Free English Grammar - Mary Ansell 2000
Chapter 27. Phrasal verbs
A phrasal verb is an idiom which consists of a verb followed by a preposition, a verb followed by an adverb, or a verb followed by an adverb, followed by a preposition. The phrasal verbs in the following examples are printed in bold type.
e.g. I ran into an old friend.
We put off washing the dishes.
They all look up to him.
In these examples, the phrasal verb to run into consists of the verb to run followed by the preposition into, the phrasal verb to put off consists of the verb to put followed by the adverb off, and the phrasal verb to look up to consists of the verb to look followed by the adverb up, followed by the preposition to.
Many phrasal verbs are used more often in informal English than in formal English. In most cases, the ideas expressed by such phrasal verbs may also be expressed by other phrases which are more likely to be used in formal English.
For instance in the table below, the phrasal verbs used in the preceding examples are listed in the left hand column and other phrases with the same meanings are listed in the right-hand column.
Informal
to run into
to put off
to look up to
Formal
to meet unexpectedly
to postpone
to admire
It should be noted that the use of many phrasal verbs varies among the different dialects of English. For instance, in order to express the idea of contacting someone by means of the telephone, the expression to ring someone up is frequently used in British English; whereas the expression to call someone is frequently used in American English.
Because of differences in dialect, the forms of the verbs and the meanings given may vary from one dictionary to another. In addition, some phrasal verbs have more than one meaning. The meanings provided in this chapter are samples of meanings which are used in North American English.
1. Phrasal verbs consisting of a verb followed by a preposition
Some phrasal verbs consist of a verb followed by a preposition. As has been seen in previous chapters, it is very common for English verbs to be followed by prepositions. However, in the case of a phrasal verb, the verb followed by the preposition forms an expression with an idiomatic meaning.
For instance, the phrasal verb to come across is an idiomatic expression with the meaning to find. Similarly, the phrasal verb to frown on is an idiomatic expression with the meaning to disapprove of.
e.g. We came across an old diary while we were cleaning out the attic.
The workers frowned on the practice of smoking in the office.
It should be noted that some phrasal verbs consisting of a verb followed by a preposition can be used in the Passive Voice.
e.g. The practice of smoking in the office was frowned on by the workers.
The children were looked after by their aunt.
In these examples, the phrasal verbs to frown on and to look after are used in the Passive Voice.
The following are examples of phrasal verbs which consist of a verb followed by a preposition. Each phrasal verb is followed by its meaning and an example of its use.
See Exercise 1.
a. The position of the object of the preposition
The object of a preposition usually follows the preposition, whether the object is a noun or a pronoun. In the following examples, the objects are underlined.
e.g. We have launched into a new project.
We have launched into it.
In these examples, the noun project and the pronoun it are the objects of the preposition into of the phrasal verb to launch into. Both the noun object and the pronoun object follow the preposition.
See Exercise 2.
b. The position of an adverb of manner modifying the verb
If a verb is followed by a preposition, an adverb of manner may be placed between the verb and the preposition. In the following examples, the adverbs of manner are
underlined.
e.g. We reasoned patiently with the little girl.
I leafed quickly through the book.
In the first example, the adverb of manner patiently is placed between the verb reasoned and the preposition with of the phrasal verb to reason with. In the second example, the adverb of manner quickly is placed between the verb leafed and the preposition through of the phrasal verb to leaf through.
See Exercise 3.
c. Stress in spoken English
When a verb followed by a preposition occurs at the end of a clause, it is usually the verb which is stressed in spoken English. In the following examples, the words which are stressed are printed in bold type.
e.g. No one likes to be laughed at.
I need someone to confide in.
In the first example, the verb laughed followed by the preposition at occurs at the end of a clause, and the verb laughed is stressed. In the second example, the verb confide followed by the preposition in occurs at the end of a clause, and the verb confide is stressed.
It should be noted that, when used in a phrasal verb at the end of a clause, the prepositions after, into and over are often pronounced with somewhat greater emphasis than the verb. In this case, both the verb and the preposition are stressed. For example:
The twins are easy to look after.
The building would be difficult to break into.
You'll never guess whom I ran into.
I heard that someone was run over.
The prepositions above, across and through are also occasionally emphasized in this way. For example:
The research papers were difficult to wade through.
d. Expressions in which the verb has an object
In the case of some phrasal verbs consisting of a verb followed by a preposition, the verb and the preposition may each have an object. In the following examples, the objects are underlined.
e.g. I can make nothing of the situation.
