What are Phrasal Verbs?
Phrasal verbs are verbs made up of two or more words; for example, get up, look at, sit down. When the object of a phrasal verb is a noun, you can put the two words of the verb together, or you can separate them.
Ex. I turned on the light.
or
I turned the light on.
But if the object is a pronoun, you must separate the two words.
Example
I turned it on.
A. Complete the phrasal verbs in the sentences below.
- There’s no need to bring ______ that subject again. We have said everything there is to say about it.
- They agreed to give up all their possessions and live a simple life, but when the time came they couldn’t bring themselves to go _____ _____ it.
- I don’t like the way the manager goes _______ all the time about how much harder we need to work.
- He was unconscious when they found him, but they managed to bring him ______ after a few minutes.
- She refused to go ______ ______ his suggestion that she should be paid less than the male workers.
- I will not do it! It goes _______ all my principles.
- Food left in the broken fridge had gone ______ and become mouldy.
- To be honest I don’t know how they brought _______ such a good deal.
- Change can sometimes be brought _______ very suddenly.
Answer Key
| 1. up | 6. against |
| 2. through, with | 7. off |
| 3. on | 8. of |
| 4. back | 9. about |
| 5. along, with |
B. Paraphrase the phrasal verbs with `do’ and `make’, italicised in the sentences below, using the same tense as the original.
- 1. She was all done up, as though she was going somewhere very special. _____________________________________________________________________________
- It’s a mystery; I really don’t know what to make of it. _____________________________________________________________________________
- He is always doing down his younger brother because he is jealous of him. _____________________________________________________________________________
- The teacher told the two fighting students to make up. _____________________________________________________________________________
- They are thinking of doing away with the entrance exam. _____________________________________________________________________________
- Come and lie down. You look absolutely done in. _____________________________________________________________________________
- The fox grabbed a chicken and made off with it. _____________________________________________________________________________
- I bet you could do with a refreshing drink. _____________________________________________________________________________
- Nothing you can do would make up for the disappointment of missing the trip. _____________________________________________________________________________
- We can’t afford a new one so will just have to make do with the old. _____________________________________________________________________________
Answer Key
1. She was all dressed up, as though she was going somewhere very special.
2. It’s a mystery; I really don’t know what to figure out of it.
3. He is always criticizing his younger brother because he is jealous of him.
4. The teacher told the two fighting students to apologize.
5. They are thinking of skipping the entrance exam.
6. Come and lie down. You look absolutely tired.
7. The fox grabbed a chicken and ran off with it.
8. I bet you can enjoy a refreshing drink.
9. Nothing you can do would replace the disappointment of missing the trip.
10. We can’t afford a new one so will just have to stay on with the old.