Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 140 · B2

Phrasal verbs 4 on/off (1)

On and off are used for lights and machines, for events that happen or are cancelled, for clothes, and for leaving a place. This unit covers the common verbs in each group.

Start the lesson

14Steps · about 24 minutes

In this lesson

on and off for lights, machines and so onA1 screen of questions
on and off for eventsB3 screens of questions
on and off for clothesC1 screen of questions
off = away from a person or placeD1 screen of questions
Put it together+2 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 4

on and off for lights, machines and so on

So: the heating is on, put the heating on, leave the heating on.

We also say turn the light on/off or switch the light on/off.

You put on music or a song, and you put the kettle on.

  • Do you want the big light on, or shall I switch it off?
  • "Is the oven still on?" "No, I turned it off ten minutes ago."
  • Put something cheerful on. This song is making me sad.
  • You look shattered. I'll put the kettle on.

Point A · Exercise 140.1

Complete the sentences using put ... on with one of these: some music, the heating, the kettle, the light, the oven.

  1. Example

    Nobody could see the crossword any more, so I put the light on.

    AnswerNobody could see the crossword any more, so I put the light on.

  2. The house felt like a fridge when we got back, so I .

  3. I was going to roast a chicken, so I first.

  4. Mum had just come in and wanted a cup of tea, so I .

  5. The party was very quiet, so somebody .

Point B of 4

on and off for events

Phrasal verb Meaning
go on happen
call something off cancel it
put something off, put off doing something delay it
  • Why is there a police car outside? What's going on?
  • The village fete was called off because of the storm.
  • The meeting has been put off until next Thursday.
  • We can't keep putting off fixing the roof. It's raining in the spare room.

Point B · Exercise 140.2 · part 1 of 3

Complete the sentences. Use a verb + on or off in the correct form.

  1. Example

    It was boiling in the theatre, so I took off my cardigan.

    AnswerIt was boiling in the theatre, so I took off my cardigan.

  2. Why is there a crowd outside the bank? What's ?

  3. The fog was too thick for the plane to , so we waited in the lounge.

  4. The thief jumped onto a moped and at high speed.

  5. Since I gave up smoking, I've started to weight.

Point B · Exercise 140.2 · part 2 of 3

Complete the sentences. Use a verb + on or off in the correct form.

  1. We had a long day on the fells. We at seven and walked until it got dark.

  2. Don't until next week what you can do today.

  3. Kevin and Jo have split up. The wedding has been .

  4. You look frozen. Shall I find you a fleece to ?

Point B · Exercise 140.2 · part 3 of 3

Complete the sentences. Use a verb + on or off in the correct form.

  1. I three pairs of boots in the shop, but none of them fitted.

  2. I hate long goodbyes. I'd rather nobody came to the airport to me .

  3. I really need to book an eye test, but I keep it .

Point C of 4

on and off for clothes

Phrasal verb Meaning
put on clothes, glasses, make-up, a seat belt start wearing it
put on weight get heavier
try on clothes put them on to see if they fit
take off clothes, glasses remove them
  • It was freezing on the platform, so I put my hat on.
  • I've put on half a stone since Christmas.
  • I tried on a suit for the wedding, but the sleeves were too long.
  • Take your shoes off before you come in. The carpet's new.

Point C · Extra practice

Complete each sentence with on or off.

  1. It was freezing, so I put my hat .

  2. I tried a suit, but it was too big.

  3. Take your shoes before you come in.

Point D of 4

off = away from a person or place

Phrasal verb Meaning
be off (to a place) be going, be leaving
walk off, run off, drive off, ride off, go off leave (like walk away, run away)
set off start a journey
take off leave the ground (a plane)
see somebody off go with them to the station or airport to say goodbye
  • I'm off to Belfast on Friday. / We're off on holiday next week.
  • Owen jumped on his bike and rode off without a word.
  • At nineteen, my uncle left Swansea and went off to Australia.
  • We set off at five to beat the traffic.
  • After two hours on the runway, the plane finally took off.
  • The whole family came to the station to see Gran off.

Point D · Extra practice

Complete each sentence with off.

  1. I'm to Belfast on Friday.

  2. Owen jumped on his bike and rode .

  3. We set at six to beat the traffic.

Put it together · Exercise 140.3 · part 1 of 2

Read each scene and complete the sentence.

  1. Example

    A woman is waiting at a bus stop in the snow, pulling woolly gloves over her hands.

    Her hands were freezing, so she put her gloves on.

    AnswerHer hands were freezing, so she put her gloves on.

  2. The departures board at the airport says: BA412, departed 14.20.

    The plane at 14.20.

  3. In a changing room, Chloe is wearing a coat that reaches her ankles and hides her hands.

    Chloe a coat, but it was far too big for her.

  4. A notice on the gate of a cricket ground says: Today's match cancelled. Pitch waterlogged.

    The match because of the weather.

  5. Ollie's parents are standing at the departure gate at Cardiff Airport, waving goodbye to him.

    Ollie's parents went to the airport to .

Put it together · Exercise 140.3 · part 2 of 2

Read each scene and complete the sentence.

  1. A woman pulls a woolly hat from her bag and pulls it over her ears.

    She took a hat out of her bag and .

Lesson 140 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: Phrasal verbs 5 on/off (2)Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. on and off for lights, machines and so on–Not checkedB. on and off for events–Not checkedC. on and off for clothes–Not checkedD. off = away from a person or place–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked

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