Phrasal verbs 2

Complete the phrasal verbs in bold below with appropriate particles (in, out, up, etc.). In
each sentence, the particles you need are the same. Each of the phrasal verbs in number
10 needs 2 particles.
1. We are counting _____ you for your support, and we are also relying _____ you to keep us
informed of the latest developments, otherwise we are not sure we will be able to go _____
working with you.

2. At the meeting, the manager pointed _____ that after he had worked _____ the overall cost of
the project, he had figured _____ we would need to pull _____ of the deal.

3. While attempting to set _____ its Miami department and build _____ its customer base in the
area, the company ran _____ debts of almost $20 million.

4. Global Travel Ltd cannot afford to put _____ the issue of redundancy any longer: the international
economic recession has set _____ a series of problems, and the travel industry has come _____
particularly badly.

5. Before AVC Motors took _____ the running of Varsie's Autos, it went _____ its list of assets very
carefully, but it failed to look _____ the business premises.

6. When management-union talks broke _____ and the production lines had to be shut _____ as a
result, the people who had worked so hard to make the negotiations a success felt they had been
badly let _____.

7. During the union dispute, the management said that they would rather hand _____ their notice
than give _____ to union demands, but in the end they decided to call _____ an independent
arbitrator to deal with the unrest.

8. If enough people show _____ at tomorrow's meeting, I would like to bring _____ the subject of
pay increases: business has picked _____ a lot recently, and I think it is only fair that our staff our
rewarded.

9. The company ran _____ some unexpected financial difficulties, and when the accounts
department looked _____ the problem carefully, they discovered that a computer hacker had
broken _____ their files and stolen almost $2 million.

10. In order to catch _____ _____ our competitors and keep _____ _____ market developments, we
will need to put _____ _____ increased production costs.

Now try using the phrasal verbs above in some of your own sentences.

Make sure you use the phrasal verb in its correct form, paying particular attention to the
tense of your sentence (for example, present continuous, past simple, present perfect, etc.).

Don't forget to keep a written record of any new phrasal verbs you learn, and try to review
and use them regularly so that they become an active part of your vocabulary.

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For reference see Easier English Intermediate Dictionary (0-7475-6989-4).
 Phrasal verbs 3
Each of the following paragraphs uses 4 phrasal verbs in bold. However, one phrasal verb in
each paragraph is incorrect because the wrong particle (in, out, on, etc.) has been used.
Identify and correct that particle in each case.
1. I came across the plans while I was going up some old files. I wanted to throw them out, but
my boss told me to hold on to them in case they might be useful in the future.

2. The flight departure was held up because a group of tourists were late checking into, and by the
time we eventually took off, it was getting on for 11 o'clock.

3. We need to tighten up security in the workplace, so over the next few months a series of new
security measures will be gradually phased in. We're bringing in a firm who specialize in this
field, and we're hoping they will come up to a workable program.

4. The company is looking into the possibility of opening a department in China to deal with the
growing market for our products in the country. If we go ahead with this, we will then need to
build about a reliable network of suppliers and carriers in the region.

5. We might have to face up to the fact that the deal with Automart might fall up. I've asked the
committee to check out other options available to us if this happens, but we might have to fall
back on our original plan.

6. The company is going to bring apart some of the best minds in the industry to carry out a survey
looking at the possibility of expanding the company into Europe. They will then put together a
series of measures and options available to us. Our main concern at the moment is how to get
round the inevitable bureaucracy that will be involved.

7. I expect there will be a few problems, but these can probably be smoothed out without much
difficulty. I must put across to everyone my view that we have no intention of dropping in of the
project at this stage, and I suggest we go about this exciting challenge with enthusiasm and
determination.

8. Because of economic difficulties, the company has come under severe financial pressure. This
means that we need to cut back on staff in several departments, and so over the next two years,
several positions will be gradually phased out. The unfortunate task of informing those who will
have to leave falls for Ms. Bailey, our Human Resources manager.

9. We hold regular staff training and development sessions after work which all employees have to
take part in. Nobody can opt out of these unless they have work commitments. And the
management become very suspicious if employees try to get out of any of the sessions by
suddenly coming through with mystery 'illnesses'!

10. Although he came in a lot of money when his father died, he decided to carry on working for the
company. He enjoyed his work so much that he turned down the offer of promotion. However,
he decided to leave when he fell out with his boss over plans to make several of his colleagues
redundant.

11. The staff all look up to the company Director: he's efficient, he's approachable and he's friendly.
He looks after them like they were his own children, and is always happy to sort out any
problems that they might have. In that respect, he takes to his father, who started the company in
1987.

12. When she didn't turn round for work for the third day in a row, we decided to find out what the
problem was. It turned out that she was unhappy in her job because she felt the boss was always
picking on her and making her life difficult.

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For reference see Easier English Intermediate Dictionary (0-7475-6989-4).
 Prepositions 1
Each of the sentences below contains a missing preposition. Four possible answers follow
the sentence. Choose the best answer in each case.
1. The next monthly meeting is _____ 2 April.
(A) on (B) at (C) in (D) with
2. Your completed application form must arrive _____ 2 October at the latest.
(A) in (B) at (C) during (D) by
3. The company has been running its Houston office _____ the beginning of 2003.
(A) for (B) at (C) since (D) in
4. Mrs. Lebrowski is my boss: I've worked _____ her for five years.
(A) over (B) between (C) through (D) under
5. Traveling _____ Europe by train is a wonderful and unique experience.
(A) by (B) across (C) at (D) on
6. The hotel is happy to provide its guests _____ soap, shampoo and other toiletries free of charge.
(A) with (B) for (C) under (D) during
7. The average commuter journey _____ work takes 47 minutes.
(A) by (B) to (C) at (D) on
8. The duty manager is responsible _____ dealing with any problems that customers have.
(A) about (B) with (C) against (D) for
9. All office paperwork has to be filed: don't throw anything _____.
(A) down (B) out (C) up (D) over
10. The night train _____ Washington, D.C. arrives in Miami early the next morning.
(A) by (B) with (C) at (D) from
11. Commuters rely _____ a punctual, comfortable and safe public transport service to get them to
work.
(A) on (B) for (C) about (D) to
12. The seminar has been moved from Wednesday _____ Friday.
(A) until (B) for (C) to (D) by
13. Employees who are repeatedly absent _____ work for no reason will have their wages reduced.
(A) about (B) with (C) at (D) from
14. I always have a big evening meal, but for some reason I always wake up hungry _____ the middle
of the night.
(A) at (B) on (C) in (D) to
15. The quickest way to get from New York to Chicago is _____ air.
(A) by (B) on (C) in (D) through
16. Your pay claim has to be approved _____ the financial comptroller before she can give you any
money.
(A) at (B) for (C) to (D) by
17. The shopping mall has been running a very popular car valet service _____ two months.
(A) before (B) for (C) since (D) in
18. I was so tired that I slept _____ most of the movie.
(A) through (B) in (C) between (D) to
19. The manager is on a training course in Denver and will be back _____ a few days.
(A) in (B) at (C) since (D) until
20. Most Americans would rather stay home and watch TV _____ the evening than go out.
(A) on (B) in (C) at (D) to

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For reference see Easier English Intermediate Dictionary (0-7475-6989-4).