Three word verb exercise

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Complete the following sentences.

1. He dropped …………………………… school at fourteen.

a) out of               b) out at               c) on at

2. Jane has this nasty habit of breaking …………………………… our conversation.

a) in on                                 b) on in                 c) on at

3. As I had been traveling, I couldn’t catch …………………………… the news around town.

a) up with            b) up out             c) out on

4. We have employed several people to check …………………………… the condition of our warehouse from time to time.

a) up with            b) up on               c) out on

5. Can you come …………………………… a better idea?

a) up with            b) out with          c) out on

6. You must cut …………………………… your intake of sugar.

a) down on         b) out on             c) down with

7. She doesn’t get …………………………… her siblings.

a) along with      b) on with           c) out with

8. We must do something to get …………………………… corrupt politicians.

a) off                     b) rid of                                c) rid off

9. When will you ever get …………………………… that novel you have been writing for ages?

a) away with      b) through with                                c) on with

10. If you don’t work hard, you won’t be able to keep …………………………… your peers.

a) up with            b) through with                                c) out with

Answers

1. He dropped out of school at fourteen. (drop out of = leave school)

2. Jane has this nasty habit of breaking in on our conversation. (break in on = interrupt)

3. As I had been traveling, I couldn’t catch up with the news around town. (catch up with = keep abreast)

4. We have employed several people to check up on the condition of our warehouse from time to time. (check up on = examine, investigate)

5. Can you come up with a better idea? (come up with = contribute)

6. You must cut down on your intake of sugar. (cut down on = reduce, curtail)

7. She doesn’t get along with her siblings. (get along with = have a good relationship with)

8. We must do something to get rid of corrupt politicians. (get rid of = eliminate)

9. When will you ever get through with that novel you have been writing for ages? (get through with = finish)

10. If you don’t work hard, you won’t be able to keep up with your peers. (keep up with = maintain pace with)

B2 First: three-word phrasal verbs

It’s hard to predict what phrasal verbs you might see in the B2 First exam, but here are some you should try to learn, to help your speaking, writing and use of English.

Look at the phrasal verbs and their definitions for a few minutes and try to remember as many as possible. Then click to hide the information and try to answer the questions.

Note: sb means somebody and sth means something.

Phrasal Verb Meaning
I really look up to him admire sb
He looks down on everybody. think you are better than sb
We have to put up with the cold weather. tolerate (you can’t do anything about it)
She came up with a really good plan. think of an idea
He comes across as a bit rude. appear to be
The thief got away with the robbery. not get caught
I always look forward to seeing him. be excited about a future event
I come down with a cold every winter. get sick (usually colds or flu)
I’ll never grow out of liking sweets. stop liking
You need to cut down on chocolate. do sth less
Slow down. I can’t keep up with you. do sth fast enough
He won’t own up to his mistakes. admit sth
I don’t get on with him. have a good relationship with sb
I often fall out with my sister. argue and stop being friends
You should make up with your ex-boyfriend. start being friends again after an argument
I think he’s going to break up with me. end a romantic relationship
You should stand up for yourself. defend yourself (verbally)
Oh dear. We’ve run out of bread. used all of something

Practice 1: multiple choice cloze (use of English part 1)

Choose the best word to complete the following sentences.


Practice 2: open cloze (use of English part 2)

The missing word could be the verb (e.g. bring/brought/bringing), or the particle (e.g. up).


Practice 3: more open cloze

I really look up to my dad. He is my hero — admire sb, He looks down on everybody. He is so superficial — think you are better than sb, We have to put up with the cold weather. There is no another alternative — tolerate (you can’t do anything about it), She came up with a really good plan. — think of an idea, The thief got away with the robbery. — not get caught, I always look forward to seeing him again. — be excited about a future event, I come down with a cold every winter. — get sick (usually colds or flu), I’ll never grow out of liking sweets. — stop liking, You need to cut down on chocolate. — do sth less, He won’t own up to his mistakes. — admit sth, I don’t get on with him. — have a good relationship with sb, I often fall out with my sister. — argue and stop being friends, You should make up with your ex-boyfriend. — start being friends again after an argument, I think he’s going to break up with me. — end a romantic relationship, You should stand up for yourself. — defend yourself (verbally), Oh dear. We’ve run out of bread. — used all of something,

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  1. He dropped …………………………… school at fourteen. a) out of b) out at c) on at 2. Jane has this nasty habit of breaking …………………………… our conversation. a) in on b) on in c) on at 3. As I had been traveling, I couldn’t catch …………………………… the news around town.

Free FCE (First Certificate in English) Practice for EFL Students: three word phrasal verbs

Three word phrasal verb study quiz for intermediate to advanced level ESL EFL English students and classes

  1. I wake at 6:00 AM, but I usually stay in bed until around 6:30. I am not a morning person. 2. Our car broke in the desert between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. We were stuck on the side of the road for two hours before the tow truck arrived.

TEFL teacher explores grammar and language points with exercises, quizzes and some opinionated rants

Some explanation notes and drag-and-drop exercises

Cколько в английском языке three word phrasal verbs? Конечно, их меньше, чем two word, и всё же моя попытка составить о них некое представление провалилась, когда я дошла до глагола get — одного из самых употребительных английских фразовых глаголов. Их слишком много.

