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Phrasal Verbs Quiz

Phrasal Verbs List


Phrasal verbs are usually two-word phrases consisting of verb + adverb or verb + preposition. Think of them as you would any other
English vocabulary. Study them as you come across them, rather than trying to memorize many at once. Use the list below as a reference
guide when you find an expression that you don't recognize. The examples will help you understand the meanings. If you think of each
phrasal verb as a separate verb with a specific meaning, you will be able to remember it more easily. Like many other verbs, phrasal verbs
often have more than one meaning.

This list shows about 200 common phrasal verbs, with meanings and examples. Only the most usual meanings are given. Some phrasal
verbs may have additional meanings.

As well as learning their meanings, you need to learn how to use phrasal verbs properly. Some phrasal verbs require a direct object
(someone/something), while others do not. Some phrasal verbs can be separated by the object, while others cannot. Review this phrasal
verbs grammar from time to time so that you don't forget the rules!

Verb Meaning Example

ask someone out invite on a date Brian asked Judy out to dinner and a movie.

ask around ask many people the same question I asked around but nobody has seen my wallet.

add up to something equal Your purchases add up to $205.32.

back something up reverse You'll have to back up your car so that I can get out.

My wife backed me up over my decision to quit my


back someone up support
job.

blow up explode The racing car blew up after it crashed into the fence.
blow something up add air We have to blow 50 balloons up for the party.

Our car broke down at the side of the highway in the


break down stop functioning (vehicle, machine)
snowstorm.

The woman broke down when the police told her that
break down get upset
her son had died.

Our teacher broke the final project down into three


break something down divide into smaller parts
separate parts.

break in force entry to a building Somebody broke in last night and stole our stereo.

The firemen had to break into the room to rescue the


break into something enter forcibly
children.

wear something a few times so that it doesn't I need to break these shoes in before we run next
break something in
look/feel new week.

The TV station broke in to report the news of the


break in interrupt
president's death.

My boyfriend and I broke up before I moved to


break up end a relationship
America.

The kids just broke up as soon as the clown started


break up start laughing (informal)
talking.

The prisoners broke out of jail when the guards


break out escape
weren't looking.

break out in something develop a skin condition I broke out in a rash after our camping trip.
bring someone down make unhappy This sad music is bringing me down.

My grandparents brought me up after my parents


bring someone up raise a child
died.

My mother walks out of the room when my father


bring something up start talking about a subject
brings up sports.

He drank so much that he brought his dinner up in the


bring something up vomit
toilet.

We called around but we weren't able to find the car


call around phone many different places/people
part we needed.

I called the company back but the offices were closed


call someone back return a phone call
for the weekend.

Jason called the wedding off because he wasn't in love


call something off cancel
with his fiancé.

call on someone ask for an answer or opinion The professor called on me for question 1.

call on someone visit someone We called on you last night but you weren't home.

Give me your phone number and I will call you up


call someone up phone
when we are in town.

You are still mad. You need to calm down before you
calm down relax after being angry
drive the car.

not care for


not like (formal) I don't care for his behaviour.
someone/something
You'll have to run faster than that if you want to catch
catch up get to the same point as someone else
up with Marty.

check in arrive and register at a hotel or airport We will get the hotel keys when we check in.

check out leave a hotel You have to check out of the hotel before 11:00 AM.

check someone/something
look at carefully, investigate The company checks out all new employees.
out

check out
look at (informal) Check out the crazy hair on that guy!
someone/something

cheer up become happier She cheered up when she heard the good news.

cheer someone up make happier I brought you some flowers to cheer you up.

If everyone chips in we can get the kitchen painted by


chip in help
noon.

clean something up tidy, clean Please clean up your bedroom before you go outside.

I came across these old photos when I was tidying the


come across something find unexpectedly
closet.

The top and bottom come apart if you pull hard


come apart separate
enough.

My nephew came down with chicken pox this


come down with something become sick
weekend.

The woman came forward with her husband's finger


come forward volunteer for a task or to give evidence
prints.
come from somewhere originate in The art of origami comes from Asia.

count on
rely on I am counting on you to make dinner while I am out.
someone/something

Please cross out your old address and write your new
cross something out draw a line through
one.

My doctor wants me to cut back on sweets and fatty


cut back on something consume less
foods.

We had to cut the old tree in our yard down after the
cut something down make something fall to the ground
storm.

Your father cut in while I was dancing with your


cut in interrupt
uncle.

cut in pull in too closely in front of another vehicle The bus driver got angry when that car cut in.

start operating (of an engine or electrical The air conditioner cuts in when the temperature gets
cut in
device) to 22°C.

The doctors cut off his leg because it was severely


cut something off remove with something sharp
injured.

The phone company cut off our phone because we


cut something off stop providing
didn't pay the bill.

cut someone off take out of a will My grandparents cut my father off when he remarried.

remove part of something (usually with


cut something out I cut this ad out of the newspaper.
scissors and paper)
He's lucky to be alive. His shop was done over by a
do someone/something over beat up, ransack (Br.E., informal)
street gang.

My teacher wants me to do my essay over because she


do something over do again (N.Amer.)
doesn't like my topic.

do away with something discard It's time to do away with all of these old tax records.

do something up fasten, close Do your coat up before you go outside. It's snowing!

dress up wear nice clothing It's a fancy restaurant so we have to dress up.

