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Learn more than 50 phrasal verbs

on useful topics such as Relationships,
Technology and Health.

Exercises on each worksheet help you

practise what you have learnt.

All the phrasal verbs are useful and

frequently used in British English.

Please support me by not copying this booklet

or sharing it with other people. Thank you.

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Phrasal verb booklet

by Karen Kovacs

WHAT IS A PHRASAL VERB?

A phrasal verb combines: a verb a particle (or sometimes two particles)

A particle can be a preposition or an adverb, or both. The particle often changes the meaning
of the verb.
For example, look means use your eyes and see but one meaning of look up is find information
in a dictionary, on a website etc. Phrasal verbs can also have many meanings.

WHY ARE THEY USEFUL ?

Phrasal verbs are useful because they are very common, especially in informal English. If you
don’t use them, you will probably sound too formal. Learning to use phrasal verbs will help
your comprehension, as well as your speaking and writing skills.

TYPES OF PHRASAL VERB

Literal meanings
Some phrasal verbs are easy to understand – their meanings are literal or basic. For example:
She sat down in a chair.
He put on his coat.

Idiomatic meanings
Other phrasal verbs are idiomatic or abstract – their meaning is not literal. For example:
We’ve run out of butter. [There is none left.]
The train is pulling in. [It is arriving at the station and stopping.]
In this booklet, you will learn idiomatic phrasal verbs, with meanings that are more difficult
to guess.

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Phrasal verbs can be separated into different types.

TRANSITIVE
A transitive phrasal verb has an object. For example:
I put on my shoes. [Shoes is the object.]
I put on.

INTRANSITIVE
An intransitive phrasal verb has no direct object. Here are some examples:
I get up at 6.45am every morning. (Or simply: I get up.)
Come over to my house after work. (Or simply: Come over.)

SEPARABLE
If a phrasal verb is separable, you can separate the two parts or not. The two parts are the
verb and the particle. For example:
Can you switch on the light?
TIP!
Can you switch the light on?
The (objective) personal
pronouns are: However, when you use a personal pronoun with a
separable phrasal verb, you must separate it:
me you him her
Can you switch it on?
it us them
Can you switch on it?

INSEPARABLE
An inseparable phrasal verb has an object but you can’t separate it, even when you use a
personal pronoun. For example:
Look at my car! Someone broke into it and stole my phone.
Look at my car! Someone broke it into and stole my
phone. NOTE!
TWO PARTICLES After the definition of each
phrasal verb on the worksheets,
Phrasal verbs of this type can be either transitive or I’ll tell you what type the verb is:
intransitive. They have two particles and generally you
tran. (transitive)
cannot separate them, even with personal pronouns. For
example: intran. (intransitive)

I don’t get on with my brother. sep. (separable)

insep. (inseparable)
I don’t get on my brother with.

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There is usually no way of telling whether a phrasal verb is separable, inseparable, transitive
or intransitive. The best way to remember how to use them is to learn them and then practise
using them!

MEANINGS r example:
Phrasal verbs can have more than one meaning, and some have many meanings.
I really look forward to the party.
REMEMBER! I have a sister. I get on with her really well.
Some phrasal verbs can be of a different type,
depending on their meaning. For example, take off:

She took off her coat. (transitive, separable)

The plane took off. (intransitive)

Each worksheet in this booklet introduces you to a set of phrasal verbs and then gives you a
chance to practise them.

The answers to the questions in this booklet are at the back.

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WORKSHEET 1
CAN YOU GUESS THE MEANING?
Sometimes, you can guess the meaning of an idiomatic/abstract phrasal verb from the
meaning of the main verb on its own (e.g. weigh) or the basic (non-idiomatic) meaning of
the phrasal verb (e.g. switch off). Try to do that here – explain what each phrasal verb means.

1.
Literal meaning I didn’t feel like watching TV so I switched it off.
(intran./tran. sep.)

Idiomatic meaning She kept talking and talking! I got so bored that I switched off.
(intran.)

