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Phrasal Verbs - English

Most phrasal verbs are two words but some are three words. Three-word phrasal verbs usually take direct objects and are usually inseparable, with exceptions. Examples given include "come up with", "back out of", and "cut down on". [SUMMARY

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213 views4 pages

Phrasal Verbs - English

Most phrasal verbs are two words but some are three words. Three-word phrasal verbs usually take direct objects and are usually inseparable, with exceptions. Examples given include "come up with", "back out of", and "cut down on". [SUMMARY

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runnermn
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Phrasal verbs with more than one meaning

Some phrasal verbs have both a separable and an inseparable form. The meaning of the verb changes
depending on what form it is. Here are some examples of phrasal verbs with multiple meanings.

separable verb inseparable verb inseparable verb


with object without object

add up calculate a sum make sense, be logical


break down separate into smaller pieces stop working (machine)
calm down soothe someone return oneself to mental calm
fill in write information on a form substitute for someone
get in manage to put one thing enter (car), be admitted arrive
into another; manage to do
something
get out of manage to remove one avoid doing something
thing from inside another
get on put on clothing (often as board a vehicle (plane, progress, advance
a command) train, etc.)
get off remove something from disembark from vehicle leave; get away with
somewhere (command) something (a crime)
get through overcome or pass a difficult pass beyond an obstacle reach (by telephone); make
situation or experience or barrier; finish someone understand
keep on not remove something continue
look up find information in a raise eyes to see something
reference source
put in place something within include formally apply for something
something else
stand up put something in an upright rise to standing position;
position defend a position
take off remove clothing or one leave (plane, rocket)
object from another
turn into make someone or become
something change
turn out evict someone from the become (eventually), end;
premises, make something show up, come (to an event)
turn up increase something (e.g., find or uncover something be found or to reappear;
make it louder or hotter) by searching arrive, happen
work out find a solution exercise

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Exercise 182: Which phrasal verb form?

Choose the form of the phrasal verb that best completes each sentence.
Example: Mr. Baker usually a at 8:30.
a. gets in b. gets it in c. gets in it

1. Did you _______ to your boss?


a. get through b. get it through c. get through it
2. The desk was so big we couldn’t _______ the door.
a. get through b. get it through c. get through it
3. The report was long; it took me forever to _______
a. get through b. get it through c. get through it
4. Here’s a copy of the sales chart. Do you want a folder to _______?
a. put in b. put it in c. put in it
5. I have _______ a request for early retirement.
a. put in b. put it in c. put in it
6. I know Carol placed an ad for the job opening, but I don’t know what information she _______.
a. put in b. put it in c. put in it
7. The train leaves soon; shouldn’t you be _______?
a. getting on b. getting it on c. getting on it
8. This jacket is too small. I’m having trouble _______.
a. getting on b. getting it on c. getting on it
9. This lunch break has lasted long enough. It’s time to be _______ with our work.
a. getting on b. getting it on c. getting on it
10. I didn’t know the meaning of “persnickety” until I _______.
a. looked up b. looked it up c. looked up it
11. The children were told not to _______ until they had finished their tests.
a. look up b. look it up c. look up it
12. Do all caterpillars _______ butterflies?
a. turn into b. turn it into c. turn into it
13. It’s a challenge to take failure and _______ success.
a. turn into b. turn it into c. turn into it
14. The police decided that the man’s story didn’t _______.
a. add up b. add it up c. add up it
15. The teacher asked Martin to look at the numbers and _______.
a. add up b. add them up c. add up them

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Three-word phrasal verbs

Most phrasal verbs consist of two words, but there are also three-word phrasal verbs. These phrasal
verbs usually take direct objects and most of them are inseparable. If the verb is separable, the object
comes between the verb and the particles.
The solution they came up with was very creative. (They devised a creative solution.)
I came down with a cold after walking in the rain. (I got a cold.)
The movie was so boring we walked out on it. (We left the movie.)
To save money, you must cut down on your spending. (You must decrease your spending.)
Be careful when you back the car out of the garage. (Be careful when you drive in reverse.)
I’m sorry you’ve decided to back out of the deal. (You decided not to enter into the deal.)

Nouns from phrasal verbs

Many compound nouns (nouns created from two separate words) are derived from phrasal verbs.
Too many students drop out of school before they graduate.
The school board wants to decrease the number of dropouts.
The retired actress decided to come back and work again.
The news of her comeback received a lot of media attention.
During my lecture, I handed out copies of the slides I used.
I asked the students to keep their handouts for future reference.
Have you backed up your files recently?
It’s a good idea to create back-ups regularly.

Exercise 183: Three-word phrasal verbs

Example: The committee a a solution to the problem.


a. came up with b. came back to c. came down to

1. Would you mind going to the store? We’ve _______ milk.


a. run out of b. run out on c. run up to
2. I enjoyed college and _______ those years with pleasure.
a. look forward to b. look back on c. look in on
3. Linda promised to help with the staff party, but then she _______ her word.
a. went out on b. went back to c. went back on
4. Pat moved to a new apartment because she couldn’t _______ the noise.
a. put over on b. put up to c. put up with
5. You’re an hour late! We almost _______ you.
a. gave in on b. gave out on c. gave up on
6. The doctor advised me to _______ sweets if I wanted to lose weight.
a. cut down on b. cut in on c. cut out of

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Exercise 184: More three-word phrasal verbs

Complete the sentences using phrasal verbs from the box. Each phrasal verb is used only once. Be sure to put
the verb in the correct tense.

brush up on get by on stand up for


catch up on ü get out of stand up to
get along with look up to watch out for

Example: I have to stay home tonight and catch up on my correspondence.

1. Jack is very energetic. He _______________ very little sleep.


2. We should always _______________ the things we believe in.
3. When you drive in the mountains, be sure to _______________ falling rocks.
4. I’ve forgotten the Italian I learned years ago, so now I’m taking a course to _______________ it.
5. Beth is very friendly. She _______________ everyone.
6. Dick never agrees with his boss, but he doesn’t have the courage to _______________ him.
7. I know I signed the contract, but now I wish I could _______________ it.
8. George Washington was a great general. His soldiers all _______________ him.

Exercise 185: Nouns from phrasal verbs

Fill in the blanks with nouns derived from the phrasal verbs in bold.
Example: Over 100 people turned out for the company picnic. That’s an excellent turnout !

1. We couldn’t get tickets to the play because it was sold out. It’s been a ________________ since it opened.
2. Last winter we changed over from electric to gas heating. The ________________ cost less than we expected.
3. Jane works out at the fitness center every day. Her ________________ usually lasts about an hour.
4. I have to break down the budget into line items. The controller checks my ________________ each quarter.
5. Com Tech is planning to take over a smaller company. They hope the ________________ will go smoothly.
6. Traffic was really backed up this morning. The ________________ must have been at least 15 miles long.

Exercise 186: Which particle?

Choose the words that best complete the phrasal verbs.


Example: I called several times, but I couldn’t get across / over / through / up.

1. If you state your ideas clearly, you’ll be able to get your point across / over / through / up.
2. Looking after / back / into / to on it, we made a wise decision.
3. We looked after / back / into / to investing in short-term securities, but decided against it.
4. The Board looks after / back / into / to the CEO to provide leadership.
5. We’ve decided to go ahead / into / out / over with our expansion plans.
6. Ann didn’t go ahead / into / on / over her reasons for resigning.

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