Phrasal Verbs

Unit 1

Definition of Phrasal Verbs, Separable/Inseparable, and Transitive/Intransitive

What are phrasal verbs? Not everyone agrees on the exact definition, but here is a simplified explanation that will help you as you study Phrasal Verbs.

Transitive/intransitive

When a verb requires an object, we say the verb is transitive:

I bought a car.

verb   object

When a verb does not need an object, we say the verb is intransitive:

His mother died.

verb

Many verbs can be both transitive and intransitive, depending on how they are used:

We ate.

verb

We ate the pizza.

verb object

Separable phrasal verbs

The verb and particle of some phrasal verbs can be separated by an object. When this is possible, we say that the phrasal verb is separable. When the verb and particle cannot be separated, we say that the phrasal verb is inseparable. Unfortunately, there is no rule that will help you to look at a phrasal verb and always know whether it is separable or inseparable.

When the object of a phrasal verb is a noun, it is (usually) optional whether the object is placed between the verb and the particle or placed after the particle. Both the sentences below are correct:

I took my shoes off.

I took off my shoes.

However, when an object pronoun (me, you, him, her, it, us, or them) is used instead of a noun, the pronoun must be placed between the verb and the particle:

I took them off.

I took off them.

Separating a phrasal verb is usually optional, but a small number of two-word phrasal verbs must always be separated:

He had to do his homework over.

He had to do over his homework.

Also, sometimes a two-word separable phrasal verb must be separated when it has two objects:

She put a blanket on.

She put on a blanket.

She put a blanket on the bed.

She put on a blanket the bed.

And a small number of three-word verbs are separable because they always require two objects:

My friend talked me out of it.

Inseparable phrasal verbs

Intransitive phrasal verbs are always inseparable because they cannot have an object:

The airplane took off. (Take off has meanings that are transitive and intransitive.)

Some phrasal verbs are both intransitive and, when a preposition is added, transitive:

The criminals broke out.

The criminals broke out of jail.

Three-word verbs are usually inseparable:

I’m looking forward to the party.

Verbs + preposition combinations are always inseparable:

He ran into a tree.

He ran a tree into.

In Phrasal Verbs, separable phrasal verbs have three dots (. . .) between the verb and the particle. Transitive/intransitive is not shown because this is obvious from the meaning and from the examples.

All of this might seem confusing. Remember, meaning is more important than grammar. Focus on meaning, and the grammar will follow.

1. cheer . . . up p.v. When people cheer up, they stop being unhappy or depressed and become happier and more cheerful. When you try to cheer people up, you try to make them less unhappy or depressed and more cheerful. When you say "cheer up" to people, you are encouraging them to be less unhappy or depressed and to be more cheerful.

I was very worried when I heard my mother was sick, but I cheered up later when the doctor said it wasn’t serious.

Larry is always in a bad mood. I try to cheer him up, but nothing works.

Hey, cheer up. Everything is going to be OK.

1. figure . . . out p.v. [the object can be a noun or a noun clause] When you figure out something, such as the answer to a question, the solution to a problem, or why a person is a certain way or acts a certain way, you think about and succeed in understanding it.

Joe’s so hostile all the time. I can’t figure him out.

I looked everywhere for my keys, but I couldn’t figure out where I put them.

1. give . . . back (to) p.v. When you return something to someone, you give it back.

Can I use your pen? I’ll give it back after the test.

Timmy, give that toy back to your sister right now!

1. pass away p.v. When people die, they pass away.

After my husband passed away, I went to live with my sister in Florida.

I was sorry to hear that Maria’s mother passed away.

1. put . . . on p.v. When you place something on your body or apply something to your body, you put it on.

I put on my new dress before going to the party.

Erik forgot to put suntan lotion on, and now he has a bad sunburn.

2. put . . . on p.v. When you place something on another surface or apply something to another surface, you put it on.

I put the book on the table.

Jerry put too much fertilizer on his lawn, and now he has to cut it twice a week.

