitutions with examples as well as practice questions and quizzes for competitive exams.

This Blog Includes:
  1. What is One Word Substitution in the English Language?
  2. How to Solve One-Word Substitution?
  3. Why Do We Need One-Word Substitutions?
  4. Categories of One Word Substitution
  5. 100+ One Word Substitutions with Examples
    1. Study-Related One-Word Substitution with Examples
    2. One-Word Substitution For Government/Systems
    3. One Word Substitution For Venue Or Spot
    4. One-Word Substitutes For Profession/Research
    5. Group/Collection-related One Word Substitution
    6. Person/People-related One Word Substitution
    7. Profession-related One Word Substitution
    8. Terms-related One Word Substitution
    9. Killing-related One Word Substitution
  6. Top 40 One-Word Substitutions Asked in Competitive Exams
  7. One-Word Substitution Sample Questions
  8. [BONUS] One Word Substitution Quiz
  9. FAQs

What is One Word Substitution in the English Language?

One-word substitution is the use of one word in place of a wordy phrase in order to make the sentence structure clearer and avoid lengthy sentences. The meaning, with the replacement of the phrase, remains identical while the sentence becomes shorter. 

How to Solve One-Word Substitution?

Before checking on the examples for one word substitutions, let’s see how to solve them. These can be solved by identifying its ‘root word’ or core meaning and then identifying the prefix and suffix. Many words like Anthropology come from the root word anthrōpos which means humans (Here ‘Anthro’ is the prefix and ‘ology’ is the suffix). Hence anthropology means the study of humanity. To gain mastery in understanding root words, you should be familiar with the etymology and linguistics of the words.

Did you know? ‘ology‘ is the most common suffix in science which means “a branch of knowledge“. (Example: Psychology, Biology).

Another common suffix is “cracy” which comes from the Greek word “kratia” which means “rule or government“. (Example: Autocracy, Democracy)

Why Do We Need One-Word Substitutions?

One Word Substitution

One-word substitutions are important as they make communication in the English language much more concise, lucid, and easy. People can remember words and communicate bigger meanings through simple words. For example, saying “She is someone who puts forth an idea which she herself doesn’t believe” is much harder as compared to just saying “She is a Hypocrite”. One-word substitutions make our sentences more precise and reduce complexity. These substitutions also help us to classify words based on the suffixes which makes it easy to categorize them and put similar words together.

Courtesy: English Connection

Categories of One Word Substitution

There are different categories of One Word Substitution:

  • Study-related
  • Terms-related
  • Group/Collection
  • Government/Political Systems-related
  • People/Person
  • Profession/Occupation
  • Science/Research
  • Killing/Death-related
  • Sound/Event/Spots

One-Word-Substitution

100+ One Word Substitutions with Examples

One Word Substitution

Here is the complete list of 100+ One Word Substitutions for competitive exams:

Study-related One Word Substitution Examples
Study of Stars Astronomy I love this book on Astronomy.
The study of statistics is known as Demography The demography of the whole town’s population has been mapped.
The study of ancient writing and scriptures Palaeography These three university professors have been immersed in the research and study of Paleography for over a decade.
The study of rocks and soil Geology My Geology homework is not going to be completed by the final submission date.
The ancient search for a universal panacea, and of the philosopher’s stone. The medieval version of the study of Chemistry Alchemy The magician wanted to learn Alchemy to master some ancient spells.
The study of the evolution of mankind Anthropology Anthropological research helps us trace our civilization.
The study of the Human Mind Psychology I am really interested in studying Psychology and how the mind works.
The practice of writing dictionaries Lexicography She works in the Lexicography department of the publishing house.
The study of plants Botany Her interest in plants motivated her to pursue this course in Botany.
The study of rocks and soils Geology Do I need to study Geology before going rock climbing?
The study of languages Philology How many languages does Philology cover?