We talked my sister into agreeing.
In the first example, the verb make of the phrasal verb to make of has the object nothing, and the preposition of has the object situation. In the second example, the verb talked of the phrasal verb to talk into has the object sister, and the preposition into has the object agreeing.
The following are examples of phrasal verbs consisting of a verb followed by a preposition, where the verb may have an object. The objects of the verbs are underlined. Each phrasal verb is followed by its meaning and an example of its use. The last example illustrates the use of the Passive Voice.
2. Phrasal verbs consisting of a verb followed by an adverb
Many phrasal verbs consist of a verb followed by an adverb. Some of these phrasal verbs are intransitive and some are transitive.
For instance, the intransitive phrasal verb to show up is formed from the verb to show followed by the adverb up. In the following example, the phrasal verb does not have an object.
At ten o'clock, her brother showed up.
The following are examples of intransitive phrasal verbs which consist of a verb followed by an adverb. Each phrasal verb is followed by its meaning and an example of its use.
See Exercise 4.
The transitive phrasal verb to sort out is formed from the verb to sort followed by the adverb out. For example:
We sorted out the papers.
In this example, the phrasal verb sorted out has the object papers.
The following are examples of transitive phrasal verbs which consist of a verb followed by an adverb. Each phrasal verb is followed by its meaning and an example of its use.
See Exercise 5.
a. The position of the object of the verb
In the case of transitive phrasal verbs consisting of a verb followed by an adverb, if the object of the verb is a noun, the object can usually either follow or precede the adverb. In the following examples, the objects are underlined.
e.g. I called off the meeting.
I called the meeting off.
In the first example the object meeting follows the adverb off, while in the second example the object meeting precedes the adverb off.
However, in the case of a few phrasal verbs, a noun object must usually follow the adverb.
e.g. We attempted to smooth over the disagreement.
In this example, the phrasal verb to smooth over is followed by the noun object disagreement. In this case, the object disagreement cannot be placed before the adverb over.
The following are examples of transitive phrasal verbs where a noun object must usually follow the adverb. Each phrasal verb is accompanied by its meaning and an example of its use. The objects of the verbs are underlined.
In the case of transitive phrasal verbs consisting of a verb followed by an adverb, if the object of the verb is a pronoun, the object must usually precede the adverb. In the following examples, the pronoun objects are underlined.
e.g. I called it off.
We attempted to smooth it over.
In these examples, the pronoun object it precedes the adverbs off and over.
See Exercise 6.
Most transitive phrasal verbs may be used in the Passive Voice.
e.g. The meeting was called off by me.
The disagreement was smoothed over.
In these examples, the phrasal verbs to call off and to smooth over are used in the Passive Voice.
b. The position of an adverb of manner modifying the verb
In the case of a phrasal verb consisting of a verb followed by an adverb, the verb and the adverb usually may not be separated by an adverb of manner. In the following example, the adverb of manner is underlined.
e.g. I hurriedly called off the meeting.
In this example, the adverb of manner hurriedly precedes the phrasal verb called off. The adverb hurriedly may also be placed at the beginning or the end of the sentence, but may not be placed between the verb called and the adverb off.
c. Stress in spoken English
When a phrasal verb consisting of a verb followed by an adverb occurs at the end of a clause, it is usually the adverb which is stressed in spoken English. In the following examples, the words which are stressed are printed ion bold type.
e.g. How did that come about?
Please drop in whenever you have time.
In the first example, the verb come followed by the adverb about occurs at the end of a clause, and the adverb about is stressed. In the second example, the verb drop followed by the adverb in occurs at the end of a clause, and the adverb in is stressed.
d. Ergative verbs
It should be noted that there are a few phrasal verbs consisting of a verb followed by an adverb, which have the same meaning whether they are used transitively or intransitively. For example:
The engineer slowed down the train.
The train slowed down.
In the first example, the phrasal verb to slow down is used transitively, with the object train. In the second example, the phrasal verb to slow down is used intransitively, without naming the originator of the action. In these two examples, it can be seen that the object of the transitive verb is the subject of the intransitive verb. However, the general meaning of the two sentences is the same. Verbs which can be used in this way may be referred to as ergative verbs.