3. put . . . on p.v. When you attach or affix something to another thing, you put it on.

The Wilsons put a new roof on their house last year.

I told the tailor to put red buttons on the dress he’s making for me.

4. put . . . on p.v. When you put on weight, you gain weight.

Did you see Mike? He’s put on so much weight that I didn’t recognize him.

I need to go on a diet. I’ve been putting a lot of weight on lately.

5. put . . . on p.v. When you organize or perform something for other people’s entertainment, such as a play or a concert, you put it on.

That opera hasn’t been put on for more than 200 years.

The club put a show on to raise money for the party.

6. put . . . on p.v. [informal, always separated unless passive] When you put people on, you kid or tease them.

You won the lottery? You’re putting me on!

Don’t put me on—tell me the truth.

put-on n. Something done with the intention of fooling or deceiving people is a put-on.

He didn’t really win the lottery. It was all a big put-on to impress his girlfriend.

1. run into p.v. When you are driving and hit another vehicle or something near the road, such as a tree or a telephone pole, you run into it.

Ali was driving too fast, and he ran into a telephone pole.

I was run into by a truck.

2. run into p.v. When you meet people unexpectedly or unintentionally, you run into them. Bump into is the same as run into.

We ran into Karen and her new boyfriend at the supermarket yesterday.

I owe Frank $300, so I hope I don’t run into him.

3. run into p.v. When you unexpectedly encounter difficulties or problems, you run into them.

I thought it would be easy to fix my car, but I’ve been running into problems.

Janice ran into one problem after another at work today.

4. run into p.v. When the total of something grows to a large amount or number, it runs into that amount or number.

If you fixed everything on that old car that needs fixing, it would run into thousands of dollars.

The number of starving people in the country ran into millions.

1. show up (at) p.v. When you appear somewhere, you show up or show up at that place. Turn up is similar to show up.

I was supposed to meet my sister for lunch, but she hasn’t shown up yet.

Do you think Michael will show up at the party?

2. show up p.v. When something appears or becomes visible, it shows up.

It’s hard to photograph polar bears because they don’t show up well against the snow.

The spots won’t show up until the last stages of the disease.

1. take . . . off p.v. When you remove something from your body, you take it off.

I was so tired when I got home that I took my clothes off and went straight to bed.

Take off your shoes. You’re getting mud on the carpet.

2. take . . . off p.v. When you remove something from a surface, you take it off.

I took the book off the table.

You need to take the old wax off the floor before you wax it again.

3. take . . . off p.v. When you remove something from something it is attached or affixed to, you take it off.

Chuck always takes the skin off chicken before he cooks it.

After Jane took the flat tire off her car, she put on the spare tire.

4. take . . . off p.v. When you take time off from work or study, you do something different, instead of working or studying.

I can’t work tomorrow. I have to take the day off for some tests at the hospital.

Our company always lets us take the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day off.

5. take off p.v. When an airplane leaves the ground and flies up into the air, it takes off.

Our plane took off an hour late because of the snow.

Put on your seat belt. We’re taking off now.

takeoff n. Takeoff is when an airplane leaves the ground and flies up into the air.

The takeoff was delayed because of the snow.

6. take off p.v. When a business or other organized activity becomes very successful, it takes off.

The new restaurant’s business is taking off because it got a good review in the newspaper.

If this business takes off, we could make a lot of money.

7. take off p.v. [informal] When you leave suddenly or quickly, you take off.

After he found out the FBI was looking for him, he took off in a hurry.

This party’s boring—let’s take off.

8. take . . . off p.v. When you reduce the price of something that is for sale by a certain amount, you take that amount off the price.

The sign in the store window said, "Every Monday take 10 percent off all marked prices."

The car dealer took $2,000 off the list price.

PRACTICE

1-1. On a separate piece of paper, complete the sentences with phrasal verbs from this unit. Be sure the phrasal verbs are in the correct tense and person.

Example: Jim married Sarah five years after his first wife passed away .

