Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 137 · B2

Phrasal verbs 1 Introduction

A phrasal verb is a verb followed by a small word such as on, off, out or up. This unit shows how those words add movement or a new meaning, how a preposition can follow, and where the object goes.

Start the lesson

16Steps · about 31 minutes

In this lesson

Verb + on, off, out and so onA3 screens of questions
A second word that changes the meaningB1 screen of questions
Phrasal verb + prepositionC2 screens of questions
Where the object goesD4 screens of questions

Point A of 4

Verb + on, off, out and so on

We often use verbs with these words:

up, down, in, out, on, off, away, back, over, round (or around), through, along, about, by, forward

The result is a phrasal verb: look out, get on, take off, run away.

With verbs of movement, the second word often just tells you the direction.

  • The tram was packed, so we couldn't get on.
  • A man jumped into the van and drove off.
  • Ellie is flying to Malta on Friday and coming back on Tuesday.
  • I called his name and he turned round.

Point A · Exercise 137.1 · part 1 of 3

Complete each sentence using a verb from list A in the correct form and a word from list B. A: be, break, come, fly, get, get, get, go, look, sit, speak, take. B: away, back, back, by, down, down, off, on, out, round, up, up.

  1. Example

    Jo is going to Edinburgh on Thursday and coming back on Monday.

    AnswerJo is going to Edinburgh on Thursday and coming back on Monday.

  2. My legs are aching. I'm going to for a few minutes.

  3. Manchester Airport never stops. Planes are landing and every couple of minutes.

  4. The cat nearly caught the pigeon, but it just in time.

  5. Every door was locked. We couldn't .

Point A · Exercise 137.1 · part 2 of 3

Complete each sentence using a verb from list A in the correct form and a word from list B. A: be, break, come, fly, get, get, get, go, look, sit, speak, take. B: away, back, back, by, down, down, off, on, out, round, up, up.

  1. I can't hear you over the music. Could you a bit?

  2. My pension isn't large, but it's enough to .

  3. Everything costs more these days. The price of a loaf has again.

  4. I heard footsteps behind me, so I to see who it was.

Point A · Exercise 137.1 · part 3 of 3

Complete each sentence using a verb from list A in the correct form and a word from list B. A: be, break, come, fly, get, get, get, go, look, sit, speak, take. B: away, back, back, by, down, down, off, on, out, round, up, up.

  1. I'm popping out to the post office. I'll in about twenty minutes.

  2. Our coach on the M62, and we waited two hours for a mechanic.

  3. How's the new choir? How are you ?

Point B of 4

A second word that changes the meaning

Often the second word gives the verb a meaning you could not guess from the verb alone.

Phrasal verb Meaning
break down stop working (a car, a machine)
find out discover
take off leave the ground (a plane)
give up stop trying
get on manage, do (How did you get on?)
get by manage with what you have

Units 138 to 145 cover many more.

  • Sorry we're late. The minibus broke down outside Barnsley.
  • Did you ever find out who left the flowers on the doorstep?
  • My hands were shaking as the plane took off.
  • I rang the helpline six times. In the end I gave up.
  • "You had your interview today. How did you get on?"
  • My German is basic, but it's enough to get by on holiday.

Point B · Extra practice

Complete each phrasal verb with down, out, off or back.

  1. Sorry we're late. The car broke on the motorway.

  2. Did you ever find who sent the flowers?

  3. My hands were shaking as the plane took .

Point C of 4

Phrasal verb + preposition

Sometimes a phrasal verb is followed by a preposition:

Phrasal verb Preposition
look up at
run away from
keep up with
look forward to
  • We looked up at the geese flying over the house.
  • Why did you run away from the dog? It was wagging its tail.
  • Slow down. I can't keep up with you.
  • Are you looking forward to the wedding?

Point C · Exercise 137.2 · part 1 of 2

Complete each sentence using a word from list A and a word from list B. A: away, back, forward, in, out, up, up, up. B: about, at, at, through, to, to, with, with.

