Phrasal verbs are two or three word verbs whose meaning cannot be guessed easily. There are several phrasal verbs in English and they cause a great deal confusion.
This grammar exercise tests your understanding of common phrasal verbs.
Complete the following sentences using appropriate phrasal verbs. Choose your answers from the options given below.
1. We ……………….. from our vacation yesterday.
To get back is to return.
2. I ………………. an old friend of mine in the morning.
To come across somebody is to meet them by chance.
3. Please ………………… I will call father.
To hold on is to wait.
4. The accident ………………… near the post office.
Take place = happen
5. They ……………….. the meeting because of the chairman’s illness.
Both expressions are possible here with different meanings. To put something off is to postpone it. To call something off is to cancel it.
6. Please walk slowly. I can’t ………………… with you.
7. The boy ……………… a story to avoid punishment.
Make up = invent
8. She ……………… a hat because it was very hot.
To put on is to wear.
9. The boy was .............................. by his uncle.
Bring up = raise
10. The smell of hospitals ..................... me .......................
If something puts you off, you find it unpleasant.
Answers
1. We got back from our vacation yesterday. (get back = return)
2. I came across an old friend of mine in the morning. (come across = meet by chance)
3. Please hold on. I will call father. (hold on = wait)
4. The accident took place near the post office. (take place = happen, occur)
5. They called off the meeting because of the chairman’s illness. (call off = cancel)
6. Please walk slowly. I can’t keep up with you. (keep up = progress at the same speed)
7. The boy made up a story to avoid punishment. (make up = invent, create)
8. She put on a hat because it was very hot. (put on = wear)
9. The boy was brought up by his uncle.
10. The smell of hospitals puts me off.
