Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal Verbs
Keith S. Folse
http://www.press.umich.edu/273340/clear_grammar_3_2nd_edition
Michigan ELT, 2015
Unit
Phrasal Verbs
1
Discover the Grammar
Read the passage about one persons difficulty in waking up on time. Then answer the questions
that follow.
Line
1 For his whole life, Nick has never been able to get up early. When he
2 was in elementary school, his mother would set the alarm clock for 6:00 AM,
3 but it would not wake him up. When Nick was in high school, his alarm
4 clock would go off, but he simply turned it off and went back to sleep.
5 Every morning his father would shout, Come on, Nick! Youre going to
6 be late. The shouting did not help, however. On a few days, Nick would
7 show up two hours late! Nick knew that his school would not put up with
8 this situation much longer. His parents were frustrated, but they could not
9 give up.
10 One day Nicks mom came across a blog on the Internet where people
11 were sharing their stories about oversleeping and different solutions they had
12 come up with to solve their problems. After going over a few of these stories
13 and realizing there could be an underlying health issue, Nicks mother made
2
Clear Grammar 3, 2nd Edition: Keys to Grammar for English Language Learners
Keith S. Folse
http://www.press.umich.edu/273340/clear_grammar_3_2nd_edition
Michigan ELT, 2015
1: Phrasal Verbs 3
14 up her mind that the best advice was to look for a sleep specialist on the
15 Internet.
16 After checking out several websites, Nicks mom found out about a
17 specialist for her sons condition. She called him up and left a message. The
18 next day, the doctor called her back to talk about Nicks situation. Now the
19 family is counting on him to help solve Nicks problem.
1. The bold words are called phrasal verbs. Each phrasal verb has a meaning that is
different from its verb and second word. Write the meaning for these phrasal
verbs from Paragraph 1.
1 get up
3 wake up
4 go off
4 turn off
4 go back
5 come on
7 show up
7 put up with
9 give up
2. Sometimes a phrasal verb can have a word between its two parts. Write the four
phrasal verbs that have a word separating the two parts.
3 17
4 18
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Clear Grammar 3, 2nd Edition: Keys to Grammar for English Language Learners
Keith S. Folse
http://www.press.umich.edu/273340/clear_grammar_3_2nd_edition
Michigan ELT, 2015
4 Clear Grammar 3, 2nd Ed.
KEY
11
Grammar Lesson
Phrasal Verbs
A phrasal verb is a special kind of verb that consists of two (or three) parts. The first part
is always a verb. The next part is a word such as across, after, away, back, down, in,
into, off, on, out, over, or up. In a phrasal verb, this second part is called a particle.
Examples Meaning
When I clean my sofa cushions, I sometimes come across lost coins. find
Before an important exam, you should look over your notes. review
Due to the bad weather, the coach called off the game. canceled
Rule 1. A phrasal verb must have at least two parts: VERB + particle.
Rule 2. Phrasal verbs present a huge vocabulary challenge because most phrasal verbs
are idioms. As such, the meaning of a phrasal verb as a unit is usually very different from
the meanings of the individual verb and the particle: the meaning of come across is not
equal to the meaning of come and across.
Rule 3. Like other common words, a phrasal verb can have more than one meaning:
The airplane took off is not the same as Their business took off or I took off my
shoes.
BE CAREFUL!
Common Learner Errors Explanation
1. Excuse me. How can I ascertain find Do not avoid using phrasal verbs. The
out which bus goes to Jensen Stadium? single-word alternatives found in a
dictionary often sound more technical
or formal than the equivalent phrasal
verb.
2. My cousin picked me picked me up at Do not forget to use the whole phrasal
the airport last night. verb, not just the verb.
Clear Grammar 3, 2nd Edition: Keys to Grammar for English Language Learners
Keith S. Folse
http://www.press.umich.edu/273340/clear_grammar_3_2nd_edition
Michigan ELT, 2015
1: Phrasal Verbs 5
Source: Gardner, D., & Davies, M. (2007). Pointing out frequent phrasal verbs: A corpus-based analysis.
TESOL Quarterly 41, 339359.
checked out two weeks ago and then pick out a new book to read. One of my
going to the library because there is always a chance I might run into an old
friend there. Sometimes my best friend and I meet at the library for coffee and
catch up on each others news before we find new books to take home. I really
KEY
11
Grammar Lesson
Separable Phrasal Verbs
The phrasal verbs in this group can be separated when there is a noun as the object. If
there is a pronoun as the object, the phrasal verb must be separated.
In informal English, the particle can sometimes be several words away from the verb.
In more formal writing, it is best to keep the verb and the phrasal verb together. When
the object is a pronoun, however, the verb and the particle must be separated. See the list
on page 8.
Rule 1. With separable phrasal verbs, it is possible to move the particle after a noun
object. However, this movement is not common in formal writing.
Rule 2. With separable phrasal verbs, you must separate the verb and particle when a
pronoun is used as the object.
