Phrasal Verb Practice: Match and Use in Sentences

Phrasal verbs are a cornerstone of the English language, adding color and nuance to everyday conversations and formal writing alike. Mastering phrasal verbs is essential for anyone looking to achieve fluency in English.

They can be tricky because their meaning is often not immediately obvious from the individual words that make them up. This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and using phrasal verbs effectively through matching exercises and sentence construction.

This guide is beneficial for English language learners of all levels, from beginner to advanced, as well as teachers looking for resources to enhance their lessons.

Table of Contents

What are Phrasal Verbs?

A phrasal verb is a verb that is combined with a preposition or an adverb, or both, to create a new meaning. The meaning of a phrasal verb is often different from the meaning of the individual words that comprise it.

This is what makes them challenging, but also interesting, to learn. Phrasal verbs function as single semantic units, and mastering them is crucial for understanding and using English naturally.

For example, the verb “look” has a specific meaning, but when combined with the preposition “up,” it becomes “look up,” which means to search for information in a reference book or online. Understanding this shift in meaning is essential to grasping the essence of phrasal verbs.

They are ubiquitous in spoken and written English, making them an indispensable part of effective communication.

Structural Breakdown of Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs typically consist of two or three parts: a verb and a particle (either a preposition or an adverb), and sometimes both. The verb is the main action word, while the particle modifies the meaning of the verb. The combination creates a new, distinct meaning that is often idiomatic.

Here’s a breakdown of the structural elements:

  • Verb: The main action word (e.g., get, take, look, put).
  • Particle: A preposition (e.g., on, in, at, to) or an adverb (e.g., up, down, away, out).
  • Object: The noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb (present only in transitive phrasal verbs).

The order of these elements can vary, especially with transitive phrasal verbs, which can be either separable or inseparable. Understanding these structural variations is crucial for using phrasal verbs correctly.

The position of the object can change the meaning of the sentence and its overall clarity.

Types of Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs can be categorized based on whether they take an object (transitive) or not (intransitive), and whether the verb and particle can be separated by the object (separable) or not (inseparable). Understanding these types helps in using phrasal verbs correctly in different contexts.

Intransitive Phrasal Verbs

Intransitive phrasal verbs do not take an object. They express a complete thought without needing a receiver of the action.

These verbs are straightforward in their structure, as the verb and particle always stay together.

Examples of intransitive phrasal verbs include:

  • break down (to stop functioning)
  • grow up (to mature)
  • show up (to arrive)
  • take off (to depart, especially by plane)

In sentences, these verbs are used without an object following them. For example, “The car broke down on the highway” or “He grew up in a small town.” These sentences are complete without needing an object to receive the action.

Transitive Phrasal Verbs

Transitive phrasal verbs require an object to complete their meaning. The object receives the action of the verb.

These verbs can be either separable or inseparable, which affects the placement of the object within the phrasal verb structure.

Examples of transitive phrasal verbs include:

  • look up (to search for information)
  • take over (to assume control)
  • turn on (to activate)
  • pick up (to collect)

In sentences, these verbs are used with an object. For example, “I need to look up the definition” or “She will take over the project.” The object clarifies what is being acted upon.

Separable Phrasal Verbs

Separable phrasal verbs allow the object to be placed between the verb and the particle. This separation is more common when the object is a pronoun rather than a noun.

However, with noun objects, both separated and unseparated forms can be grammatically correct, although one might sound more natural than the other.

Examples of separable phrasal verbs include:

  • turn on (to activate)
  • pick up (to collect)
  • take off (to remove)
  • look up (to search for)

For example, “Please turn the light on” or “Please turn it on.” The pronoun “it” must be placed between the verb and the particle. With the noun “the light,” both placements are acceptable, but “turn it on” is generally preferred.

Inseparable Phrasal Verbs

Inseparable phrasal verbs do not allow the object to be placed between the verb and the particle. The verb and particle must always stay together.

This is a crucial distinction, as separating these verbs results in a grammatically incorrect sentence.

Examples of inseparable phrasal verbs include:

  • look after (to take care of)
  • run into (to meet unexpectedly)
  • get along with (to have a good relationship with)
  • come across (to find unexpectedly)

For example, “I need to look after my sister” is correct. “I need to look my sister after” is incorrect. The verb and particle must remain together.

Examples of Phrasal Verbs in Use

Understanding the different types of phrasal verbs is enhanced by seeing them in context. The following tables provide numerous examples, categorized by their type, to illustrate their usage.

Table 1: Intransitive Phrasal Verb Examples

This table showcases intransitive phrasal verbs, which do not take an object. Notice how each sentence is complete without needing a receiver of the action.

