Unlocking English Fluency: Your Comprehensive Guide to Phrasal Verbs List and Worksheets with Answers

English, a language of vast vocabulary and intricate grammar, often presents unique challenges to learners. Among the most perplexing yet vital elements are phrasal verbs. These combinations of a verb and a preposition or adverb (or both) can completely change the meaning of the original verb, making them notoriously difficult to master. However, understanding and using them is crucial for achieving true fluency and sounding like a native speaker. This comprehensive guide, including a dedicated Phrasal verbs list and worksheets with answers, aims to demystify these linguistic puzzles and provide you with the tools to conquer them.

The Enigma of Phrasal Verbs: Why They Matter

Phrasal verbs are ubiquitous in everyday English conversation, informal writing, and even professional settings. Ignoring them means missing out on a significant portion of natural English communication. Consider the verb "look."

• "Look at" (to observe)



• "Look for" (to search for)



• "Look up" (to search for information in a reference source)



• "Look after" (to take care of)
• "Look down on" (to consider someone inferior)

As you can see, the addition of a small particle drastically alters the meaning. This idiomatic nature is what makes them challenging but also fascinating. Mastering them will not only expand your vocabulary but also significantly improve your comprehension of spoken English and your ability to express yourself more naturally and precisely.

What Exactly Are Phrasal Verbs?

A phrasal verb is a verb combined with one or two particles (prepositions or adverbs) that functions as a single semantic unit. The meaning of the phrasal verb is often different from the meaning of the individual words.

Structure:

• Verb + Adverb: break down (to stop functioning)



• Verb + Preposition: look after (to take care of)
• Verb + Adverb + Preposition: get along with (to have a good relationship with)

Types of Phrasal Verbs: Understanding the Nuances

To effectively use phrasal verbs, it’s important to understand their grammatical behavior:

1. Transitive vs. Intransitive:

   • Transitive phrasal verbs take an object: He picked up the book. (The book is the object).
   • Intransitive phrasal verbs do not take an object: The car broke down. (No object follows).

2. Separable vs. Inseparable (for Transitive Phrasal Verbs):

   • Separable phrasal verbs: The object can go between the verb and the particle, or after the particle.
     • If the object is a noun: She turned off the light. OR She turned the light off.
     • If the object is a pronoun: The pronoun must go between the verb and the particle: She turned it off. (NOT: She turned off it.)
   • Inseparable phrasal verbs: The object must always come after the particle.
     • She looks after her children. (NOT: She looks her children after.)
     • They ran into an old friend. (NOT: They ran an old friend into.)

Understanding these distinctions is key to using phrasal verbs correctly.

Strategies for Learning Phrasal Verbs Effectively

Simply memorizing a long list can be overwhelming and ineffective. Instead, adopt these strategies:

1. Learn in Context: Don’t just learn the definition. See the phrasal verb used in a sentence or a conversation. This helps you grasp its meaning and usage.
2. Group by Particle or Theme: Sometimes, learning phrasal verbs with the same particle (e.g., all verbs with "up" like give up, set up, wake up) can highlight subtle differences. Alternatively, group them by theme (e.g., travel, relationships, work).
3. Start with Common Ones: Focus on the most frequently used phrasal verbs first. This will give you the biggest return on your effort.
4. Active Practice: Don’t just read. Speak, write, and integrate them into your own sentences.
5. Use Flashcards: Write the phrasal verb on one side and its meaning, an example sentence, and its type (separable/inseparable, transitive/intransitive) on the other.
6. Immersion: Pay attention to how native speakers use phrasal verbs in movies, TV shows, podcasts, and books.

Your Essential Tool: Phrasal verbs list and worksheets with answers

This is where a well-structured Phrasal verbs list and worksheets with answers becomes an invaluable resource. It provides not just definitions but also context and opportunities for active practice and self-correction.

How to Use the List:

The following list provides some of the most common and useful phrasal verbs. For each, you’ll find:

• The phrasal verb
• Its meaning
• An example sentence
• Notes on separability/transitivity where helpful.

Tips for using the list:

• Read through them, focusing on understanding the meaning in context.
• Try to create your own sentences using each phrasal verb.
• Don’t try to learn them all at once. Break them down into smaller, manageable chunks.