1. After the police arrived, we _____________ _____________ quickly.

2. Sales of air conditioners really _____________ _____________ when the temperature got over 100 degrees last summer.

3. Megan _____________ a lot of weight _____________ when she was pregnant.

4. I’m going to install a new program tonight, and I hope I don’t _____________ _____________ any problems.

5. The invisible ink _____________ _____________ only under ultraviolet light.

6. I was expecting 100 people at the party, but only around 50 _____________ _____________.

7. Linda’s first husband _____________ _____________ three years ago, and she remarried a year later.

8. I _____________ wax _____________ on my car to protect the paint.

9. My cousin is so strange that even his mother can’t _____________ him _____________.

10. I don’t feel well. I think I’ll _____________ tomorrow _____________ and stay home.

11. Be careful! You almost _____________ _____________ that truck back there.

12. My son always forgets to _____________ _____________ his coat before he goes outside.

13. I was surprised when our plane _____________ _____________ on time.

14. _____________ _____________! It’s not as bad as it seems.

15. Paul finally _____________ my CDs _____________ after I asked him for them about a million times.

16. I’m not going to the party because I don’t want to _____________ _____________ Kevin.

17. The real estate agent said that we were asking too much for our house and that we should _____________ at least $10,000 _____________ the price.

18. _____________ _____________ those muddy shoes before you come inside.

19. Sending my son to Stanford University and my daughter to Yale University is going to _____________ _____________ a lot of money.

20. _____________ the ornaments _____________ the Christmas tree isn’t as much fun as putting them on.

21. You can’t be serious—you’re _____________ me _____________!

22. Don’t forget to _____________ a stamp _____________ that letter before you mail it.

23. A special performance of The Nutcracker was _____________ _____________ at the children’s hospital.

24. The maid _____________ the dirty sheets _____________ the bed.

1-2. On a separate piece of paper, write three sentences using the objects in parentheses. Be sure to put the objects in the right place.

Example: I can’t figure out. (the answer, it)

I can’t figure out the answer.

I can’t figure the answer out.

I can’t figure it out.

1. I finally figured out. (the instructions, them)

2. Give back when you are finished. (my tools, them)

3. She put on. (her slippers, them)

4. I took off. (my shoes, them)

5. The hurricane took off. (the roof, it)

1-3. On a separate piece of paper, write answers to the questions using phrasal verbs and nouns from this unit. Be sure the phrasal verbs are in the correct tense and person.

Example: I can’t understand where my wallet is. What can’t I do?

You can’t figure out where your wallet is.

1. A lot of guests didn’t come to the wedding. What didn’t a lot of guests do?

2. Raul thought about the math problem, and he knows the answer now. What did Raul do?

3. The jet is leaving the ground and flying into the air. What is the jet doing?

4. In Question 3, what would you call what the airplane did?

5. Mark’s wife died. What happened to Mark’s wife?

6. We left Bob’s house quickly. What did we do?

7. I met Uncle John at the baseball game today. What did I do today?

8. Sally returned Frank’s camera. What did Sally do?

9. You almost hit a tree while you were driving your car. What did you almost do?

10. Mr. Taylor attached his name to his mailbox. What did Mr. Taylor do?

11. I have to remove the flat tire from my car. What do I have to do?

12. We talked about our problem, and then we solved it.

13. I’m removing the dirty dishes from the table. What am I doing?

14. Sales of the company’s new product were very successful. What did sales of the company’s new product do?

15. Francesca is sad today. I’m going to try to make her happy. What am I going to try to do to Francesca?

16. Susie’s blue eyes aren’t visible in this photo. What don’t Susie’s eyes do in this photo?

17. Jim always forgets to place salt and pepper on the table. What does Jim always do?

18. Bill didn’t go to work last Friday. What did Bill do?

Unit 2

Phrasal Verbs and Do, Does, and Did

Like ordinary verbs, phrasal verbs form negatives and questions with do, does, and did.

