Ampersand Lab

Foundation grammar · Lesson 115 · A2

put on your shoes, put your shoes on (phrasal verbs 2)

When a phrasal verb has an object, the object can go after the small word or before it: put on your coat, or put your coat on. But it and them always go before it: put it on, never put on it.

Start the lesson

15Steps · about 26 minutes

In this lesson

Two places for the objectA3 screens of questions
turn on, switch off etc.B1 screen of questions
pick up, put downC2 screens of questions
bring back, take back, give back, put backD1 screen of questions
Put it together+2 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 4

Two places for the object

Some phrasal verbs have an object: put on your coat, take off your shoes.

The object can go after on / off, or between the verb and on / off:
put on your coat put your coat on
take off your shoes take your shoes off

But it / them (pronouns) always go before on / off etc.: put it on (not put on it), take them off (not take off them).

  • It was chilly, so I put on my jumper. (or I put my jumper on)
  • Here's your jumper. Put it on.
  • I'm going to take off my boots. (or take my boots off)
  • Your boots are muddy. Take them off.

Point A · Exercise 115.2 · part 1 of 3

Each sentence can be written in three ways: verb + on/off + object, verb + object + on/off, and verb + it/them + on/off. Write the form asked for in brackets.

  1. Example

    I turned on the TV. (object in the middle)

    I turned the TV on.

    AnswerI turned the TV on.

  2. Example

    I turned on the TV. (with it or them)

    I turned it on.

    AnswerI turned it on.

  3. He put on his gloves. (object in the middle)

  4. He put on his gloves. (with it or them)

  5. She took her coat off. (object at the end)

  6. She took her coat off. (with it or them)

Point A · Exercise 115.2 · part 2 of 3

Each sentence can be written in three ways: verb + on/off + object, verb + object + on/off, and verb + it/them + on/off. Write the form asked for in brackets.

  1. Put down your pencils. (object in the middle)

  2. Put down your pencils. (with it or them)

  3. They gave back the keys. (object in the middle)

  4. They gave back the keys. (with it or them)

Point A · Exercise 115.2 · part 3 of 3

Each sentence can be written in three ways: verb + on/off + object, verb + object + on/off, and verb + it/them + on/off. Write the form asked for in brackets.

  1. I switched the heating off. (object at the end)

  2. I switched the heating off. (with it or them)

Point B of 4

turn on, switch off etc.

turn on / turn off (lights, machines, taps etc.). Also switch on / switch off (lights, machines etc.).

  • It was getting dark, so I turned on the lamp. (or I turned the lamp on)
  • I'm not watching this. You can turn it off.
  • I switched on the kettle and switched off the radio.

Point B · Extra practice

Put in on or off.

  1. It's dark in here. Can you turn the light ?

  2. Nobody's watching the telly. Switch it .

  3. I switched the kettle and got two mugs out.

Point C of 4

pick up, put down

pick up = lift from a surface. put down = place on a surface.

  • Those are my gloves on the floor. Could you pick them up for me?
  • I stopped writing and put my pen down. (or put down my pen)

Point C · Exercise 115.1 · part 1 of 2

Read each scene. What did the person do? Write a sentence.

  1. Example

    A dark room. A man presses the switch by the door and the light comes on.

    (He / the light)

    He turned on the light.

    AnswerHe turned on the light.

  2. A woman wearing a sun hat. Then the hat is in her hand.

    (She / her hat)

  3. A man carrying a heavy rucksack. Then the rucksack is on the floor beside him.

    (He / his rucksack)

  4. A magazine lying on a seat on the train. Then a woman is holding it and reading.

    (She / the magazine)

  5. A man in bright sunshine. Then he is wearing sunglasses.

    (He / his sunglasses)

Point C · Exercise 115.1 · part 2 of 2

Read each scene. What did the person do? Write a sentence.

  1. A tap running in the sink. A woman reaches over and the water stops.

    (She / the tap)

Point D of 4

bring back, take back, give back, put back

back = returning something to where it came from.

  • You can borrow my tent, but please bring it back.
  • I took the jeans back to the shop. They were too long.
  • I've still got Leo's charger. I must give it back to him.
  • I read the card and then put it back in the envelope.

Point D · Exercise 115.3

Complete the sentences. Use one of these verbs + it or them + on, off, up or back: bring, pick, switch, take, turn.

  1. Example

    I wanted to listen to the news, so I turned it on.

    AnswerI wanted to listen to the news, so I turned it on.

  2. I bought a kettle, but it doesn't work. I'm going to to the shop.

  3. There were some toys on the stairs, so I and put them in the box.

  4. When I'd finished with the printer, I .

  5. Thanks for lending me these DVDs. I'll remember to .

Put it together · Exercise 115.4 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences. Choose an object (some trees, a vase, a pair of jeans, your phone, or me / it / them) and one of these: in, up, on, away, out, down, over, round.

  1. Example

    They cut some trees down when they built the car park.

    AnswerThey cut some trees down when they built the car park.

  2. Example

    That music is far too loud. Could you turn it down?

    AnswerThat music is far too loud. Could you turn it down?

  3. I knocked and it smashed on the floor.

  4. I couldn't remember when the battle was, so I looked online.

  5. I want to keep these old letters. Please don't throw .

  6. The receptionist handed me a form and asked me to fill .

Put it together · Exercise 115.4 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences. Choose an object (some trees, a vase, a pair of jeans, your phone, or me / it / them) and one of these: in, up, on, away, out, down, over, round.

  1. I tried in the shop, but they didn't fit.

  2. I went to see the new office. The manager showed .

  3. "Do you still go to karate?" "No, I did it for a year, but then I gave ."

  4. Phones aren't allowed in the exam room. Please put .

Lesson 115 · Result

How you did

Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. Two places for the object–Not checkedB. turn on, switch off etc.–Not checkedC. pick up, put down–Not checkedD. bring back, take back, give back, put back–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked

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