The following are examples of expressions which can function as ergative phrasal verbs. Each ergative phrasal verb is followed by its meaning and examples of its use.
3. Distinguishing between verbs followed by prepositions and verbs followed by adverbs
It has been seen that the position of pronoun objects, adverbs of manner and stress in spoken English varies according to whether a verb is followed by a preposition or by an adverb.
These differences are summarized in the following table. The verbs to sit and to turn are used as examples. The verb to sit is followed by on used as a preposition, whereas the verb to turn is followed by on used as an adverb.
Verb followed by Preposition
Pronoun object is placed
after the preposition:
I sat on it.
Adverb of manner may be placed
between verb and preposition:
I sat quietly on it.
Verb is stressed:
This is what I sat on.
Verb followed by Adverb
Pronoun object is placed
before the adverb:
I turned it on.
Adverb of manner may not be
placed between verb and adverb:
I quietly turned it on.
Adverb is stressed:
This is what I turned on.
Because of the differences summarized above, it is important to be able to distinguish between a verb followed by a preposition, and a verb followed by an adverb.
a. Adverb phrases of location compared with phrasal verbs followed by objects
In many cases, it is necessary to distinguish between an ordinary verb followed by an adverb phrase of location, and a phrasal verb followed by an object.
e.g. I turned up the street.
I turned up the volume.
In the first example, the verb turned is followed by the adverb phrase of location up the street. In the second example, the phrasal verb turned up is followed by the object volume. In this example, the phrasal verb turned up has the meaning increased.
In the first example, street is the object of the preposition up. If the object is changed to a pronoun, the pronoun must follow the preposition:
I turned up the street.
I turned up it.
In the second example, volume is the object of the phrasal verb turned up. If the object is changed to a pronoun, the pronoun must precede the adverb up.
I turned up the volume.
I turned it up.
In the first example, if the verb is modified by an adverb of manner, the adverb of manner may precede the adverb phrase of location:
I turned up the street.
I turned quickly up the street.
In the second example, if the verb is modified by an adverb of manner, the adverb of manner may not be placed between the two parts of the phrasal verb:
I turned up the volume.
I quickly turned up the volume.
See Exercises 7 and 8.
b. Words used as prepositions or adverbs
It is also necessary to be able to distinguish between a phrasal verb consisting of a verb followed by a preposition, and a phrasal verb consisting of a transitive verb followed by an adverb. In many cases it is possible to make the distinction by means of the preposition or adverb following the verb.
For example, the following words are used in phrasal verbs as prepositions, but are not usually used in phrasal verbs as adverbs following transitive verbs:
after
at
by
from
of
toward
without
against
before
for
into
to
with
In contrast, the following words are used in phrasal verbs as adverbs following transitive verbs, but are not usually used in phrasal verbs as prepositions:
along
away
behind
forward
together
aside
back
down
out
up
It should be noted that of these words, aside, away, back, forward, out and together are usually never used as prepositions. In contrast, the words along, behind, down and up are often used as prepositions, but are not usually used as prepositions in phrasal verbs.
See Exercises 9 and 10.
The following words present more difficulty, since they can be used in phrasal verbs both as prepositions and as adverbs following transitive verbs:
across
in
on or upon
through
around or round
off
over
Thus, it is advisable to study which phrasal verbs use these words as prepositions, and which phrasal verbs use these words as adverbs. The following table gives examples of phrasal verbs containing each of these words. The left hand column gives phrasal verbs consisting of verbs followed by prepositions, while the right- hand column gives phrasal verbs consisting of transitive verbs followed by adverbs.
Words used as Prepositions or Adverbs
Verb + Preposition
come across
cut across
Transitive Verb + Adverb
get across (an idea)
put across (an idea)
run across
stumble across
Verb + Preposition
hang around
lounge around
mill around
pass around
rally round
show around
Transitive Verb + Adverb
bring round
Verb + Preposition
confide in
deal in
join in
Transitive Verb + Adverb
break in
breathe in
call in
fill in
hand in
phase in
rope in
take in
trade in
Verb + Preposition
glance off
keep off
warn off
Transitive Verb + Adverb
call off
fend off
give off
lay off
pair off
pension off
polish off
pull off
put off
reel off
sell off
shrug off
turn off
write off
Verb + Preposition
bank on
border on
build on
call on
come upon
count on
dawn on
decide on
dwell on
enlarge on
expand on
frown on
grow on
hinge on
live on
pick on
prey on
reckon on
survive on
thrust upon
touch on
verge on
Transitive Verb + Adverb
cheer on
hand on
try on
turn on
Verb + Preposition
get over
go over
run over
watch over
Transitive Verb + Adverb
take over
talk over
think over
paper over
smooth over
Verb + Preposition
break through
get through
go through
leaf through
look through
sail through
scrape through
see through
sit through
wade through
Transitive Verb + Adverb
pull through
See Exercise 11.