Present tense questions

In the present tense, questions are formed with do (except when the subject is he, she, it, or the name of one person or thing):

Why do I always fall for losers?

Do you sometimes doze off in class?

Do we ever give in to pressure?

How do these bottle tops come off?

When the subject is he, she, it, or the name of one person or thing, does is used. Remember that the -s form of the verb is not used in questions:

Does this welding torch throw sparks up into the air?

Present tense negatives

In the present tense, negatives are formed with do not or don’t (except when the subject is he, she, it, or the name of one person or thing):

I used to doze off while driving, but I don’t anymore.

I think he has the flu because people don’t usually throw up when they have a cold.

We don’t usually fall for crazy stories like that.

When the subject is he, she, it, or the name of one person or thing, does not or doesn’t is used. Remember that the -s form of the verb is not used in negatives:

If Mark doesn’t pull through, his children will not have a father.

Past tense questions

In the past tense, questions are formed with did. Remember to use the infinitive form of the verb:

I’m so embarrassed. Why did I fall for his lies?

Did the patient pull through?

How many times did he throw up?

Did we give in to their demands?

Did they hear about the explorer who was eaten by piranhas?

Past tense negatives

In the past tense, negatives are formed with did not or didn’t. Remember to use the infinitive form of the verb:

I was really sick, but I didn’t throw up.

You didn’t fall for that nonsense, I hope.

He pulled and pulled, but the bowling ball did not come off.

I’m sorry. We tried everything, but she didn’t pull through.

1. build up p.v. When a (usually unwanted) substance, such as mud, dirt, snow, corrosion, etc., builds up on a surface or in a place or area, it gradually accumulates or increases on that surface or in that place or area.

The temperature was just above freezing, so the snow didn’t build up.

Trash is building up in the alley behind my house.

2. build . . . up p.v. When people gradually increase the number or quantity of something, they build it up.

The general built up his forces before launching the attack.

The company is building up its cash reserves in case there is another recession.

buildup n. An increase in the number or quantity of something is a buildup.

During the Cold War, there was a huge buildup of nuclear weapons.

3. build . . . up p.v. When people gradually increase the strength or size of an organization, system, society, or business, etc., they build it up.

Over 12 years, I built my restaurant chain up from one location to more than 2,000.

We’re going to keep building the campaign up until election day.

built up part.adj. An area where there is a concentration of buildings is built up.

The tornado didn’t hit the built up area of the city, so there was little damage.

1. come off p.v. When something comes off, it becomes detached from what it was attached or fastened to.

Be careful with this old book. The cover’s coming off.

That paint won’t come off your hands unless you use turpentine.

2. come off p.v. When an event comes off, it is successful.

The party came off well. Everyone had a lot of fun.

The attack didn’t come off the way the general planned it.

3. come off p.v. When you say "Come off it" to people, you are saying that you think something they have said is untrue or foolish.

It’s 2:00 A.M., you come home smelling like beer, and you say you were working late at the office? Oh, come off it!

1. doze off p.v. When you fall into a light sleep, often at an inappropriate time, you doze off. Doze off is the same as nod off.

I went to a movie last night, but it was so boring I dozed off.

If I eat a big lunch, I’m sure to doze off at my desk.

1. fall for p.v. When someone successfully tricks or deceives you, you fall for the trick or deception or you fall for it.

I feel like an idiot. The salesman promised me it was a real diamond, not glass, and I fell for it.

Your girlfriend told you that the guy she was dancing with at the party was her brother? How could you fall for a story like that?

2. fall for p.v. When you suddenly feel a strong attraction to someone or something, you fall for that person or thing.

Jim met Sam’s sister last week, and now he calls her every day. I guess he really fell for her in a big way.

When I saw this house, I fell for it immediately, and I made an offer the same day.

1. give in (to) p.v. When someone pressures or forces you to do something or allow something even though you do not want to, you give in or give in to their request or demand.

My son drove me crazy asking me to buy him a new bicycle, and I finally gave in.

