Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 138 · B2

Phrasal verbs 2 in/out

In and out add the idea of entering or leaving a place. This unit covers that basic meaning, the difference between in/into and out/out of, and common phrasal verbs such as drop in, fill in, eat out and leave out.

Start the lesson

15Steps · about 31 minutes

In this lesson

in and out: entering and leavingA4 screens of questions
Other verbs + inB2 screens of questions
Other verbs + outC1 screen of questions
Put it together+3 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 3

in and out: entering and leaving

in = into a room, a building, a car, water and so on. out = out of it.

in out
get in, go in, come in, walk in, break in get out, go out, move out, let somebody out
let yourself in be locked out
dive in climb out
move in (to a new home) look out (of a window)
check in (at a hotel or airport) check out (of a hotel)

Use in and out without an object. With an object, use into and out of: I'm moving in on Saturday. but I'm moving into the new flat on Saturday. In the same way, she climbed out but she climbed out of the river.

  • How did the burglars get in?
  • I'll leave a key under the mat so you can let yourself in.
  • Rhian ran to the end of the jetty and jumped in.
  • We collect the keys on Thursday and move in at the weekend.
  • We checked in at the hotel just before midnight.
  • Keep your seatbelt on. Don't get out yet.
  • I left my keys on the kitchen table and locked myself out.
  • We paid the bill and checked out of the hotel.

Point A · Exercise 138.1 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with one word (a verb in the correct form).

  1. Example

    I'll leave a key under the mat so you can let yourself in.

    AnswerI'll leave a key under the mat so you can let yourself in.

  2. Imran hates washing up, so he out most nights.

  3. If you're ever passing our house, in for a cup of tea.

  4. Would you mind in this short survey? It only takes two minutes.

  5. Danny doesn't live here any more. He out in June.

Point A · Exercise 138.1 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with one word (a verb in the correct form).

  1. We out of the guest house at ten and drove to Conwy.

  2. I wanted to dry my hair, but there was nowhere to the hairdryer in.

  3. Holly started a pottery course, but she out after three weeks.

  4. Careful! The pond is very shallow, so don't in.

Point A · Exercise 138.2 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with in, into, out or out of.

  1. Example

    We've bought a house. We're moving in next month.

    AnswerWe've bought a house. We're moving in next month.

  2. We got to the guest house at six and checked .

  3. When are you moving the new house?

  4. The taxi stopped and the passenger got .

  5. Burglars broke the post office and took the safe.

Point A · Exercise 138.2 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with in, into, out or out of.

  1. How did the burglars get ? Through the roof?

  2. I opened the cupboard and a pile of tins fell .

  3. Craig lost his temper and stormed the room.

Point B of 3

Other verbs + in

Phrasal verb Meaning
drop in visit somebody at home without arranging it first
join in take part in something that has already started
plug in a machine connect it to the electricity supply
take somebody in deceive somebody (usually passive: be taken in)
fill in or fill out a form write the information it asks for
  • I dropped in on my aunt on my way back from town.
  • The children were playing football in the park, so I joined in.
  • The heater's cold because you haven't plugged it in.
  • He said he was collecting for the hospice, and I was completely taken in.
  • Please fill in the form and return it by 30 April. (or fill out the form)

Point B · Exercise 138.3 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences using a verb with in or out (of). Use the correct form of the verb.

  1. Example

    Ffion walked to the end of the jetty, dived in and swam back to the beach.

    AnswerFfion walked to the end of the jetty, dived in and swam back to the beach.

  2. Not everybody finished the marathon. Twelve of the runners .

  3. I went to see Kate and Sam in their new bungalow. They a fortnight ago.

  4. I've given you all the details you need. I don't think I've anything.

  5. A few fans started clapping along. Then others , and soon the whole ground was clapping.

Point B · Exercise 138.3 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences using a verb with in or out (of). Use the correct form of the verb.

  1. Don't be by his charm. He has borrowed money from half the street.

  2. I to see Grandma on my way home from work. She was in good spirits.

Point C of 3

Other verbs + out

Phrasal verb Meaning
eat out eat at a restaurant, not at home
drop out of college, a course, a race stop before the end
get out of something you arranged to do avoid doing it
leave something out not include it
cross something out draw a line through it
  • The fridge was empty, so we decided to eat out.
  • Callum started a law degree but dropped out in the second year.
  • I promised to help Gran clear the loft. I'm dreading it, but it's too late to get out of it.
  • In "She said that she was tired", the word "that" can be left out.
  • Several names on the rota had been crossed out.

Point C · Extra practice

Complete each sentence with a verb + out.

  1. The fridge was empty, so we decided to . (eat)

  2. Callum started a degree but in the second year. (drop)

  3. We've of milk. Can you get some? (run)

Put it together · Exercise 138.4

Complete the answers. Use the verb in brackets in the correct form, with a pronoun and in or out.

  1. Example

    "The heater's stone cold." "Well, you haven't plugged it in." (plug)

    Answer"The heater's stone cold." "Well, you haven't plugged it in."

  2. "What do I do with these forms?" " and post them to this address." (fill)

  3. "I've spelt my surname wrong on the form." "Never mind. Just and write it again." (cross)

  4. "Did you get into the club?" "No. They wouldn't because we didn't have any ID." (let)

  5. "Can you come to the dinner on Friday?" "Probably. I've agreed to babysit, but I think I can ." (get)

Put it together · Exercise 138.5 · part 1 of 2

Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first. Use a verb from section B or C, beginning with the words in brackets.

  1. Example

    Let's not cook tonight. Let's go to a restaurant. (Let's ...)

    Let's eat out tonight.

    AnswerLet's eat out tonight.

  2. Why didn't you finish the course? (Why did you ...)

  3. Please complete the registration form. (Please ...)

  4. I can't avoid going to the staff party. (I can't ...)

  5. I believed the salesman's story, but it was all lies. (I was completely ...)

Put it together · Exercise 138.5 · part 2 of 2

Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first. Use a verb from section B or C, beginning with the words in brackets.

  1. You must come and see us when you're in Bristol. (You must ...)

  2. Ayesha was upset because she wasn't chosen for the choir. (Ayesha was upset because she ...)

Lesson 138 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: Phrasal verbs 3 outBack to the course

–Right

Each point

A. in and out: entering and leaving–Not checkedB. Other verbs + in–Not checkedC. Other verbs + out–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked

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