Common Phrasal Verbs and How to Use Them in Sentences
Phrasal verbs exercises are essential for anyone who wants to excel in English grammar. Understanding and practicing phrasal verbs helps students in school exams, competitive tests, and confident daily communication. Mastering these verb + preposition or adverb combinations makes your English sound natural and accurate, both in writing and speaking.
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| give up | to stop trying | She will not give up easily. |
| look after | to take care of | Please look after your sister. |
| bring up | to mention or raise a topic | Do not bring up old issues. |
| run into | to meet by chance | I ran into an old friend in the market. |
| break down | to stop working | The car broke down yesterday. |
Phrasal Verbs Exercises: Introduction and Importance
Phrasal verbs are verbs combined with prepositions or adverbs. Their meanings often change from the base verb. Practicing phrasal verbs exercises is key to scoring high in English exams and improving spoken and written English for real-life situations.
Types of Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs can be classified in two main ways: by whether they take an object (transitive/intransitive), and by whether the parts can be separated (separable/inseparable). Understanding these types helps students use and identify phrasal verbs correctly.
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Separable | Object can be placed between verb and particle | Pick up (Please pick the book up.) |
| Inseparable | Object must follow the phrasal verb | Look after (I will look after the baby.) |
| Transitive | Requires an object | Turn off (Turn off the lights.) |
| Intransitive | No object required | Wake up (He wakes up early.) |
Common Phrasal Verbs List with Meanings
Here is a list of important phrasal verbs every student should know. Review these with their meanings and sample usage for exams and daily conversations.
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| call off | to cancel | They called off the meeting. |
| find out | to discover | Did you find out the answer? |
| put off | to postpone | Never put off your work. |
| turn up | to appear unexpectedly | He turned up late. |
| set up | to establish | We will set up a new club. |
| give in | to surrender | Do not give in to pressure. |
| carry on | to continue | Please carry on with your work. |
| look for | to search | I am looking for my keys. |
| take off | to remove or depart | Take off your shoes. The plane takes off at 5 pm. |
| bring up | to raise (a topic or a child) | She was brought up by her aunt. |
Phrasal Verbs Exercises with Answers
Practice these phrasal verbs exercises to test your grammar. Check the answers after each exercise to see how you did.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences with the correct phrasal verb from the box: give up, turn on, look after, call off, break down
- 1. The teacher will _______ the test if more students fall ill.
- 2. I will never _______ on my dreams.
- 3. Please _______ the television.
- 4. Can you _______ my dog while I am away?
- 5. My bike may _______ if I do not fix it soon.
Answers: 1. call off 2. give up 3. turn on 4. look after 5. break down
Exercise 2: Match the Columns
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| a. find out | 1. continue |
| b. carry on | 2. search for |
| c. look for | 3. discover |
Answers: a-3, b-1, c-2
Phrasal Verbs in Real Sentences
Phrasal verbs are common in conversations. For example: “Can you look after my plants when I am gone?” or “He did not give up, even after many failures.” Using them makes your English more natural. They are important in writing, exams, and everyday situations.
Downloadable Phrasal Verbs Worksheets
For more practice, download our phrasal verbs exercises PDF. Work offline and check your answers easily. Find more resources and practice sheets at Vedantu or by visiting the grammar section. Download and revise anytime.
Tips for Mastering Phrasal Verbs for Exams
Make a list of new phrasal verbs with meanings and sentences. Practice exercises regularly. Use them in daily conversations and writing. Check answers to understand mistakes. Explore related topics like prepositions, idioms and phrases, and verb forms for deeper understanding.
Summary
Phrasal verbs exercises train you to identify and use verb + preposition or adverb combinations in English. Knowing phrasal verbs aids in exams, interviews, and daily communication. Review practice questions, meanings, and real-life examples regularly. For more learning support, trust Vedantu to simplify English grammar for you.
FAQs on Phrasal Verbs Exercises: Practice, Examples & Answers
1. What is a phrasal verb in English?
A phrasal verb combines a verb with a preposition or adverb to create a new meaning, often idiomatic. For example, "look up" means to search for information, while "look after" means to take care of someone.
2. How do you practice phrasal verbs?
Practicing phrasal verbs involves active use. Try these methods:
- Phrasal verb exercises: Worksheets, online quizzes, and interactive activities.
- Reading: Notice how phrasal verbs are used in context.
- Writing: Incorporate them into your writing to build fluency.
- Speaking: Use them in conversations to improve conversational English.
3. What are 10 common phrasal verbs?
Here are 10 common phrasal verbs with their meanings:
- Look up: to search for information
- Look after: to take care of
- Get up: to rise from bed
- Get on: to board (a bus, train)
- Put off: to postpone
- Turn on: to switch on
- Turn off: to switch off
- Give up: to quit
- Take off: to remove (clothing) or depart (airplane)
- Put on: to dress oneself
4. How to use phrasal verbs in a sentence?
Using phrasal verbs correctly requires understanding their specific meanings. They function like single units within a sentence. For instance, instead of saying "I delayed the meeting," use the phrasal verb: "I put off the meeting." Practice with various phrasal verb examples to see how they fit grammatically into sentences.
5. Are phrasal verbs important for exams?
Yes, phrasal verbs are very important for English exams like TOEFL, IELTS, and many others. They frequently appear in reading comprehension, listening, and writing sections, testing both your understanding and usage. Mastering them improves your overall English proficiency and scores.
6. What is the difference between phrasal verbs and idioms?
While both phrasal verbs and idioms are multi-word expressions with non-literal meanings, they differ. Phrasal verbs always include a verb + preposition/adverb, while idioms have diverse structures. Phrasal verbs often have a more logical connection between the words than idioms. For example, "look up" is a phrasal verb, while "break a leg" is an idiom.
7. Where can I find phrasal verbs exercises with answers?
Many resources offer phrasal verbs exercises with answers. Look for online grammar websites, textbooks, and educational apps. Search for "phrasal verbs worksheets," "phrasal verbs quizzes," or "phrasal verbs practice exercises" to find suitable materials. Many offer PDF downloads for offline use.
8. Are phrasal verbs important for class 10 and competitive exams?
Yes, phrasal verbs are crucial for Class 10 and competitive exams. They improve fluency and demonstrate a strong command of English. In competitive exams, understanding and using phrasal verbs correctly can enhance your scores in reading, writing, and speaking sections.
9. Why are phrasal verbs hard?
The difficulty with phrasal verbs stems from their idiomatic nature. The combined meaning isn't always predictable from the individual words. This requires memorization and practice with phrasal verbs examples in context. Multiple meanings for the same phrasal verb, based on prepositions used, also contribute to the challenge.
10. What are tips for learning phrasal verbs faster?
Learning phrasal verbs effectively involves these strategies:
- Focus on common phrasal verbs first.
- Use flashcards or apps for memorization.
- Create sentences using the phrasal verbs.
- Read extensively to see them in context.
- Practice regularly with phrasal verb exercises.