The strike lasted for eight months, but the company never gave in to the workers’ demands.

1. iron . . . out p.v. When people iron out problems or difficulties, they find a way to solve or overcome them.

We had some problems with our teenage son, but we ironed them out, and now everything is OK.

I still haven’t ironed all the bugs out of our new system.

ironed out part.adj. When people iron out problems or difficulties, the problems or difficulties are ironed out.

We had to delay the first test flight of the new jet. There are still some problems that aren’t ironed out yet.

1. pull through p.v. When you recover from a serious illness or injury, you pull through.

The doctor didn’t think the patient’s chances were very good, but he pulled through.

Erik is very sick, but he’s young and strong, so I’m sure he’ll pull through.

1. throw up p.v. When people throw up, they vomit.

Alex was so sick that he threw up all over my shoes.

I feel like I’m going to throw up.

2. throw . . . up p.v. When something causes small particles of dirt, dust, or a liquid to rise into the air, it throws them up.

Be careful with that chain saw—it’ll throw sawdust up in your eyes.

Don’t stand too close to the fire. It’s throwing up sparks.

PRACTICE

2-1. On a separate piece of paper, complete the sentences with phrasal verbs from this unit. Be sure the phrasal verbs are in the correct tense and person.

1. Heather calls Tom every day. I have a feeling she’s _____________ _____________ him.

2. I went to the shoe repair guy because the heel _____________ _____________ my shoe.

3. I _____________ _____________ ten minutes after the movie started, and I missed the whole thing.

4. The bride drank too much champagne at her wedding reception, and she _____________ _____________ all over her new husband.

5. I needed a car to go to the party, so I asked my father for his car so I could go to the library to study, and he _____________ _____________ it.

6. Uncle Fred’s really sick. If he _____________ _____________, it’ll be a miracle.

7. My wife and I are having problems, but we’re trying to _____________ things _____________.

8. The surprise party _____________ _____________ perfectly.

9. I don’t care if you beg me all night—I’m not going to _____________ _____________!

10. The plane crashed after ice _____________ _____________ on its wings.

11. Don’t get close to the fire. It’s _____________ _____________ ashes and sparks.

12. Do you really expect me to believe a crazy story like that? _____________ _____________ it!

13. The clinic needs to _____________ _____________ its supply of medicines in case there is another epidemic.

2-2. On a separate piece of paper, change the sentences to questions using do, does, or did.

Example: Francisco usually dozes off after dinner.

Does Francisco usually doze off after dinner?

1. The sick boy threw up.

2. Rosa falls for every boy she meets.

3. The tops come off easily.

4. They ironed the bugs out.

5. Mud builds up on the bottom of the lake every year.

2-3. On a separate piece of paper, change the sentences to negatives using do not or don’t, does not or doesn’t, or did not or didn’t.

Example: Francisco dozes off after dinner.

Francisco doesn’t doze off after dinner.

1. I always give in to her demands.

2. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor fell for the salesman’s promises.

3. These machines throw up sparks.

4. The patient pulled through.

5. The plot came off as planned.

2-4. On a separate piece of paper, write answers to the questions using phrasal verbs from this unit. Be sure the phrasal verbs are in the correct tense and person.

1. Mary and Tom talked about their problems, and now everything is OK. What did they do to their problems?

2. When Dan saw that new motorcycle, he decided he had to buy it no matter how much it cost. How did Dan feel about the motorcycle?

3. The students are so tired that they are starting to sleep in class. What are the students doing?

4. Corrosion is accumulating on my car battery terminals. What is corrosion doing on my car battery terminals?

5. The meeting didn’t happen the way I planned it. What didn’t the meeting do?

6. You had an accident after one of the wheels separated from your car. Why did you have an accident?

7. You can ask a thousand times if you want to, but I’m not agreeing to your demands. What am I not doing to your demands?

8. The company plans to increase its advertising campaign until Christmas. What does the company plan to do to its advertising campaign?

