The grammar of phrasal verbs

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The grammar of phrasal verbs

Phrasal verbs
The grammar of phrasal verbs
There are four main types of phrasal verbs:
(1) Verb + adverb (no object) e.g. get on = have a good relationship with someone
Mike and Sally aren't getting on very well at the moment.
The verb and adverb cannot be separated by other words.
(2) Verb + adverb + object/Verb + object + adverb
e.g. give away = distribute for free: We gave away all his money. OR He gave all his money away.
The verb and adverb can be separated, but if the object is a pronoun (e.g. it, me, them), the adverb must come after the object e.g. We gave it away NOT He gave away it.
(3) Verb + preposition + object e.g. look after = take care of
He looked after his parents for many years. The verb and preposition cannot be separated.
(4) Verb + adverb + preposition + object e.g. put up with = tolerate
I don't know how she puts up with his terrible behaviour.
The verb, adverb and preposition cannot be separated; the grammatical type of each phrasal verb below is indicated by the number in brackets.

break down (1) : stop working, usually a machine or vehicle e.g. If my car breaks down again, I am going to sell it.
break (something) down (2) : destroy something such as a door or wall e.g. The firemen broke the door down and ran inside to look for the children.
bring (someone) up (2).: look after and educate a child e.g. Do you think it is difficult to bring children up as a single parent? carry on (3) : continue doing something e.g. He carried on watching TV even though his mother had told him to go to bed.
catch on (to something) (1) : understand e.g. The teacher explained it at least three times, but Helen still didn't catch on.
close (something) down (2) p: end an activity e.g. I read in the paper last night that they are closing my old school down.
come down (1) : fall to the ground e.g. Did you see that the apple tree next door came down in the night?
come out in (something) (4) : often when your body develops spots or rashes e.g. He came out in red marks all over his face and neck.
cut (something) down (2) : bring to the ground e.g. If we don't cut that three down soon, it will fall down.
cut down on (something) (4) : reduce the amount e.g. You must cut down on all the chocolates and cakes you eat. It's not good for you.
cut (something) out (2) : remove e.g. If you cut some of these late nights out, you won't feel so tired in the mornings.
die down (1) p: come to an end e.g. She waited until the laughter died down before she continued her speech.
eat out (1) : eat in a restaurant instead of at home e.g. I'd like to eat out tonight. How about going to that little Italian restaurant on the high street?
get (something) across (2) : communicate an idea e.g. We had an interesting plan for reducing the level of pollution in the city, but it took him a long time to get his ideas across.
get away with (something) (4) : avoid being caught and punished e.g. He is always late for work. How does he get away with it?
get by (1) : survive e.g. It was hard to get by on one salary when Tom lost his job, but things are Ok now.
get (something) down (2) : make a written record e.g. Simon, could you make sure you get his telephone number down?
get down to (something) (4) : start doing seriously e.g. I really must get down to writing my Christmas cards otherwise it will soon be too late.
break down (1) : stop working, usually a machine or vehicle e.g. If my car breaks down again, I am going to sell it.
break (something) down (2) : destroy something such as a door or wall e.g. The firemen broke the door down and ran inside to look for the children.
bring (someone) up (2).: look after and educate a child e.g. Do you think it is difficult to bring children up as a single parent?
carry on (3) : continue doing something e.g. He carried on watching TV even though his mother had told him to go to bed.
catch on (to something) (1) : understand e.g. The teacher explained it at least three times, but Helen still didn't catch on.
close (something) down (2) : end an activity e.g. I read in the paper last night that they are closing my old school down.
come down (1) : fall to the ground e.g. Did you see that the apple tree next door came down in the night?
come out in (something) (4) : often when your body develops spots or rashes e.g. He came out in red marks all over his face and neck.
cut (something) down (2) : bring to the ground e.g. If we don't cut that three down soon, it will fall down.
cut down on (something) (4) : reduce the amount e.g. You must cut down on all the chocolates and cakes you eat. It's not good for you.
cut (something) out (2) : remove e.g. If you cut some of these late nights out, you won't feel so tired in the mornings.
die down (1) : come to an end e.g. She waited until the laughter died down before she continued her speech.
eat out (1) : eat in a restaurant instead of at home e.g. I'd like to eat out tonight. How about going to that little Italian restaurant on the high street?
get (something) across (2) : communicate an idea e.g. We had an interesting plan for reducing the level of pollution in the city, but it took him a long time to get his ideas across.
get away with (something) (4) : avoid being caught and punished e.g. He is always late for work. How does he get away with it?
get by (1) : survive e.g. It was hard to get by on one salary when Tom lost his job, but things are Ok now.
get (something) down (2) : make a written record e.g. Simon, could you make sure you get his telephone number down?
get down to (something) (4) : start doing seriously e.g. I really must get down to writing my Christmas cards otherwise it will soon be too late.
look (something) up (2) : find information, often in a reference book e.g. He looked up all of the new words in his bilingual dictionary.
look up to (someone) (4) : admire, respect e.g. I have always looked up to my mother. She's so patient and kind.
make for (someone/something) (3) : go towards e.g. They made for the nearest cafe when it started to rain.
make of (something) (3) : think of e.g. What do you make of that new book by Jason Bryant? I couldn't understand a word of it!
make out (1) : pretend e.g. She made out that she had been at home all evening when in fact she had gone out to see Martin.