4. Phrasal verbs consisting of a verb followed by a word which may function either as an adverb or as a preposition
Some phrasal verbs consist of an intransitive verb followed by a word which may function either as an adverb or as a preposition. For example:
We passed by.
We passed by the library.
In the first example, the word by of the phrasal verb passed by functions as an adverb. In the second example, the word by of the phrasal verb passed by functions as a preposition which has the object library.
The following are examples of phrasal verbs which contain words which may function either as adverbs or as prepositions. Each phrasal verb is followed by its meaning and examples of its use. The objects of the prepositions are underlined.
a. Expressions in which the verb has an object
There are a few phrasal verbs consisting of a verb followed by a word which may function either as an adverb or as a preposition, where the verb may have an object. In the following examples the objects are underlined.
e.g. We passed the candies around.
We passed the candies around the class.
In each of these examples, the verb passed of the phrasal verb to pass around has the object candies. In the first example, the word around functions as an adverb, while in the second example, the word around functions as a preposition with the object class.
The following are examples of phrasal verbs consisting of a verb followed by a word which may function either as an adverb or as a preposition, where the verb may have an object. Each phrasal verb is followed by its meaning and examples of its use. The objects of the verbs and prepositions are underlined. The last example illustrates the use of the Passive Voice.
5. Phrasal verbs consisting of a verb followed by an adverb followed by a preposition
There are several commonly used phrasal verbs which consist of a verb, followed by an adverb, followed by a preposition. For example:
I went along with the idea.
In this example, the phrasal verb went along with consists of the verb to go, followed by the adverb along, followed by the preposition with which has the object idea.
The following table gives examples of phrasal verbs which consist of a verb, followed by an adverb, followed by a preposition. Each phrasal verb is followed by its meaning and an example of its use.
See Exercise 12.
a. Expressions in which the verb has an object
There are a few phrasal verbs consisting of a verb, followed by an adverb, followed by a preposition, where the verb may have an object. In the following example, the objects are underlined.
e.g. We played them off against each other.
In this example, the verb played of the phrasal verb to play off against has the object them, while the preposition against has the object each other.
The following are examples of phrasal verbs consisting of a verb, followed by an adverb, followed by a preposition, where the verb may have an object. Each phrasal verb is followed by its meaning and an example of its use. The objects of the phrasal verbs are underlined.
Grammar Home I Table of Contents I Alphabetical Index I Next Chapter Exercises
Exercises for Chapter 27
1. For each of the following sentences, substitute the appropriate phrasal verb given in brackets for the underlined word or phrase. For example:
I will request a bus schedule. (ask for, stand for)
I will ask for a bus schedule.
Don't worry. They won't make fun of you. (call on, laugh at)
Don't worry. They won't laugh at you.
1. She resembles her mother. (looks after, takes after)
2. We perused the report. (sided with, waded through)
3. I will adhere to what I said before. (burst into, stick to)
4. We will demand a review of the situation. (call for, guard against)
5. His parents disapprove of his participating in so many extracurricular activities. (bank on, frown on)
6. Without hesitating, she started her speech. (launched into, hinged on)
7. I am depending on your support. (counting on, picking on)
8. He will take care of everything. (look after, settle for)
9. What do these initials represent? (provide for, stand for)
10. All of our plans depend on the availability of transportation. (hinge on, touch on) Answers
2. Rewrite the following sentences, changing the object of the preposition to a pronoun. For example:
He lived on a small allowance.
He lived on it.
I sided with my brother.
I sided with him.
1. We are counting on our friends.
2. Will you stick to the agreement?
3. She takes after her grandmother.
4. No one has tampered with the letters.
5. Yesterday I ran into your uncle.
6. They saw through the plot.
7. He cut across the vacant lot.
8. I confided in my niece.
Answers
3. For each of the following sentences, place the adverb of manner given in brackets between the verb and the preposition. For example:
He deals in rare stamps. (exclusively)
He deals exclusively in rare stamps.