One-Word Substitution For Government/Systems

One Word Substitutes Government/System
A state of disorder due to the absence or non-recognition of authority or other controlling systems Anarchy
A form of government in which power is held by the nobility Aristocracy
A system of government by one person with absolute power Autocracy
A self-governing country or region Autonomy
A system of government in which most of the important decisions are taken by state officials rather than by elected representatives Bureaucracy
A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives Democracy
A state, society, or group governed by old people Gerontocracy
A state or country run by the worst, least qualified, or most unscrupulous citizens Kakistocracy
Government by new or inexperienced hands Neocracy
Government by the populace Ochlocracy
A small group of people having control of a country or organization Oligarchy
Government by the wealthy Plutocracy
Government not connected with religious or spiritual matters Secular
A form of government with a monarch at the head Monarchy
A political system based on the government of men by God Thearchy

One Word Substitution For Venue Or Spot

List of One-Word Substitutions Venue/Spot
A collection of historical documents or records providing information about a place, institution, or group of people Archives
A large cage, building, or enclosure to keep birds  Aviary
A building where animals are butchered Abattoir
A place where bees are kept; a collection of beehives Apiary
A building containing tanks of live fish of different species Aquarium
A place or scene of activity, debate, or conflict Arena
A collection of weapons and military equipment Arsenal
An institution for the care of people who are mentally ill Asylum
A hole or tunnel dug by a small animal, especially a rabbit, as a dwelling Burrow
A collection of items of the same type stored in a hidden or inaccessible place Cache
A public room or building where gambling games are played Casino
A large burial ground, especially one not in a churchyard Cemetery
A room in a public building where outdoor clothes or luggage may be left Cloakroom
A place where a dead person’s body is cremated Crematorium
A Christian community of nuns living together under monastic vows Convent
The nursery where babies and young children are cared for during the working day Creche
A stoppered glass container into which wine or spirit is decanted Decanter
A large bedroom for a number of people in a school or institution Dormitory
The nest of a squirrel, typically in the form of a mass of twigs in a tree Drey
A room or building equipped for gymnastics, games, and another physical exercise Gymnasium
A storehouse for threshed grain Granary
A large building with an extensive floor area, typically for housing aircraft Hangar
A box or cage, typically with a wire mesh front, for keeping rabbits or other small domesticated animals Hutch
A place in a large institution for the care of those who are ill Infirmary
A small shelter for a dog Kennel
A place where wild animals live Lair
A place where coins, medals, or tokens are made Mint
A collection of wild animals kept in captivity for exhibition Menagerie
A building or buildings occupied by a community of monks living under religious vows Monastery
A place where bodies are kept for identification Morgue
A piece of enclosed land planted with fruit trees Orchard
A large natural or artificial lake used as a source of water supply Reservoir
A small kitchen or room at the back of a house used for washing dishes and other dirty household work Scullery
A close-fitting cover for the blade of a knife or sword Sheath
A room or building for sick children in a boarding school Sanatorium
A place where animal hides are tanned Tannery
A large, tall cupboard in which clothes may be hung or stored Wardrobe

One-Word Substitutes For Profession/Research

One Word Substitution Profession/Research
The medieval forerunner of chemistry Alchemy
A person who presents a radio/television programme Anchor
One who studies the evolution of mankind Anthropologist
A person who is trained to travel in a spacecraft Astronaut
The scientific study of the physiology, structure, genetics, ecology, distribution, classification and economic importance of plants Botany
A person who draws or produces maps Cartographer
A person who writes beautiful writing Calligrapher
A person who composes the sequence of steps and moves for a performance of dance Choreographer
A person employed to drive a private or hired car Chauffeur
A person who introduces the performers or contestants in a variety show Compere
A keeper or custodian of a museum or other collection Curator
The branch of biology concerned with cyclical physiological phenomena Chronobiology
A secret or disguised way of writing Cypher
The study of statistics Demography
The use of the fingers and hands to communicate and convey ideas Dactylology
A person who sells and arranges cut flowers Florist
A line of descent traced continuously from an ancestor Genealogy
The therapeutic use of sunlight Heliotherapy
The art or practise of garden cultivation and management Horticulture
One who supervises in the examination hall Invigilator
The theory or philosophy of law Jurisprudence
A person who compiles dictionaries Lexicographer
The scientific study of the structure and diseases of teeth Odontology
One who presents a radio programme Radio Jockey
The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing Rhetoric
The branch of science concerned with the origin, structure and composition of rocks Petrology
One who studies the elections and trends in voting Psephologist
An artist who makes sculptures. Sculptor
The scientific study of the behaviour, structure, physiology, classification and distribution of animals Zoology
Group/Collection One Word Substitution Examples
A group of sheep Flock I saw a shepherd down the hill with a flock of sheep.
A family of young animals Brood Mr Styles like spending hours bathing the brood of horses in the stable.
A number of people travelling together in a big van or jeep Caravan A caravan of hippies just passed by.
A series of stars Constellation This constellation looks like a burger!
A large group of people Horde A horde of college students was gathered around the voting booth.
A temporary police force Posse Jake went to arrest the criminal with his posse.
A group of cattle or sheep Herd Keep your herd of cows in the backyard.
A number of fish swimming together Shoal I saw a shoal of mackerel on that side of the river.
A group of worshippers Congregation The congregation will happen at St. Mary’s Church at 4pm tomorrow.