make (something) out (2) : see clearly e.g. I can see someone coming towards us, but I can't make out who it is.
make (something) up (2) : invent e.g. I don't believe what she told us about meeting Elton John. I think she is making it up.
make (a room, bed, etc.) up (2) : prepare e.g. We need to make the spare room up if Jim is going to stay here tonight.
make (time) up (2) : get back e.g. We left late, but if I drive fast, I think we can make up the lost time.
make up (with someone) (1) : become friends again e.g. You shouldn't get angry with your sister. Please go and find her and make up.
mind out(1) : pay attention e.g. Mind out! You nearly walked in that puddle.
pick on (someone) (3) : treat someone badly or unfairly e.g. The other boys are really horrible to Michael. They're always picking on him.
pick (something) up (2) : learn e.g. He's very quick. You just tell him how to do something once and he's picked it up.
put (money) by (2) : save e.g. I try and put a little by each month. We'd like to go on a holiday to the Greek islands next year.
put (an animal) down (2) : destroy e.g. It was very sad. Our horse broke its leg and was in terrible pain. We had to have it put down.
put (someone) down (2) : criticise someone or try and make them look stupid or insignificant e.g. I think he puts me down in meetings because he never has any ideas of his own.
put (something) off (2) : postpone, make later e.g. Can we put the football match off for a week because some of our team are ill with flu?
put (something) out (2) : extinguish e.g. Could you put your cigarette out, please? This is a no-smoking area.
put (someone) through (2) : connect (especially by telephone) e.g. Could you put me through to Mr Jenkins' secretary, please? I need to change the time of my appointment.
put (someone) up (2) : give accommodation e.g. Of course we can put you up for a few days while you're looking for a flat. There's no problem - we've got a spare room.
put (the price) up (2) : increase e.g. If we put up our prices again, we're going to lose some of our best customers.
put up with (someone/something) (4) : tolerate e.g. I can't put up with the noise from next door's party anymore. I am going to ask them to turn the music down.
rub (something) out (2) : remove something (usually with a rubber or a cloth) e.g. I think you should rub the first part of your essay out and try again.
run out (of something) (1) : finish, have no more left e.g. Could you buy some more milk when you go to the shops. We have nearly run out
sell out (of something) (1) : finish because everything has been bought e.g. I'm sorry, we've sold out of bread. Why don't you try the supermarket?
slow down (1) : reduce speed e.g. Please slow down. You're driving so fast, it's making me frightened.
speak up (1) : say things more loudly e.g. You need to speak up a little, I'm afraid I can't hear very well.
stand out (1) : appear clearly e.g. He usually stands out in a crowd. He's well over two metres tall! stay out (1) : remain away from home e.g. Your mother doesn't like you staying out all night. Please be home by midnight.
stick out (1) : appear clearly e.g. I'm going to really stick out at school. I'm the only person who hasn't got a pair of the right kind of trainers.
take after (someone) (3) : be similar to in character e.g. He takes after his father, he's very friendly and outgoing.
take (something) down (2) : write, make a note of e.g. Sharon, could you take down the following letter for Brian Stevens at CBC?
take (someone) in (2) : make someone believe something which isn't true e.g. When he told her he had come to check the gas meter, she was completely taken in.
take off (1) : suddenly increase, do well e.g. Interest in the environment has taken off in the last couple of years and I don't really understand why.
take (someone) off (2) : imitate someone to make other people laugh e.g. You should hear Simon taking offthe Prime Minister - he's very funny.
take (time) off (2) : have a holiday/change e.g. You should take a few days off work, you're not looking at all well.
take (someone) on (2) : employ e.g. I'm thinking of taking another secretary on. Do you know anybody suitable?
take (something) over (2) : take control e.g. He's very dominating. When he joins a discussion, he usually takes over and no one else has a chance to say anything.
take (something) up (2) : start a new hobby e.g. I've taken up yoga recently. It's changed my life.
take up (space/time) (2) : occupy e.g. This sofa takes up far too much room in here. We should move it downstairs.
tell (someone) off (2) : speak to someone angrily because they have done something wrong e.g. My Maths teacher told me off for not paying attention in class.
throw (something) out (2) : get rid of e.g. Don't throw those boxes out. They might come in useful one day.
watch out (1) : pay attention e.g. Watch out! There's a car coming.
wear (someone) out (2) : to make very tired, no energy left e.g. I've spent the day shopping, cleaning and cooking and now I'm worn out.
work (something) out (2) : calculate e.g. You've been trying to do that puzzle for ages. Haven't you worked it out yet?
Task 4
I. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first one, using the word given. Do not change the word given. Use between two and five words, including the given word.
1. Could you take care of our cat while we are on holiday?                           after
Would you mind ….. our cat while we are on holiday?
2. My father lived in the country throughout his childhood.                     brought
My father ….. in the country.
3. Their daughter is an adult now.                                                                       has
Their daughter ….. up now.
4. I have a good relationship with my two younger sisters.                              well
I ….. my two younger sisters.
5. The teacher was angry with us for being late.                                               off
The teacher ….. for being late.
6. He is very like his father in character and appearance.                             takes
He ….. his father in character and appearance.
7. He had always admired his Aunt Sandra.                                               looked
He had always ….. his Aunt Sandra.
8. I’m sure the twins will be doing something naughty while we are out.       getting
I’m sure the twins will be ….. something while we are out.