Common Phrasal Verbs List

Here’s a selection of essential phrasal verbs categorized for easier learning:

I. Everyday Life & General Communication:

1. Call off – to cancel something.
   • Meaning: Cancel.
   • Example: They had to call off the outdoor concert due to heavy rain. (Separable)
2. Come across – to find or meet by chance.
   • Meaning: Find or meet unexpectedly.
   • Example: I came across an old photo album while cleaning the attic. (Inseparable)
3. Get along (with) – to have a friendly relationship with someone.
   • Meaning: Have a good relationship.
   • Example: Do you get along with your new colleagues? (Inseparable)
4. Give up – to stop trying; to surrender.
   • Meaning: Stop trying, surrender.
   • Example: Don’t give up on your dreams! (Separable if object is a noun, e.g., "give the habit up")
5. Go on – to continue; to happen.
   • Meaning: Continue, happen.
   • Example: The meeting went on for three hours. / What’s going on? (Intransitive)
6. Look after – to take care of someone or something.
   • Meaning: Take care of.
   • Example: Could you look after my cat while I’m on holiday? (Inseparable)
7. Look up – to search for information (in a dictionary, online, etc.).
   • Meaning: Search for information.
   • Example: If you don’t know the word, look it up in a dictionary. (Separable)
8. Make up – to invent a story; to reconcile after an argument.
   • Meaning: Invent, reconcile.
   • Example: He made up an excuse for being late. / They finally made up after their fight. (Separable for inventing)
9. Put off – to postpone; to discourage.
   • Meaning: Postpone, discourage.
   • Example: Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today. / The smell really put me off. (Separable)
10. Run out (of) – to have no more of something.
    • Meaning: Have no more of.
    • Example: We’re running out of milk. (Inseparable)
11. Take off – (for an aircraft) to leave the ground; (for clothes) to remove.
    • Meaning: Depart (plane), remove clothes.
    • Example: The plane took off on time. / Please take off your shoes. (Separable for clothes)
12. Turn down – to refuse an offer or request; to reduce volume/heat.
    • Meaning: Refuse, reduce.
    • Example: He turned down the job offer. / Could you turn down the music? (Separable)
13. Turn up – to arrive unexpectedly; to increase volume/heat.
    • Meaning: Arrive unexpectedly, increase.
    • Example: She turned up late to the party. / Please turn up the heating. (Separable for volume/heat)
14. Wake up – to stop sleeping.
    • Meaning: Stop sleeping.
    • Example: What time do you usually wake up? (Intransitive, but can be transitive separable if an object is present, e.g., "wake someone up")
15. Work out – to exercise; to solve a problem; to develop successfully.
    • Meaning: Exercise, solve, succeed.
    • Example: I work out at the gym every day. / I hope everything works out for you. (Intransitive or transitive inseparable depending on meaning)

II. Business & Professional Context:

16. Bring up – to mention a topic; to raise a child.
    • Meaning: Mention, raise.
    • Example: Don’t bring up politics at the dinner table. (Separable)
17. Carry out – to perform a task or order.
    • Meaning: Perform.
    • Example: The team was asked to carry out a detailed investigation. (Separable)
18. Come up with – to think of an idea or solution.
    • Meaning: Invent, create (an idea).
    • Example: Can you come up with a better plan? (Inseparable)
19. Deal with – to handle a problem or situation.
    • Meaning: Handle.
    • Example: We need to deal with this issue immediately. (Inseparable)
20. Figure out – to understand or solve something.
    • Meaning: Understand, solve.
    • Example: I can’t figure out why the computer isn’t working. (Separable)
21. Get through – to complete a task; to survive a difficult period.
    • Meaning: Complete, survive.
    • Example: We need to get through all these reports by tomorrow. (Inseparable)
22. Set up – to establish or arrange something.
    • Meaning: Establish, arrange.
    • Example: They decided to set up a new company. (Separable)
23. Take on – to accept a responsibility or challenge.
    • Meaning: Accept (responsibility).
    • Example: She’s ready to take on more responsibilities. (Separable)
24. Think over – to consider something carefully.
    • Meaning: Consider carefully.
    • Example: I need some time to think over your proposal. (Separable)
25. Work out – to solve a problem; to calculate.
    • Meaning: Solve, calculate.
    • Example: We need to work out a solution to this problem. (Separable)

Practice Makes Perfect: Worksheets with Answers

Now that you’ve reviewed the list, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test. These worksheets offer different types of exercises to reinforce your learning. Remember, the goal is not just to get the right answer but to understand why it’s the right answer.

Worksheet 1: Fill-in-the-Blanks

Complete the sentences with the most appropriate phrasal verb from the list above. Change the verb form if necessary.

1. My car __ on the way to work this morning.
2. Could you please __ the TV volume? It’s too loud.
3. I need to __ this new vocabulary in my notebook.
4. Don’t __! You’re almost there.
5. She __ an amazing idea for the new project.
6. The company decided to __ the meeting until next week.
7. It’s important to __ with your colleagues at work.
8. I accidentally __ an old friend from high school at the supermarket.
9. Who will __ the children while you’re away?
10. I can’t __ why the internet isn’t working.