То, на что у меня хватило терпения, представляю в виде таблицы. Глаголы от A до D. Отобраны по алфавиту, не по частоте употребления.

Phrasal Verb Meaning Example Notes
 1 Break out of Escape Three dangerous Category A prisoners BROKE OUT OF Wandsworth Prison last night. Inseparable
 2 Break out in Sweat heavily, develop skin sores or irritation The measles caused me to BREAK OUT IN a rash. Inseparable
 3 Come down with Fall ill She CAME DOWN WITH a virus. Inseparable
 4 Add up to Have a certain result Trains delays are getting worse and with the high fares, it all ADDS UP TO misery for the commuters. Inseparable
 5 Add up to Come to a certain amount or figure The total costs ADD UP TO several million euros. Inseparable
 6 Back out of Fail to keep an agreement, arrangement She BACKED OUT OF the agreement at the last minute  Inseparable
 7 Back out of Exit a parking area in reverse gear She BACKED the Rolls OUT OF its parking space
 8 Bang on about Keep talking about something He’s always BANGING ON ABOUT football. Inseparable
 9 Be cut out for Be suitable, have the necessary qualities She’s not CUT OUT FOR this kind of work Inseparable
 10 Bear down on Move towards She spotted him on the other side of the room and BORE DOWN ON him. Inseparable
 11 Bear up under Cope with something difficult or stressful He’s BEARING UP UNDER the pressure. Inseparable
 12 Beaver away at Work hard doing something I have to BEAVER AWAY AT it or else I will fail the course. Inseparable
 13 Bend over backwards Do a lot to try to help or please someone I BENT OVER BACKWARDS for them and they didn’t even thank me. Intransitive
 14 Boil down to Amount to It all BOILS DOWN TO money at the end of the day. Inseparable
 15 Bone up on Study hard for a goal or reason I need to BONE UP ON my French grammar for the test. Inseparable
 16 Break out in Sweat heavily, develop skin sores or irritation. The measles caused me to BREAK OUT IN a rash. Inseparable
 17 Break out of Escape Three dangerous Category A prisoners BROKE OUT OF Wandsworth Prison last night. Inseparable
 18 Bring out in Cause a health problem or reaction It was the lobster that BROUGHT me OUT in this rash all over my body. Separable [obligatory]
 19 Carry on with Have an affair He’s been CARRYING ON WITH someone at work for years. Inseparable
 20 Cash in on Benefit or make money on something, especially if done unfairly The opposition party are CASHING IN ON the government’s unpopularity. Inseparable
 21 Cast about for Try to find something They’re CASTING ABOUT FOR support. Inseparable
 22 Cast around for Try to find something She was CASTING AROUND FOR people to help her. Inseparable
 23 Cast round for Try to find something He CAST ROUND FOR any sign of his things. Inseparable
 24 Catch up in Become involved, often against one’s will The tourists were CAUGHT UP IN the violence of the revolution. Inseparable
 25 Catch up on Do something that should have been done earlier I’m going home to CATCH UP ON my sleep. Inseparable
 26 Catch up on Reminisce with an old friend after not seeing them for a while I hadn’t seen her for years, so we spent the afternoon CATCHING UP ON old times. Inseparable
 27 Catch up with Do something that should have been done earlier I’m going home to CATCH UP WITH my sleep. Inseparable
 28 Catch up with Meet someone after a period of time and find out what they have been doing I CAUGHT UP WITH her at the conference. Inseparable
 29 Chalk up to Explain the reason for a problem They CHALKED the poor sales UP TO the lower numbers of tourists visiting this year. Separable [obligatory]
 30 Cheat out of Get money from someone under false pretences I hate him- he CHEATED me OUT OF ?100. Separable [obligatory]
 31 Check out of Settle up and pay before leaving a hotel Guests have to CHECK OUT OF the hotel before midday. Inseparable
 32 Chip away at Gradually reduce something to make it less powerful, effective, etc They have been CHIPPING AWAY AT his reputation ever since he took office. Inseparable
 33 Chow down on Eat something We’re going to CHOW DOWN ON that barbecued pork. Inseparable
 34 Clamp down on Restrict or try to stop something The government are CLAMPING DOWN ON antisocial behaviour. Inseparable
 35 Cling on to Try to keep something They CLUNG ON TO power despite the protests. Inseparable
 36 Close in on Get near someone The police were CLOSING IN ON the gang. Inseparable
 37 Close in upon Get near someone The police were CLOSING IN UPON the gang. Inseparable
 38 Come down on Criticise heavily The management really CAME DOWN ON him for losing the contract. Inseparable
 39 Come down to Amount to, be the most important aspect It all COMES DOWN TO a question of who tries hardest. Inseparable
 40 Come down upon Criticise, reprimand severely They will COME DOWN UPON us if we are late. Inseparable
 41 Come down with Fall ill She CAME DOWN WITH a virus. Inseparable