II. Complete the text with the correct form of a phrasal verb with get.

Helen and Jeff have been going out together for a year now. They are not at all alike but they seem to … together rather well. I suppose one day Jeff might … asking Helen to marry him but I’m not sure how keen she will be. She is still trying to … her broken love affair with a Russian ballet dancer. I must say, Jeff is very keen. As soon as he … in the morning, which is usually about seven o’clock, he phones Helen. I don’t think Helen has managed to … it … to him that she doesn’t appreciate phone calls so early in the morning!

III. Complete the text with the correct form of a phrasal verb with mind.

1. … if I borrow the car tonight? I won’t be out for long. 2. This has nothing to do with you. I wish you would … ! 3. I don’t want to go to the cinema after all. I’ve … . 4. One moment you want to go out, the next moment you want to stay at home. Could you please … ! 5. A: I’m afraid I’ve broken one of your glasses. B: … . It wasn’t an expensive one. 6. … . the ball might hit you!

IV. Complete the text with the correct form of a phrasal verb with put and match each of the sentences to a correct response (type a letter in the end of the sentence).

1. So what couldn’t you … with?	a) Are you joking? We only had just enough to live.
2. I’m afraid the horse is going to have to … .	b) I’m really sorry, but we just don’t have room
3. Didn’t you … any money … ?	c) I’m terribly sorry, but he is in the middle of a meeting.
4. Do you think you could … me … to the Managing Director?	d) I don’t know. It depends how far it has already spread.
5. I think we should … prices … again.	e) The way he never came home. He was always in the bar with his friends.
6. I hated the way you … me … at the party.	f) Our wedding! How could you suggest such a thing?
7. Why don’t we … it … for a couple of months?	g) I only said you were being a bit silly.
8. Could you … me … for a couple of nights?	h) Are you sure? But he/s only broken a leg.
9. How quickly can you … that fire … ?	i)But if we do, we’ll lose all our regular customers.

V. Complete the text with the correct form of a phrasal verb with give.
1. If you don’t … eating sweets, you are going to get terribly fat.
2. I asked him so many times that eventually he … and said I could go.
3. That fire … an incredible amount of heat.
4. The big smile on his face … how happy he was.
5. The teacher … the compositions they had written the day before.
6. Don’t forget … the keys when you have finished with them.
7. I’m going to … all these old clothes to charity.

VI. Replace the words in italics with a phrasal verb with make and an appropriate particle given below.

up (x3) for of out(x2)

1. When it started to rain, we went to the nearest shelter.
2. It wasn’t true, was it? You just invented it, didn’t you?
3. He pretended that he had been with his best friend, but I knew it was a lie.
4. She tried to get back the lost time by getting a taxi.
5. He couldn’t read what the sign said because it was so foggy.
6. What do you think of that picture? I can’t understand it at all!
7. Why don’t we prepare the spare room for John in case he wants to stay overnight?
VII. Complete the text with the correct form of a phrasal verb from the box.

run out of pay into pay for live on save up pay back

Jim is a student at Manchester University. At the beginning of a term he gets a grant cheque which he … into his bank account. This is supposed to be enough to … for about three months. However, by the time he has paid his rent and his bills and … all the money he owes to his friends, he has very little left. By the middle of term he has usually … money! He is hoping to go on holiday to Nepal in the summer but he is not sure if he will be able … enough money … it.

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