Must Read: 50 Common Difficult Idioms with Examples

Person/People One Word Substitution Examples
The one who loves mankind Philanthropist He became a renowned philanthropist after joining Buddhism.
The one who looks at the brighter side of everything Optimist Louis has always been the biggest optimistic person I know.
The one who looks at the negative/dark side of everything.  Pessimist I am always on the edge of becoming a total pessimist.
The one who does not believe in God. Atheist I am neither an Atheist nor a religious person.
The one who eats human flesh Cannibal The police caught these cannibals from the jungle.
Someone who regards the world as their country Cosmopolitan Globalisation will give rise to more cosmopolitans.
The one who loves good food and knows a lot about it Gourmet I could have been a Gourmet if I liked spicy food!
Someone who lives in solitude Recluse I want to become a recluse after I retire.
Someone who speaks more than one language Polyglot I took up Turkish to become a Polyglot.
A person who boasts of one’s achievements Egotist She saw him as a thoughtless egotist.
People who can vote in an election:  Electorate Last year’s electorate comprised of many first-time voters.
A person who loves himself the most Narcissist John is a narcissist and will never love anyone else but himself.
A person who draws maps Cartographer A cartographer can help you find the right way through a complex forest land through his mastery of maps.
A person who abandons his religion Apostate Watching his daughter die of cancer made Steve become an apostate. 
A person was appointed to settle a dispute between two parties Arbitrator In their final judgement, the jury presented that it is necessary for the parties to have an arbitrator to reach mutual consent.
The one who knows everything Omniscient He is such a know-it-all but he is not an omniscient.
The one who is all powerful Omnipotent We often stereotype a superhero as an Omnipotent but it’s important to have some flaws to make them human.
The one who is present everything Omnipresent Technology has become synonymous with omnipresent nowadays.
Someone who is eighty years old. Octogenarian My grandpa is an octogenarian.
The one who settles in another country. Immigrant It isn’t easy being an immigrant in the USA.
Someone who cares about mankind. Humanitarian She is known for her humanitarian efforts.
Person/People One Word Substitution Examples
Someone trained to travel and operate a spacecraft. Astronaut Kalpana Chawla is one of the greatest women astronauts.
The one who makes maps or charts Cartographer We need a cartographer to decode these cryptic maps.
Someone who sells or grows flowers or studies or writes about flowers. Florist Harry is my favorite florist and I like how he gives unique facts about what every flower symbolises.
Someone with a beautiful handwriting Calligrapher I started as a calligrapher and then became a tattoo artist.
The supervising person during an examination Invigilator The invigilator is too lazy to even check the students in the back.
Someone who presents or hosts a radio show Radio Jockey A radio jockey needs to have brilliant communication skills.
Someone who choreographs dances attuning certain sequences of steps and movements along music Choreographer Can you find me a wedding choreographer?
Someone who is the custodian or the keeper of a museum Curator I like being a curator as I get to meet artists from different parts of the world.
A person who doesn’t like humankind devoids himself of human society Misanthrope Grinch wasn’t the mean-spirited misanthrope most of us took him to be.
A person who collects coins as a hobby Numismatist As a Numismatist, I have a huge collection of currencies from almost all the countries around the world.
Someone employed to drive a hired car Chauffeur The chauffeur will come by 4 pm to the venue.
Someone who walks by foot. Pedestrian This side of the road is for Pedestrians.
Someone who is reserved and shy. Introvert I like being an introvert and I am happy with a small social circle.

Also Read: 50 Difficult Phrases with Meanings!

