Some Quick Phrasal Verb Practice
Phrasal verbs are a very important part of good use of English. You can speak without them, but it will be very difficult to understand native speakers if you don’t understand them.
It is difficult to judge which ones are the most important, but here are some that we think are highly useful to know.
Keep on – To persistently do something / without stopping.
“We’ve had this washing machine for twelve years! We would have bought a new one, but this one keeps on working!”
Show off – To boast / talk well about oneself (generally negative)
“ Martin has invited me to his house on Friday.”
“ Yeah, me too. He probably wants to show off his new television.”
Bring up (1) – Mention
“ In the meeting with the directors today, please bring up your new project.”
Bring up (2) – Raise (children)
Bettiana was considered a strong woman, as she had brought up nine children by herself.
Put off – Delay (meeting, date, party etc.)
“ Sorry Tina, the meeting has been put off because the CEO is late”
Call off – Cancel (meeting, date, party etc.)
“ Sorry Tina, the meeting has been called off, because the CEO has been sacked!”
Hand in – Submit something, normally a document or project, to someone, normally an authority.
“ Gemma, if you could hand in that report by Friday, that would be great.”
Hold up – Delay (person)
“ Graham just called – he’s been hold up by traffic.”
Make up – Invent (stories)
The teacher told the children to stop making up stories about each other.
Turn up (1) – Increase (volume etc.)
If people aren’t dancing at your party, try turning the music up.
Turn up (2) – Arrive (often unexpectedly)
If people don’t turn up to your party, try making more friends!
Test Yourself
Choose a phrasal verb to complete the sentences:
Keep on / Show off / Bring Up / Put off / Call off / Hand in/ Hold up / Make up / Turn up
- When the exam was finished, the students __________ their papers.
- I think that the football match will be __________ until tomorrow because of the rain.
- I’m an only child – my Mum _____ me ____ by herself.
- “Sorry Claire, I’m gonna be late – I’m ________ in traffic.”
- It can take time to stop ants using only natural products, but if you ______ trying then you will see the results.
- The President’s inauguration was _______ because of fraud allegations.
- When my friend finally _______ to the cinema, the film was almost over!
- In court, the criminal _______ stories about where he was the night of the crime.
Answers
- When the exam was finished, the students handed in their papers.
- I think that the football match will be put off until tomorrow because of the rain.
- I’m an only child – my Mum brought me up by herself.
- “Sorry Claire, I’m gonna be late – I’m held up in traffic.”
- It can take time to stop ants using only natural products, but if you keep on trying then you will see the results.
- The President’s inauguration was called off because of fraud allegations.
- When my friend finally turned up to the cinema, the film was almost over!
- In court, the criminal made up stories about where he was the night of the crime.
If you have any questions about these phrasal verbs, or any others, then let us know in the comments section below.
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