The introduction touches on the main points. (briefly)
The introduction touches briefly on the main points.
1. He dealt with every objection to his plan. (confidently)
2. She sided with her friend. (unhesitatingly)
3. We cut across the lawn. (quickly)
4. Since we were very hungry, we settled for bread and potatoes. (uncomplainingly)
5. I leafed through the material. (rapidly)
6. They watched over the children. (patiently)
7. You cannot survive on tea and biscuits. (solely)
8. We entered into the discussion. (eagerly)
Answers
4. For each of the following sentences, substitute the appropriate phrasal verb given in brackets for the underlined word or phrase. For example:
He will leave tomorrow morning. (level off, set off)
He will set off tomorrow morning.
The storm will soon pass. (blow over, boil over)
The storm will soon blow over.
1. I hope she arrives soon. (stays up, shows up)
2. He usually sleeps after lunch. (buckles down, nods off)
3. We saw the plane land. (settle down, touch down)
4. I told her to beware. (pass out, watch out)
5. Someone should intervene before the situation gets worse. (pull in, step in)
6. They waited until the train left. (logged off, pulled out)
7. Don't let them escape. (get away, wear off)
8. We were worried when she fainted. (moved out, passed out)
9. The barometric pressure has stopped rising. (leveled off, settled in)
10. I hope you will all help. (give in, pitch in)
Answers
5. For each of the following sentences, substitute the appropriate phrasal verb given in brackets for the underlined word or phrase. For example:
He refused to support what I had said. (back up, hold back)
He refused to back up what I had said.
The game was canceled because of the rain. (called off, phased out)
The game was called off because of the rain.
1. He raised a difficult question. (brought up, filled up)
2. She is good at assessing people. (buttering up, sizing up)
3. We should de-emphasize the dangers of the situation. (hand down, play down)
4. I am returning the raincoat I borrowed. (backing up, giving back)
5. The wine had been diluted. (played down, watered down)
6. I want to organize my photographs. (sort out, try out)
7. We discussed the situation. (shouted down, talked over)
8. May I test your bicycle? (point out, try out)
9. You can collect the tickets at the box office. (fill up, pick up)
10. I erased the notes in the margins of the book. (bailed out, rubbed out)
11. Do you think they invented the whole story? (hung up, made up)
12. She summarized what we had learned so far. (sounded out, summed up)
Answers
6. The following sentences contain transitive phrasal verbs which consist of verbs followed by adverbs. Rewrite each sentence, changing the object of the verb to a pronoun, and placing the pronoun object in the correct position in the sentence. For example:
I picked up the clothes.
I picked them up.
1. We ironed out the difficulties.
2. She called up her sister.
3. We sent back the material.
4. He sent out the invitations.
5. I gave away the bicycle.
6. She brought along her younger brother.
7. We wrote down the answer.
8. She let in the cats.
9. He turned over the stone.
10. We emptied out the baskets.
Answers
7. For each of the following sentences, determine whether the underlined object indicates where the action took place, or what was acted upon, and fill in the blank with where or what, as appropriate. Then rewrite the sentence, changing the object to a pronoun, and placing the pronoun object in the correct position in the sentence.
If the object indicates where, place the pronoun object after the preposition; however, if the object indicates what, place the pronoun object before the adverb. For example:
I looked up the staircase. ...
I looked up the staircase. where
I looked up it.
I looked up the word. ...
I looked up the word. what
I looked it up.
1. I turned off the light. ...
2. She walked into the room. ...
3. He climbed up the ladder. ...
4. They sent in the report. ...
5. Children should not play on the road. ...
6. We set off the fireworks. ...
7. Please put on some music. ...
8. We turned off the main road. ...
9. I cut up the cake. ...
10. The plane flew over the lake. ...
11. She lives down the street. ...
12. Please pass on the information. ...
13. He put down the box. ...
14. They work in this building. ...
15. The ball rolled down the hill. ...
16. We handed over the document. ...
17. He walked off the stage. ...
18. She turned down the offer. ...
19. They sat on the floor. ...
20. I wound up the clock. ...
Answers
8. Following the instructions for the previous exercise, fill in each blank with where or what. Then rewrite each sentence to include the adverb of manner given in brackets. If the object indicates where, place the adverb of manner between the verb and the preposition; however, if the object indicates what, place the adverb of manner before the verb. For example:
I walked across the bridge. ... (quickly)
I walked across the bridge. where
I walked quickly across the bridge.