  1. Example

    Hang on, you're going too quickly! I can't keep up with you.

    AnswerHang on, you're going too quickly! I can't keep up with you.

  2. The summer holidays are nearly over. On Monday I'll be school.

  3. We went the top of the cathedral tower to look at the view over Durham.

  4. Tomorrow's meeting with the auditors will be awkward. I'm not looking it.

  5. Somebody took the charity box from the pub, and they got it. Nobody saw a thing.

Point C · Exercise 137.2 · part 2 of 2

Complete each sentence using a word from list A and a word from list B. A: away, back, forward, in, out, up, up, up. B: about, at, at, through, to, to, with, with.

  1. On clear nights I like to lie in the garden and look the stars.

  2. I was having breakfast when a wasp flew the open window.

  3. Who told you about the surprise party? How did you find it?

Point D of 4

Where the object goes

Some phrasal verbs have an object. In I switched on the heater, the object is the heater.

Usually the object can go in two places:

Position 1 Position 2
I switched on the heater. I switched the heater on.
I'm going to take off my boots. I'm going to take my boots off.
Don't wake up the dog. Don't wake the dog up.
Don't throw away that tin. Don't throw that tin away.

When the object is a pronoun (it, them, me, him, her, us, you), there is only one position. The pronoun goes in the middle: switch it on, never switch on it.

  • It's freezing in here. I've switched it on. (not switched on it)
  • These boots are killing me. I'm going to take them off. (not take off them)
  • The dog's finally asleep. Don't wake him up. (not wake up him)
  • I keep buttons in that jar, so please don't throw it out. (not throw out it)

Point D · Exercise 137.3 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences. Use these phrasal verbs with it, them or me: get out, give back, switch on, take off, throw away, wake up.

  1. Example

    These old letters are precious to me. Don't throw them away.

    AnswerThese old letters are precious to me. Don't throw them away.

  2. I'm on an early shift tomorrow. Can you at half five?

  3. There's a splinter in my thumb and I can't .

  4. My neighbour borrowed my ladders in March and still hasn't .

  5. I'd like to use the new printer. How do I ?

Point D · Exercise 137.3 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences. Use these phrasal verbs with it, them or me: get out, give back, switch on, take off, throw away, wake up.

  1. My wellies are covered in mud. I'd better before I go into the kitchen.

Point D · Exercise 137.4 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences using the words in brackets. Where the object is a noun, both word orders are correct.

  1. Example

    Don't throw away this bag. I still need it. (throw / this bag / away)

    AnswerDon't throw away this bag. I still need it.

  2. Example

    I've finished with this magazine. You can throw it away. (throw / it / away)

    AnswerI've finished with this magazine. You can throw it away.

  3. These DVDs belong to Tariq. I have to to him. (give / them / back)

  4. We can . Nobody is watching it. (turn / the telly / off)

  5. Shh! The baby's asleep. I don't want to . (wake / her / up)

  6. It's freezing out there. You should if you're going out. (put / your coat / on)

Point D · Exercise 137.4 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences using the words in brackets. Where the object is a noun, both word orders are correct.

  1. It was only a small fire in the bin. I managed to quickly. (put / it / out)

  2. It's a bit gloomy in here. Shall I ? (turn / the lamp / on)

  3. "The bus fare is higher than it was last year." "Yes, they've ." (put / it / up)

  4. "How did the milk get spilt?" "Sorry, I when I reached for the sugar." (knock / it / over)

Lesson 137 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: Phrasal verbs 2 in/outBack to the course

–Right

Each point

A. Verb + on, off, out and so on–Not checkedB. A second word that changes the meaning–Not checkedC. Phrasal verb + preposition–Not checkedD. Where the object goes–Not checked

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Phrasal verbsEvery entry, with examples you can hearExercise setsPhrasal verbs, beginner to advanced