9.2: Phrasal Verbs
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Grammar Presentation-Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs are verbs usually followed by a preposition to form one meaning. For example, the phrasal verb put off means to delay or postpone. Phrasal verbs can be categorized as separable or inseparable. Separable phrasal verbs can be kept together or separated by nouns or pronouns. Inseparable phrasal verbs cannot be separated by a noun or pronoun. Look at the examples.
1. I looked up the new word in the dictionary. (separable phrasal verb kept together)
2. I look the new word up in the dictionary. (separable phrasal verb separated)
3. I look up to my grandmother. (inseparable phrasal verb)
For more information on this topic, watch these videos: Phrasal Verbs (Structure)-Lesson 18-English Grammar and English Phrasal Verbs for Everyday Life
Separable Phrasal Verbs
Separable phrasal verbs can have a noun or pronoun between the verb and preposition. However, they can only have a noun, not a pronoun, after the preposition. Look at the examples.
1. Hyun-Ki gave smoking up.
2. Hyun-Ki gave up smoking.
3. Hyun-Ki gave it up.
4. Hyun-Ki gave up it. (incorrect)
The phrasal verb is separated by a noun (example 1) and pronoun (example 3). In example 2, the phrasal verb is kept together and followed by a noun. However, in example 4, the phrasal verb is kept together and incorrectly followed by a pronoun. While it is not common, some phrasal verbs must be separated. The table below has a list of separable phrasal verbs. Those that must be separated are marked with an asterisk (*).
|
Meaning |
Phrasal Verb |
Meaning |
|
|
ask over* |
invite |
blow up |
explode |
|
bring back |
return |
bring up |
bring attention to |
|
build up |
increase |
break down |
thoroughly explain |
|
call back* |
return a phone call |
call off |
cancel |
|
throw away |
put in the trash |
calm down |
decrease emotions |
|
drop off |
leave someone or something at a place |
figure out |
understand or solve |
|
fill in |
complete |
fill out |
complete |
|
fill up |
fill completely |
turn on/off |
make something open or start/ stop or finish |
|
find out |
learn new information |
get across |
get people to understand |
|
give up |
quit |
give out |
distribute |
|
give back |
return |
hang up |
end a phone call |
|
help out |
assist |
leave out |
exclude |
|
let down |
disappoint |
pass down |
give |
|
pick up |
give a ride / lift / get |
put away |
put in the correct place |
|
put off |
postpone |
take off |
remove |
Table 23 Separable Phrasal Verbs
For more information on this topic, watch this video: An Introduction to Phrasal Verbs
-
1. My sister _________ the birthday party at her house when she came down with the flu.
a. picked up
b. carried out
c. called off
d. fixed up
2. After having the flu, she had to _________ her strength slowly.
a. fill out
b. pass down
c. find out
d. build up
3. I had to to ______ all of the pieces of the broken plate.
a. pick up
b. put off
c. break down
d. put away
4. Americans _________ too much food. It’s very wasteful.
a. give up
b. get across
c. throw away
d. bring up
5. I don’t want to _________ eating desserts! How else can I lose weight and be healthy?
a. give up
b. calm down
c. put away
d. put off
6. My paragraph was thorough because I didn’t want to _________ any information.
a. fill in
b. leave out
c. figure out
d. turn off
7. Aaron will be late to the party because he had to _________ his sister across town.
a. call off
b. get across
c. give back
d. drop off
8. Muhamad didn’t want to _________ his parents, so he tried his best to succeed.
a. build up
b. break down
c. let down
d. calm down
9. Can you help me _____ this heavy box?
a. pick up
b. hang up
c. leave out
d. pick out
10. I promised to _________ the book that Patty gave me.
a. call back
b. give out
c. give back
d. fill up
Read the sentences and determine which phrasal verb would be the most appropriate considering its meaning.
