CAMBRIDGE
ENGLISH VOCABULARY IN USE ADVANCED
UNIT 95
Brushing up on phrasal verbs
A
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Learning
phrasal verbs
There
are a great many phrasal verbs in English and many learners find them
particularly difficult to master. The best way to learn them is in context.
When you come across [meet] one, write it down in an example sentence.
There
are a couple of important points to remember about phrasal verbs. Firstly, a
verb + preposition/particle combination may have more than one meaning. Come
across, for example, can also mean give an impression of being, as
in: He can come across as unfriendly when you first meet him. Come
over can also be used with the same meaning, as in: He can come over as
unfriendly.
Secondly,
it is sensible to concentrate first on understanding phrasal verbs rather
than using them. There is usually an alternative way in which you can say the
same thing using a single verb. So, for example, instead of put forward a
plan you can propose a plan, and instead of rush into a
decision you can make a hasty decision.
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B
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The
verb
A
very large number of phrasal verbs are formed using common verbs such as come,
do, get or go, for instance. Here are some more examples
with come. I hope our plans to visit Russia come off. [happen
successfully] Sandro’s family came over from Italy for the wedding. [travel
to one place from another]
I
wouldn’t usually say something like that. I don’t know what came over me.
[influence someone to behave in a particular way]
The
proposal has come under a lot of criticism. [experience something
(usually unpleasant)]
If
the opportunity to work in the US comes up, you must take it. [occur
unexpectedly]
Our
plan has come up against some obstacles. [have to deal with a problem
or difficulty]
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C
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The
preposition/particle
The
second part of a phrasal verb is a preposition or particle. This can
sometimes help you understand the meaning of the phrasal verb. For example, on
can often convey an idea of continuing over a period of time.
Selina
decided to stay on at university and do a Master’s degree. [remain]
Try
not to dwell on the past. [keep thinking about, usually something
unpleasant]
I
didn’t expect platform shoes to catch on. [become popular]
I
wish she’d stop going on about her new car. [talking at length]
The
crowd was urging the runners on. [encouraging]
The
weather was terrible but the climbers pressed on regardless. [continued
in a determined way]
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D
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Phrasal
verbs in topics
It
can be useful to learn phrasal verbs in sets connected with a topic. Here,
for example, are some from the context of work:
I
need to brush up on my computer skills for my new job. [improve
knowledge of something already learnt but partly forgotten]
The
company laid off half its staff during the recession. [stopped
employing]
Tomorrow’s
meeting has been called off because Jack is ill. [cancelled]
Sasha
has thrown himself into his new job. [start doing something with great
energy]
It
took me a few weeks to settle in at my new office. [feel relaxed and
happy]
It
took me ages to put together the report. [prepare by collecting
information from several sources]
Language
help
When
you learn a phrasal verb, note down the positions of the preposition/particle
and the object, if there is one. For
example, you can say put a report together or put together a report,
but you can only say rush into a decision (NOT
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EXERCISES
95.1
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Reword
these sentences using a phrasal verb with come.
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95.2
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Complete
the sentences with a verb, using the appropriate form.
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95.3
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Do
these sentences have the correct preposition or particle? If not, correct
them.
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95.4
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Which
of the phrasal verbs on the opposite page can have the preposition or
particle either before or after the object? Write the verbs in phrases both
ways using one of these objects.
example
urge a team on – urge on a team
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95.5
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These
sentences use some other phrasal verbs. Can you work out what the verbs mean from
the context? Match the phrasal verbs in the sentences with the definitions in
the box.
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ANSWER KEY
95.1
1
Meena can come across/over as a little arrogant, but she’s just
shy.
2 Charlie was quick to take advantage of a chance for promotion that came up at his workplace. 3 The project was going well until we came up against some legal problems. 4 I came across some lovely old photos when I was sorting some boxes yesterday. 5 I’m afraid it looks as if our plans to move to a new flat may not come off. 6 Something strange came over me and I shouted at him angrily.
95.2
1
going
2 dwell 3 press 4 stay 5 caught 6 urge
95.3
1
Do you think the company will have to lay any staff off?
2 I learnt Spanish at school but need to brush it up before I go to Spain. 3 Correct 4 If you rush into a decision, you may regret it later. 5 We’ll have to call off tomorrow’s picnic if the weather is bad. 6 The family soon settled in to their new flat in the city. 7 I love the way Katie always throws herself into everything she does. 8 Correct
95.4
These
verbs can have the particle before or after the object:
to brush up a skill – brush a skill up to put together a report – put a report together to lay off staff – lay staff off to call off a meeting – call a meeting off to put a plan forward – put forward a plan
95.5
1
abolish
2 start to work 3 waste time 4 occur 5 delay 6 criticise 7 explode 8 not tell |
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