Rule 3. Separable phrasal verbs often use these nine particles: up, down, on, off, in,
out, away, back, over. (An easy way to remember the first six is that they are pairs of
opposites: up down, on off, in out.)
Rule 4. Be careful with phrasal verbs using on because some are separable but others are
non-separable. For example, put on is separable, but call on is non-separable. The only
way to know which is which is to check a dictionary for every phrasal verb using on.
Clear Grammar 3, 2nd Edition: Keys to Grammar for English Language Learners
Keith S. Folse
http://www.press.umich.edu/273340/clear_grammar_3_2nd_edition
Michigan ELT, 2015
8 Clear Grammar 3, 2nd Ed.
find out find out the find the price find out it find it out
(get information) price out
give away give away the give the prize give away it give it away
(give something to prize away
someone)
give back give back the give the reward give back it give it back
(return something reward back
to someone)
leave out leave out the leave the sen- leave out it leave it out
(omit) sentence tence out
look up look up this look this word look up it look it up
(look for word up
information)
make up make up a make a make up one make one up
(invent a story) story story up
Clear Grammar 3, 2nd Edition: Keys to Grammar for English Language Learners
Keith S. Folse
http://www.press.umich.edu/273340/clear_grammar_3_2nd_edition
Michigan ELT, 2015
1: Phrasal Verbs 9
put out put out the put the fire out put out it put it out
(extinguish) fire
take off take off your take your shoes take off them take them off
(remove) shoes off
try on try on those try those shoes on try on them try them on
(check to see if shoes
clothing fits)
turn down turn down the turn the radio turn down it turn it down
(decrease) radio down
turn on turn on the turn the lights turn on them turn them on
(start) lights on
turn off turn off the turn the TV off turn off it turn it off
(stop) TV
turn up turn up the turn the volume turn up it turn it up
(increase) volume up
wake up wake up the wake the baby wake up her wake her up
(stop sleeping) baby up
write down write down write the name write down it write it down
(make a note of the name down
something)
Clear Grammar 3, 2nd Edition: Keys to Grammar for English Language Learners
Keith S. Folse
http://www.press.umich.edu/273340/clear_grammar_3_2nd_edition
Michigan ELT, 2015
10 Clear Grammar 3, 2nd Ed.
BE CAREFUL!
Common Learner Errors Explanation
1. My new shoes hurt. I cant wait to take You must separate the verb and particle if
off them take them off when I get the object is a pronoun.
home tonight.
2. I am counting my father on counting Be careful with phrasal verbs with on.
on my father to help me pay for my Some are separable, but others are not.
classes.
_____ 6. They handed their paper in. f. checked to see if they fit
ONE-MINUTE LESSON
When the object of a separable phrasal verb is a noun, you can separate the phrasal
verb and particle (or not). In formal language, we usually keep the verb and parti-
cle together. However, we must separate the verb and particle when the object is a
pronoun: He called off the meeting OR He called the meeting off.
Clear Grammar 3, 2nd Edition: Keys to Grammar for English Language Learners
Keith S. Folse
http://www.press.umich.edu/273340/clear_grammar_3_2nd_edition
Michigan ELT, 2015
1: Phrasal Verbs 11
_____ 3. Did you throw away the bag? c. broke into small pieces
_____ 10. They put it out right away. j. discard, put in the trash
EXERCISE 5. Mini-Conversations
Circle the correct words in these eight mini-conversations.
3. Hailey: Mrs. Smith, I have a dental appointment tomorrow and my mom needs
to pick (up me, me up) before school is out.
Teacher:Thanks for telling me, Hailey. Here is the excuse form. Remember to ask
your dentist to fill (out it, it out).
4. Zoe: Another doughnut! Dont you know that eating food like that every
morning is harmful to your health?
Lucy: All right, all right. Ill put it (down, out).
5. Yuka: In Japan, we always remove our shoes when we enter the house.
Owen: Really? I only have to take mine (off, down) when theyre muddy.
6. Ryan: Hi, John. I missed math class this morning. What was the homework
assignment?
John: Oops. I forgot to write it (up, down)!
KEY
11
Grammar Lesson
Non-Separable Phrasal Verbs
The phrasal verbs in this group cannot be separated. Unlike the previous group of phrasal
verbs, it does not matter whether the object is a noun or a pronoun. Some students find
this group much easier because the word order is more straightforward with no variations.
See the list on pages 1415.
Rule 1. With non-separable phrasal verbs, you can never separate the verb and the
particle.
Rule 2. Common particles for non-separable phrasal verbs include: across, after, into,
or with.
Rule 3. The best way to determine whether a phrasal verb is separable or non-separable
is to consult a dictionary.
Rule 4. Phrasal verbs that consist of three words are always non-separable.