Andrea dropped back to third place when she fell off


drop back move back in a position/group
her bike.

drop in/by/over come without an appointment I might drop in/by/over for tea sometime this week.

drop someone/something take someone/something somewhere and leave I have to drop my sister off at work before I come
off them/it there over.

drop out quit a class, school etc I dropped out of Science because it was too difficult.

eat out eat at a restaurant I don't feel like cooking tonight. Let's eat out.

We ended up renting a movie instead of going to the


end up eventually reach/do/decide
theatre.

fall apart break into pieces My new dress fell apart in the washing machine.

The picture that you hung up last night fell down this
fall down fall to the ground
morning.

fall out separate from an interior The money must have fallen out of my pocket.
fall out (of hair, teeth) become loose and unattached His hair started to fall out when he was only 35.

I need to figure out how to fit the piano and the


figure something out understand, find the answer
bookshelf in this room.

Please fill in the form with your name, address, and


fill something in to write information in blanks (Br.E.)
phone number.

fill something out to write information in blanks (N.Amer.) The form must be filled out in capital letters.

fill something up fill to the top I always fill the water jug up when it is empty.

find out discover We don't know where he lives. How can we find out?

We tried to keep the time of the party a secret, but


find something out discover
Samantha found it out.

I tried to get my point across/over to the judge but she


get something across/over communicate, make understandable
wouldn't listen.

I was surprised how well my new girlfriend and my


get along/on like each other
sister got along/on.

My grandfather can get around fine in his new


get around have mobility
wheelchair.

We worked so hard this year that we had to get away


get away go on a vacation
for a week.

Jason always gets away with cheating in his maths


get away with something do without being noticed or punished
tests.

get back return We got back from our vacation last week.
Liz finally got her Science notes back from my room-
get something back receive something you had before
mate.

My sister got back at me for stealing her shoes. She


get back at someone retaliate, take revenge
stole my favourite hat.

get back into something become interested in something again I finally got back into my novel and finished it.

We're going to freeze out here if you don't let us get on


get on something step onto a vehicle
the bus.

get over something recover from an illness, loss, difficulty I just got over the flu and now my sister has it.

The company will have to close if it can't get over the


get over something overcome a problem
new regulations.

finally find time to do (N.Amer.: get around I don't know when I am going to get round to writing
get round to something
to something) the thank you cards.

get together meet (usually for social reasons) Let's get together for a BBQ this weekend.

get up get out of bed I got up early today to study for my exam.

get up stand You should get up and give the elderly man your seat.

give someone away reveal hidden information about someone His wife gave him away to the police.

give someone away take the bride to the altar My father gave me away at my wedding.

My little sister gave the surprise party away by


give something away ruin a secret
accident.

give something away give something to someone for free The library was giving away old books on Friday.
I have to give these skates back to Franz before his
give something back return a borrowed item
hockey game.

My boyfriend didn't want to go to the ballet, but he


give in reluctantly stop fighting or arguing
finally gave in.

They were giving out free perfume samples at the


give something out give to many people (usually at no cost)
department store.

give something up quit a habit I am giving up smoking as of January 1st.

give up stop trying My maths homework was too difficult so I gave up.

go after someone follow someone My brother tried to go after the thief in his car.

I went after my dream and now I am a published


go after something try to achieve something
writer.

We are going against the best soccer team in the city


go against someone compete, oppose
tonight.

go ahead start, proceed Please go ahead and eat before the food gets cold.

go back return to a place I have to go back home and get my lunch.

go out leave home to go on a social event We're going out for dinner tonight.

Jesse has been going out with Luke since they met last
go out with someone date
winter.

Please go over your answers before you submit your


go over something review
test.
I haven't seen Tina for a long time. I think I'll go over
go over visit someone nearby
for an hour or two.

go without something suffer lack or deprivation When I was young, we went without winter boots.

My best friend and I grew apart after she changed


grow apart stop being friends over time
schools.

grow back regrow My roses grew back this summer.

grow up become an adult When Jack grows up he wants to be a fireman.

Elizabeth needs a new pair of shoes because she has


grow out of something get too big for
grown out of her old ones.

This bike is too big for him now, but he should grow
grow into something grow big enough to fit
into it by next year.

I handed my old comic books down to my little


hand something down give something used to someone else
cousin.

hand something in submit I have to hand in my essay by Friday.

hand something out to distribute to a group of people We will hand out the invitations at the door.

The police asked the man to hand over his wallet and
hand something over give (usually unwillingly)
his weapons.

hang in stay positive (N.Amer., informal) Hang in there. I'm sure you'll find a job very soon.

hang on wait a short time (informal) Hang on while I grab my coat and shoes!

hang out spend time relaxing (informal) Instead of going to the party we are just going to hang
out at my place.

hang up end a phone call He didn't say goodbye before he hung up.

hold someone/something I had to hold my dog back because there was a cat in
prevent from doing/going
back the park.

hold something back hide an emotion Jamie held back his tears at his grandfather's funeral.

Please hold on while I transfer you to the Sales


hold on wait a short time
Department.

hold onto
hold firmly using your hands or arms Hold onto your hat because it's very windy outside.
someone/something

hold someone/somethingup rob A man in a black mask held the bank up this morning.

keep on doing something continue doing Keep on stirring until the liquid comes to a boil.

keep something from We kept our relationship from our parents for two
not tell
someone years.

keep someone/something
stop from entering Try to keep the wet dog out of the living room.
out

If you keep those results up you will get into a great


keep something up continue at the same rate
college.

let someone down fail to support or help, disappoint I need you to be on time. Don't let me down this time.

let someone in allow to enter Can you let the cat in before you go to school?

look after take care of I have to look after my sick grandmother.


someone/something

Ever since we stole that chocolate bar your dad has


look down on someone think less of, consider inferior
looked down on me.

look for someone/something try to find I'm looking for a red dress for the wedding.

look forward to something be excited about the future I'm looking forward to the Christmas break.