9. My cousin made a lot of promises to me, and I believed them. How did I react to her promises?

10. Dr. Wood said Ted’s disease is very serious, and she doesn’t think there’s much hope that he’ll recover. What doesn’t Dr. Wood think?

11. Timmy is very sick, and he was vomiting all night. What was Timmy doing all night?

2-5. REVIEW On a separate piece of paper, complete the sentences with these phrasal verbs from Unit 1. Be sure the phrasal verbs are in the correct tense and person. To check their meanings, review Unit 1.

1. Look what time it is! We have to be at work in fifteen minutes. We’d better _____________ _____________ right now.

2. I waited for Joe for three hours, but he never _____________ _____________.

3. The maid _____________ clean sheets _____________ the bed.

4. Tom is always in a bad mood in the morning, but he _____________ _____________ after he has a cup of coffee.

5. My husband is very ill. After he _____________ _____________, I’ll sell the house and move to California.

6. That’s mine! _____________ it _____________ right now or I’m telling Mom!

7. They were injured when they _____________ _____________ a truck.

8. The mechanic can’t _____________ _____________ what the problem is with my car.

Unit 3

Three-Word Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are not always composed of two words. Three-word phrasal verbs are composed of a verb, a particle (the second word), and a preposition (the third word). All three-word phrasal verbs are transitive (with one exception).

Most three-word phrasal verbs are inseparable:

It’s been a long day, I know, but do you feel up to playing tennis after dinner?

It was nice to meet you, and I look forward to seeing you again.

A small number of three-word phrasal verbs are separable because they require two objects:

Mr. Baker tried to screw his ex-wife out of her share of the lottery prize.

One useful three-word phrasal verb is unique. Get over with is always separated, but it is intransitive:

Everyone in Sofia’s class must make a presentation to the class. Sofia is very nervous about it, so she wants to go first so she can get it over with and relax.

1. feel up to p.v. When you feel up to doing something, you have the confidence or energy to do it.

I’m sorry to cancel, but I just don’t feel up to going dancing tonight.

The top of the mountain is only 1,000 feet away—do you feel up to it?

1. get . . . over with p.v. [always separated] When you want to get something over with, it is because it is something unpleasant that you want to finish so that you can stop worrying about it or dreading it.

Let’s fix both cavities today, doctor. I just want to get it over with.

I think it’s better to get the exam over with in the first period rather than to be nervous about it all day long.

1. go along with p.v. When you agree with people or agree with what they are saying, you go along with them.

I understand your concern, Linda, but I have to go along with Maria on this matter.

What’s my opinion? I go along with Omar.

2. go along with p.v. When you obey a rule or follow a decision, you go along with it.

Mrs. Taylor wasn’t happy about the committee’s decision, but she went along with it anyway.

I don’t care what the boss says—I’m not going along with any changes that will mean longer hours for less money.

1. go in for p.v. When you go in for a certain activity, you like it and do it regularly.

Bryan really goes in for any kind of outdoor activity.

When I was a kid I went in for football, but I don’t watch it much anymore.

1. look forward to p.v. When you look forward to something or look forward to doing something, you are excited about something in the future because you enjoy it or because it will benefit you in some way.

It’s been four years since my brother went overseas. I’m looking forward to seeing him again.

I look forward to an opportunity to meet with you in person.

1. put up with p.v. When you put up with something you do not like or are not happy about, you accept it and do not try to change it.

Her neighbors have loud parties every night, but she doesn’t complain. She just puts up with it.

My husband said, "I’ve put up with your brother long enough!"

1. screw . . . out of p.v. [informal] When you get money or something valuable from people in a dishonest way, you screw them out of it.

The criminal screwed me out of my life savings.

Their dishonest son-in-law screwed them out of thousands of dollars.

1. talk down to p.v. When you talk down to people, you use a tone of voice or an attitude that shows that you think they are less intelligent, less educated, or from a lower level of society than you.

I was furious about the way he talked down to me!

