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Unit 137 · Phrasal verbs

Phrasal verbs 1 Introduction

Study

A

We often use verbs with:

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

So you can say look out / get on / take off / run away etc. These are phrasal verbs.

We often use on/off/out etc. with verbs of movement. For example:

›

The bus was full. We couldn't get on.

›

A woman got into the car and drove off.

›

Sarah is leaving tomorrow and coming back on Saturday.

›

When I touched him on the shoulder, he turned round.

B

Often the second word (on/off/out etc.) gives a special meaning to the verb. For example:

›

Sorry I'm late. The car broke down. (= the engine stopped working)

›

I never found out who sent me the flowers. (= I never discovered)

›

It was my first flight. I was nervous as the plane took off. (= went into the air)

›

I tried many times to contact her. In the end I gave up. (= stopped trying)

›

How was the exam? How did you get on? (= How did you do?)

›

My French isn't good, but it's enough to get by. (= enough to manage)

For more phrasal verbs, see Units 138–145.

C

Sometimes a phrasal verb is followed by a preposition. For example:

phrasal verb preposition
look up at
run away from
keep up with
look forward to
›

We looked up at the plane as it flew above us.

›

Why did you run away from me?

›

You're walking too fast. I can't keep up with you.

›

Are you looking forward to your trip?

D

Sometimes a phrasal verb has an object. For example:

›

I turned on the light. (the light is the object)

Usually there are two possible positions for the object. You can say:

›

I turned on the light.

object

›

or I turned the light on.

object

But if the object is a pronoun (it/them/me/him etc.), only one position is possible:

›

I turned it on. (not I turned on it)

In the same way, you can say:

I'm going to

›

take off my shoes.

›

take my shoes off.

but

›

These shoes are uncomfortable. I'm going to take them off. (not take off them)

Don't

›

wake up the baby.

›

wake the baby up.

but

›

The baby is asleep. Don't wake her up. (not wake up her)

Don't

›

throw away this box.

›

throw this box away.

but

›

I want to keep this box, so don't throw it away. (not throw away it)

Exercises (4)

0/4 exercises checked
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137.1

Complete each sentence using a verb from A (in the correct form) + a word from B.

  1. 1
    Sarah is leaving tomorrow and on Saturday.example
  2. 2
    I've been standing a long time. I'm going to for a bit.
  3. 3
    It's a very busy airport. There are planes landing and all the time.
  4. 4
    A cat tried to catch the bird, but it just in time.
  5. 5
    We were trapped in the building. We couldn't .
  6. 6
    I can't hear you very well. Can you a little?
  7. 7
    Ben's salary is very low, but it's enough to .
  8. 8
    Everything is so expensive now. Prices have a lot.
  9. 9
    I heard a noise behind me, so I to see what it was.
  10. 10
    I'm going out now to do some shopping. I'll in about an hour.
  11. 11
    Our car on the motorway and we had to call for help.
  12. 12
    How is your new job? How are you ?
137.2

Complete each sentence using a word from A and a word from B.

  1. 1
    You're walking too fast. I can't keep you.example
  2. 2
    My holidays are nearly over. Next week I'll be work.
  3. 3
    We went the top floor of the building to admire the view.
  4. 4
    The meeting tomorrow is going to be difficult. I'm not looking it.
  5. 5
    There was a bank robbery last week. The robbers got £50,000.
  6. 6
    I love to look the stars in the night sky.
  7. 7
    I was sitting in the kitchen when a bird flew the open window.
  8. 8
    How do you know about the plan? How did you find it?
137.3

Complete the sentences. Use these phrasal verbs + it/them/me:

get outgive backswitch ontake offthrow awaywake up
  1. 1
    I want to keep this box. Don't .example
  2. 2
    I'm going to bed now. Can you at 6.30?
  3. 3
    I've got something in my eye and I can't .
  4. 4
    I don't like it when people borrow things and don't .
  5. 5
    I want to use the hair dryer. How do I ?
  6. 6
    My shoes are dirty. I'd better before going into the house.
137.4

Complete the sentences. Use the word in brackets.

  1. 1
    Don't . I want to keep it. (away)example
  2. 2
    I don't want this newspaper. You can throw . (away)example
  3. 3
    These books are Lisa's. I have to give to her. (back)
  4. 4
    We can turn . Nobody is watching it. (off)
  5. 5
    Shh! My mother is asleep. I don't want to wake . (up)
  6. 6
    It's cold today. You should put if you go out. (on)
  7. 7
    It was only a small fire. I was able to put easily. (out)
  8. 8
    It's a bit dark in this room. Shall I turn ? (on)
  9. 9
    A: The hotel is more expensive than when we stayed here last year.
    B: Yes, they've put . (up)
  10. 10
    A: How did the vase get broken?
    B: I'm afraid I knocked while I was cleaning. (over)