2.
Literal meaning Wrap up her presents. Her birthday’s tomorrow!
(tran. sep.)

Idiomatic meaning Let’s wrap this meeting up now. We’ve discussed everything.
(intran./tran. sep.)

3.
Literal meaning I turned to Emilia but she was gone! I didn’t see her leave.
(tran. insep.)

Idiomatic meaning He always turns to me when he’s in trouble and wants to talk.
(tran. insep.)

4.
Literal meaning Those bags weigh too much – we can’t take them on the plane.

Idiomatic meaning Their money problems are really weighing them down.
(tran. sep.)

5.
Literal meaning You say snowboarding is difficult but you don’t know until you try!

Idiomatic meaning Why don’t you try out your Spanish on Manuel?
(tran. sep.)

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WORKSHEET 2
LOVE AND RELATIONSHIPS
Read these dialogues and look at the meanings of the phrasal verbs below.
Evie: Have you heard? Tom and Kerry have split up1.
Lucy: Really? But they’ve only been going out2 for two weeks!
Evie: I know. Apparently, she cheated on3 him.
Lucy: That’s terrible. I don’t think she’ll ever settle down4.
1. end a relationship/marriage (intran.) 2. have a romantic relationship (intran.)
3. secretly have sex with someone who isn’t your 4. begin to live a quieter life, e.g. get married and
husband/wife/partner (tran. insep.) have kids (intran.)

Freddie: I really want to ask Laura out1. I chatted to her at the party last night and we got
on2 really well.
Max: Are you sure she’s not just leading you on3? I thought she liked Franky.
Freddie: I don’t know but I’m falling for4 her big time so I’m going to invite her to the cinema.
1. invite someone to the cinema, a restaurant etc 2. like each other, be friendly to each other (intran.)
because you want a romantic relationship with
them (tran. sep.)
3. encourage someone to like you so they expect you 4. be attracted to someone and to start to love them
want a relationship when you don’t (tran. sep.) (tran. insep.)

Complete these sentences in any way that makes sense.

1. I’m going to ask him out because …
2. I’m falling for him even though …
3. He … so do you think he’s just leading you on?
4. I want to settle down so …
5. They split up last year and now …
6. We get on well - we have the same …
7. He cheated on his wife with a woman …
8. We started going out …

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WORKSHEET 3
WORK
Read these quotes from business people then read the meanings of the phrasal verbs below.

I’m working on1 the

That won’t work.
report. It’ll be ready
Can I run some ideas Let’s come up with3 I’m going to knock
by the end of the
by2 you? a better solution. off4 early today.
day.

Can you call off5 the Please draw up7 a Pencil me in8 for
6
meeting? I’m not Can you fill in for quick agenda for Wednesday and I’ll
feeling well. Lilly while she’s on today’s meeting. call you later to
holiday?
confirm.

1. spend time producing or improving something 2. tell someone your ideas so they can give you their
(tran. insep.) opinion (tran. must separate it)
3. think of something such as an idea or a plan 4. stop working for the day (intran./tran. insep.)
(tran. insep.)
5. cancel (tran. sep.) 6. do someone’s job for them while they are away
(tran. insep.)
7. prepare and write something, e.g. a document or 8. set an appointment but not confirm it as final
plan (tran. sep.) (tran. sep.)

Complete the sentences with the phrasal verbs above in the correct form.
1. I’ve _____________________ the staff party for 12 December but I need to check if the
director can come.
2. Why has she _____________________ the meeting again? I need to discuss the project
with her urgently.
3. The boss wants us to _____________________ a list of proposals.
4. You’d better ____________ the idea _________ Gemma first. He’s her clients, not yours.
5. I’m _____________________ the final details this week.
6. Can you _____________________ a list of the people you want at the meeting?
7. We usually _____________________ at around 5.30pm.
8. I’ve been _____________________ Matt for two weeks and I’m tired of doing two
people’s jobs!

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WORKSHEET 4
LEARNING
Read this introductory presentation by a teacher to his students.