We are going to look into the price of snowboards


look into something investigate
today.

look out be careful, vigilant, and take notice Look out! That car's going to hit you!

look out for


be especially vigilant for Don't forget to look out for snakes on the hiking trail.
someone/something

look something over check, examine Can you look over my essay for spelling mistakes?

search and find information in a reference


look something up We can look her phone number up on the Internet.
book or database

look up to someone have a lot of respect for My little sister has always looked up to me.

make something up invent, lie about something Josie made up a story about why we were late.

We were angry last night, but we made up at


make up forgive each other
breakfast.

make someone up apply cosmetics to My sisters made me up for my graduation party.

mix something up confuse two or more things I mixed up the twins' names again!
pass away die His uncle passed away last night after a long illness.

It was so hot in the church that an elderly lady passed


pass out faint
out.

pass something out give the same thing to many people The professor passed the textbooks out before class.

pass something up decline (usually something good) I passed up the job because I am afraid of change.

Thanks for buying my ticket. I'll pay you back on


pay someone back return owed money
Friday.

pay for something be punished for doing something bad That bully will pay for being mean to my little brother.

pick something out choose I picked out three sweaters for you to try on.

point someone/something
indicate with your finger I'll point my boyfriend out when he runs by.
out

You can put the groceries down on the kitchen


put something down put what you are holding on a surface or floor
counter.

The students put the substitute teacher down because


put someone down insult, make someone feel stupid
his pants were too short.

We are putting off our trip until January because of


put something off postpone
the hurricane.

The neighbours put the fire out before the firemen


put something out extinguish
arrived.

put something together assemble I have to put the crib together before the baby arrives.
put up with I don't think I can put up with three small children in
tolerate
someone/something the car.

put something on put clothing/accessories on your body Don't forget to put on your new earrings for the party.

run into
meet unexpectedly I ran into an old school-friend at the mall.
someone/something

run over
drive a vehicle over a person or thing I accidentally ran over your bicycle in the driveway.
someone/something

run over/through Let's run over/through these lines one more time
rehearse, review
something before the show.

The child ran away from home and has been missing
run away leave unexpectedly, escape
for three days.

We ran out of shampoo so I had to wash my hair with


run out have none left
soap.

My letter got sent back to me because I used the


send something back return (usually by mail)
wrong stamp.

Our boss set a meeting up with the president of the


set something up arrange, organize
company.

The police set up the car thief by using a hidden


set someone up trick, trap
camera.

I want to shop around a little before I decide on these


shop around compare prices
boots.

show off act extra special for people watching (usually He always shows off on his skateboard
boastfully)

You should sleep over tonight if the weather is too bad


sleep over stay somewhere for the night (informal)
to drive home.

We need to sort the bills out before the first of the


sort something out organize, resolve a problem
month.

continue doing something, limit yourself to


stick to something You will lose weight if you stick to the diet.
one particular thing

switch something off stop the energy flow, turn off The light's too bright. Could you switch it off.

We heard the news as soon as we switched on the car


switch something on start the energy flow, turn on
radio.

take after someone resemble a family member I take after my mother. We are both impatient.

take something apart purposely break into pieces He took the car brakes apart and found the problem.

I have to take our new TV back because it doesn't


take something back return an item
work.

take off start to fly My plane takes off in five minutes.

take something off remove something (usually clothing) Take off your socks and shoes and come in the lake!

take something out remove from a place or thing Can you take the garbage out to the street for me?

take someone out pay for someone to go somewhere with you My grandparents took us out for dinner and a movie.

I tore up my ex-boyfriend's letters and gave them back


tear something up rip into pieces
to him.
When I think back on my youth, I wish I had studied
think back remember (often + to, sometimes + on)
harder.

I'll have to think this job offer over before I make my


think something over consider
final decision.

We threw our old furniture away when we won the


throw something away dispose of
lottery.

decrease the volume or strength (heat, light


turn something down Please turn the TV down while the guests are here.
etc)

turn something down refuse I turned the job down because I don't want to move.

Your mother wants you to turn the TV off and come


turn something off stop the energy flow, switch off
for dinner.

turn something on start the energy, switch on It's too dark in here. Let's turn some lights on.

increase the volume or strength (heat, light


turn something up Can you turn the music up? This is my favourite song.
etc)

Our cat turned up after we put posters up all over the


turn up appear suddenly
neighbourhood.

I'm going to try these jeans on, but I don't think they
try something on sample clothing
will fit.

try something out test I am going to try this new brand of detergent out.

The kids used all of the toothpaste up so we need to


use something up finish the supply
buy some more.
wake up stop sleeping We have to wake up early for work on Monday.

warm someone/something
increase the temperature You can warm your feet up in front of the fireplace.
up

I always warm up by doing sit-ups before I go for a


warm up prepare body for exercise
run.

wear off fade away Most of my make-up wore off before I got to the party.

work out exercise I work out at the gym three times a week.

work out be successful Our plan worked out fine.

