Basics. Introduction to Common Phrasal Verbs: correct answers
Jump to answers ↓What is a phrasal verb?
A phrasal verb is a combination of a basic verb (like look, take, or turn) and a small word called a particle (like up, off, or for). When you put them together, they create an entirely new meaning that is often different from the original verb.
For example, the verb give means to hand something to someone. But if you add the particle up, the meaning changes completely: give up means to quit or stop trying.
Choosing the right particle
The biggest challenge with phrasal verbs is that changing just one small word changes the entire meaning of your sentence. You cannot guess the meaning based on the verb alone.
Let's look at the verb look:
- Look at: To direct your eyes toward something.
- Look for: To try to find something that is lost.
- Look after: To take care of someone or something.
✅ I spent an hour looking for my missing keys. ❌ I spent an hour looking after my missing keys.
In the incorrect sentence, the speaker is saying they took care of their missing keys, which doesn't make sense!
Literal vs. idiomatic meanings
Some phrasal verbs are easy to understand because their meaning is literal. For example, if you wake up, you are stopping your sleep and getting out of bed. If you take off your boots, you are physically removing them.
However, many phrasal verbs are idiomatic. This means you just have to memorize their special meaning because the individual words won't give you the answer.
- Figure out: To solve a problem or discover an answer.
- Find out: To discover new information.
- Go off: To make a loud noise (like an alarm clock).
✅ My alarm went off at 6:00 AM. ❌ My alarm woke up at 6:00 AM.
Alarms don't sleep, so they can't wake up! They go off so that you can wake up.
A common trap: Literal translations
A very common mistake B1-B2 learners make is translating directly from their native language, especially when talking about electronics or clothing.
In English, we use turn on and turn off for machines, lights, and alarms. We do not use open or close. ✅ Please turn off the oven when the pizza is done. ❌ Please close the oven when the pizza is done.
Closing the oven door doesn't stop the heat; you have to turn off the power!
Similarly, we use put on and take off for clothing. ✅ I quickly put on my sweater. ❌ I quickly dressed my sweater.
You dress yourself, but you put clothes on.
The pronoun rule (separable verbs)
As you get more comfortable with phrasal verbs, you will notice an important edge case: some phrasal verbs can be separated by the object. If the object is a pronoun (like it or them), it must go between the verb and the particle.
✅ I took my boots off. ✅ I took them off. ❌ I took off them.
Mastering these basic daily phrasal verbs will make your everyday English sound much more natural and conversational.
Correct answers
Question 1
Help the frantic employee complete their morning diary entry by dragging the correct particles to form the right phrasal verbs.
I woke up late, quickly put on my favorite shirt, and ran out the door to catch the bus!
I woke up late.
The phrasal verb "wake up" means to stop sleeping.
...quickly put on my favorite shirt...
The phrasal verb "put on" means to dress yourself in an item of clothing.
Question 2
Choose the right phrase to complete the teenager's midnight snack diary.
I carefully opened the fridge, but I completely forgot to _____ the kitchen security alarm. Now the whole house is awake and my secret pizza is ruined!
The correct answer is turn off.
We use turn off to mean stopping a machine, light, or electronic device from working (like deactivating an alarm).
Turn down means to lower the volume or temperature, which wouldn't stop the security alarm from triggering!
Question 3
The correct answers are off, down, and after.
- Turn off: To stop a machine, device, or appliance from working or flowing (like an oven, lights, or water).
- Turn down: To reduce the volume, heat, or power of something.
- Look after: To take care of someone or something and make sure they are safe.
Question 4
Complete the tech support chat log for a grandmother learning to use her new smartphone by dragging the correct words into the blanks.
First, please turn the screen on, and then look for the blue envelope icon to open your messages.
First, please turn the screen on...
The phrasal verb "turn on" means to start a machine or electronic device.
...and then look for the blue envelope icon...
The phrasal verb "look for" means to search for something you are trying to find.
Question 5
The correct answers are I am looking for my keys everywhere! and I give up! I'm just going to walk.
Here is why the other options don't work:
- Look after means to take care of someone or something (like a baby or a pet), not to search for a lost item.
- Find out is used for discovering information (like a secret or a fact), not for locating physical objects like keys.
Question 6
Help the exhausted detective finish his case notes by dragging the correct words to complete the phrasal verbs.
We tried to find out who stole the diamond, but after three weeks of dead ends, we almost gave up.
We tried to find out who stole the diamond...
The phrasal verb "find out" means to discover information or a fact.
...we almost gave up.
The phrasal verb "give up" means to stop trying to do something because it is too difficult.
Question 7
Advise the disguised alien on human dating customs by choosing the correct phrase.
Before you enter the fancy restaurant, remember to _____ your giant yellow rain boots. They really don't match your tuxedo!
The correct answer is take off.
Take off is a common phrasal verb used when removing clothing or accessories from your body.
Put on is the exact opposite (getting dressed), which would be terrible advice for our alien friend wearing yellow rain boots to a fancy dinner!
Question 8
The correct answers are off, up, and on.
A phrasal verb is a verb combined with a particle (an adverb or preposition) that creates a new meaning.
- Go off: When an alarm "goes off," it means it starts ringing or making a sound.
- Wake up: To stop sleeping.
- Put on: To dress yourself in a piece of clothing.
Question 9
The correct answers are found out and figured out.
"Find out" and "figure out" are both phrasal verbs that mean to discover information or solve a problem, which perfectly fits our detective's situation. "Look for" means to search for something, and "get up" means to rise from a bed or chair.
Question 10
The correct answers are for, up, and out.
Phrasal verbs often have idiomatic meanings that are different from the original verb.
- Look for: To search for something that is lost or needed. (Note: "look at" means to direct your eyes toward something, and "look after" means to take care of someone).
- Give up: To stop trying to do something because it is too difficult.
- Find out: To discover information or learn a new fact.
Question 11
Help the panicked pet sitter complete his text message to the owner by choosing the correct phrase.
I'm so sorry, but I've spent the last hour _____ Sir Fluffs-a-Lot, and I can't find him anywhere!
The correct answer is looking for.
A phrasal verb combines a verb (look) with a particle (for) to create a new meaning.
- Look for means to search for something.
- Look after means to take care of someone or something.
- Look at means to direct your eyes toward something.