METU/SFL Fall 2024

DBE
GVHO 1
401 GROUP
PHRASAL VERBS
(Instructor’s Copy)
Objectives: Students will have studied
- separable vs. non-separable phrasal verbs
- one particle vs. two particle phrasal verbs

A verb combined with an adverb or a preposition, or sometimes both, to give a new meaning is called a
phrasal verb according to Oxford Learners Dictionary. There are thousands of phrasal verbs in English, such
as bring up, come up with, fall behind, etc.
The best way to learn phrasal verbs is to see them in context. Try to notice phrasal verbs when you're
reading, listening to a song, watching a video, or talking to someone. This will help you understand the
meaning, get a feel for how to use them, and remember them better. Whenever you come across a new
phrasal verb, make a note of it. A good online dictionary will give you the meaning and show you how to
use it in a sentence.

REMEMBER: Generally knowing the meaning of the verb or the preposition(s) in a phrasal verb doesn’t
always help!  Many phrasal verbs have different meanings than the verbs or prepositions they include.
While learning phrasal verbs, there are several ways to organize your phrasal verbs in your notebook (and
in your mind!)
WAY 1: You may want to have the verbs as your starting point. For example, you could make a page for
phrasal verbs with 'come,' and then as you come across a new one, add it to that page. Be sure to include
your own phrase or sentence when you note down a new phrasal verb. This will make it more memorable
and help you remember how it's used in a sentence.
WAY 2: A really helpful way to learn phrasal verbs is to group verbs whose particles have the same or
similar meaning. For example, 'back' often includes the idea of return (call back, go back, pay back) and
'up' often shows completeness (clean up, eat up, use up.)
WAY 3: Another good idea is to group your phrasal verbs by topic. For example, you could group
phrasal verbs that are commonly used for daily routine, or work, or sport. You could write a short text on
that topic that includes as many phrasal verbs as you can, for instance My alarm goes off at 6.45 a.m. I
usually feel sleepy and find it hard to get up, but my morning coffee soon wakes me up. We strongly
suggest this method as it will greatly help you remember the meanings of phrasal verbs.
 If a phrasal verb doesn't seem to fit into a particular topic, you could note down where you first saw or
heard it. Personalizing them will make them meaningful and memorable.
 Finally, as with all new grammar and vocabulary, try to use the new phrasal verbs you learn when
you're talking and writing. This will help fix them in your long-term memory.

There are two main types of phrasal verbs:

1) Separable Phrasal Verbs
With separable phrasal verbs, the verb and particle can be apart or together. For instance, since ‘fill in’ is a
separable phrasal verb, both sentences below are correct:
e.g., Please can you fill this form in? e.g., Please can you fill in this form?
However, separable phrasal verbs must be separated when you use a personal pronoun.
e.g., Please can you fill it in?
e.g., The meeting? They've called it off.

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2) Non-separable Phrasal Verbs
Some phrasal verbs cannot be separated.
e.g., Who looks after the baby when you're at work? (Who looks her after when you're at work?)
Even when there is a personal pronoun, the verb and particle remain together.
e.g., Who looks after her when you’re at work?
Some multi-word verbs are inseparable simply because they don’t take an object.
e.g., I get up at 7 a.m.

Phrasal verbs with two particles

Phrasal verbs with two particles are also inseparable. Even if you use a personal pronoun, you put it after
the particles.

Who came up with that idea?

(come up with = think of an idea or plan)

Let's get rid of these old magazines to make more space.

(get rid of = remove or become free of something that you don't want)

I didn't really get on with my stepbrother when I was a teenager.

(get on with = like and be friendly towards someone)

The concert's on Friday. I'm really looking forward to it.

(look forward to = be happy and excited about something that is going to happen)

REMEMBER: Generally phrasal verbs have more than one meaning. When using the dictionary, check the
definition which is more suitable for the context.

Adapted from: https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/english-levels/improve-your-

english-level/phrasal-verbs-why-theyre-good-know-how-learn-them

COMMON PHRASAL VERBS

Task 1. Below is a conversation among three friends about the use of technology among the elderly.
Read it, and underline all the phrasal verbs used in it.

Alex: Hey, did you guys hear about that new app that's supposed to help older people with technology?

Chris: Yeah, I’ve heard about it. Sounds great! My grandparents always ask me to look things up for them
online. They just can't keep up with all the changes.

Jamie: Same here. My mom still asks me how to switch on the computer every time she wants to use it. It's
like she forgets how to do it the moment she switches it off. I can’t believe she still finds it difficult to turn
up or down the volume of the tablet, for instance.

Alex: It's interesting how they react to technology. My granddad actually threw out his old phone because
he couldn't figure out how to use it anymore.

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Chris: Really? Mine just handed his phone in to the shop to get it fixed. He didn't want to throw it away
because he thought it might still be useful although he bought it like seven years ago!

Jamie: I think they just need a bit more patience. My aunt keeps on trying to learn, even though it takes
her a while to understand how an app works. I always tell her to be patient and not give up.

Alex: That's true. I think persistence is key. But some of them just turn down the idea of learning anything
new. My granddad turned down my offer to teach him how to use a tablet because he said it was too
complicated.

Chris: It's a generational thing, I guess. They didn't grow up with this stuff, so it's harder for them. But once
they get the basics, they use most of the technological devices quite well. My grandma was so proud when
she finally managed to send an email on her own.

Jamie: I am just curious about how high-tech gadgets will turn out to be once we reach their age. Will we
be comfortable with them? What do you think our kids and grandkids will say behind our back? 

Task 2. Match a phrasal verb you underlined with one of the definitions below.

1. to get rid of something that you no longer want (throw out/throw away)

2. to think about somebody/something until you understand them/it (figure out)

3. to happen in a particular way; to develop or end in a particular way (turn out)

4. to look for information in a dictionary or reference book or by using a computer (look up)

5. to hand over something to somebody in authority (hand in)

6. to reject or refuse to consider an offer, a proposal, etc. or the person who makes it (turn down)

7. to reduce the noise, heat, etc. produced by a piece of equipment by moving its controls (turn down)

8. to continue (keep on)

9. to develop into an adult (grow up)

10. to learn about or be aware of the news, current events, etc. (keep up with)

11. to increase the sound, heat, etc. of a piece of equipment (turn up)

12. to stop trying to do something (give up)

13. to start/stop a device powered by electricity (switch on/switch off)

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Task 3. Now decide if the underlined phrasal verbs are separable or non-separable. Categorize them in
the table below. Use a dictionary if necessary.

Separable phrasal verbs Non-separable phrasal verbs

Throw out Turn out
Throw away Keep on
Figure out Grow up
Look up Keep up with
Hand in Give up
Turn down
Turn up
Switch on/off

Task 4. Fill in the blanks in the sentences below with a suitable phrasal verb from the table above.

1. It took me a while to figure out how to install the new software on my computer.
2. Don't forget to hand in your project via email by the end of the week.

3. Kids today grow up with tablets and smartphones from a very young age.

4. Remember to switch off your devices before the plane takes off.

5. Don't give up immediately if the program crashes. Try restarting it.

6. I decided to throw out/away my old laptop since it was no longer working.

7. I had to turn him down because his proposal didn't include the necessary security features to
upgrade the system.

8. Can you turn up the volume on the video call? I can’t hear anything.

9. It’s important to keep up with the latest the technology trends to stay competitive.

10. Even when the Internet connection is slow, you need to keep on trying to upload your files.

Homework: With a pair, write a short dialog using minimum three of the phrasal verbs you have studied in
this handout.

(e.g. a dialogue about school work, a coming birthday party, etc.)