Bob hates Jane because of the way she talks down to him.

PRACTICE

3-1. On a separate piece of paper, complete the sentences with phrasal verbs from this unit. Be sure the phrasal verbs are in the correct tense and person.

1. Thanks for inviting me, but I don’t _____________ _____________ _____________ karaoke.

2. I couldn’t _____________ _____________ _____________ my husband’s smoking any longer. I told him to choose between cigarettes or me.

3. I’m sorry, but I think your plan is a big mistake, and I can’t _____________ _____________ _____________ it.

4. Even though Mr. Watson is the richest man in town, he never _____________ _____________ _____________ people.

5. It’s been only two weeks since the tragedy. I’m sure they don’t _____________ _____________ _____________ going to the party.

6. If that crook thinks he’s going to _____________ me _____________ _____________ $500, he’s crazy!

7. The whole family’s going to be here for Thanksgiving, and Mom is really _____________ _____________ _____________ it.

8. I volunteered to give my speech first just so I could _____________ it _____________ _____________.

9. Even if you don’t like the rules, you have to _____________ _____________ _____________ them.

3-2. On a separate piece of paper, write answers to the questions using phrasal verbs from this unit. Be sure the phrasal verbs are in the correct tense and person.

1. Jerry’s brother-in-law talks to him like he’s an idiot. How does Jerry’s brother-in-law talk to Jerry?

2. Nicole can’t work tomorrow, and she’s nervous about telling her boss. What should Nicole do?

3. They paid $5,000 too much for their house because the salesman lied to them. What did the salesman do to them?

4. Sally’s going to fly in an airplane for the first time, and she’s very excited about it. How does Sally feel about flying in an airplane?

5. The cold weather in Minneapolis is terrible, but you can’t move or change the weather. What do you have to do?

6. Erik just got out of the hospital, and he doesn’t feel strong enough to go back to work. Why can’t Erik go back to work?

7. I thought the new policy was an excellent idea, and I agreed with it 100 percent. How did I feel about the new policy?

3-3. REVIEW On a separate piece of paper, complete the sentences with these phrasal verbs from Unit 2. Be sure the phrasal verbs are in the correct tense and person. To check their meanings, review Unit 2.

1. Miguel told me he didn’t steal my TV, but I didn’t _____________ _____________ his lies.

2. I told the doctor that I vomited two times yesterday, and she said that if I _____________ _____________ twice, I should not go to work.

3. After a few weeks, the gold on this cheap jewelry starts to _____________ _____________.

4. My son kept asking me to buy him a new bicycle, and I finally _____________ _____________.

5. We still have to _____________ some bugs _____________ before we can switch over to the new system.

6. After Betty’s temperature got up to 105 degrees, we started to think she might not _____________ _____________.

7. The meeting was so boring that I _____________ _____________.

8. Larry was very sick. The doctor says he must _____________ _____________ his strength before he can go back to work.

Unit 4

Present and Past Continuous Phrasal Verbs

As with one-word verbs, phrasal verbs can normally be made continuous (also called progressive) by using the present participle (the –ing) form of the verb and a form of be:

These Christmas candles are giving off a beautiful scent.

I’ve been going after my master’s degree for nearly five years.

Which dictionary is he looking up the words in?

I don’t understand you. What are you getting at?

The newspaper is calling for an investigation into political corruption.

You’ve been exercising for five hours. Aren’t you going overboard?

They should be wrapping the meeting up in a few minutes.

Thanks for all your help. I’m sorry I’m putting you to so much trouble.

1. call for p.v. When you call for people, you go where they live, usually with the intention of going to another place together. When you call for a parcel, package, etc., you go to get it at the place where it has been delivered and is waiting for you.

I’ll call for you at 7:00, and then we’ll take a taxi to the concert.

Your package will be kept at the Post Office until you call for it.

2. call for p.v. When people call for an action, they say that the action is needed. When people call for a quality, they say that the quality is needed.