Terms One Word Substitutions Example
Indefinite period of time Aeon Those days became boring, aeon and too long to pass.
Appreciation of beauty, by a set of principles. Aesthetics I found this website quite appealing especially because of its aesthetics
Spartan snowstorms with uncontrollable winds  Blizzard On our way back to the hotel, we got caught in a blizzard.
An eccentric manner of living Bohemian She felt embarrassed when her friends made fun of her bohemian clothing.
Huge fire for celebration Bonfire The campers spent their night by the bonfire.
Dwarfed varieties of trees and shrubs in pots  Bonsai Her room was filled with bonsai plants.
The remote regions of a country which are far away from the rivers Hinterland Her cottage was situated in a hinterland deprived of any beautiful scenery.
Complex situation or a mix-up Imbroglio The romantic imbroglio happened when he met my landlords assuming they were my parents.
Make someone feel young Rejuvenate This exfoliating scrub can completely rejuvenate your skin.
Not showing enough care and attention Remiss I realised that she was totally remiss in finishing her daily tasks.
A shelter for a Dog Kennel Our new pup spent all his day hiding inside the kennel.
Where wild animals live Lair I found a hidden lair in the forest but was too afraid to go inside it.
A place where coins are made Mint This industrial facility is actually a mint which manufactures coins.
Ordinary and Dull Mundane I am bored with the mundane life of the quarantined days.
Published after someone’s death Posthumous Mr Smith’s posthumous works brought him an immense number of accolades.
The profession of teaching or the approach or style of teaching Pedagogy It was his unique approach to pedagogy that made him every student’s favourite.
The symbols of royalty  Regalia The queen was adorned in full regalia.
A political system solely based on the government of men by God Thearchy The village was ruled by the system of thearchy.
A person promises to tell the truth in court Oath I couldn’t disrespect the oath and thus revealed everything.
Beginning to exist and evolve Nascent Biotechnology bloomed from a nascent sector to a booming industry.
Ethically good behaviour one has Virtue Patience is seen as the virtue of a man.
Humour that describes the weaknesses Satire Ghasiram Kotwal is an incredibly written satire on the political scenario of Maharashtra in the early 20th century.
Changing the direction of one’s path suddenly Veer He veered the car in the other direction as the deer came in the way.
Enjoy something for an extended time Savour Don’t forget to savour this delectable wine!
Someone who is wrongly blamed for things that others have done Scapegoat They used him as a scapegoat to accuse him of the whole conspiracy
Space where animal hides are tanned Tannery The leather for this coat has been skinned in the tannery.
Determined to achieve something Tenacious She was tenacious enough to chase after her dream of becoming a film actor.
The sound of Parrots Screech I woke up to the screeching of birds by the window.
Using a word or name that is inappropriate Misnomer It’s quite a misnomer to call it a victory since he scored the lowest marks in the test. 
A government that has a monarch as the head   Monarchy With a king ruling the country, the Monarchy is different from a democracy.
The sound of Camels Grunt In the vastness of the desert, the only sound you can hear is the constant grunting of camels from far away.
Events manifested by festivities Fiesta Last night’s party was a total fiesta.
The ranting of a person Whine Aakriti is always whining about the weather.
People who are extremely poor Destitute Ajay grew up in a destitute existence.
Absolute freedom to act as one wishes Carte blanche Her mother gave her carte blanche to follow the career path she wants to.
A person who is unsure about God’s existence Agnostic Though he was raised in a conservative Hindu family, he remained agnostic most of his life.
Extreme physical or mental sufferings Agony He fell to the ground in agony.
Japanese form of self-defense with the usage of locks holds Aikido He has mastered Aikido and his next goal is to learn Kung fu.
A soldier who fights for the sake of money Mercenary You are a mercenary and you kill people with any guns!
An accolade or honour bestowed in recognition for an achievement:  Laurel She enjoyed the laurels of her acting achievements.
A person who behaves without moral principles Immoral Lying is completely immoral even if it is done for a good purpose.
Charging a politician with a serious crime Impeach Trump was impeached recently but it didn’t really affect his position as the president. 
Government instructions that limit trade in some way  Embargo With the danger of virus hovering over the whole world, an embargo on international trade was mutually decided upon.
Believer of fate Fatalist I am fatalist for I believe that our destiny has already been written.
Loves being social and enjoys the company of others  Gregarious Gurleen is a gregarious girl and we often call her the social butterfly of our class!
Trees grow without underbrush. Grove This garden is filled with beautiful groves that amazingly complemented the tall trees
An office with high salary but no work  Sinecure After listening to the perks that Seema has at her office, Vishal assumes as if she works at a Sinecure. 
A person who betrays and descents and organisation or country Renegade It is currently flashing in the news that a renegade policeman shot three innocent people. 
One who is much concerned about details and accuracy Fastidious Virat is fastidious about his hair. He makes sure that he visits the salon at regular intervals. 
A place for storage of arms and ammunition Arsenal The officer informed the soldier about his new posting in Arsenal.
One who is expelled from a religious community Excommunicate His misconduct at the previous religious gathering led to his ex-communication. 
A person who eats too much Glutton As soon as the guests left, Riya didn’t miss a chance to call our cousin glutton.
Something which can be copied Immitable As the captain’s approach for the finale was imitable, he is still called a legend.
Killing-related One Word Substitution Examples
When someone kills their own father Patricide Jean was arrested for patricide.
The act of killing a king Regicide The monarchy fell with the regicide.
The killing of a person by another Homicide He went to jail on the charge of homicide.
The killing of one’s child Filicide The police filed a report about filicide that happened in the C block.

