Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb and a preposition or an adverb, which together create a new meaning. The position of the preposition or adverb can vary, sometimes coming directly after the verb or following the object of the verb. In some cases, the preposition or adverb can be placed between the verb and its object, or after the object. These expressions often have a different meaning than the individual words, making them unique and sometimes challenging to learn.
Phrasal Verbs Without an Object
These phrasal verbs do not require an object to complete their meaning.
Examples:
- The dog ran away from home.
- He got up early in the morning.
- Keep on practicing, and you'll get better.
Phrasal Verbs With an Object
These phrasal verbs require an object to complete their meaning.
Examples:
- She put on her shoes before leaving the house.
- He turned off the lights before going to bed.
- I need to fill out this form for the application.
Try our quiz to check if you are comfortable with common phrasal verbs!
Correct Answers
In which sentence is the phrasal verb "drive off" used correctly?
The phrasal verb "drive off" means to leave a place in a vehicle. Option "She drove off in her car after saying goodbye" correctly uses "drive off" to describe leaving in a car after saying goodbye.
Which sentence uses the phrasal verb "head out" correctly?
The phrasal verb "head out" means to leave or depart from a place. Option "She headed out the door to go to work" correctly uses "head out" to describe leaving through the door to go to work.
In which sentence is the phrasal verb "play outside" used correctly?
The phrasal verb "play outside" means to engage in play or recreational activities outdoors. Option "The children played outside until it was time for dinner" correctly uses "play outside" to describe children playing outdoors until dinnertime.
What is the correct usage of the phrasal verb "head out"?
The phrasal verb "head out" means to leave or depart. Option "I need to head out to meet my friend" correctly uses "head out" to show the action of departing to meet a friend.
Choose the correct usage of the phrasal verb "switch on":
The phrasal verb "switch on" means to turn on or activate, usually referring to an electronic device. Option "He switched on the TV to watch his favorite show" correctly uses "switch on" to describe turning on the TV.
In which sentence is the phrasal verb "take out" used correctly?
The phrasal verb "take out" can mean to remove, extract, or unleash. Option "He took out his anger on the punching bag" correctly uses "take out" to describe unleashing anger on a punching bag.
Which sentence uses the phrasal verb "go down" correctly?
The phrasal verb "go down" can mean to decrease, descend, or set, often used when referring to the sun setting. Option "The sun went down, and it became dark outside" correctly uses "go down" to describe the sun setting and darkness ensuing.
Choose the correct usage of the phrasal verb "cheer up":
The phrasal verb "cheer up" means to make or become happier or more cheerful. Option "She cheered up her friend with a surprise party" correctly uses "cheer up" to describe making a friend happier with a surprise party.
Choose the sentence that uses the phrasal verb "sit down" correctly.
The phrasal verb "sit down" means to take a seated position. Option "After a long day, he just wanted to sit down and relax" correctly demonstrates the usage of "sit down" in the context of sitting down and relaxing.
Choose the correct usage of the phrasal verb "try on":
The phrasal verb "try on" means to test the fit or appearance of a piece of clothing or an accessory. Option "She tried on the shoes to see if they fit" correctly uses "try on" to describe trying on shoes to see if they fit.
Choose the correct usage of the phrasal verb "switch on":
The phrasal verb "switch on" means to turn on or activate a device. Option "She switched on her laptop to start working" correctly uses "switch on" to describe turning on a laptop to start working.
Choose the correct usage of the phrasal verb "sit down":
The phrasal verb "sit down" means to take a seated position. Option "She sat down on the couch to rest" correctly uses "sit down" to describe sitting on the couch to rest.
Verb
Verb vs noun vs adjective: nouns name things. Adjectives describe. Verbs express what happens or what IS. The test: can it take tense (walked, will walk)? Can it take -ing? Can it follow to as an infinitive (to walk)? Yes to any → verb. English often converts freely between classes (run = noun or verb), so context decides.
A verb = action/state/occurrence word. 5 forms (base, -s, past, past participle, -ing). Carries tense, aspect, mood, voice. The one required element in every sentence.
Diagnostic: does it change for tense (walk → walked)? Can you put to before it (to walk)? Does it take -ing (walking)? → verb.
Phrasal verb
Phrasal verb vs verb + preposition: a phrasal verb has a non-literal combined meaning (run into = meet by chance). A verb + preposition keeps its literal meaning (run into the room = physically run inside). The test: is the meaning predictable from the parts? No → phrasal verb. Yes → just a verb followed by a preposition.
Phrasal verbs combine verbs with particles/prepositions to create new meanings. They're the single biggest gap between textbook English and real native usage.
Diagnostic: can you guess the meaning from the individual words? No → phrasal verb (learn as unit). Yes → literal verb + preposition.
Particle
Particle vs preposition: same words (up, in, off, out), different jobs. A preposition has an object (look at the book). A particle changes the verb's meaning with no object attached (look up = search). Test: can you move it after the object? Look up the word / Look the word up → particle. Look at the word / Look the word at ❌ → preposition.
A particle is a small uninflected word: phrasal verb particles, infinitival to, negative not.
Diagnostic: does the small word change the verb's meaning and can it move? → particle. Does it head a prepositional phrase? → preposition.
Preposition
Preposition vs particle: same words (in, on, up, off), different jobs. A preposition links to a noun (look at the book). A particle changes verb meaning without a noun (give up = quit). Test: is there a noun/pronoun after it forming a prepositional phrase? → preposition. Does it change the verb's meaning? → particle in a phrasal verb.
A preposition = small word connecting a noun to the sentence (time, place, manner, relationship). Choice is idiomatic per verb/adjective combination.
Diagnostic: struggling with which preposition to use? It's almost never about logic — look up the specific verb/adjective + preposition combination.
Adverb
Adverb vs adjective: adjectives describe things; adverbs describe actions, qualities, or degrees. The mix-up usually happens after action verbs — she sings beautiful (wrong) vs she sings beautifully (right).
An adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb: incredibly fast, she spoke softly, we go often.
Diagnostic: ask what word is this describing? If it's a verb (an action) → adverb. If it's a noun (a thing) → adjective. Exception: linking verbs (be, seem, taste) take adjectives, not adverbs.
English Grammar Basics
Basics vs intermediate/advanced grammar: if you're unsure whether to study articles or conditionals, tense basics or reported speech — you need to check whether your foundations are solid first. Basics covers everything up to A2.
English Grammar Basics groups the core building blocks: nouns, verbs, adjectives, prepositions, present/past tenses, questions, and negation.
Diagnostic: if you still hesitate over she don't vs she doesn't, or a vs an — start here. Master these and intermediate topics stop feeling random.
A1 | Elementary | Beginners
A1 vs A2: A1 covers isolated survival phrases (Where is…?, I am…, How much?). A2 handles connected sentences about familiar routines and simple past events. If you can manage short fixed phrases but not string together original sentences about your day, you're still A1.
A1 is the entry level of the CEFR: greetings, introductions, numbers, basic present tense, and core function words.
Diagnostic: can you describe yesterday using past tense? No → A1. Yes → you're moving into A2.
Easy
Easy vs Medium vs Hard: Easy = one rule, obvious answer, A1–A2. Medium = one rule but realistic distractors, A2–B1. Hard = interacting rules, edge cases, B2+. Start Easy to check you have the basics before moving up.
The Easy tag filters for single-rule, short-sentence, common-vocabulary challenges designed for beginners or for anyone wanting a confidence check on fundamentals.
Diagnostic: if you get Easy questions wrong, stay here — your foundations need work. If they feel trivial, move to Medium.