 42 Come forth with Provide information None of the witnesses CAME FORTH WITH an accurate description of the gang. Inseparable
 43 Come into use Start being used The computerised system CAME INTO USE at the end of last year. Intransitive
 44 Come off it I don’t believe what you’re saying; used as an imperative COME OFF IT; tell me the truth for goodness’ sake. Inseparable
 45 Come out in Have a rash or similar skin problem She CAME OUT IN a nasty rash after touching the poisonous plant by mistake. Inseparable
 46 Come out of Recover consciousness After three years, he CAME OUT OF the coma. Inseparable
 47 Come out with Make something available They have just COME OUT WITH a new version. Inseparable
 48 Come through with Provide something needed He didn’t COME THROUGH WITH the money and they went bust. Inseparable
 49 Come through with Provide something needed He didn’t COME THROUGH WITH the money and they went bust. Inseparable
 50 Come up against Encounter problems or difficulties They CAME UP AGAINST a lot of opposition to their plans for an out-of-town supermarket development. Inseparable
 51 Come up with Think of a solution, excuse, etc. Nobody could COME UP WITH a satisfactory explanation for the accident. Inseparable
 52 Contract out of Formally leave and agreement I CONTRACTED OUT OF the deal years ago. Inseparable
 53 Crack down on Use more authority than usual The police always CRACK DOWN ON drink-driving offences over the Christmas period. Inseparable
 54 Creep out on To do the same activity for a very long time He’s been CREEPING OUT ON that computer game all day. Inseparable
 55 Cut back on Reduce expenditure The government has decided to CUT BACK ON spending on the armed forces. Inseparable
 56 Cut down on Reduce Doctors advised her to CUT DOWN ON the amount of saturated fats in her diet. Inseparable
 57 Cut it out Stop your unfair or unreasonable behaviour Will you two idiots CUT IT OUT and keep quiet. Separable [obligatory]
 58 Cut out on Let down, snub Although he’d promised to help, the star CUT OUT ON the charity when offered more money. Inseparable
 59 Dine out on Tell a story repeatedly that is well received I’ve DINED OUT ON the story of his accident. Inseparable
 60 Do away with Abolish, get rid of The United Kingdom DID AWAY WITH the death penalty in 1965. Inseparable
 61 Double up as Have a second function or purpose The display screen DOUBLES UP AS a solar panel. Inseparable
 62 Drill down through Get to the bottom of something, get detailed data They DRILLED DOWN THROUGH the information to find the truth. Inseparable
 63 Duck out of Avoid doing something He DUCKED OUT OF helping us last night. Inseparable
 64 End up with Get as a result of something He tried hard but ENDED UP WITH a poor grade. Inseparable
 65 Face up to Accept an unpleasant truth Many people find it hard to FACE UP TO the fact that they are getting old. Inseparable
 66 Fall back on Be able to use in an emergency It was good to have some money in the bank to FALL BACK ON when I lost my job. Inseparable
 67 Feel up to Feel capable of doing something I’m so tired. I don’t think I FEEL UP TO going out tonight. Inseparable
 68 Fill in for Substitute I was away for a few days, so they had to get someone to FILL IN FOR me. Inseparable
 69 Fill in on Give someone information I’m sorry I missed the meeting; could you FILL me IN ON what happened. Separable [obligatory]
 70 Finish up with Have or do something at the end or as the last of something We attended some workshops and FINISHED UP WITH the keynote speaker. Inseparable
 71 Fit in with Occur or happen in a way that shows that plans or ideas have not changed His rudeness yesterday FITS IN WITH what I have always thought of his behaviour. Inseparable
 72 Fit out with Provide someone with necessary equipment They didn’t FIT the troops OUT WITH the necessary protective gear. Separable [optional]
 73 Fob off on Make or persuade someone to accept something you don’t want I FOBBED the work ON the others. Separable [obligatory]
 74 Fob off onto Make or persuade someone to accept something you don’t want I FOBBED the fake note ONTO a shopkeeper. Separable [obligatory]
 75 Fob off with Make or persuade someone to accept something of lower quality than they wanted He FOBBED her OFF WITH some fake gold. Separable [optional]
 76 Fob off with Make or persuade someone to accept something of lower quality than they wanted He FOBBED her OFF WITH some fake gold. Separable [optional]
 77 Follow on from Be the part of something The film FOLLOWS ON from the original. Inseparable
 78 Gang up against Harass, bully (in a group) They GANGED UP AGAINST me because I wouldn’t accept their ideas. Inseparable
 79 Get across to Be convincing or make a good impression How can I GET ACROSS TO my audience? Inseparable
 80 Get ahead of Move in front of I work at home in the evening to GET AHEAD OF schedule. Inseparable
 81 Get along in Progress How are you GETTING ALONG IN the company. Inseparable