Hello everyone and welcome to my biology class. Thanks for signing up1! Jo, could
you hand out2 the worksheets? Thanks. Don’t worry if some of what we learn today
seems complex because we’ll go over3 everything in the next lesson. Look up4 any
new words in a dictionary and read up on5 the topic tonight at home. I’d like you to
hand your homework in6 every Monday – don’t be late with it or I’ll give you a zero!
If you feel you’re falling behind7, come and talk to me. I’ll try and help you – after
all, it’s better if you don’t drop out8.

1. agree to join a course (intran.) 2. give things to the members of a class (tran. sep.)
3. study something again (tran. insep.) 4. try to find a particular piece of information in a
dictionary, online etc (tran. sep.)
5. study something by reading a lot about it 6. give your finished work to a teacher (tran. sep.)
(tran. insep.)
7. make less progress than other people 8. leave school without finishing your studies
(intran./tran. insep.) (intran.)

Answer the questions so the answers are true for you. Try to use the phrasal verbs in your
answers.
1. What’s the last course you signed up for?
2. At school, did your teacher hand out worksheets or did the students do it?
3. Do you go over your notes from class when you get home?
4. Where do you look up new vocabulary?
5. What was the last topic you read up on?
6. Do/Did you ever hand homework in late?
7. Have you ever felt like you were falling behind in your studies?
8. Have you ever dropped out of a course?

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WORKSHEET 5
FREE TIME
Read the example sentences then read the meanings of the phrasal verbs below.

1. go to someone’s house (intran.) 2. do (tran. insep.)

3. meet and get someone’s latest news (intran.) 4. start a new hobby (tran. sep.)
5. prepare for a sport or activity by doing gentle 6. do physical exercise, especially in the gym (intran.)
exercises (intran./tran. sep.)
7. eat in a restaurant, not at home (intran.) 8. remain at home, not go out (intran.)

Match the two parts of each sentence (or the two sentences).
1. You hurt yourself because … a. every day at the local gym.
2. She works out … b. tonight and we can talk about it?
3. What did you … c. Why can’t we just stay in?
4. Can I come round … d. eating out.
5. I’m so tired … e. you didn’t warm up properly.
6. They spend a lot of money on … f. taken up tennis?
7. I’m catching up with Joe tonight… g. It’s been too long!
8. Did you know she’d … h. get up to last night?

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WORKSHEET 6
HEALTH
Read these dialogues and look at the meanings of the phrasal verbs below.
Simon: I don’t feel well. I think I’m coming down with1 something.
Ahmed: Oh no! I’ve heard there’s a bad virus going around.2
Simon: I hope I can shake it off3 before this weekend. I’ve been invited to
wedding.
Ahmed: Let’s hope you do. Do you know, my little sister is ill at the moment,
too. She says she nearly passed out4 last night. She came round5
straight away but then she threw up6 this morning.
Simon: Ahmed?
Ahmed: Yeah?
Simon: Your face is swelling up7! Quick – call the doctor!
Ahmed: Don’t be silly – I’ll be fine. I’ll just dose myself up8 with anti-histamine.
1. begin to feel ill (tran. insep.) 2. a lot of people are getting that illness
(intran./tran. insep.)
3. get rid of an illness (tran. sep.) 4. become unconscious (intran.)
5. become conscious again (intran.) 6. vomit (intran./tran. sep.)
7. when a part of your body gets larger than normal 8. take a medicine (intran./tran. sep.)
(intran.)

Write the correct particle to complete each phrasal verb.

1. Her arm was beginning to swell __________ so took her to the hospital.
2. Are you going to pass __________? You look really pale.
3. Oh no, I’ve caught that cold that’s going __________.
4. Pass me a bucket! I think I’m going to throw __________!
5. You look awful. Go home and dose __________ on paracetamol.
6. He’s been ill for a week. He’s just not shaking it __________.
7. I’ve come __________ with something – and just before that really important presentation.
8. Your mother hasn’t come __________ from the anaesthetic yet, I’m afraid.

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WORKSHEET 7
TECHNOLOGY
Read this email from a director of IT (computers).

