phrasal verbs 9A-B-C

Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are mainly used in spoken English and informal texts. (The more formal a conversation or text, the less phrasal verbs are found.)

Phrasal verbs consist of a verb plus a particle (preposition, adverb). The particle can change the meaning of the verb completely, e.g.:

§  look up – consult a reference book (look a word up in a dictionary)

§  look for – seek (look for her ring)

§  look forward – anticipate with pleasure (look forward to meeting someone)

There are no rules that might explain how phrasal verbs are formed correctly - all you can do is look them up in a gooddictionary and study their meanings. In our lists, you will find some frequently used phrasal verbs and their meanings.

Frequently Used Phrasal Verbs with:

§  break, bring, call, carry, come, do, fall, get, go, keep, look, make, put, run, set, take, turn

Position of the Particle

The particle is placed either after the verb or after the object.

PhrasalVerbswith 'get'

Complete the sentences. Use each particle only once.

1.     Let'sget  across along away by down to in off over through to  business.

2.     How do you get  across along away by down to in off over through to  with your classmates?

3.     I know that you're still in love with your ex. But believe me, you will get  across along away by down to in off over through to  him soon.

4.     Quick, get   the car. I'm not supposed to stop here.

5.     I tried to get my point  across along away by down to in off over through to , but nobody seemed to care.

6.     With 10 dollars per day, one can hardly get  across along away by down to in off over through to .

7.     We have to get  across along away by down to in off over through to  the bus at the next stop.

8.     My sister helped me get  across along away by down to in off over through to  the exam.

9.     What you did was very mean. I don't think you'll get  across along away by down to in off over through to  so easily.

10.  We won't get  across along away by down to in off over through to  the sea today if you don't cycle a bit faster.

PHRASAL VERBS

EXERCISES AND ANSWER KEY

Practice Exercise 1

put ... off

build ... up

buy ... out

give ... up

back ... up

try ... out

help ... out

put ... down

make ... up

fill ... out

EXAMPLE:

The operator disconnected Paul.

The operator cut him off.

1) Before you buy it, you should use it and test it.

2) He spent years developing and growing this business.

3) They want to purchase a majority share holding in the company.

4) You should make extra copies of all your computer files.

5) Can you give me some assistance with this report?

6) Why do you always say negative things about Peter?

7) Have you completed the form in bold print?

8) My New Year’s resolution was to stop smoking cigarettes.

9) I don’t believe her; she’s telling a story which isn’t true.

10) Do you know if the meeting is going to be postponed?

1) Before you buy it, _____________________.

2) He spent years _____________________.

3) They want to _____________________.

4) You should _____________________.

5) Can you _____________________ with this report?

6) Why do you always _____________________?

7) Have you _____________________ in bold print?

8) My New Year’s resolution was to _____________________.

9) I don’t believe her; she’s _____________________.

10) Do you know if the meeting is going to be ___________________ http://www.workplace-english-training.com