After the president won the election with 99 percent of the vote, the opposition party called for an investigation.

Teaching special needs children is not easy. It calls for a lot of patience.

3. call for p.v. When people say that a plan, recipe, formula, situation, etc., calls for a substance or object, they mean that that substance or object is appropriate or required.

This recipe calls for four eggs, but I always put five in.

My wife just got a big raise and a promotion. This calls for a celebration.

1. get at p.v. When people get at something, they try to make a point or express an opinion, perhaps with difficulty or perhaps indirectly, because they know the person listening will not like what he or she is hearing.

I don’t understand what you’re saying about my mother coming to live in our spare bedroom. What are you getting at?

What I’m getting at is that I think your mother should live with your sister and not us.

1. give off p.v. When a substance, process, or object gives off heat, light, gas, smoke, sound, or odor into the air, etc., it produces it or releases it into the air.

Be careful. This chemical gives off a toxic gas if it comes into contact with water.

Fluorescent bulbs give off much less heat than incandescent bulbs.

1. go after p.v. When you chase and try to physically stop or attack people, you go after them.

A policeman saw him stealing the car and went after him.

Captain Morgan was ordered to go after the enemy soldiers.

2. go after p.v. When law enforcement officials try to prosecute people through a legal procedure, they go after them.

Federal prosecutors are now going after the top drug dealers.

The senator introduced a bill designed to go after deadbeat dads.

3. go after p.v. When a business tries to increase its profits by trying to increase its market share or its number of customers, it goes after them.

The tobacco company denied going after the teenage market.

The CEO said he wanted to go after new customers in China.

4. go after p.v. When you go after something, you try to obtain it even though it may be difficult to do.

Sofia went after a degree in accounting.

Todd trained for a year before going after the record in the 100-yard dash.

1. go overboard p.v. When people go overboard, they do something or engage in an activity too much so that there is a negative result.

Exercise is good for you, but don’t go overboard. If you do too much at first, you could hurt yourself.

I asked the stylist to cut my hair a little shorter, but now I’m almost bald. She really went overboard.

1. look . . . up p.v. When you get information from a reference book, such as a word from a dictionary or a telephone number from a telephone book, you look the word or number up.

The teacher told the students to look the new words up in a dictionary.

I looked up his number, but it’s not in the phone book.

2. look . . . up p.v. When you locate and visit people you have not seen for a long time, you look them up.

I was in Dallas on business, and I looked up Dan Jones, my old college roommate.

If you’re ever in my town, look me up.

3. look up p.v. When a situation is looking up or starting to look up, it is improving.

Business was pretty bad for a while, but things are starting to look up.

I’m much happier than I was last year. Things are looking up.

1. put . . . to p.v. When you confront people with a difficult or thought-provoking question, accusation, or proposition, you put it to them.

He didn’t want to tell me the truth, but I really put it to him, and he finally told me the whole story.

When Prof. Kline put his theory to me like that, I realized what he was talking about.

2. put . . . to p.v. When you put people to trouble or put them to an expense, you cause them to do extra work or to spend money.

Thanks for helping me with my flat tire. I’m sorry to put you to so much trouble.

I know my father would pay my dental bill if I asked him, but I hate to put him to such an expense.

3. put . . . to p.v. When you put part of your body or something in your hand to something, you touch or press it to something.

The neighbors were arguing again, so we put our ears to the wall to try to hear what they were saying.

When he put a gun to my head, I realized he wasn’t joking.

1. wrap . . . up p.v. When you enclose an object in some kind of paper, usually gift wrapping paper or packaging paper, you wrap it up.

I have to wrap this gift up before I go to the party.

The movers wrapped up the china with newspapers.

wrapped up part.adj. After you enclose an object in some kind of paper, usually gift wrapping paper or packaging paper, it is wrapped up.

All the gifts are wrapped up.

2. wrap . . . up p.v. When you conclude an event that has been happening for some time, you wrap it up. Wind up is similar to wrap up.

We wrapped up the