Answers for Worksheet 1:

1. My car broke down on the way to work this morning.
2. Could you please turn down the TV volume? It’s too loud.
3. I need to look up this new vocabulary in my notebook.
4. Don’t give up! You’re almost there.
5. She came up with an amazing idea for the new project.
6. The company decided to put off the meeting until next week.
7. It’s important to get along with your colleagues at work.
8. I accidentally came across an old friend from high school at the supermarket.
9. Who will look after the children while you’re away?
10. I can’t figure out why the internet isn’t working.

Worksheet 2: Matching

Match the phrasal verb on the left with its correct meaning on the right.

1. Call off
2. Take off
3. Set up
4. Go on
5. Bring up
6. Deal with
7. Run out
8. Think over
9. Carry out
10. Work out (exercise)

a. To establish or arrange
b. To stop having something because it has all been used
c. To continue; to happen
d. To cancel
e. To remove (clothing); (for a plane) to depart
f. To handle a problem or situation
g. To consider carefully
h. To mention a topic
i. To perform a task or order
j. To exercise

Answers for Worksheet 2:

1. Call off – d. To cancel
2. Take off – e. To remove (clothing); (for a plane) to depart
3. Set up – a. To establish or arrange
4. Go on – c. To continue; to happen
5. Bring up – h. To mention a topic
6. Deal with – f. To handle a problem or situation
7. Run out – b. To stop having something because it has all been used
8. Think over – g. To consider carefully
9. Carry out – i. To perform a task or order
10. Work out (exercise) – j. To exercise

Worksheet 3: Choose the Correct Phrasal Verb

Choose the best phrasal verb to complete each sentence.

1. Could you help me __ these boxes to the car? (carry out / carry over / carry on / carry away)
2. I need to __ my old school friends. (catch up with / catch on to / catch out / catch up on)
3. It’s time to __ your shoes before entering the house. (take on / take off / take out / take up)
4. Don’t worry, everything will __ in the end. (work out / work off / work up / work over)
5. We need to __ a solution to the budget problem. (come across / come into / come up with / come over)
6. He decided to __ the offer for the new job. (turn in / turn up / turn down / turn off)
7. The project team decided to __ the presentation until next week. (put on / put up / put off / put away)
8. She always __ her younger sister. (looks for / looks up / looks after / looks into)
9. The company plans to __ a new branch in London. (set out / set up / set off / set down)
10. I’m trying to __ smoking. (give away / give in / give up / give out)

Answers for Worksheet 3:

1. Could you help me carry these boxes out to the car? (The correct answer is implicit here, "carry out" for performing a task, or simply "carry" for moving. If options are specifically phrasal verbs, "carry out" is best if it implies a task like ‘moving boxes out’. Let’s assume a common phrasal verb meaning. A better set of options would be put down / pick up / take away / carry out. For simple carrying, no phrasal verb might be needed. If the intent is ‘remove from inside’, ‘carry out’ fits.)
   • Correction for clarity: Let’s re-evaluate option 1 to be more definitively a phrasal verb.
   • Revised Q1: Could you help me __ the details of the new policy? (carry out / find out / look into / bring up)
   • Revised A1: Could you help me look into the details of the new policy? (or find out). For the original "carry out these boxes", it’s a bit ambiguous as a phrasal verb unless it implies a task. Let’s stick to more common phrasal verb usage for the examples. Assuming the original intended "carry out" as in performing the task of moving.
   • Original interpretation: carry out (as in perform the task of carrying them out)
2. I need to catch up with my old school friends.
3. It’s time to take off your shoes before entering the house.
4. Don’t worry, everything will work out in the end.
5. We need to come up with a solution to the budget problem.
6. He decided to turn down the offer for the new job.
7. The project team decided to put off the presentation until next week.
8. She always looks after her younger sister.
9. The company plans to set up a new branch in London.
10. I’m trying to give up smoking.

Final Tips for Mastering Phrasal Verbs

• Consistency is Key: Dedicate a small amount of time each day or week to learning and reviewing phrasal verbs.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Make Mistakes: Language learning involves trial and error. The more you use phrasal verbs, the more natural they will become.
• Focus on Context, Not Just Definitions: Always try to understand the situation in which a phrasal verb is used.
• Listen Actively: Pay close attention to how native speakers use phrasal verbs in real-life conversations, movies, and podcasts.

By leveraging a comprehensive Phrasal verbs list and worksheets with answers, you transform a daunting task into an achievable goal. These tools provide the structure and practice necessary to build confidence and fluency. Embrace the challenge, dedicate consistent effort, and soon you’ll be using phrasal verbs with the confidence and fluidity of a native speaker.