Top 40 One-Word Substitutions Asked in Competitive Exams

Credits – wifistudy (Youtube)

One-Word Substitution Sample Questions

Now that you have understood the concept of one-word substitution, let us sample some sample questions so that you develop a strong command over it!

Q1. An individual who is unable to express or interact easily

A) Extrovert
B) Introvert
C) Ambivert
D) None of the Above

Q2. A stream of water moving very fast

A) Current
B) Tide
C) Torrent
D) Storms

Q3. Shikha spends a lot of money on clothes. Her cousins call her a:

A) Frugal
B) Economical
C) Miser
D) Spendthrift

Q4. Asmita works really hard for the upliftment of poor children. She even donates half of her salary to NGOs. She is:

A) Philanthropist
B) Selfish
C) Tightfisted
D) None of the Above

Q5. It is impossible to see through it.

A) Translucent
B) Fragile
C) Opaque
D) Transparent

Q6. Aman is really scared of thunderstorms. He suffers:

A) Acrophobia
B) Ophidiophobia
C) Nephophobia
D) Astraphobia

Q7. She caught the robbers

A) Courageously
B) Frightened
C) Cowardly
D) None of the above

Q8. Lalit has a good knowledge of Music. His father calls him:

A) Incompetent
B) Amateur
C) Maestro
D) Beginner

Q9. After attending a career counseling session, he understood that his ____ was cooking:

A) Niche
B) Supplant
C) Replacement
D) None of the above

Q10. You can’t park your truck here. It is:

A) Lawful
B) Allowed
C) Unauthorized
D) None of the Above

Answers:

  1. B
  2. C
  3. D
  4. A
  5. C
  6. D
  7. A
  8. C
  9. A
  10. C

[BONUS] One Word Substitution Quiz

One Word Substitution Quiz

FAQs

Q1. How to learn one-word substitutes?

Ans. Techniques for One-Word Substitution:
1. Comprehend the whole meaning of a sentence or a group of words.
2. Look for terms that have a comparable meaning to the sentence and use them instead.
3. Discover the replacement words for the statement and keep the word in your memory for later usage.
4. Improving your vocabulary (synonyms and antonyms)

Q2. What is one-word substitution also known as?

Ans. One-word substitutions are also referred to as “Verbatim.” One-word substitution is a technique that substitutes a word for a context without altering the meaning of the original context.

Q3. What is a one-word substitution in English Class 7?

Ans. Single words used to represent a person, an item, a place, etc. instead of a set of words are known as one-word substitutions. Words that sound the same but have diverse meanings are referred to as homophones.

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    Published on
    April 23, 2015
    by

    Shane Bryson.

    Revised on
    October 24, 2022.

    The following is a list of commonly deployed phrasal verbs that find one use or another in academic texts. These (and others) can be acceptably used in academic texts. Along with these examples, however, are a number of one-word substitutions to illustrate that in each case the phrasal verb can be easily replaced.