Phrasal Verb Meaning Example Sentence
Break down Stop functioning The car broke down on the way to work.
Grow up Mature He grew up in a small village.
Show up Arrive She didn’t show up to the meeting.
Take off Depart (plane) The plane will take off in five minutes.
Pass away Die My grandfather passed away last year.
Wake up Stop sleeping I woke up early this morning.
Come out Be released; emerge The new movie will come out next week.
Go on Continue The meeting will go on until 5 PM.
Log off Disconnect from a computer system Please remember to log off when you’re finished.
Set off Begin a journey We set off early to avoid traffic.
Turn up Appear unexpectedly He finally turned up after everyone had left.
Drop off Fall asleep (often unintentionally) I dropped off during the movie.
Move in Start living in a new home They moved in last week.
Fall out Quarrel They fell out over a minor disagreement.
Give in Surrender The government refused to give in to the demands.
Hold on Wait Please hold on a moment while I check.
Keep up Maintain pace It’s hard to keep up with all the changes.
Run away Escape The dog ran away from home.
Sell out Be completely sold The concert tickets sold out in minutes.
Stand out Be noticeable Her bright dress made her stand out in the crowd.
Take off Become successful quickly His career really took off after he got that new job.
Turn around Change direction The company managed to turn around its fortunes.
Wear off Gradually disappear or diminish The effects of the medicine will wear off after a few hours.
Die down Become less strong or intense The storm eventually died down.

Table 2: Separable Transitive Phrasal Verb Examples

This table illustrates separable transitive phrasal verbs. Note how the object can be placed between the verb and the particle, especially when the object is a pronoun.

Phrasal Verb Meaning Example Sentence (Separated) Example Sentence (Unseparated)
Turn on Activate Please turn the light on. Please turn on the light.
Pick up Collect Can you pick me up from the airport? Can you pick up me from the airport? (Less Common)
Take off Remove He took his hat off. He took off his hat.
Look up Search for I need to look the word up. I need to look up the word.
Fill out Complete a form Please fill this form out. Please fill out this form.
Throw away Discard He threw the trash away. He threw away the trash.
Put on Wear She put her coat on. She put on her coat.
Take out Remove Please take the garbage out. Please take out the garbage.
Call off Cancel They had to call the meeting off. They had to call off the meeting.
Hand in Submit He handed his assignment in. He handed in his assignment.
Try on Put on clothes to see if they fit She tried the dress on. She tried on the dress.
Turn down Reject They turned the offer down. They turned down the offer.
Switch off Turn off Please switch the light off. Please switch off the light.
Look over Examine I’ll look the report over. I’ll look over the report.
Point out Indicate He pointed the mistake out. He pointed out the mistake.
Read over Review She needs to read the contract over. She needs to read over the contract.
Send back Return They sent the package back. They sent back the package.
Tear up Rip into pieces He tore the letter up. He tore up the letter.
Think over Consider I need to think it over. I need to think over it. (Less Common)
Work out Solve She worked the problem out. She worked out the problem.
Bring up Raise a child or a topic They brought their children up with good values. They brought up their children with good values.
Clean up Tidy Let’s clean this mess up. Let’s clean up this mess.
Cut off Disconnect They cut the electricity off. They cut off the electricity.
Find out Discover I need to find the answer out. I need to find out the answer.

Table 3: Inseparable Transitive Phrasal Verb Examples

This table provides examples of inseparable transitive phrasal verbs. Note that the object must always follow the particle; it cannot be placed between the verb and the particle.

Phrasal Verb Meaning Example Sentence Incorrect Sentence
Look after Take care of I need to look after my sister. I need to look my sister after.
Run into Meet unexpectedly I ran into an old friend at the store. I ran an old friend into at the store.
Get along with Have a good relationship with She gets along with her colleagues. She gets her colleagues along with.
Come across Find unexpectedly I came across an interesting article. I came an interesting article across.
Deal with Handle We need to deal with this problem. We need to deal this problem with.
Look forward to Anticipate with pleasure I look forward to the vacation. I look the vacation forward to.
Get through Complete He finally got through the book. He got the book through.
Go through Experience She went through a difficult time. She went a difficult time through.
Put up with Tolerate I can’t put up with his behavior. I can’t put his behavior up with.
Run out of Have no more of We ran out of milk. We ran milk out of.
Stand for Represent What does the acronym stand for? What does the acronym stand it for?
Take after Resemble He takes after his father. He takes his father after.
Wait for Await We have to wait for the bus. We have to wait the bus for.
Check on Investigate The police are checking on the incident. The police are checking the incident on.
Get over Recover from It took her a long time to get over the flu. It took her a long time to get the flu over.
Cut down on Reduce consumption of I’m trying to cut down on sugar. I’m trying to cut sugar down on.
Look down on Consider inferior They look down on people from rural areas. They look people from rural areas down on.
Get away with Escape punishment for He got away with cheating on the test. He got cheating on the test away with.
Go in for Participate in She decided to go in for the competition. She decided to go the competition in for.
Keep up with Stay informed about It’s hard to keep up with all the news. It’s hard to keep all the news up with.
Stand up for Defend She always stands up for her beliefs. She always stands her beliefs up for.
Take up with Start a friendship or relationship with He took up with a bad crowd. He took a bad crowd up with.
Come up with Think of She came up with a great idea. She came a great idea up with.
Look up to Admire I look up to my mother. I look my mother up to.

