Phrasal verbs with about | Grammar exercise
Complete the following sentences.
1. Jealousy in a relationship is often ——— by a lack of trust.
a) brought about
b) come about
c) lay about
d) get about
2. The officer admitted that he had no idea how the mistakes ——–.
a) came about
b) brought about
c) got about
d) laid about
3. Granny is finding it much more difficult to ——– these days.
a) go about
b) come about
c) get about
d) lay about
4. News certainly ——— quickly in these parts!
a) falls about
b) comes about
c) brings about
c) gets about
5. How can we ——– solving this problem?
a) get about
b) go about
c) bring about
d) fall about
6. Despite the bomb scare most people ……………………. their business as usual.
a) came about
b) went about
c) fell about
d) brought about
7. She ——— the thief with her stick after she saw him breaking a window.
a) laid about
b) fell about
c) brought about
d) got about
8. The wind was getting much stronger so the captain decided to ——– and return to port.
a) put about
b) fall about
c) bring about
d) lay about
9. It’s getting late – I’d better ——– dinner.
a) put about
b) lay about
c) go about
d) see about
10. I’d like to help, but what’s the best way to ——— it?
a) put about
b) lay about
c) see about
d) go about
Answers
1. Jealousy in a relationship is often brought about by a lack of trust. (To bring about something or to bring something about is to make something happen.)
2. The officer admitted that he had no idea how the mistakes came about. (When you say how or why something comes about, you explain how or why it happens.)
3. Granny is finding it much more difficult to get about these days. (To get about is to be able to go to different places without difficulty, especially if you are old or have been ill.)
4. News certainly gets about quickly in these parts! (If news or information gets about, a lot of people hear about it.)
5. How can we go about solving this problem? (To go about something is to start to do something or deal with something.)
6. In spite of last night’s bomb blasts most people seem to be going about their business as usual. (To go about something is to continue with an activity.)
7. She laid about the thief with her stick after she saw him breaking a window. (To lay about somebody is to attack him or her.)
8. The wind was getting much stronger so the captain decided to put about and return to port. (If a ship or boat puts about it turns around.)
9. It’s getting late – I’d better see about dinner. (To see about something is to deal with something or to arrange for something to be done.)
10. I’d like to help, but what’s the best way to go about it? (To go about something is to start to do something or deal with something.)
