Unit 138 · Phrasal verbs
Phrasal verbs 2 in/out
Study
Compare in and out:
in = into a room, a building, a car etc.
How did the thieves get in?
Here's a key, so you can let yourself in.
Lisa walked up to the edge of the pool and dived in. (= into the water)
I've got a new apartment. I'm moving in on Friday.
As soon as I got to the airport, I checked in.
In the same way you can say go in, come in, walk in, break in etc.
out = out of a room, a building, a car etc.
Stay in the car. Don't get out.
I had no key, so I was locked out.
She swam up and down the pool, and then climbed out.
Andy opened the window and looked out.
We paid the hotel bill and checked out.
In the same way you can say go out, get out, move out, let somebody out etc.
Compare in and into:
I'm moving in on Friday.
I'm moving into my new flat on Friday.
Compare out and out of:
She climbed out.
She climbed out of the pool.
Other verbs + in
drop in = visit somebody at home without arranging to do this
I dropped in to see Chris on my way home.
join in = take part in something that is already going on
They were playing cards, so I joined in.
plug in an electrical machine = connect it to the electricity supply
The fridge isn't working because you haven't plugged it in.
take somebody in = deceive somebody
The man said he was a policeman and I believed him. I was completely taken in.
fill in or fill out a form, a questionnaire etc. = write the necessary information on a form
Please fill in the application form and send it to us by 28 February.
Please fill out the application form …
Other verbs + out
eat out = eat at a restaurant, not at home
There wasn't anything to eat at home, so we decided to eat out.
drop out of college / university / a course / a race = stop before you have completely finished
Gary went to university but dropped out after a year.
get out of something that you arranged to do = avoid doing it
I promised I'd go to the wedding. I don't want to go, but I can't get out of it now.
leave something out = omit it, not include it
In the sentence 'She said that she was ill', you can leave out the word 'that'.
cross something out = write a line through something
Some of the names on the list had been crossed out.
→ Phrasal verbs 1 (Introduction) ➜ Unit 137 · More verbs + out ➜ Unit 139
Exercises (5)
Complete the sentences.
- 1Here's a key so that you can yourself in.example
- 2Lisa doesn't like cooking, so she a lot.
- 3If you're in our part of town, you should in and say hello.
- 4Could you in this questionnaire? It will only take five minutes.
- 5Amy isn't living in this house any more. She out a few weeks ago.
- 6After breakfast, we out of the hotel and got a taxi to the airport.
- 7I wanted to charge my phone, but there was nowhere to the charger in.
- 8Paul started doing a Spanish course, but he out after a few weeks.
- 9Be careful! The water isn't very deep here, so don't in.
Complete the sentences with in, into, out or out of.
- 1I've got a new flat. I'm moving on Friday.example
- 2We arrived at the hotel and checked .
- 3When are you moving your new flat?
- 4The car stopped and the driver got .
- 5Thieves broke the house and stole some jewellery.
- 6How did the thieves break ? Through a window?
- 7He opened his wallet and something fell .
- 8Kate was angry and walked the meeting.
Complete the sentences using a verb + in or out (of).
- 1Lisa walked to the edge of the pool, and swam to the other end.example
- 2Not all the runners finished the race. Three of them .
- 3I went to see Joe and Sophie in their new house. They last week.
- 4I've told you everything you need to know. I don't think I've anything.
- 5Some people in the crowd started singing. Then a few more people and soon everybody was singing.
- 6Don't be by him. If I were you, I wouldn't believe anything he says.
- 7I to see Laura a few days ago. She was fine.
Complete the sentences. Use the word in brackets in the correct form.
- 1a: The fridge isn't working.B: That's because you haven't . (plug)example
- 2a: What do I have to do with these forms?B: and send them to this address. (fill)
- 3a: I've made a mistake on this form.B: That's OK. Just and correct it. (cross)
- 4a: Have you been to the new club I told you about?B: No. We went there, but they wouldn't because we weren't members. (let)
- 5a: Can we meet tomorrow at ten?B: Probably. I have another meeting, but I think I can . (get)
Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first. Use a verb from Sections B or C.
- 1Let's go to a restaurant tonight.Let's tonight.example
- 2Why didn't you finish college?Why did you ?
- 3Please complete the application form.Please form .
- 4I can't avoid going to the party.I can't to the party.
- 5I thought the email was genuine, but it wasn't.I was completely the email .
- 6You must come and see us sometime.You must sometime.
- 7Steve was upset because he wasn't chosen for the team.Steve was upset because he the team.