We have to work out the total cost before we buy the


work something out make a calculation
house.
Using two-word verb expressions

Verb + Adverb vs. Two-Word Verb (Phrasal Verb)

VERB + ADVERB

An adverb for place (direction or location) has a literal¹ meaning. That is, it has a its basic (dictionary) meaning. The adverb expresses movement in a direction.

Look up. (up modifies where to look)

My dog wandered off. (off modifies where my dog wandered)

She put the cat out. (out modifies where she put the cat)

I pushed the cat away. (away modifies where I pushed the cat)

We went in. (in modifies where we went)

He walked behind. (behind modifies where he walked)

VERB + PARTICLE

A two-word verb, also known as a phrasal verb, includes a verb and a particle². The two combine to form a meaning, an expression³.

Look up the word in the dictionary. (search in a reference book)

The airplane took off. (departed)


She put the fire out. (extinguish)

I had my cat put away. (euthanized, killed, "put to sleep")

We gave in. (surrender)

He fell behind. (progressed slowly)

¹literal meaning - each word has a particular meaning


²particle (n.) – unlike an adverb, a particle does not have its own meaning; it does not express movement in a direction.
³expression (n.) – one or more words together have a particular meaning
Current linguistic description includes place adverbs and prepositions for place in the same category: Preposition. See Adverbs for Place– Grammar Notes
Phrasal Verbs
Separable vs. Inseparable
SEPARABLE PHRASAL VERB

A separable phrasal verb CAN be separated by an object. It CANNOT be followed by an object pronoun (if the verb takes an object.)

He took his coat off. He took it off. /


He took off his coat. (removed) *He took off it.

He gave money away. He gave it away.


He gave money away. (give as a gift) He gave away *it.

She let my dress out. She let it out.


She let out my dress. (enlarged) She let out *it.

He got his shoes on. He got them on.


He got on his shoes. (wore) He got on *them.

He made the check out for $100. He made it out for $100.
He made out the check for $100. He made out *it (wrote)

He took the piano up. He took it up.


He took up the piano. (begin to learn) He took up *it.
I looked the bills over. I looked them over.
I looked over the bills. (review) I looked over *them.

Look the word up. Look it up.


Look up the word. (search in reference book) Look up *it.

She put the fire out. She put it out.


She put out the fire. (extinguish) She put out *it.

INSEPARABLE PHRASAL VERB

An inseparable phrasal verb CANNOT be separated by an object. It CAN be followed by an object pronoun (if the verb takes an object.)

The airplane took off. (departed)

His heart gave away. (stopped working)

School lets out in June. (finishes)

He got on well with his classmates. (worked in harmony)

He made out well in life. (succeeded)

The piano took up most of the living room. (occupied)

I looked after the children. (take care of)


I looked after them.

He looks up to his big brother. (admires)


He looks up to him.

She wouldn't put up with bad behavior. (tolerate)


She wouldn't put up with it.

*Yellow highlighted words are examples of incorrect usage.


Verb + Particle Grid
Does it have a meaning?
Grid #1 DO GET GIVE

ABOUT
do about get about give about

AT
do at get at give at

AWAY
do away get away give away

BY
do by get by give by

DOWN
do down get down give down

IN
do in get in give in

OF
do of get of give of

OFF
do off get off give off

ON
do on get on give on

OUT
do out get out give out

OVER
do over get over give over

UP
do up get up give up

WITH
do with get with give with
Meanings for Grid 1

Grid #2 GO HAVE LET

ABOUT
go about have about let about

AT
go at have at let at

AWAY
go away have away let away

BY
go by have by let by

DOWN
go down have down let down

IN
go in have in let in

OF
go of have of let of

OFF
go off have off let off

ON
go on have on let on

OUT
go out have out let out
OVER
go over have over let over

UP
go up have up let up

WITH
go with have with let with

Meanings for Grid 2

#3 LOOK MAKE PUT

ABOUT
look about make about put about

AT
look at make at put at

AWAY
look away make away put away

BY
look by make by put by

DOWN
look down make down put down

IN
look in make in put in

OF
look of make of put of
OFF
look off make off put off

ON
look on make on put on

OUT
look out make out put out

OVER
look over make over put over

UP
look up make up put up

WITH
look with make with put with

Meanings for Grid 3

#4 TAKE THINK TRY

ABOUT
take about think about try about

AT
take at think at try at

AWAY
take away think away try away

BY
take by think by try by
DOWN
take down think down try down

IN
take in think in try in

OF
take of think of try of

OFF
take off think off try off

ON
take on think on try on

OUT
take out think out try out

OVER
take over think over try over

UP
take up think up try up

WITH
take with think with try with

Meanings for Grid 4

Phrasal Verbs (Two-Word Verbs)


Meanings and Sentences

Do Get Give Go Have Let Look Make Put Take Think Try

Do
DO AWAY WITH put an end to something They will do away with tax on home heating fuel.

DO IN * murder The mafia did him in.

DO IN * injure This hot weather will do us in.

DO IN * cheat or swindle The car buyer was done in by the fly-by-night salesman.

DO OVER * redo over repeat I had to do my homework over because I had too many mistakes.

DO OVER * redecorate We did our kitchen over to modernize it. (also: made over)

DO UP * make fancy She did up her hair in a pretty bow.

DO UP * finish Do up the work before you leave.

DO WITH benefit from We could do with less talk and more action.

