Cambridge IGCSE Vocabulary
Build a rich, precise vocabulary through phrasal verbs, collocations, word families, and context clues—essential for higher marks in writing and speaking.
Quick Overview
📚 What You'll Learn
Phrasal verbs, collocations, word formation, guessing from context, and topic-specific vocabulary.
🎯 The Big Picture
Wide vocabulary = higher marks. It shows sophistication in writing, variety in speaking, and better understanding in reading/listening.
⏱️ Where It's Tested
Reading (comprehension + guessing words), Writing (variety + accuracy), Speaking (topic knowledge), Listening (understanding variations).
✅ Your Goal
Use sophisticated, varied, precise vocabulary naturally. Understand phrasal verbs and collocations. Guess unknown words from context.
1. Phrasal Verbs: Essential for Fluency
What Is a Phrasal Verb?
A phrasal verb is a verb + preposition (or adverb) that creates a new meaning. The combination means something different from the verb alone.
Simple vs Phrasal:
"put" (place something somewhere)
"put off" (delay/postpone)
"put up with" (tolerate)
"put down" (criticize or end animal's life)
Same verb, different particle = different meaning!
Common Phrasal Verbs by Category
Phrasal Verbs: Start/Begin/Continue
start out: begin (often a journey/career). "She started out as a teacher."
set off: begin a journey. "We set off early in the morning."
get going: begin/start moving. "Come on, let's get going!"
get on with: continue/proceed. "Let's get on with the work."
Phrasal Verbs: End/Stop/Abandon
give up: abandon/stop trying. "Don't give up! You'll succeed."
give in: surrender/admit defeat. "The team gave in after three hours."
call off: cancel. "They called off the meeting."
break off: end suddenly (usually relationships). "They broke off the engagement."
Phrasal Verbs: Success/Achievement
take off: become successful suddenly. "Her career really took off after that role."
catch on: become popular/understood. "The new trend caught on quickly."
work out: succeed/resolve. "Everything worked out perfectly."
pull off: achieve (something difficult). "She pulled off an amazing performance."
Phrasal Verbs: Learning/Understanding
pick up: learn (without formal teaching). "I picked up French from living in France."
work out: figure out/understand. "Can you work out what this means?"
find out: discover. "I found out the truth last week."
look up: search for information. "I looked up the word in the dictionary."
Practice Question 1: Phrasal Verbs in Context
How to Learn Phrasal Verbs
✅ Strategy 1: Learn by particle meaning
✅ Strategy 2: Learn phrasal verbs in sentences
✅ Strategy 3: Learn the most common ones first
2. Collocations & Fixed Expressions: Words That Go Together