Если у коллег появится желание продолжить список, Вашему вниманию представляю словарь фразовых глаголов ЗДЕСЬ.

Подборка интернет-ресурсов с упражнениями на тренировку three word phrasals:

About Author

Татьяна

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.

Phrasal verbs are two or three word verbs whose meanings are very different from the meanings of the individual words in the expression. There are several phrasal verbs in English. While a student is not required to learn all of them, they must at least be familiar with the most common phrasal verbs.

This grammar exercise tests your ability to use phrasal verbs correctly.

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate phrasal verb.

1. The teacher ………………… an explanation of his conduct.

called off

called out

called in

called for

Correct!
Wrong!

To call for is to demand.

2. ………………… the doctor immediately.

Correct!
Wrong!

To call somebody in is to summon them.

3. Julie …………………. us yesterday.

called on

called in

called out

Correct!
Wrong!

To call on somebody is to pay them a brief visit.

4. My grandfather cannot ………………… past events.

call up

bring out

bring up

Correct!
Wrong!

To call up is to recollect.

5. His arrogance ………………… his ruin.

brought in

brought up

brought about

Correct!
Wrong!

Bring about means cause.

6. The publishers are planning to ………………… a cheap edition of their new dictionary.

bring up

bring out

bring in

Correct!
Wrong!

To bring out is to publish.

7. She …………………. the orphan as her own child.

brought out

brought up

brought in

brought about

Correct!
Wrong!

To bring somebody up is to raise them.

8. How did these things …………………..?

come up

come about

bring out

bring about

Correct!
Wrong!

Come about means happen.

9. The question ………………… before the municipal corporation last week.

came out

came up

came off

Correct!
Wrong!

If a question comes up, it is raised for discussion.

10. He seems to be …………………

well out

pull off

run off

well off

11. They ………………… against the gross injustice meted out to them.

cried up

cried out

cried away

Correct!
Wrong!

To cry out is to protest loudly.

12. The rope ……………….. while they were hauling up the pillar.

gave up

gave in

gave way

gave out

Correct!
Wrong!

If something gives way, it breaks or snaps.

Answers

1. The teacher called for an explanation of his conduct.
2. Call in the doctor immediately.
3. Julie called on us yesterday.
4. My grandfather cannot call up past events.
5. His arrogance brought about his ruin.
6. The publishers are planning to bring out a cheap edition of their new dictionary.
7. She brought up the orphan as her own child.
8. How did these things come about?
9. The question came up before the municipal corporation last week.
10. He seems to be well off.
11. They cried out against the gross injustice meted out to them.
12. The rope gave way while they were hauling up the pillar.

Contents

  • 1 Advanced Grammar for IELTS: Multi-word verbs – Diagnose Test, Grammar Explanation & Practice Exercises
    • 1.1 Diagnostic Test
      • 1.1.1 Multi-word Verbs
    • 1.2 Grammar Explanation: Multi-word Verbs
      • 1.2.1 Form and Use
      • 1.2.2 Phrasal Verbs
      • 1.2.3 Prepositional Verbs
      • 1.2.4 Phrasal-Prepositional Verbs
      • 1.2.5 Word List: Common Multi-word Verbs
    • 1.3 Practice Exercise
    • 1.4 Answer Key for Diagnostic Test
    • 1.5 Answer Key for Practice Test

Advanced Grammar for IELTS: Multi-word verbs – Diagnose Test, Grammar Explanation & Practice Exercises

Diagnostic Test

Multi-word Verbs

Rewrite these sentences replacing the underlined words with the words in brackets. Make any necessary changes to word order.

Example:

  • She repaid the debt punctually. (on time/paid/back/it)
  • ==> __She paid it back on time__
  1. The whole story was invented by Suzy’s brother. (by/him/made/was/up)
  2. Maintain the good work. (up/it/keep)
  3. Make sure you carefully follow the guidelines. (strictly/to/stick)
  4. This tie doesn’t match that shirt ___(it/with/go)
  5. We met my wife’s cousin by chance at the museum. (into/him/ran)
  6. These are the beliefs our movement upholds. (stands/which/for/our movement)
  7. The company won’t tolerate this kind of behaviour. (with/it/put/up)
  8. I revealed the secret to Elizabeth. (it/her/in/let/on)

Eight of the following sentences contain grammatical mistakes or an inappropriate verb or multi-word verb. Tick () the correct sentences and correct the others.

Examples:

  • They’re a company with which we’ve been dealing for many years.
  • Her Majesty turned up at the ceremony in the dazzling Imperial State Coach. ==> arrived
  1. That division was taken by head office over.
  2. The very first breakout of the disease was reported in Namibia.
  3. Steve was left by his ex-girlfriend out from her wedding invitation list.
  4. It is a condition of receiving this Internet account that you do not give away your confidential PIN number to any third party.
  5. Could you activate the kettle, darling? I’m dying for a cup of tea.
  6. He fell down the floor and hurt himself.
  7. Come on! We’re going to be late!
  8. The plane took off the ground at incredible speed.
  9. The government brought recently in some legislation to deal with the problem.
  10. There are few people for whom he cares so deeply.
  11. They took Clive up on his invitation.
  12. We look forward eagerly to your wedding.

Grammar Explanation: Multi-word Verbs

A common feature of English is the combination of verbs with prepositions and/or adverbs to create multi-word verbs, e.g. to put off, to put out, to put up with. These verbs can be difficult for learners because the meanings often cannot be worked out from the individual words, and there are special rules about the position of objects with these verbs. We sometimes refer to all multi-word verbs as ‘phrasal verbs’, although there are several different types.

Form and Use

Overview

Multi-word verbs are formed from a verb, e.g. grow, plus an adverbial particle, e.g. away, back, out, or a prepositional particle, e.g. on, off, up. There are four types of multi-word verb and each type has different rules, for example about the use or position of the object:

Type 1 intransitive phrasal verbs

e.g. take off:

  • The plane took off very late. (There is no object.)
Type 2 transitive phrasal verbs

e.g. put something off :

  • We’re putting the party off / putting off the party because of the awful weather.