(MAKE) DO WITH get by, survive with less In a bad economy, we make do with less (money, food, etc.)

DO WITHOUT manage, survive I could not do without my cell phone.

Get

GET ABOUT move, be active Even though he's ninety, he gets about pretty well.

GET AT hint, insinuate, imply I don't know what the lawyer was getting at, but I didn't like it.

GET AT discover, find We wanted to get at the root of the problem.

GET AWAY escape from confinement The prisoner tried to get away, but the office caught him.

GET AWAY WITH do something without detection He tries to get away with cheating, but they keep catching him.

GET BY manage, survive We got by even though we didn't have much money.

GET DOWN * depress, discourage The cold, rainy weather got me down after a couple of months.
GET DOWN enjoy, dance Let's have a little fun and get down tonight!

GET IN arrive When does you plane get in?

GET IN enter a private vehicle We got in the car and sat down. (get on - public vehicle)

GET OFF exit a public vehicle We got off the bus at the last stop.

GET OFF * escape from punishment He was charged with public indecency, but the lawyer got him off

GET OFF boldness, effrontery Where do you get off telling me I'm fat. Look at yourself.

GET ON to work or perform in harmony They got on well together.

GET ON to mount, to board (public transportation) He got on his bicycle and rode away. He got on the bus.

GET IT ON * to have a romantic or sexual connection "Let's get it on." -- Marvin Gaye song

GET ON * to wear He got on his shoes. See get passive

GET OVER recover It took him a week to get over his cold / his divorce.

GET THROUGH to succeed in contacting I had trouble getting through to you because my phone had bad reception.

GET UP wake up and get out of bed What time did you get up this morning?

Give

GIVE AWAY * give as a gift He was feeling so confident, he gave away all his money.

GIVE AWAY * reveal a secret Be careful not to give secret away.

GIVE IN surrender, acknowledge defeat At first he said, "no", but then he gave in.

GIVE OF devote or contribute To give of one's self is the greatest gift.

GIVE OFF to put forth, emit The light bulb gave off an amazing amount of light.
GIVE OUT * emit, distribute They gave out fliers in front of the playhouse.

GIVE OUT to become exhausted, used up After running four miles, his legs gave out.

GIVE OVER * transfer, release to someone else He will give over the ownership of his property to his grandchildren.

GIVE UP to abandon, She never gave up hope that he would get well.

GIVE UP discontinue He gave up smoking.

GIVE (IT) UP * applaud; clap (slang) Let's give it up for Beyonce!

Go

GO ABOUT perform one's duties Every day, he goes about checking our work.

GO AFTER pursue If you really want it, go after it.

GO AGAINST to conflict with He never thought his son would go against him.

GO AHEAD proceed Go ahead. We'll catch up with you later.

GO ALONG agree to follow He went along with his idea even though he wasn't convinced.

GO AROUND accompany They always go around with the same people.

GO AROUND be enough for everyone They brought enough food to go around.

GO AT attack They went at each other viciously.

GO BACK return He went back home after work.

GO BACK ON fail to keep to He went back on his word and started smoking again.

GO BY to be disregarded, not taken advantage of He let his best chance go by.

GO DOWN suffer defeat They went down fighting.


GO DOWN be remembered This will go down in history as an unforgettable moment.

GO FOR try hard for Go for the gold! (Olympian expression)

GO IN WITH join He went in with them on an investment scheme.

GO OFF explode The gun went off and runners began the race.

GO OFF ring My phone always goes off when I'm in class.

GO ON continue When life is hard, you have to go on.

GO OUT extinguish If the lights go out, light some candles.

GO OUT WITH accompany or date Amelia goes out with her friends. She is going out with a new guy.

GO OVER review After we go over the plans, we can discuss what to do.

GO OVER to meet approval Did your proposal go over well?

GO THROUGH experience We had to go through hard times during the war.

GO THROUGH WITH persevere to the end He decide to go through the operation to repair his heart.

GO UNDER fail, ruin The bank went under due to bad business practices.

GO UP be under construction A new building is going up in place of the old one.

GO UP be consumed by fire The old building went up in flames.

GO WITH look good or fashionable with His striped shirt didn't go with his jacket.

Have

HAVE AT to go at; attack It's time to have at my homework.

HAVE ON * to wear What do you have on?


HAVE ON * to host a guest on TV Who does David Letterman have on tonight?

HAVE X OUT settle She and I had it out last night and came to an agreement.

HAVE OVER * entertain We'd had our friends over for dinner.

HAVE X TO DO WITH be associated with His lack of confidence had a lot to do with his not getting the job.

Let

LET DOWN * disappoint He let us down when he didn't do as he said he would.

LET IN * to admit The door man let us in to the nightclub.

LET IN * share a secret I'll let you in on a little secret. I won the lottery.

LET OFF * release by exploding The fireworks let off a whistling sound.

LET OFF * to free from duty They let him off jury duty.

LET OFF* excuse with little punishment The judge let the youth off with just a warning and a promise.

LET ON reveal Please don't let on that you already know his secret.

LET OUT terminates, release from confinement School lets out in June.

LET OUT release from restraint The dog let out a loud yelp when its owner left.

LET OUT * enlarge I had to let my pants out after the holiday meals.

LET UP ON ease up ; treat less severely His mother let up on him after she realized he was trying his hardest.

Look

LOOK AFTER take care of; foster They looked after him when his parents couldn't.