We tidied up the papers. ... (hurriedly)
We tidied up the papers. what
We hurriedly tidied up the papers.
1. The car slipped off the road. ... (suddenly)
2. We lifted up the buckets. ... (wearily)
3. The cable cars moved up the hill. ... (slowly)
4. She let down the dress. ... (carefully)
5. The book had been placed on the table. ... (neatly)
6. He was leaning against the wall. ... (idly)
7. She filed away the new material. ... (methodically)
8. We shut off the power. ... (hastily)
9. They closed up the cottage. ... (sadly)
10. The swallows flew over our house. ... (swiftly)
Answers
9. Paying attention to whether the last word in the clause is a preposition or an adverb, for each of the following sentences, underline the word which would usually be stressed in spoken English. For example:
Why did you go out?
Why did you go out?
This is what you asked for.
This is what you asked for.
1. What time did you get up?
2. What are you looking at?
3. The following idea has been put forward.
4. Which group did you come with?
5. What are they searching for?
6. Is he moving away?
7. What kind of music do you like to listen to?
8. When did you get back?
9. How did he find out?
10. When you look at this picture, what are you reminded of?
11. Which diving board did she jump from?
12. Why did you jump back?
Answers
10. For each of the following sentences, paying attention to whether the word following the verb is usually used as a preposition or as an adverb in a phrasal verb, change the object to a pronoun object and place it in the correct position in the sentence. For example:
How did you deal with the situation?
How did you deal with it?
We put away the books.
We put them away.
1. Let us look into the possibility.
2. Who brought up the question?
3. Remember to rub out the mistakes.
4. Perhaps we can reason with your uncle.
5. They had to turn away twenty people.
6. We have scaled down our operation.
7. She looked after the baby girl.
8. Remember to stick to the plan.
9. Did you give back the dictionary?
10. How did you dispose of their objections?
11. We confided in her sister.
12. Have you figured out the answer?
Answers
11. For each of the following sentences, paying attention to whether the phrasal verb consists of a verb followed by a preposition or a verb followed by an adverb, change the object to a pronoun, and place it in the correct position in the sentence. For example:
Squirrels can survive on nuts.
Squirrels can survive on them.
Did you try on the new shoes?
Did you try them on?
1. I know I can count on my friends.
2. They put off the rehearsal.
3. I stumbled across an interesting story.
4. He is good at putting across his ideas.
5. We watched over the children.
6. She hung around the museum.
7. I would like to hand on the responsibility.
8. She leafed through the exercises.
9. I came across a city map.
10. Would you like to think over the proposal?
11. Are you going to trade in your old machine?
12. All our plans hinge on the weather.
Answers
12. For each of the following sentences, substitute the appropriate phrasal verb given in brackets for the underlined word or phrase. For example:
Don't try to avoid it. (walk away with, wriggle out of)
Don't try to wriggle out of it.
1. What does that amount to? (add up to, lead up to)
2. He is trying to compensate for the time he lost. (look out for, make up for)
3. I want to continue my studies. (carry on with, get in on)
4. We want to focus on new developments. (fall back on, zero in on)
5. Do you think you can overtake the others? (catch up with, look down on)
6. We want to abolish the waiting period. (come down to, do away with)
7. The tenants had to tolerate noisy conditions. (get away with, put up with)
8. I developed spots after walking through a patch of poison ivy. (brushed up on, came out in)
9. He admires his older brother. (looks up to, sticks up for)
10. You should reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke per day. (cut back on, zero in on)
11. The problem urgently requires a solution. (adds up to, cries out for)
12. She always defends her friends. (holds out for, sticks up for) Answers
Answers to the exercises for Chapter 27
Answers to Exercise 1:
1. She takes after her mother. 2. We waded through the report. 3. I will stick to what I said before. 4. We will call for a review of the situation. 5. His parents frown on his participating in so many extracurricular activities. 6. Without hesitating, she launched into her speech. 7. I am counting on your support. 8. He will look after everything. 9. What do these initials stand for? 10. All of our plans hinge on the availability of transportation.