Clear Grammar 3, 2nd Edition: Keys to Grammar for English Language Learners
Keith S. Folse
http://www.press.umich.edu/273340/clear_grammar_3_2nd_edition
Michigan ELT, 2015
14 Clear Grammar 3, 2nd Ed.
catch up (with) catch up with catch the others catch up with them catch them up
(reach the same the others up with with
level or
position as)
check into check into the check the hotel check into it check it into
(1. register at a hotel into
hotel
2. investigate)
come across come across a come a wallet come across it come it across
(find by chance) wallet across
count on count on your count your count on it count it on
(depend on) help help on
get along (with) get along with get someone get along with her get her with along
(be friends with) someone along with
get through (with) get through get the exam get through it get it through with
(complete) with the exam through with
put up with put up with put that noise up put up with it put it up with
(tolerate, stand) that noise with
run into run into an run an old run into her run her into
(meet by chance) old friend friend into
run out (of) run out of gas run gas out of run out of it run it out of
(not have any
more)
watch out (for) watch out for watch that dog watch out for it watch it out for
(be careful) that dog out for
BE CAREFUL!
Common Learner Errors Explanation
1. The detectives came some new clues You cannot separate the verb and particle
across came across some new clues in if the phrasal verb is non-separable.
their investigation.
2. In yesterdays meeting, we ran out time You cannot separate the verb and particle
of ran out of time. in a three-word phrasal verb.
Clear Grammar 3, 2nd Edition: Keys to Grammar for English Language Learners
Keith S. Folse
http://www.press.umich.edu/273340/clear_grammar_3_2nd_edition
Michigan ELT, 2015
16 Clear Grammar 3, 2nd Ed.
1. When I get ________________ work every day, I get ________________ my car and drive
straight home.
2. Every time the teacher calls ________________ Boris, he is asleep. I dont know how
she puts ________________ ________________ him.
Write each expression using a pronoun as the object of the phrasal verb. The first one has been
done for you as an example.
KEY
11
Grammar Lesson
Phrasal Verbs without an Object
There are some phrasal verbs that do not have an object because they are intransitive
verbs. Verbs in this group consist of the verb and a particle. These two words express a
complete meaning, and no object is possible. For example, pass away means to die. It
is possible to say, Mr. Riley passed away, but it is not possible to say, Mr. Riley passed away
him or Mr. Riley passed him away. See the list on page 18.
Some students find this group the easiest because they do not have to worry about
separating or not separating the phrasal verb. Because there is never an object, separating
is not a problem.
Rule 1. Intransitive phrasal verbs cannot have an object.
Rule 2. The best way to determine whether a phrasal verb is intransitive is to consult a
dictionary.
Rule 3. Some phrasal verbs can be both intransitive (no object) and transitive (object
required). The meaning may be different.
BE CAREFUL!
Common Learner Error Explanation
1. The new employee finally turned Intransitive verbs, including intransitive
himself up turned up at noon. phrasal verbs, cannot have an object.
Clear Grammar 3, 2nd Edition: Keys to Grammar for English Language Learners
Keith S. Folse
http://www.press.umich.edu/273340/clear_grammar_3_2nd_edition
Michigan ELT, 2015
1: Phrasal Verbs 19
ONE-MINUTE LESSON
As with all vocabulary, phrasal verbs have multiple meanings. Take off can have
different meanings: (1) leave the ground (The plane took off late.); (2) remove
clothing (I took off my socks.); and (3) become successful (Her career really
took off in 2011.).
Paul: A few minutes ago you told me to hurry ___________. Make up your
mind!
3. Tino: Tomas, come ___________! Were going to be late, and you know Karina
and Raquel are going to be really mad if were late again.
Tomas: Im trying. You know I hate making plans to eat ___________ with them.
They never show ___________ on time.
Pam: As soon as the plane took ___________, I fell asleep. I didnt wake
___________ until we were just about to land here.
Beth: You were able to sleep on the plane? I wish I could sleep on planes. I
used to try to do that, but I gave ___________ a long time ago. It seems
there is almost always a crying baby near me on every flight.
Jimmy: I want to be a mechanic so I can fix our car when it breaks ___________.
ONE-MINUTE LESSON
I wish I could sleep on planes means that I cannot sleep on planes. When wishing
for the opposite of a current situation, we use past tense after the verb wish: I wish
I had a million dollars or I wish I spoke Chinese.
Clear Grammar 3, 2nd Edition: Keys to Grammar for English Language Learners
Keith S. Folse
http://www.press.umich.edu/273340/clear_grammar_3_2nd_edition
Michigan ELT, 2015
1: Phrasal Verbs 21
Shopping Tips
______ 4. On the Friday after Thanksgiving Day, I get up early, put my most
comfortable walking shoes on, and drive to the mall for a full day of
shopping.
______ 7. You should ask about the refund policy before leaving. Never count all
stores to have the same policy.
______ 8. After you try on a garment, you should be a good citizen and put the
merchandise back where you found it.
______ 9. Of course, it is usually the job of the store clerk to clear the fitting
rooms and put the clothes off.
______ 10. If you take someone with you when shopping for yourself, be certain
that you get along for that person.