LOOK DOWN ON regard with scorn or contempt Those people look down on everyone else as being inferior.
LOOK IN ON visit briefly The nurse looked in on each patient several times a day.

LOOK INTO investigate The police are looking into the crime.

LOOK ON to be a spectator The fans looked on while their team battled to win.

LOOK OUT to be on guard, to take care Look out or you might get hurt.

LOOK OUT FOR to be concerned We need to look out for our health.

LOOK OUT ONTO to have a view Our hotel room looked out onto the town's plaza.

LOOK OVER * review The mechanic looked the car over to see if there were any problems.

LOOK UP * research, find in a reference book Always look up the words that you don't know.

LOOK UP TO admire, regard highly She had always looked up to her older sister.

Make

MAKE AWAY WITH steal The dishonest CEO made away with millions of dollars.

MAKE DO WITH get by, survive with less In a bad economy, we make do with less (money).

MAKE OFF WITH steal, take The bear made off with our picnic basket.

MAKE OUT * to write or complete After you make out the check, put it in the mail.

MAKE OUT * be able to distinguish or read It was hard to make out the words on the old memorial stone.

MAKE OUT succeed With a lot of hard work, you too can make out in life.

MAKE OUT show affection; kiss They made out in the front seat.

MAKE OVER redo, redecorate The film producer decided to make over the actor's appearance

MAKE UP invent Did you make that story up? I don't believe it.
MAKE UP to put on cosmetics Women make up their faces before going to parties.

MAKE UP to settle or reconcile We've quarreled for two years, but we made up last night.

MAKE UP repeat I had to make up a course in which I had gotten an unsatisfactory grade.

MAKE UP FOR compensate His boss offered him vacation days to make up for his overtime hours.

MAKE UP OF constitute The United States is make up of fifty states.

MAKE UP TO become friendly with He was trying to make up to every woman in the class. (informal)

Put

PUT ABOUT turn in a different direction The ship put about and headed back to shore.

PUT ABOUT to start a rumor The opposition put about a rumor that we had accepted a bribe.

PUT AWAY * put in its place We put away the food after shopping.

PUT AWAY * consume He can put away five hamburgers!

PUT AWAY * euthanize We had to put our dog away when it became too old to survive.

PUT AWAY * jail The murderer was put away for life.

PUT DOWN * write The Red Cross put me down for a one hundred dollar contribution.

PUT DOWN regard or categorize He was put down as a complainer

PUT DOWN * to insult or criticize My older sister always put me down when she was with her friends.

PUT DOWN * to place a down payment We put down forty per cent on the house.

PUT DOWN land and aircraft The plane put down in a wheat field.

PUT IN enter a port The ship put in before sunset.


PUT IN FOR apply or request He put in for a transfer to a different division.

PUT OFF * delay or postpone He tends to put off doing his taxes.

PUT OFF repel, distance, perturb The artist's use of dead animals put off his viewers.

PUT ON * to wear He put on his pants

PUT ON * produce or perform They put on a wonderful play.

PUT OUT * extinguish The firemen put out the fire

PUT OUT * be bothersome; inconvenience Yes, I'd like a cup of coffee, but I don't want to put you out.

PUT UP * put items in their places Please put up your toys.

PUT UP WITH tolerate I can't put up with his terrible behavior

Take

TAKE AFTER resemble His daughter takes after him in business sense.

TAKE AFTER pursue The dog took after the little boy who tried to run away.

TAKE BACK * retract I take what I said back. i shouldn't have said it.

TAKE DOWN * write or record Take these measurements down.

TAKE DOWN * capture, control They took down their opponents.

TAKE FOR * to assume to I took his word for the truth. / I took for truth his word.

TAKE IN * provide lodging or a home His uncle took him in after his father died.

TAKE IN * alter, make smaller She had her dress taken in after she had her baby.

TAKE IN trick or deceive The insurance salesman took in the unsuspecting buyer.
TAKE IN observe and make sense of We listened to his lecture. There was a lot to take in.

TAKE OFF * remove clothing Please take off your coat and sit down.

TAKE OFF depart from earth The airplane took off on time.

TAKE OFF remove from a job or position I was taken off one project to work on another.

TAKE OFF humorous imitation (noun) The movie was a take off on news anchormen.

TAKE ON * undertake President Obama took on the difficult job or restoring the economy.

TAKE ON * hire They took him on as their financial officer.

TAKE OUT * date He took her out to the movies.

TAKE OVER * assume management The stronger company took over the weaker one.

TAKE UP * to begin to study He took up piano.

TAKE UP occupy The grand piano took up most of the room.

TAKE UP * continue Let's take up where we left off yesterday.

TAKE UP * begin discussion or a subject Today, I will take up the subject of a raise in my salary.

TAKE UP WITH become friends He began to take up with the wrong crowd.

Think

THINK ABOUT consider, think for a while I would like some time to think about your business proposal.

THINK ABOUT have an opinion or judgment What do you think about the new no-smoking law?

THINK OF create, devise, come up with How did you think of this clever idea?

THINK OF have an opinion or judgment What do you think of your phone?


THINK OF remember, come to mind I suddenly thought of his name.

THINK ON consider, think for a while I'm not ready to buy it now. I'll have to think on this for a while.

THINK OUT * think toward reaching a solution Think it out before you act.

THINK OVER * consider, think for a while Please think it over carefully before you sign the contract.

THINK THROUGH * think toward reaching a solution If you think the through math problem, you'll find the solution.

