B1 Phrasal verbs — form, types, and core meanings

What is a phrasal verb?

  • A verb + one or more particles (adverb/preposition) that work as a single unit: carry out, get on with, give in.
  • Meaning is often idiomatic (not the same as the base verb).

Types & word order (very important at B1)

Type Object? Word order Example
Intransitive No object The meeting is over.Our car broke down.
Transitive, inseparable Needs object Verb + particle + object (even with pronouns) deal with a problem / deal with itget rid of it
Transitive, separable Needs object Verb + object + particle or verb + particle + object.
Pronouns go in the middle.
carry out the plan = carry the plan outcarry it out (✓) not ✗ carry out it
Three-word verbs Usually inseparable Verb + particle + preposition + object get on with your work • call for you at 7

Transport pattern: we get on/off buses, trains, planes; we get in/out of cars and taxis.

Reference list (A–G)

  • be over (intr.) — finished. The film is over at ten.
  • break down (intr.) — stop working / lose control emotionally. The lift broke down.
  • break in / break into (intr./tr.) — enter by force (usually to steal). They broke into a shop.
  • break up (with) (intr.) — end a relationship. They broke up last year.
  • bring up (tr., separable) — raise a child; often passive. She was brought up in Spain.
  • call for (sb) (3-word) — go to collect someone (BrE). I’ll call for you at 7. Also “demand/require”: This calls for action.
  • carry on (doing) (intr.) — continue. Carry on reading.
  • carry out (tr., separable) — perform/execute. The lab carried out tests. Passive common: The plan was carried out.
  • check out (of) (intr.) — leave a hotel after paying. We checked out at noon. Informal: “check out sth” = look at/examine.
  • come on! (intr.) — hurry/encourage; sometimes disbelief. Come on! You can do it!
  • cross out (tr., separable) — draw a line through. Cross it out.
  • cut up (tr., separable) — cut into pieces. Cut up the vegetables.
  • deal with (tr., inseparable) — give attention to / handle. I’ll deal with the emails.
  • depend on (tr., inseparable) — be decided/affected by; need support. It depends on the price.She depends on her parents.
  • end up (intr.) — finally arrive/finish (often unexpectedly). Patterns: end up + -ing / in/at + place / as + noun. We ended up taking a taxi.

Reference list (G–Z)

  • fill in (tr., separable) — complete a form. Fill in the blanks. AmE: often “fill out”.
  • fill up (tr./intr.) — make completely full. Fill up the tank.
  • find out (tr., separable) — discover/learn. I’ll find it out / I’ll find out the truth.
  • get along (with) (intr.) — have a friendly relationship. Do you get along with your neighbours?
  • get back (intr.) — return. What time did you get back?
  • get down (intr./tr.) — lower your body; also “write sth”: Get it down before you forget.
  • get in (intr.) — enter/arrive (often with difficulty or for transport). The train gets in at 6.
  • get off (intr.) — leave a bus/train/plane. We got off at the museum.
  • get on (with) (intr.) — start/continue doing; show progress; also board a bus/train. Let’s get on with the project.How are you getting on?
  • get rid of (3-word, inseparable) — remove/eliminate. We must get rid of this old sofa.
  • give back (tr., separable) — return to the owner. Give it back to her.
  • give in (intr.) — surrender/stop resisting. They finally gave in. BrE also “give/hand in” = submit work: Give your forms in by Friday.
  • give out (tr., separable) — distribute. They gave out flyers. Also “stop working”: My torch gave out.

Common mistakes & good style

  • Pronoun position with separable verbs: ✓ carry it out / ✗ carry out it.
  • Using the wrong preposition: ✓ depend on / ✗ depend of.
  • Transport: ✓ get on/off a bus; ✓ get in/out of a car.
  • Register: come on! is informal; avoid in formal writing.
  • Spelling as nouns: many have hyphenated noun forms: a break-in, a break-up, the check-out time.

Many phrasal verbs have more than one meaning. The senses above are the core B1 meanings you’ll meet most often.

Exercises:

B1 Phrasal verbs

Choose the correct phrasal verbs to complete these sentences.
1
If you make a mistake, keep calm and . Don't panic.
2
I'll after work. I’ve booked a table at 7.
3
I'm glad that the quarantine now.
4
The thieves and stole all the equipment.
5
Nobody knows why they . They seemed perfect for each other.
6
The boat's engine and they spent two weeks at sea.
7
Many grandparents their grandchildren when parents can’t.
8
, we're going to be late for the movie!
9
They are going to a study on air pollution.
10
When he was of the hotel, he realised he didn’t have his credit card.

B1 Phrasal verbs

Choose the correct phrasal verbs to complete these sentences.
1
After a week in bed, she finally _____ the flu.
A.
B.
C.
D.
2
Can you _____ the kids while I make dinner?
A.
B.
C.
D.
3
We had to _____ the meeting until next Tuesday.
A.
B.
C.
D.
4
He promised to _____ smoking on his birthday.
A.
B.
C.
D.
5
I _____ an old friend in the supermarket yesterday.
A.
B.
C.
D.
6
If we _____ petrol, we’ll have to stop at the next station.
A.
B.
C.
D.
7
Please _____ this form and return it by Friday.
A.
B.
C.
D.
8
The concert was _____ because of the storm.
A.
B.
C.
D.
9
She’s really _____ the party next weekend.
A.
B.
C.
D.
10
We waited for an hour, and he still didn’t ____.
A.
B.
C.
D.

B1 Phrasal verbs

Fill in each gap with one of the words or phrasal verbs in the box below.
get along (with) / get on (with) give up turn on look for give back look after put off find out run out of take off
1
How are you your new classmates?
2
We can’t now — we’re almost there.
3
It’s getting dark. Could you the lights?
4
I need to my keys — they’re not in my bag.
5
Don’t forget to the library books by Friday.
6
Can you the kids while I’m at the dentist?
7
The team decided to the meeting until next week.
8
I finally the truth about the accident.
9
We milk — can you buy some on your way home?
10
Please your shoes before you come in.