Usage Rules for Phrasal Verbs

Using phrasal verbs correctly involves understanding several key rules. These rules govern the separability of transitive phrasal verbs, the placement of objects, and the overall structure of sentences containing phrasal verbs.

Adhering to these rules ensures clarity and grammatical accuracy.

  • Separability: Transitive phrasal verbs can be separable or inseparable. If separable, the object can go between the verb and the particle. If inseparable, the object must follow the particle.
  • Pronoun Objects: If the object is a pronoun (e.g., it, him, her, them), it must go between the verb and the particle in separable phrasal verbs. For example, “Turn it on” is correct, while “Turn on it” is incorrect.
  • Intransitive Verbs: Intransitive phrasal verbs do not take an object, so the verb and particle always stay together.
  • Prepositions vs. Adverbs: Particles that are prepositions (e.g., to, at, on) are usually inseparable, while particles that are adverbs (e.g., up, down, away) are often separable.
  • Context Matters: The meaning of a phrasal verb can change depending on the context. Pay attention to the surrounding words to understand the intended meaning.

It’s very important to remember that phrasal verbs are often idiomatic, meaning their meaning cannot be deduced from the individual words. Learning them requires memorization and practice.

Common Mistakes with Phrasal Verbs

One of the most common mistakes is incorrectly separating inseparable phrasal verbs or not separating separable ones when a pronoun is used. Another frequent error is misunderstanding the meaning of the phrasal verb due to its idiomatic nature.

Here are some examples:

Incorrect: I need to look my sister after. (Separating an inseparable phrasal verb)

Correct: I need to look after my sister.

Incorrect: Please turn on it. (Incorrect pronoun placement)

Correct: Please turn it on.

Incorrect: He ran out the milk. (Incorrect word order with inseparable transitive phrasal verb)

Correct: He ran out of the milk.

Incorrect: She put on it. (Incorrect pronoun placement with separable phrasal verb)

Correct: She put it on.

Incorrect: I come across the solution. (Using the wrong form of the phrasal verb)

Correct: I came across the solution.

Avoiding these common mistakes requires careful attention to the rules of phrasal verb usage and consistent practice.

Practice Exercises

To solidify your understanding of phrasal verbs, complete the following exercises. These exercises cover matching definitions, using phrasal verbs in sentences, and distinguishing between separable and inseparable verbs.

Exercise 1: Matching Phrasal Verbs to Definitions

Match the phrasal verb in Column A with its correct definition in Column B.

Column A: Phrasal Verb Column B: Definition Answer
1. Look up a. To tolerate
2. Put up with b. To cancel
3. Call off c. To search for information
4. Get over d. To recover from
5. Give up e. To stop trying
6. Turn down f. To reject
7. Take after g. To resemble
8. Run into h. To meet unexpectedly
9. Come across i. To find unexpectedly
10. Show up j. To arrive

Answer Key:

1. c, 2. a, 3. b, 4. d, 5. e, 6. f, 7. g, 8. h, 9. i, 10. j

Exercise 2: Using Phrasal Verbs in Sentences

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the phrasal verb from the list: break down, take off, look after, run out of, get along with.

  1. The car ________ on the highway, so we had to call for help.
  2. She needs to ________ her younger brother while her parents are at work.
  3. They ________ milk, so they went to the store to buy some more.
  4. The plane will ________ in a few minutes, so please fasten your seatbelts.
  5. Do you ________ your new neighbors?

Answer Key:

  1. broke down
  2. look after
  3. ran out of
  4. take off
  5. get along with

Exercise 3: Separable vs. Inseparable Phrasal Verbs

Rewrite the following sentences, placing the object in the correct position. If the phrasal verb is inseparable, indicate “inseparable” in the answer.