Exercise 5-Meaning Practice
Match the phrasal verb to its meaning.
|
a. learn new information |
b. return |
c. remove |
|
d. bring attention to |
e. help someone understand |
f. disappoint |
|
g. implement |
h. leave |
i. explains thoroughly |
|
j. cancel |
k. postpone |
l. solve |
|
m. exclude |
1. ______ drop off
2. ______ find out
3. ______ figure out
4. ______ get across
5. ______ give back
6. ______ let down
7. ______ take off
8. ______ leave out
9. ______ call off
10. ______ put off
11. ______ break down
12. ______ carry out
13. ______ bring up
Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
Inseparable phrasal verbs must be kept together. Transitive phrasal verbs (verbs that can have an object) can be followed by a noun or pronoun. Look at the examples.
1. The teacher is trying to keep up with grading the homework.
2. The teacher is trying to keep up with it.
It is a challenge determining whether a phrasal verb is separable or inseparable, but one strategy to help you is to remember that three-word phrasal verbs cannot be separated.
|
Meaning |
Phrasal Verb |
Meaning |
|
|
carry on |
continue |
cash in on |
profit from |
|
fall for |
believe a trick |
follow through with |
complete |
|
get off |
leave |
get on |
board |
|
get out of |
leave |
get over |
recover |
|
get through with |
finish/endure |
get to |
access/upset |
|
get together with |
meet |
go over |
review |
|
keep up with |
maintain pace |
look after |
care for |
|
look back on |
remember |
pick on |
bully |
|
put up with |
tolerate |
see about |
consider |
|
stand for |
represent |
take after |
resemble |
|
talk over |
discuss |
touch on |
briefly mention |
|
turn into |
become |
watch out for |
be careful of |
Table 24 Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
Match the phrasal verb to its meaning.
|
a. tolerate |
b. become |
c. bully |
|
d. recover |
e. continue |
f. leave |
|
g. maintain pace |
h. complete |
i. care for |
|
j. review |
k. consider |
l. resemble |
|
m. discuss |
n. represent |
o. remember |
1. ______ carry on
2. ______ take after
3. ______ stand for
4. ______ put up with
5. ______ get out of
6. ______ go over
7. ______ turn into
8. ______ follow through with
9. ______ get over
10. ______ keep up with
11. ______ look back on
12. ______ talk over
13. ______ look after
14. ______ pick on
15. ______ see about
Read the sentences that have a noun used with a phrasal verb. Rewrite the sentence using a pronoun. Use the example as a guide.
Example: Sadie always falls for her brother’s tricks. = Sadie always falls for them.
1. The governor will follow through with his promise.
2. Rebecca couldn’t wait to get over her cold and begin feeling better.
3. The teacher will not put up with plagiarism. Don’t try it!
4. I did my best to keep up with my sister.
5. Watch out for black widow spiders.
6. Happy couples usually talk over their problems instead of squelching them
Read the sentences and determine which phrasal verb would be the most appropriate considering its meaning.
1. The professor’s lecture ________ the factor contributing to the genocide.
a. carried on
b. stood for
c. touched on
d. fell for
2. Penelope ________ her puppies.
a. takes after
b. looks after
c. goes over
d. follow through with
3. Daren ________ his dad.
a. takes after
b. looks back on
c. cashes in on
d. sees about
4. Let’s ________ notes before the test.
a. get over
b. carry on
c. put up with
d. go over
5. The letters used in algebra ________ numbers.
a. carry on
b. stand for
c. get on
d. watch out for
6. Before a caterpillar ________ a butterfly, the caterpillar creates a cocoon.
a. turns into
b. takes after
c. stands for
d. looks after
7. His legs are too short to ________ his auntie.
a. look back on
b. fall for
c. turn into
d. keep up with
8. Sometimes the child that ________ other children needs the most help.
a. picks on
b. look back on
c. get out of
d. follow through with
9. The driver wanted Rosa Parks to ________ the bus, but she refused.
a. get together with
b. put up with
c. stand for
d. get off
10. Instead of punishing a child for doing something wrong, ________ the consequences.
a. see about
b. talk over
c. look after
d. watch out for
“Grammar Presentation-Phrasal Verbs” is derived from “ESL Grammar: The Way You Like It” Book 2 by Don Bissonnette licensed under CC BY-NC.