Unit 18: Phrasal Verbs

1. What is a Phrasal Verb?

A phrasal verb is a verb plus a preposition or adverb which creates a meaning different from the original verb. For example, run into means to meet by chance, whereas run implies movement. Understanding the individual words does not always help you understand the phrasal verb.

Illustration 1

2. Transitive andIntransitive Phrasal Verbs

Some phrasal verbs are intransitive. An intransitive verb cannot be followed by an object. For example: He suddenly showed up. (You cannot ‘show up’ something).

Some phrasal verbs are transitive. A transitive verb can be followed by an object. For example: I made up the story. (‘Story’ is the object).

3. Separable and Inseparable Phrasal Verbs

Separable: Some transitive phrasal verbs allow the object to be placed between the verb and thepreposition. Example: I talked my mother into letting me borrow the car. If the object is a pronoun (it, them, me), it must go in the middle. Example: I looked it up. (Not: I looked up it).

Inseparable: The object is always placed after the preposition. Example: I ran into an old friend. (Not: I ran an old friend into).

Target Vocabulary Focus:
  • turn down: Decrease volume OR refuse an offer.
  • drop in: Visit informally.
  • put off: Avert or postpone to a later time.
  • eat out: Eat at a restaurant (outside the home).
  • think over: Consider something with care.
  • speak up: Speak louder or increase volume.
  • run into: Meet by chance.
Illustration 2

Exercise 1: Match the Definitions

Match the phrasal verbs on the left with their meanings on the right.

1. run intoa.visit informally
2. put offb. increase volume
3. think overc. meet by chance
4. turn downd. decrease volume or refuse
5. eat oute. postpone
6. drop inf. have a meal at a restaurant
7. speak upg. consider carefully
8.show uph. arrive suddenly

Exercise 2: Transitive or Intransitive?

Identify if the phrasal verb in bold is Transitive (takes an object) or Intransitive (no object).

1. Please speak up; I can’t hear you. (Transitive / Intransitive)
2. She ran into her teacher at the market. (Transitive / Intransitive)
3. We decided to eat out tonight. (Transitive / Intransitive)
4. He turned down the job offer. (Transitive / Intransitive)
5. They dropped in yesterday evening. (Transitive / Intransitive)
6. Can you turn on the fan? (Transitive / Intransitive)
7. The car broke down on the highway. (Transitive / Intransitive)
8. She needs to think over the proposal. (Transitive / Intransitive)

Exercise 3: Complete the Sentences

Use the correct phrasal verb from the target list to complete the sentences.

1. I can’t hear the TV. Can you please ________ ________?
2. The radio is too loud. Please ________ it ________.
3. I need to ________ ________ your offer before I say yes.
4. We didn’t plan to meet; we just ________ ________ each other at the mall.
5. Let’s ________ ________ the meeting until everyone can attend.
6. I don’t feel like cooking; let’s ________ ________.
7. Feel free to ________ ________ anytime you are in the neighborhood.
8. He had to ________ ________ the invitation because he wasbusy.
Illustration 3

Exercise 4: Multiple Choice Definitions

Choose the correct meaning for the bolded phrasal verb.

1. Put off the appointment.
a. Cancel b. Postpone c. Start
2. Drop in later.
a. Fall b. Visit c. Leave
3. Turn down the volume.
a. Increase b. Decrease c. Move
4. Run into a problem.
a. Solve b. Meet/Encounter c. Escape
5. Eat out on Fridays.
a. Eat outside on grass b. Eat at a restaurant c. Eat quickly
6. Speak up in class.
a. Talk louder b. Be quiet c. Stand up
7. Think over the plan.
a. Forget b. Consider c. Create
8. Turn on the light.
a. Stop b. Start c. Break

Exercise 5: Sentence Matching

Match the first half of the sentence with the correct ending.

1. I ran into… (a) …the radio; it’s too loud.
2. I will think… (b) …your suggestion carefully.
3. Please turn down… (c) …an old friend yesterday.
4. We put off… (d) …at a nice Italian restaurant.
5. They ateout… (e) …the trip because of rain.
6. Drop in… (f) …if you are in the area.
7.Speak up… (g) …a difficult question.
8. She came up with… (h) …so everyone can hear.

Exercise 6: Replace the Verb

Replace the underlined word with a phrasal verb: turn down, put off, drop in, thinkover, speak up, run into, eat out, go on.

1. We decided to postpone the event. __________
2. I met my cousin by chance at the library. __________
3. Please refuse the job offer if you don’t like it. __________
4. You need to consider the consequences. __________
5. Can you talk louder? __________
6. Let’s visit Grandma on Sunday. __________
7. We prefer to dine at a restaurant on weekends. __________
8. Please continue your story. __________
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