THINK UP * create, devise come up with She thought up our logo design.

Try

TRY ON * put on clothing to see if you like it Try the pants on. / Try on the pants. If you like them, buy them.

TRY OUT * experiment with something We tried out a new method of using the cell phone.

TRY OUT * an audition, performance before judges He tried out before the American Idol judges. They held try outs today.

PRACTICE ON POINTS OF ENGLISH GRAMMAR


 Adj & Modifiers
 Adverbs
 Agreement
 Articles
 Conditionals
 Confusing Words
 Connectors
 Diagnostics
 Gerunds
 Infinitives
 Modals
 Modifying Clauses
 Nominal Clauses
 Passive
 Past Tense
 Pop-Q Archive
 Prepositions
 Present Perfect
 Present Tense
 Pronouns
 Punctuation
 Review
 Sentence Structure
 Writing
 Preposition Summary
 Preposition Diagnostic
 Prepositions for Time
 Prepositions for Place
 Preposition Paragraph
 During / In
 For / Since
 Participles w/ Preps
 Participle-Prep Prac
 Phrasal Verbs

 Ending w/ Preposition

 Related Pages

 On this page:
 End with a Preposition?
 Final Prep – Wh-questions
 Final Prep – Statements
 Common Mistakes
 Omitting Prepositions
 Final Prep – Verb + PP
 Final Prep – Phrasal Verbs
 Practice
Ending with a Preposition
A closer look at preposition placement
Should you end a sentence with a preposition?
MERRIAM-WEBSTER HUDDLESTON & PULLUM

The question of the correctness of a preposition at the end of a sentence or clause Instead of being dismissed as unsupported foolishness, the unwarranted rule
is one which has been under discussion for more than three centuries. As is not the against stranding [ending with a preposition] was repeated in prestigious grammars
case with some of the other long-lived topics examined in this book, recent towards the end of the eighteenth century, and from the nineteenth century on it
commentators — at least since Fowler 1926 — are unanimous in their rejection was widely taught in schools. The result is that older people with traditional
of the notion that ending a sentence with a preposition is an error or an offense educations and outlooks still tend to believe that stranding is always some kind of
against propriety. Fowler terms the idea "cherished superstition." and not only do mistake. It is not. All modern usage manuals, even the sternest and stuffiest, agree
the commentators reject the notion, but actual usage supports their rejection. So if with descriptive and theoretical linguists on this… (CaGEL 627)
everybody who is in the know agrees, there's no problem, right? Wrong. It is not
clear how the terminal preposition became an error. The structure does not exist in
Latin. — Merriam Webster's Dictionary of English Usage.
BURCHFIELD (FOWLER) QUIRK & GREENBAUM

Preposition at end. (a) History of attitudes. One of the most persistent myths about A prejudice against such deferred (or 'stranded') prepositions … remains in formal
prepositions in English is that they properly belong before the word or words they English which, for direct or indirect questions and for relative clauses, offers the
govern and should not be placed at the end of a clause or sentence. (Fowler goes alternative of an initial preposition. The alternative construction is often felt,
on to cite several examples in the history of the "myth".) 3 Final Verdict. In most however, to be stilted and awkward especially in speech. In some cases, such as
circumstances, esp. in formal writing, it is desirable to avoid placing a preposition at the following, the deferred preposition has no proposed alternative… (CoGEL 9.4)
the end of a clause or sentence, where it has the appearance of being stranded. But
there are many circumstances in which a preposition may or even must be placed
late, and others where the degree of formality required governs the placing. —
Fowler's Dictionary of Modern English Usage. (619)
Wh-Questions

INFORMAL FORMAL
Informal and formal English places a preposition at the end of a sentence. When a In formal English, the preposition is placed before the WH- question word, at the
question word is the object of a preposition, the preposition most often occurs at the beginning of the sentence (or clause). (Note that an intimate or personal question is
end of the sentence (or clause) especially in informal usage. unlikely to be phrased formally unless it is asked in a court of law.).

QUESTIONS QUESTIONS

Who is a dating service for? For whom is a dating service? very formal
Who did you give your number to? To whom did you give your number? very formal
What kind of hobbies are you interested in? In what kind of hobbies are you interested? very formal
In which kind of program are you interested?
What does she look like? Like what does she look? not used
Where do you come from? From where do you come? extremely formal
What are you concerned about? About what are you concerned? (This is awkward because it is an personal question with formal
phrasing.)
Which card did you pay with? With which card did you pay? informal and formal usage (with tends to be place before the wh-
pronoun.)
SHORT QUESTIONS SHORT QUESTIONS

What for? (expression) purpose For what? very formal


Who for? (expression) recipient For whom? very formal
Where to? (expression) toward a direction To where? very formal
What with? (expression) means or method, or tool With what? very formal
EMBEDDED QUESTIONS EMBEDDED QUESTIONS

Can you tell me what you are looking for? (phrasal verb) Can you tell me for what you are looking? awkward
Do you know who she is talking to? Do you know to whom she is talking?
Do you have any idea what this is for? purpose Do you have any idea for what this is? not used
Please let me know which person you are interested in? (verbal + PP) Please let me know in which person you are interested? awkward
Statements

INFORMAL FORMAL

Final prepositions also occur at the end of sentences with infinitive or passive A sentence avoiding the terminal preposition can be restated by adding a clause with
grammatical structures. the relative pronoun as the object of the preposition.
INFINITIVE STRUCTURES INFINITIVE STRUCTURES

This is a pleasant city to live in. This is a pleasant city in which to live.
These are delightful people to talk with. These are delightful people with which to talk.
PASSIVE VOICE ACTIVE VOICE

He likes to be looked at. He likes to be the guy at whom someone looks.