    Table of contents

    1. Separable
    2. Inseparable

    As you look through the substitutions, be aware that phrasal verbs (like other verbs) often have more than one definition and more than one context of proper use.

    This flexibility means that although these substitutions work for the examples given, and although the examples are common uses of phrasal verbs, a suggested replacement will not cover every possible use of its phrasal verb.

    Separable

    Note: If it uses a pronoun, the separable phrasal verb must be separated (e.g. “He added up the number” but “He added it up”).

    Phrasal verbs Example uses Definitions and Replacements
    Add up James added up the number of affirmative responses. calculate
    Buy out The large company bought out the smaller. purchase (someone’s assets)
    Buy up The business’s assets were bought up in the auction. purchase (all of something)
    Call off The order was to call off the strike immediately. cancel
    Carry on The meeting will carry on in your absence. continue
    Carry out Sam carried out the research because Jimmy couldn’t find the time. execute
    Cut out Because the subsection was not directly relevant to the rest of the paper, Randal had to cut it out. excise
    Find out The purpose of the literature review is find out what has been said on the topic. discover
    Get (it) over with (must be split) Isa and the other participants were happy to get the laborious questionnaire over with. complete
    Get across Lars’s paper has too many grammatical mistakes, meaning he couldn’t get his message across. communicate
    Give up The outnumbered forces would not give up. surrender
    Hold up When deadlines approach, a student cannot let anything hold up the completion of an assignment. delay
    Leave out The witness left out a number of important details. omit
    Make up We asked participants to make up a scenario in which they would be content. fabricate
    Make out In the darkness he could not make out the size of the camp. see
    Pass up We could not pass up this opportunity to collaborate. forgo
    Pass on The common flu can be passed on through saliva. transmit
    Pass out Our research assistants passed out four-hundred surveys to a random sample of shoppers. distribute
    Pick up This study picks Dekker’s research up where he left it. resume
    Point out Hendriks (2010) points out that such a study might be useful. explain
    Set up The equipment’s sensitivity meant we had to set it up with utmost care. arrange
    Turn down Regretfully, the board must turn down a number of applicants every year. reject
    Use up The campers were thirsty after they used up the last of the water. exhaust

    Inseparable

    Phrasal verbs Example uses Definitions and Replacements
    Back out of Several subjects backed out of their treatment. abandon
    Bear on Foucault’s writings still bear on contemporary thought about prison. influence
    Catch up with It will take some time for our newer coal mines to catch up with our older ones. equal
    Call on I call on the work of other contemporary thinkers. utilize
    Call for The act of aggression called for immediate response. necessitate
    Count on The question is, should a citizen be able to count on its government to preserve free access to clean water? rely on
    Cut down on Practiced writers cut down on unnecessary adverbs and adjectives. reduce
    Come up with Hannah had to come up with a way to isolate the variable. invent
    Fall apart The board of directors fell apart. disintegrate
    Get away Several of them sought to get away from the cold winter night. escape
    Get along with They commonly exaggerated the degree to which the indigenous tribes would not get along with one another. be friendly with
    Give in After a long pause for thought, he gave in to the demands. yield
    Go on Bakker went on to win a prestigious award. continue
    Hold on to Sven tried everything, but could not hold on to his youth. keep
    Hold out Bram would hold out until morning when the supplies arrived. wait
    Hold out on Napoleon would not tolerate his generals holding out on him. hide (something)
    Look into We have a hypothesis, but we must look into other possible explanations for the phenomenon. research
    Look out for Among 50 respondents who regularly walk home from work in the middle of the night, 45 indicated looking out for criminals. safeguard against
    Make sure of To print the name of interviewee, an author must make sure of the interviewee’s consent. ensure
    Pick up on The data show various relationships that we had not picked up on. notice
    Put up with The country will put up with a certain number of economic sanctions. tolerate
    See to The custodian would see to the security of the building. arrange
    Take after This new state takes after its regional neighbours. resemble
    Touch on At the beginning of his speech, Finn found it necessary to touch on the circumstances of the event. mention

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    Bryson, S.
    (2022, October 24). List of 47 Phrasal Verbs and Their One-Word Substitutions. Scribbr.
    Retrieved April 12, 2023,
    from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-writing/phrasal-verb-alternatives/

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