I2CI

Grammar
Review

I2CI: Phrasal verbs 1

Understanding Phrasal verbs

Verbs are often followed by particles like back, off,

through, up, etc. (particle means adverbs or
prepositions). Sometimes both verb and particle have their
normal meanings. Other times there is a new meaning when
the verb and particle are put together. Compare:
It took 20 minutes to go through passport control (normal
meaning)
Can we go through your proposal again? (new meaning
= look at carefully)

The term phrasal verb is used for the second type,

where the verb + particle together has a special meaning.

Sometimes a phrasal verb has the same meaning as a oneword verb: find out = discover / go back = return / go on =
continue

I2CI: Phrasal verbs 1

Understanding Phrasal verbs

Often one phrasal verb can have several different meanings

and the correct one is only clear from the situation:
Dont worry, Im dealing with it now (=taking the necessary
action)
We deal mainly with Taiwanese companies (=do business
with)
The report deals with our future strategy (=is about)

Separable Phrasal verbs

With some phrasal verbs we can separate the two parts

and put the object before or after the particle:
Could you fill this form in, please? / Could you fill in this
form, please?
Ill print the report out now / Ill print out the report now

I2CI: Phrasal verbs 1

Separable Phrasal verbs

When the object is a pronoun (me, you, it, etc.) it MUST come
before the particle:
Could you fill it in, please?
Ill print it out now

When the object is a long phrase it MUST come after the particle:
Could you fill in the form that is over there on the desk,
please?

Here is a list of common separable phrasal verbs:

Have you backed the data up? (=made a copy on your
computer)
Will you back me up in the meeting? (=support)
They had to cut their advertising budget back (=spend less
on)
Our lawyers will draw a new contract up (=think about and
then write)

I2CI: Phrasal verbs 1

Separable Phrasal verbs

Here is a list of common separable phrasal verbs (part 1):

Can you drop me off at the station? (=take me in your car
and leave me)
Could you fill this form in, please? (=complete by writing
information)
Im trying to give smoking up (=stop doing it)
The Central Bank is trying to keep inflation down (=control
it to stop increasing)
They had to lay 100 workers off last month (=dismiss)
I looked their number up in Yellow Pages (=searched for it
in a reference list)
Can you pick me up at the station? (=collect me in your
car)
Ill print the details out for you (=print from a computer
onto paper)

I2CI: Phrasal verbs 1

Separable Phrasal verbs

Here is a list of common separable phrasal verbs (part 2):

Weve set up a subsidiary in Estonia (=established)
Were trying to sort it out now (=put it right, deal with it)
Hes stressed because hes taken on too much
(=accepted responsibility for)
His son will take over the firm when he retires (=take
control)
The new CEO will be taking over in January (=taking
responsibility)
Can I throw this newspaper away now? (get rid of it,
dispose of it)
We turned down their offer. It was too low (=refused,
said no to)

I2CI: Phrasal verbs 1

Inseparable Phrasal verbs

With some phrasal verbs we cannot separate the two parts.

The object MUST come after the particle:
We prefer to deal with internet customers

Here is a list of common inseparable phrasal verbs (part 1):

I have to call on a client this afternoon (=visit)
Have you come across a company called TMN?
(=discover by chance)
Can you deal with this invoice, please? (=take the
necessary action)
Weve been dealing with FedCo for a long time (=doing
business with)
The report deals with e-commerce in Spain (=is about)
I couldnt do without my personal assistant (=function/
manage without)

I2CI: Phrasal verbs 1

Inseparable Phrasal verbs

Here is a list of common inseparable phrasal verbs (part 2):

Can you look after the office while Im out? (=take care of)
Ive looked through my files and I cant find it (=examined
carefully)
Im sorry to take up so much of your time (=use an
amount of time or space)

Many inseparable phrasal verbs are intransitive (they do not

have objects:
The photocopier has broken down again
You must check in one hour before departure
Can I just come in for a moment, please?
He had to step down after the corruption inquiry
She might turn up at any moment

I2CI: Modal Verbs

Grammar

exercises
on Phrasal verbs:
Test 11