Dear staff,
I’m the head of IT. Please read this email carefully. As you all know, someone hacked into1 our
old system so we’ve set up2 a new one.
If you have any problems logging in3 to the new system, give us a call and we’ll help. If any
warning messages pop up4 on the screen, just ignore them.
Please back up5 all your work now or it might be lost. And shut down6 your computers for one
hour so the new system can install properly.
If you need to get in touch, scroll down7 to the bottom of this email and you’ll find my contact
details.
Can I also just remind you, when you want to print something out8, please print in black and
white if possible.
Thanks,
Connor

1. secretly find a way of getting information from 2. make a piece of equipment, software etc ready
someone else’s computer (tran. insep.) for use (intran./tran. sep.)
3. enter your username and password 4. appear very suddenly (intran.)
(intran./tran. sep.)
5. make a copy of information on your computer, 6. make a computer stop operating
online etc (intran./tran. sep.) (intran./tran. sep.)
7. move down the screen (intran./tran. insep.) 8. make a copy of a computer document using a
printer (tran. sep.)

Choose the correct phrasal verb for each sentence.

1. Shall I scroll down / print out that document now? How many copies do you want?
2. I recommend you shut down / back up all your files on the cloud or a storage device.
3. A teenager has hacked into / popped up the government’s website!
4. I can’t set up / log in because I’ve forgotten my password.
5. Scroll down / Print out until you get the image of the tree.
6. My computer just shut down / backed up. Why did it do that?
7. The IT department have set us up / logged us in with new laptops.
8. Adverts keeping hacking into / popping up, which is really annoying. What can I do?

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Did you know that I also write

graded readers?

Graded readers are stories for learners of English

with grammar and vocabulary at your level.

You can buy them in eBook and paperback from

Amazon, Apple, Kobo,

Book Depository (which has free delivery to many countries)

and other websites too.

Visit my website for more details:

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ANSWERS

WORKSHEET 1: CAN YOU GUESS THE MEANING?

1. Literal: switch off = make a machine (e.g. a TV) stop working

Idiomatic: switch off = stop listening to someone, switch off your brain!
2. Literal: wrap up = cover a present by putting paper on it
Idiomatic: wrap up = finish (it is now complete, like a present when you’ve wrapped it up)
3. Literal: turn to = turn your head to look towards someone or something
Idiomatic: turn to = go to someone when you need help
4. Literal: weigh = if something weighs a lot, it’s heavy
Idiomatic: weigh down = make someone worried, their problems are ‘heavy’
5. Literal: try = attempt
Idiomatic: try out = attempt something to see whether it’s suitable or effective

WORKSHEET 2: LOVE AND RELATIONSHIPS

Example answers

1. … he’s so gorgeous!
2. … he already has a girlfriend.
3. … has told you many times he doesn’t want a relationship …
4. … I’m going to start looking for a house to buy.
5. … they’re each going out with someone else.
6. … interests and hobbies.
7. … he met at work.
8. … three weeks ago.

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WORKSHEET 3: WORK

1. pencilled in 2. called off 3. come up with 4. run … by

5. working on (or drawing up) 6. draw up (or work on)
7. knock off 8. filling in for

WORKSHEET 4: LEARNING

Example answers

1. The last course I signed up for was a Spanish course to improve my language skills.
2. The teachers handed out the worksheets when I was at school but I think things have
changed since then.
3. I do usually go over my notes from class but only if I have enough time or I’m not too
tired.
4. I look up new vocabulary using an online dictionary.
5. I read up on British history last night. I find it fascinating.
6. I never once handed a piece of homework in late, I’m proud to say!
7. Yes. I started studying Russian years ago and I quickly started falling behind because it was
so challenging and others in the class had already learnt some of the language.
8. Yes, I dropped out of my Russian class, which I regret now.

WORKSHEET 5: FREE TIME

1. e 2. a 3. h 4. b
5. c 6. d 7. g 8. f

WORKSHEET 6: HEALTH

1. up 2. out 3. around 4. up
5. (yourself) up 6. off 7. down 8. round

WORKSHEET 7: TECHNOLOGY

1. print out 2. back up 3. hacked into 4. log in

5. Scroll down 6. shut down 7. set … up 8. popping up

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