  1. Please turn on it.
  2. I need to look after my cat.
  3. Can you pick up me from the station?
  4. They called off it.
  5. She gets along with her colleagues.
  6. He took off his hat.
  7. I came across it.
  8. Could you look up the word?
  9. She put on it.
  10. We have run out of the gas.

Answer Key:

  1. Please turn it on.
  2. Inseparable: I need to look after my cat.
  3. Can you pick me up from the station?
  4. They called it off.
  5. Inseparable: She gets along with her colleagues.
  6. He took his hat off./ He took off his hat.
  7. Inseparable: I came across it.
  8. Could you look the word up? / Could you look up the word?
  9. She put it on.
  10. Inseparable: We have run out of the gas.

Advanced Topics in Phrasal Verbs

For advanced learners, exploring the nuances and subtleties of phrasal verbs can further enhance their understanding and fluency. This includes delving into the etymology of phrasal verbs, their regional variations, and their use in idiomatic expressions and figurative language.

Another advanced topic is the use of phrasal verbs in different registers, such as formal writing versus informal conversation. Understanding when and where to use specific phrasal verbs can significantly improve communication skills.

Additionally, exploring the use of phrasal verbs in specialized fields, such as business or technology, can provide valuable insights for learners pursuing specific career paths.

For example, the phrasal verb “drill down” is commonly used in business to mean “investigate in detail.” Understanding this specific usage can be beneficial for learners in the business field.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the best way to learn phrasal verbs?

    The best way to learn phrasal verbs is through consistent exposure and practice. Flashcards, context-based learning, and using them in everyday conversation are effective strategies. Focus on understanding the meaning in context rather than memorizing isolated definitions. Reading extensively and listening to native speakers can also help you internalize their usage.

  2. Are there any patterns to help predict the meaning of phrasal verbs?

    While many phrasal verbs are idiomatic, some patterns can help. For example, “up” often implies completion or increase, while “down” often implies decrease or failure. However, these patterns are not always reliable, so it’s essential to learn each phrasal verb individually within the context of a sentence.

  3. How can I tell if a phrasal verb is separable or inseparable?

    There is no foolproof rule, but particles that are prepositions (e.g., to, at, on) are often inseparable, while particles that are adverbs (e.g., up, down, away) are often separable. When in doubt, consult a dictionary or grammar guide. Practice and exposure will also help you develop a sense of which phrasal verbs are separable or inseparable.

  4. What should I do if I forget the meaning of a phrasal verb?

    If you forget the meaning of a phrasal verb, try to recall the context in which you first learned it. If that doesn’t work, consult a dictionary or online resource. Pay attention to the surrounding words in the sentence, as they may provide clues to the meaning. Don’t be afraid to ask a native speaker for clarification.

  5. Are phrasal verbs common in formal writing?

    While phrasal verbs are more common in spoken English and informal writing, they can also be used in formal writing, but with caution. Opt for more formal alternatives when possible. For instance, instead of “find out,” use “discover,” and instead of “look into,” use “investigate.” The key is to maintain a professional and clear tone.

  6. How can I improve my pronunciation of phrasal verbs?

    Pay attention to the stress patterns in phrasal verbs. Usually, the stress is on the particle, but this can vary. Listen to native speakers and try to imitate their pronunciation. Record yourself speaking and compare it to a native speaker’s recording. Focus on linking the verb and particle smoothly together.

  7. Why are phrasal verbs so difficult for English learners?

    Phrasal verbs are difficult because their meanings are often idiomatic and not easily predictable from the individual words. They also vary in separability and transitivity, adding to the complexity. The sheer number of phrasal verbs can also be overwhelming. Consistent practice and exposure are key to mastering them.

  8. Are there any regional differences in phrasal verb usage?

    Yes, there can be regional differences in phrasal verb usage. Some phrasal verbs may be more common in certain dialects or regions. For example, certain phrasal verbs might be more prevalent in British English compared to American English, or vice versa. Being aware of these regional variations can help you better understand and communicate with speakers from different areas.

Conclusion

Phrasal verbs are a vital part of the English language, enriching communication and adding depth to both spoken and written expression. Understanding their structure, types, and usage rules is crucial for achieving fluency and confidence in English.

By mastering phrasal verbs, learners can significantly improve their comprehension and ability to express themselves naturally and effectively.

Consistent practice, exposure to authentic language, and attention

to detail are essential for mastering phrasal verbs. With dedication and the right resources, anyone can unlock the richness and versatility that phrasal verbs bring to the English language.

Embrace the challenge, and you’ll find your English skills reaching new heights.

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