(The noun object can go before or after the particle.)

Type 3 prepositional verbs

e.g. cope with something :

  • How does she cope with all those kids? (The object goes after the particle.)
Type 4 phrasal-prepositional verbs

e.g. look forward to something :

  • They’re looking forward to the holidays. (The object goes after the particles.)

Learner dictionaries indicate which type a verb is by showing a noun object with the verb:

put sb/ sth off phr v [T] to arrange to do something at a later time or date, especially because there is a problem, difficulty etc:

  • They’ve put the meeting off till next week.

Multi-word verbs form tenses, and are used in questions and negatives and in the passive voice, in the same way as other verbs:

  • Will you be putting the party off? (future continuous question)
  • The party has been put off until next month. (present perfect passive)

We never separate the verb and particle in the passive form:

 X That story was made by a resentful employee up

 ✓ That story was made up by a resentful employee.

We can sometimes form nouns from multi-word verbs.

  • The car broke down five kilometres from home. (multi-word verb)
  • The breakdown happened five kilometres from home. (noun)

In some cases the order of the verb and particle is reversed in the noun derived from them:

  • The epidemic first broke out in Namibia. (multi-word verb)
  • The first outbreak of the epidemic was in Zaire. (noun)

Formal and Informal Use

Where a multi-word verb has no exact synonym, e.g. grow up, we can use it in formal and informal contexts. However, when there is a single verb with an equivalent meaning, e.g. think about (= consider), the multi-word verb tends to be used in informal contexts while the single verb is more formal. Compare these examples:

  • [The bank will think about your application in due course.]
  • The bank will consider your application in due course. (formal)
  • [Honestly, how can you consider money at a time like this!]
  • Honestly, how can you think about money at a time like this! (informal)

Meaning

It is sometimes possible to get an idea of the meaning of a multi-word verb from its particle, because some particles are associated with areas of meaning, for example:

on – starting/continuing/progressing, e.g. carry on, take on, get on
out – thoroughness, e.g. work out, see out, mark out
up – completion/finality, e.g. give up, break up, eat up

Note: However, these areas of meaning can be abstract and may not cover all cases.

Phrasal Verbs

Intransitive Verbs

Intransitive phrasal verbs (type 1) consist of a verb plus an adverb. Phrasal verbs usually have a meaning which is different from the meaning of the separate parts:

  • Getting by on my salary isn’t easy! (= managing)
  • Rollerblading never really caught on in England. (= became popular)

As intransitive phrasal verbs have no direct object, they cannot be made passive:

 X My car broke down the engine.

 ✓  My car broke down

Intransitive phrasal verbs are sometimes used in imperatives:

  • Watch out. That floor’s not very solid.
  • Come on! I can’t wait all day!

Transitive Verbs

Transitive phrasal verbs (type 2) consist of a verb + adverb and have a direct object (either a pronoun or a noun):

  • It isn’t true, I made it up. I made up that story.

If the object is a noun, it can either be between the verb and particle, or after the particle:

  • I made a story up. I made up a story.

If the object is a pronoun, we put it between the verb and particle, but not after the particle:

 X I made up it.

 ✓ I made it up.

Note: We can’t put an adverb between the verb and particle or between the particle and object:

 X I paid early back the loan.

 X I paid back early the loan.

 ✓ I paid the loan back early.

Note: We can’t put a relative pronoun immediately before or after the particle.

 X That’s the room which up I did.

 X That’s the room up which I did.

 ✓ That’s the room which I did up.

Some phrasal verbs have a transitive use with one meaning, and an intransitive use with a different meaning. Compare:

  • The plane took off on time. (take off, intransitive = become airborne)
  • The man took off his coat. (take something off, transitive = remove)

Prepositional Verbs

Form and Use

Prepositional verbs (type 3) consist of a verb, e.g. look, plus a preposition, e.g. into, at. for. The combination of the verb and preposition creates a new meaning which can sometimes, but not always, be worked out from the parts:

  • She looked for her missing passport. (= searched, tried to find)
  • Would you mind looking into his complaint? (= investigating, researching)

These verbs are transitive. We put the noun or pronoun object after the preposition, and not between the verb and preposition:

 X We didn’t fall his story for.

 X We didn’t fall it for.

 ✓ We didn’t fall for it/his story

With prepositional verbs (but not phrasal verbs above) we can put an adverb between the verb and preposition. But we cannot put an adverb between the preposition and object:

 X She parted with reluctantly her money.

 ✓ She parted reluctantly with her money.

Special Uses

In formal English we sometimes prefer to avoid a preposition at the end of a sentence. With prepositional verbs (but not phrasal verbs above) we can put the preposition in front of the relative pronouns whom or which:

  • These are the principles (which) our party stands for.
  • ==>These are the principles for which our party stands.
  • That’s the type of client (whom) I’m dealing with.
  • ==> That’s the type of client with whom I’m dealing.

Note: But we cannot put the preposition after whom or which:

 X These are the principles which for our party stands.