She likes to be doted on. dote – care for, closely attend She likes to be the woman on whom someone dotes.
She was operated on. She is the woman on whom the someone operated.
This chair is new. It hasn't been sat in. This is a chair in which no one has sat.

Common Mistake

ERROR FIX

Where is it at? unspecific use of a final preposition OMIT THE PRONOUN

Where is it ?
Where's it at? (slang expression) – where is the action, excitement, or the cool stuff happening USE WHICH – FINAL PLACEMENT

Which room is it in? / Which shelf is it on? / Which stop is it at?


Specific use of prepositions: in, on, or at. Prepositions of Place
USE WHICH– INITIAL PLACEMENT

In which city is it? / On which street is it? / At which address is it?

Pop-Q "What for"


Prepositions
Omitting vs. including
Options

INFORMAL – PREPOSITION OMITTED FORMAL – PREPOSITION INCLUDED

Informal English drops the preposition in these examples In more formal speech and writing, the preposition is included.

IN COMMON QUESTIONS On what day are you meeting? We are meeting on Tuesday.

What day are you meeting (on)? What day are you meeting?
What time is your meeting (at)? What time is your meeting? At what time is your meeting? My meeting is at 1p.m.
How long are you visiting (for)? How long are you visiting? For how long will you be visiting?
BEFORE OTHER PREPOSITIONS REPHRASED

I'll pick you up (at) about 9:30. I'll pick you up about 9:30. I'll pick you up at approximately 9:30. (rephrase about with approximately)
We're going (to) downtown. We're going downtown. We're going to downtown. (not used)
NOUN + INFINITIVE + (PREPOSITION) NOUN + PREPOSITION + WHICH + INFINITVE

I have no money to buy the food (with). I have no money to buy food. I have no money with which I can buy food.
We have one day to do it (in). I have one day to do it. We have one day in which to do it. We will do it in a day.
I need a pen to write (with). I need a pen to write. I need a pen with which I can write.
He has to have a place to live (in). He has to have a place to live. He needs a place in which he can live.
WITH PARTICULAR WORDS (not in final position) WITH PARTICULAR WORDS

I'm staying (at) home. / I'm going (to) home. (Eng-US) (with home) I am staying at home. / I'm going to home. (Uncommon in Eng-US)
Let's go (to) some place tonight. (with some place) Lets go to some place tonight. (Uncommon in Eng-US)

Prepositions in clauses
With verb + preposition and phrasal verbs
Verb + Prepositional Phrase

CAN END A CLAUSE CAN MOVE FORWARD

A verb paired with a preposition (e.g. worry about, play against, depend on, approve In more formal English, we move the preposition of the verb phrase in front on the
of, etc.) may often occur with the preposition left at the end of the clause in informal relative pronoun (that, which, who, whom).
speech. See Verb + Prep Phrase for a list of such verbs.

THE PREPOSITION AT THE END THE PREPOSITON AT THE BEGINNING

A service — that people depend on — should be delivered on time. A service — on which people depend [on]— should be delivered on time.

Show me the person — you wrote about. (who is optional) Show me the person — about whom you wrote.
The person—I am interested in — doesn't want to talk to me. (who is optional) The person— in whom I am interested— does not want to talk to me.
Can you tell me — what kind of person you are interested in? Can you tell me — in what kind of person you are interested? awkward sounding
Who knows — what my ideal person should be like. Who knows — like what my ideal person should be. awkward sounding
This is what I was worried about. This is — about what I was worried. awkward sounding
Related pages: All of which | Verb Phrases + Gerunds
Phrasal Verbs – exception!

CAN END A CLAUSE CANNOT MOVE FORWARD

A phrasal verb is a verb with one or two prepositions – all together they form a Phrasal verbs cannot be separated. The preposition / particle must be left at the end.
new meaning. For example, put up with means to tolerate. These words cannot be (e.g. look out, look over, get up, get off, have out, get on with, put up with, take off,
separated, so the preposition must be left at the end of a clause or sentence. See etc.)
Phrasal Verbs for a list of such verbs.

Clothing — which people try on — should be hung up afterwards. Clothing — on which people try — should be hung up afterward. (not used)

The word — that you looked up — is not in my dictionary. The word — up which you looked — is not in my dictionary. (not used)
This is a crime — that you won't get away with. This is a crime — away with which you will not get. (not used)
Note: Supposedly an editor had clumsily rearranged one of Churchill's sentences to avoid ending it in a preposition, and the Prime Minister, very proud of his style, scribbled this note in reply: "This is the
sort of English up with which I will not put."
Resources
Fowler's Modern English Usage. Ed. R. W. Burchfield. Rev. 3rd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004. Print. (619)
Huddleston, Rodney and Geoffrey K. Pullum. The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language (CaGEL) . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002.
Print. (627)
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of English Usage. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, 1994.Print.
Greenbaum, Sidney & Quirk, Randolph. A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language (CoGEL) . 7th ed. New York: Longman Group, 1989. Print (664)
Swan, Michael. Practical English Usage. Oxford: University Press. 3rd ed. 2009. (452) Print.

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