Answers to Exercise 2:
1. We are counting on them. 2. Will you stick to it? 3. She takes after her. 4. No one has tampered with them. 5. Yesterday I ran into him. 6. They saw through it. 7. He cut across it. 8. I confided in her.
Answers to Exercise 3:
1. He dealt confidently with every objection to his plan. 2. She sided unhesitatingly with her friend. 3. We cut quickly across the lawn. 4. Since we were very hungry, we settled uncomplainingly for bread and potatoes. 5. I leafed rapidly through the material. 6. They watched patiently over the children. 7. You cannot survive solely on tea and biscuits. 8. We entered eagerly into the discussion.
Answers to Exercise 4:
1. I hope she shows up soon. 2. He usually nods off after lunch. 3. We saw the plane touch down. 4. I told her to watch out. 5. Someone should step in before the situation gets worse. 6. They waited until the train pulled out. 7. Don't let them get away. 8. We were worried when she passed out. 9. The barometric pressure has leveled off. 10. I hope you will all pitch in.
Answers to Exercise 5:
1. He brought up a difficult question. 2. She is good at sizing up people. 3. We should play down the dangers of the situation. 4. I am giving back the raincoat I borrowed. 5. The wine has been watered down. 6. I want to sort out my photographs. 7. We talked over the situation. 8. May I try out your bicycle? 9. You can pick up the tickets at the box office. 10. I rubbed out the notes in the margins of the book. 11. Do you think they made up the whole story? 12. She summed up what we had learned so far.
Answers to Exercise 6:
1. We ironed them out. 2. She called her up. 3. We sent it back. 4. He sent them out. 5. I gave it away. 6. She brought him along. 7. We wrote it down. 8. She let them in. 9. He turned it over. 10. We emptied them out.
Answers to Exercise 7:
1. what: I turned it off. 2. where: She walked into it. 3. where: He climbed up it. 4. what: They sent it in. 5. where: Children should not play on it. 6. what: We set them off. 7. what: Please put it on. 8. where: We turned off it. 9. what: I cut it up. 10. where: The plane flew over it. 11. where: She lived down it. 12. what: Please pass it on. 13. what: He put it down. 14. where: They work in it. 15. where: The ball rolled down it. 16. what: We handed it over. 17. where: He walked off it. 18. what: She turned it down. 19. where: They sat on it. 20. what: I wound it up.
Answers to Exercise 8:
1. where: The car slipped suddenly off the road. 2. what: We wearily lifted up the buckets. 3. where: The cable cars moved slowly up the hill. 4. what: She carefully let down the dress. 5. where: The book had been placed neatly on the table. 6. where: He was leaning idly against the wall. 7. what: She methodically filed away the new material. 8. what: We hastily shut off the power. 9. what: They sadly closed up the cottage. 10. where: The swallows flew swiftly over our house.
Answers to Exercise 9:
1. What time did you get up? 2. What are you looking at? 3. The following idea has been put forward. 4. Which group did you come with? 5. What are they searching for? 6. Is he moving away? 7. What kind of music do you like to listen to? 8. When did you get back? 9. How did he find out? 10. When you look at this picture, what are you reminded of? 11. Which diving board did she jump from? 12. Why did you jump back?
Answers to Exercise 10:
1. Let us look into it. 2. Who brought it up? 3. Remember to rub them out. 4. Perhaps we can reason with him. 5. They had to turn them away. 6. We have scaled it down. 7. She looked after her. 8. Remember to stick to it. 9. Did you give it back? 10. How did you dispose of them? 11. We confided in her. 12. Have you figured it out?
Answers to Exercise 11:
1. I know I can count on them. 2. They put it off. 3. I stumbled across it. 4. He is good at putting them across. 5. We watched over them. 6. She hung around it. 7. I would like to hand it on. 8. She leafed through them. 9. I came across it. 10. Would you like to think it over? 11. Are you going to trade it in? 12. All our plans hinge on it.
Answers to Exercise 12:
1. What does that add up to? 2. He is trying to make up for the time he lost. 3. I want to carry on with my studies. 4. We want to zero in on new developments. 5. Do you think you can catch up with the others? 6. We want to do away with the waiting period. 7. The tenants had to put up with noisy conditions. 8. I came out in spots after walking through a patch of poison ivy. 9. He looks up to his older brother. 10. You should cut back on the number of cigarettes you smoke per day. 11. The problem cries out for a solution. 12. She always sticks up for her friends.