Some prepositional verbs are mainly used in the passive form , especially in written English:

  • The marketing strategy is aimed at a target audience of 18 to 25 year olds.

Phrasal-Prepositional Verbs

Form and Use

These verbs (type 4) are formed by combining a verb with an adverb and Form and preposition. The combination creates a new meaning which cannot usually be use understood from the meanings of the individual parts:

  • We look forward to hearing from you. (= anticipate with pleasure)

They are transitive and can be made passive:

  • All her employees looked up to her. (active)
  • She was looked up to by all her employees. (passive)

We can never use a noun or pronoun object between the particles:

 X I can’t put up this treatment/it with any longer.

We cannot usually put a noun or pronoun object immediately after the verb:

X I can’t put this treatment /it up with any longer.

I can’t put up with this treatment/ it any longer.

The exception is when the verb has two objects, e.g. let somebody in on something, take somebody up on something:

  • We let James in on the plan.
  • We took her up on her offer.

Note: We cannot put an adverb before the first particle or after the final particle, but we can use an adverb between the two particles:

 X He stands strongly up for his principles. (verb + adverb + particle)

 X  He stands up for strongly his principle.(particle + particle + adverb)

 ✓  He stands up strongly for his principles. (particle + adverb+ particle)

Word List: Common Multi-word Verbs

These tables include all multi-word verbs which occur at least ten times per million words in the Longman Corpus Network. (Below, sb = somebody and sth = something.)

Type 1: Intransitive Phrasal Verbs

break down (= stop working), catch on (= understand/become popular), come back (= return), come in, come on. fall out (= quarrel), fall through, fit in, get by (= manage/cope), get up, go away, go on (= continue), go out, grow up, look out, pass out (= faint), shut up. sit down, stand up, stay on (= remain), take off, turn up (= arrive), wake up, watch out.

Type 2: Transitive Phrasal Verbs

act sth out {= perform/demonstrate), bottle sth up {= not allow a feeling to show), bring sth in (= introduce), bring sb up (= rear), bring sth up (= mention sth/introduce a topic), carry sth out (= perform/undertake). do sth up (= restore/redecorate). fill sth in/out (= complete in writing), find sth out (= discover), fix sth up (= arrange), give sth away (= reveal), give sth up (= stop), hold sth up (= delay), keep sth up (= maintain), leave sth/sb out, let sth out (= release), look sth up. make sth up (= invent), pay sb back, pick sth up (= collect), point sth out (= highlight/explain), pull sth/sb down (= demolish, demote), put sth away, put sth off (= postpone), put sth on, put sb up (= accommodate), run sb down (= criticise), set sth up (= establish/implement/organise), take sth over, take sth up, throw sth away, turn sthlsb down (= refuse), turn sth/sb out.

Type 3: Prepositional Verbs

call for sb, care for sb, come across sth (= encounter), cope with sth, deal with sth (= manage, handle), fall for sth (= be tricked), feel like sth, get at sb/sth, get over sth (= recover from), get through {= finish successfully), go into sth, go with sth (= match), ead to sth, look after sb/sth, look at sth (= observe), look into sth (= investigate), look like sth (= resemble), look round sth (= visit, etc.), part with sth, pay for sth, rely on sth/sb, run into sb (= meet by chance), see to sth (= organise/manage), send for sb, stand for sth (= represent/mean/tolerate), stick to sth (= persevere/follow), take after sb, talk about sth, think about sth (= consider).

The following prepositional verbs are usually used in the passive:

be aimed at (= intended for), be applied to, be considered as, be derived from, be known as, be regarded as, be used as, be used in

Type 4: Phrasal-Prepositional Verbs

back out of sth, break in on sth, catch up on sth/sb, catch up with sb, check up on sth / sb, come across as sth (= appear to be), come down to sth (= be essentially), come up with sth (= invent), cut down on sth (= reduce), do away with sth, drop in on sb, face up to sth (= confront), get away with sth, get back to sth (= return), get down to sth, get on with sth, get out of sth, give in to sth, go out for sth, go up to sb (= approach), keep away from sb/sth (= avoid), keep up with sb. look down on sb, look forward to sth (= anticipate), look out for sblsth, look up to sb (= admire/respect), make away with sth, move on to sth, put up with sth/sb (= tolerate), run away with sb, run off with sth, stand up for sth (= defend), turn away from sth, walk out on sth/sb

The following phrasal-prepositional verbs are usually used in the passive:

be cut off from, be made up of, be set out in

Also check:

  • Grammar for IELTS
  • IELTS Grammar books
  • English Pronunciation in use Intermediate pdf

Practice Exercise

Q 1.

Underline the most suitable verb in bold in each of these sentences.

  1. Don’t stop now Liz. Continue/ Go on, I’m dying to hear the end of the story!
  2. In a bid to improve diplomatic relations, the Foreign Office has arranged/fixed up a visit by senior embassy staff.
  3. The court sentences you to life imprisonment, with the recommendation that you not be released /let out for a minimum period of twenty years.
  4. Owing to a lack of military support, the United Nations feels unable to maintain /keep up its presence in the war-torn province.
  5. I don’t think your dad trusts me – he’s always observing / looking at me.
  6. You’ve got to make an effort, darling. You’ll never lose weight unless you reduce / cut down on the amount of fatty food you eat.
  7. The government have announced plans to abolish/ do away with the disabled person’s vehicle allowance in the next budget.
  8. My little brother’s always getting bullied at school. He just won’t confront/ face up to the other kids.
  9. The presidential party will arrive / turn up at the palace shortly before luncheon.
  10. My best friend always exaggerates – half the things he says are just invented/ made up!

