PHRASAL VERBS

PHRASAL VERBS

What are Phrasal Verbs?

Phrasal verbs are phrases that indicate actions. They are generally used in spoken English and informal texts.

Examples of such verbs include: turn down, come across and run into.

Phrasal verbs consist of a verb and a preposition or an adverb:

VERB PREPOSITION/ADVERB

get up

go through

write down

take after

Sometimes phrasal verbs consist of three elements:

VERB PREPOSITION/ADVERB 1 PREPOSITION/ADVERB 2

look forward to

put up with

sit in for

When added to the verb the preposition or adverb may change completely the meaning of the verb. Here are some examples:

The meaning of phrasal verbs

Sometimes, it is difficult to understand the meaning of phrasal verbs. Before looking them up in a dictionary, it would be helpful to use the context to understand them.

Literal meaning

Some phrasal verbs have a literal meaning. They can be easily understood.

1. She opened the door and looked outside.

2. She was walking across the street when she heard the sound of an explosion.

Idiomatic meaning

Phrasal verbs can also have a figurative or idiomatic meaning which makes them difficult to understand.

Can you put me up for tonight?

The phrasal verb 'put up' here does not mean to build (as in putting a fence up).

It has, however, an idiomatic/figurative meaning. It means to let someone stay in your house.

Separable or inseparable?

1. Sometimes, the preposition/adverb is placed either after the verb or after the object.

Examples:

Mary made up a really entertaining story.

Mary made the story up.

Separable or inseparable?

2. If the object is a pronoun, however, the preposition/adverb has to be placed after the pronoun (object).

Examples:

She made it up.

Put it down.

Take it off.

Separable or inseparable?

3. Some phrasal verbs are always inseparable.

Example:

I came across some old photos in a drawer.

NOT

I came some old photos across in a drawer.

Multiple Choice

"Give away" means to ...

• do what you promised

• discuss things

• relax

• donate things

Multiple Choice

"Get along with" means to ...

• have a good relationship

• have a bad relationship

• take care of

• tolerate someone

Multiple Choice

"Cheer up" means to ...

• make someone sad

• make someone happy

• make someone angry

• make someone become distant

Multiple Choice

I had a fight with my partner and now I'm feeling bad about it. I just want to __________.

• give up

• listen up

• deal with

• make up

Multiple Choice

I can't __________ all these discussions about fashion and make up.

• going on

• put up with

• come up with

• deal with

Multiple Choice

Since I procrastinate a lot, I've __________ many tasks.

• racks up

• racking up

• rack up

• racked up

Multiple Choice

Since I procrastinate a lot, I've __________ many tasks.

• racks up

• racking up

• rack up

• racked up

Multiple Choice

Students, please read the questions carefully. Do not just __________ it.

• flip through

• sit down

• put up with

• rack up

Multiple Choice

I'm so busy! I have to __________ so many things!

• sit down

• get down

• put up with

• deal with

Multiple Choice

This relationship is not good for me. I decided to __________ on you.

• figure out

• make up

• give up

• mess up

Multiple Choice

__________ your mind! You take too long just to choose a T-shirt!

• make up

• mess up

• give up

• come up

Multiple Choice

I don't have any ideas right now bout I'll have to __________ something by the end of the day.

• count on

• going on

• come up with

• put up with

Multiple Choice

accept, deal with sth.

• feel up to
• face up to
• come up with
• put up with

Multiple Choice

I'm looking forward to _________________Christmas with you.

• spend
• spending
• spent
• have spent

Multiple Choice

Tom's party has been _________________ (cancelled)

• put off
• taken off
• called off
• given away

Multiple Choice

If you decide to visit me, let me know and I'll ________________________. (provide accommodation)

• call on you
• put you up
• knock you out
• put aside

Multiple Choice

I've decided to _____ sailing.

• take on

• take off

• take up

• turn up

Multiple Choice

hold up

• wait
• discover
• rob
• save

Multiple Choice

put sth. off

• cancel
• postpone
• provide accommodation
• collect

Multiple Choice

come into

• inherit
• find by chance
• visit
• think of an answer

Multiple Choice

put up with

• continue
• compensate for
• tolerate
• have good relations with

Multiple Choice

make up for

• respect
• compensate for
• have as a hobby
• do something bad

Multiple Choice

It took no time for Paula to get _____ her disappointment.

• up
• over
• with

Multiple Choice

Please turn _____ the volume. It's hurting my ears.

• down
• up
• in

Multiple Choice

They put _____ the meeting for another day.

• off
• on
• up

Multiple Choice

Can you make _____ what he is trying to say?

• up
• over
• out

Multiple Choice

I had to write _____ the letter due to the many errors.

• down
• over
• up

Multiple Choice

The old lady was not put _____ by his cold demeanour.

• on
• off
• with

Multiple Choice

How do you get _____ on just $80, 000.00 a month?

• in

• around

• by

Multiple Choice

Please make _____ your mind as we need to leave.

• over

• up

• around

Multiple Choice

Janet mulled _____ the question before answering.

• in
• around
• over

Multiple Choice

When can we stop _____ and see your new entertainment system?

• about
• in
• by

Multiple Choice

First, cut _____ the pineapples and mangoes.

• in
• down
• up

Multiple Choice

Could you please close _____ the restaurant this evening?

• down

• by

• up

Multiple Choice

Do you want to hang ____ for a little?

• out
• over
• down

Multiple Choice

The dog ran ______ the house and exited the back door.

• around

• through

• by

Multiple Choice

Can you please turn _____? I left my umbrella.

• up
• back
• through

Multiple Choice

Last night I woke _____ during the night.

• up

• by

• around

Multiple Choice

Last night I woke _____ during the night.

• up

• by

• around