Two-Word Verbs

Some verbs are followed by a preposition or adverb particle.

• They have put off the meeting.
• I ran into an old friend of mine yesterday.
• They worked hard to put out the fire.
• Please take your shoes off.

Expressions like these are called phrasal verbs. The meaning of a phrasal verb can be very different from the meanings of the two words taken separately.

Some phrasal verbs may have both an adverb particle and a preposition. Examples are: get along with and put up with.

• She does not get along with her colleagues.
• We all look up to him.

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate phrasal verb.

1. He was ……………………….. by his grandmother. (brought on / brought up)
2. They have ……………………….. the wedding. (called on / called off)
3. The car ………………………….. on my way home. (broke up / broke down)
4. Cholera has ………………………… in the city. (broken out / broken up)
5. He cannot put …………………………… injustice. (up with / out with)

Answers

1. He was brought up by his grandmother.
2. They have called off the wedding.
3. The car broke down on my way home.
4. Cholera has broken out in the city.
5. He cannot put up with injustice.