Q 2.

Rewrite these sentences using an appropriate multi-word verb. You must use a pronoun ( it, him, her, them) to replace the underlined object. In some cases you may have to change the word order. The exercise begins with an example (0).

  • (0) They’ve postponed the housewarming party until Friday.
  • ==> They’ve put it off until Friday
  1. Would you mind organising the removal yourself?
  2. I met Steve and Terri quite by chance at the supermarket this morning.
  3. I’ve arranged the meeting for ten o’clock tomorrow.
  4. You’re always criticising your colleagues.
  5. I’m sure the police will investigate the burglary.
  6. The builders undertook the job very professionally.
  7. Could you collect the children from school tonight?
  8. Has Perry recovered from the flu yet?
  9. She really resembles her parents, doesn’t she?
  10. Would you highlight the advantages for me?

Q 3.

What are the people saying in the pictures on the next page? Write a short sentence for each situation using multi-word verbs and a suitable pronoun (it, them, you, etc.). All the multi-word verbs you need can be formed from the verbs in brackets and the particles in the box. The first one has been done as an example (0).

with after at down off out up (x2)

Q 4.

Rewrite the parts of the sentences in brackets with the words in the correct order.

  • (0) Don’t (tomorrow/put/until/off/it); do it now.
  • ==> Don’t put it off until tomorrow

1. Thanks for the invitation; (looking/to/I’m/it/forward).

2. The evil witch (frog/prince/the/into/turned/handsome/a).

3. I won’t have any sugar thank you; (it/I’ve/up/given).

4.There isn’t a death penalty any longer; (away/they’ve/it/done/with).

5. He’s the footballer (million/a/team/manager/for/the/paid/whom/dollars).

6. I have a small trust fund; (by/it/my/was/set/grandfather/up).

Q 5.    

Read the magazine article below. Then use the information in the text to complete the informal summary on the next page. Use no more than three words for each gap (1-18), including the word in brackets. The words you need are all multi-word verbs and do not occur in the newspaper article. The exercise begins with an example (0).

When Anger is Healthy

Everyone knows that not allowing oneself to show feelings of anger and resentment can be very unhealthy, leading to stress and long-term feelings of inadequacy and powerlessness. But how do we release our anger without looking foolish or petulant?

The first thing to learn is that expressing your anger and losing your temper arc not the same thing at all. One is natural and healthy, the other is destructive and dangerous. We usually admire those who can express their anger calmly, and see them as ‘firm but fair’ or mature and self-confident. While those who lose their temper appear to be immature, childish, selfish and aggressive.

Mandy Dickson is a psychologist who has established a successful one-day anger workshop that helps ordinary people to learn about and manage their anger. The seminar is not intended for criminals or the mentally ill, but for those ordinary people who feel powerless to control their own tempers.

The first thing Mandy explains is that anger is a natural and normal feeling, and that feeling angry about something is nothing to be ashamed of. But we need to recognise anger when we feel it, and to investigate its true causes. Once we know the real cause of anger we can confront it and begin to do something positive about it. Mandy asks participants to complete a questionnaire about things that make them angry. By comparing these ‘triggers’ people often discover that the true causes of anger are other feelings, especially fear, disappointment and grief. But because it is not socially acceptable in our culture to openly demonstrate these feelings, we express them as anger. This is particularly true for men who, even in these enlightened times, are expected to hide any feelings of inadequacy or fear and be strong and stoical in all situations.

Having recognised the causes of anger, the first step is to learn how to avoid anger-inducing situations. The next step is to learn how to express one’s feelings calmly and firmly. Mandy believes that when we are angry we want other people to understand our anger and sympathise with it. But we often fall into the trap of expressing anger by criticising those around us, when what we really want is their support and empathy. One of the most common causes of anger is when other people fail to behave in a way you expect them to. But as Mandy explains, human beings are not telepathic, they cannot be expected to automatically anticipate other people’s desires and wishes. So an essential tool in reducing the occurrence of anger-inducing situations is to always explain exactly what you want and expect from those around you. It is all essentially a question of communication.

We know (0)_bottling up_(bottle) anger can be unhealthy. But how do we (1)__(let) our anger without seeming foolish? Expressing anger and losing your temper are different things. One is healthy, the other dangerous. We (2)___(look) people who express anger calmly, but those who lose their temper (3)__(come) immature and aggressive. Mandy Dickson has (4)___(set) a one-day anger workshop which helps people learn about and (5)___(deal) their anger. It is (6)__(aim) ordinary people who don’t feel able to control their tempers. She (7)___(point) that anger is natural and nothing to be ashamed of, but we should recognise it and (8)___(look) its true causes. Then we can (9)___(face) it, and begin to do something positive. Participants (10)___(fill) a questionnaire about things that make them angry. They compare their responses and often (11)____(find) that the causes are other feelings such as fear or grief. But in our culture it isn’t acceptable to (12)___(act) these feelings in public. Men, in particular, are supposed to (13)____(cover) these feelings.

Once we know the causes of anger, we must learn how to (14)___(keep) situations which will induce them. When we are angry we want other people to understand us, but we often make the mistake of (15) ___(run) those around us. Anger is often caused by the feeling that you have been (16)___(let) by other people. But we can’t always expect other people to know our feelings. So the most important way to (17) ____(cut) the number of anger-producing situations is to tell people exactly how we feel. It really all (18)____(come) communication.

Q 6.

Rewrite John’s half of this unnatural telephone conversation in a more natural, informal style. Use the multi-word verbs in the box to replace the underlined verbs and phrases. Replace nouns with pronouns where possible and make any other necessary changes, as in this example:

JOHN: (0) I’ve just demolished the conservatory.   ==> …. I’ve just pulled it down…..

do sth up take sth off
put up with sb look forward to sth
stay up sit down
get on with sb take sth up
put sb up finish sth off
turn sth into sth sort sth out
look down on sb turn sth down
put sth up pull sth down

DAVE: John, it’s Dave. How are things?

JOHN: Sorry, I can’t hear you. (1) I’ll just reduce the volume on the radio. That’s better.

DAVE: How are things? Still working on the house?

JOHN: Yes. (2) We’ve completed the work on the kitchen and (3) we’re renovating the dining room. (4) We’re transforming the room into a second bedroom. (5) I’ve just mounted the wallpaper but I’ve been having trouble getting it (6) to remain vertically attached.

DAVE: I know what you mean. I hate wallpapering.

JOHN: (7) And it’s all got to be organised and ready by Saturday. Jane’s mother is coming and we’re (8) providing accommodation for her for a few days.

DAVE: I thought you didn’t like her.

JOHN: (9) We don’t interact in a friendly way with each other but (10) I can tolerate her for a few days.

DAVE: Why do you dislike her so much?

JOHN: (11) I’m sure she regards me as inferior to her. And she’s so lazy, I mean she comes in, (12) removes her coat, (13) assumes a seated position and expects us to wait on her hand and foot!

DAVE: I see what you mean. Sounds like a nightmare.

JOHN: (14) Mm. I think I might commence gardening as a hobby – just to get me out of the house!

DAVE: Good idea. Well, I’d better let you get on. And don’t forget about our party on Friday.

JOHN: (15) Of course not. I’m anticipating the party with pleasure.

Answer Key for Diagnostic Test

  1. was made up by him.
  2. Keep it up.
  3. stick strictly to
  4. go with it.
  5. ran into him
  6. which our movement stands for./ for which our movement stands.
  7. put up with it.
  8. let her in on it.
  9. by head office over ==> over by head office
  10. breakout  ==> outbreak
  11. left by his ex- girlfriend out ==> left out by his ex-girlfriend
  12. not give away ==> not reveal (give away is an inappropriate verb in a formal context)
  13. activate   ==>  turn on/switch on (activate is an inappropriate verb in an informal context)
  14. down the floor and ==> down (on the floor) and
  15. took off the ground at incredible speed ==> took off (from the ground) at incredible speed.
  16. brought recently in ==> recently brought in

Answer Key for Practice Test

Q 1.

  1. Go on
  2. arranged
  3. released
  4. maintain
  5. looking at
  6. cut down on
  7. abolish
  8. face up to
  9. arrive
  10. made up

Q 2.

  1. Would you mind seeing to it/sorting it out yourself?
  2. I ran into them at the supermarket this morning.
  3. I’ve fixed it up for ten o’clock tomorrow.
  4. You’re always running them down.
  5. I’m sure the police will look into it.
  6. The builders carried it out very professionally.
  7. Could you pick them up from school tonight?
  8. Has Perry got over it yet?
  9. She really looks like them/takes after them, doesn’t she?
  10. Would you point them out for me?

Q 3. (Suggested Answers)

  1. He takes after you.
  2. Put it down!
  3. Please take it off.
  4. It doesn’t go with it.
  5. Pick it up!
  6. Drink it up.
  7. Look at them!

Q 4.

  1. I’m looking forward to it
  2. turned the handsome prince into a frog/turned the frog into a handsome prince
  3. I’ve given it up
  4. they’ve done away with it
  5. for whom the team manager paid a million dollars
  6. it was set up by my grandfather

Q 5.    

  1. let out
  2. look up to
  3. come across as
  4. set up
  5. deal with
  6. aimed at
  7. points out
  8. look into
  9. face up to
  10. fill in/fill out
  11. find out
  12. act out
  13. cover up
  14. keep away from
  15. running down
  16. let down
  17. cut down
  18. comes down to

Q 6.

  1. I’ll just turn the radio down
  2. We’ve finished off the kitchen
  3. We’re doing up the dining room
  4. We’re turning it into a second bedroom
  5. I’ve just put the wallpaper up
  6. stay up
  7. sorted out
  8. putting her up
  9. get on with each other
  10. put up with her
  11. looks down on me
  12. takes her coat off
  13. sits down
  14. I think I might take up gardening
  15. looking forward to it

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