Basic English Phrasal Verbs (Pre-Intermediate to Intermediate)

Students - Read the Phrasal Verb List and Take the Quiz!

This is a list of 57 basic phrasal verbs for intermediate students. I am North American, so these verbs are especially common in North America. You can see the list below. After you study the list, play the new Barton Phrasal Verb Quiz to test your knowledge!

A key laying atop a book

What's a Phrasal Verb?

A phrasal verb is like an idiom -- it is a phrase that has a special meaning. Phrasal verbs have a main verb and another word that is usually either an adverb or a preposition. Here are some examples:

  • Let's get together on Tuesday. (main verb + adverb)
  • I decided to put off the meeting until next week. (main verb + preposition)

Phrasal verbs are very common in spoken English, especially in informal (casual) speech.

ESL Teachers - A Resource

If you have pre/lower-intermediate students or intermediate students who want to learn English phrasal verbs, then these materials are a good starting point. I compiled a list of 57 basic English phrasal verbs that every student should learn.

I've created two documents that can be found below.

1) Basic English Phrasal Verb List

Download: EC-Phrasal-verbs-Intermediate-list.doc (note: does not contain phrasal verb definitions)

This is a list of the phrasal verbs with an example sentence showing their usage. This may be all you need. Print this off and go over half a page or so per class. Your students will likely already know some of them. I am North American, so naturally, this list contains phrasal verbs that are most familiar to English speakers in North America.

Advice

  • Don't try to teach all of the phrasal verbs right away! Do half a page at a time and finish them off over the course of several classes.
  • Maybe save 15 minutes of class to study phrasal verbs. Don't spend a whole class on phrasal verbs.
  • Always review the phrasal verbs you studied in the previous class. Here is a good warm-up activity (requiring pictures) to review them.
  • After you have taught 10 or so phrasal verbs, do this role-play activity to give your students a chance to use the expressions in conversation.

Here is the Pre-Intermediate to Intermediate English Phrasal Verbs list:

calm down
"Calm down, Mike. There's no need to yell."
Definition

= to get control of your emotions

hold on
The secretary asked me to hold on while she checked her computer.
Definition

=to wait (while someone does something)

get along
I don't really get along with my boss.
Definition

=to have a good relationship with sb

give up
After an hour, Mike gave up. He couldn't fix the computer.
Definition

= to stop trying (to do sth)

grow up
I want to be a fireman when I grow up.
Definition

=to become a (mature) adult

fill out
"Please fill out this form."
Definition

=to complete by writing

break down
The stupid printer has broken down again.
Definition

= to stop working; to become inoperable

pass out
People were passing out flyers in front of the station.
Definition

=to distribute, to give sth to people by hand. (note: same as "hand out")

get together
Everyone from class is getting together tonight at 7 p.m.
Definition

=to meet or gather as a group

work out
Bryan likes to work out at least five times a week.
Definition

=to exercise to make your muscles stronger

make up
I didn't have an excuse, so I made one up.
Definition

= to invent sth, e.g. a story or game

pass away
My grandfather passed away at the age of 98.
Definition

=to die (note: this expression is softer and more polite than 'die')

break up
Mark and Kate are always fighting. They should break up.
Definition

= to end a relationship with someone

eat out
I'm trying to save money. I don't eat out anymore.
Definition

= to go to a restaurant for breakfast/lunch/dinner

hang up
Kate hung up on me. She didn't want to speak anymore.
Definition

=to put down the phone to end a conversation

check out
"Hey, check out that man over there. He's huge!."
Definition

=to look at sth

figure out
No one could figure out where the ninja went.
Definition

= to find the answer to sth by thinking carefully

cheer up
Brenda looked sad, so I told her a joke to cheer her up.
Definition

= to make sb feel happier; to feel happier

look after
I agreed to look after Renee's dog while she is away.
Definition

=to take care of sth; to care for sth

shut up
"Shut up, Lisa! I can't hear the TV!" (note: impolite expression)
Definition

= to be quiet (strong/impolite)

look out
"Look out -- there's a deer on the road!"
Definition

= to look up in order to see something dangerous

run out
The boys ran out of beer so they walked to the store to get some more.
Definition

=to no longer have enough of something you need

check in
We checked in to our hotel at 2 pm.
Definition

= to register after arriving at the hotel or airport

deal with
We have a big problem today that we need to deal with before we go home.
Definition

=to handle, or manage a situation or problem

pick up
I have to pick up my girlfriend at the airport at 8 p.m.
Definition

=to go somewhere to get sth; to collect sb

drop off
I need to drop off a book at the library.
Definition

=to take sb to a place they want to go to, or deliver sth to a place

end up
After college, and then two years in the military, Mark ended up in Taiwan.
Definition

=to finally finish in a certain position/situation, especially without planning it.

go on
The mountain climber could no longer go on. It was too cold.
Definition

=to continue

set on doing sth
Jason is set on becoming an Olympic wrestler. That's all he talks about.
Definition

=to be firmly decided to do something

tie up
I was tied up so I couldn't answer the phone.
Definition

= to be too busy to do sth else

beat up
A tourist was beaten up last night in Central Park.
Definition

=to physically hurt sb in a fight

catch up
After her vacation, it took Janice all morning to catch up on her e-mails.
Definition

=to go from behind to where you should be; to reach sb ahead of you

cut back on sth
The doctor told Alan to cut back on fatty foods.
Definition

=to use less of sth; to consume less of sth

cut sth out
"Bobby, can you cut it out?? The sound your making is annoying."
Definition

=to stop doing sth (usually sth stupid/unreasonable)

find out sth
Yesterday, Mark found out that his wife has been cheating on him.
Definition

=to learn something new; to discover sth

do over
I had to do my report over because my computer crashed.
Definition

=to do again

go ahead
"A: Can we start eating, mom?” B: “Sure, go ahead."
Definition

=to start before sb else

go on
Mark heard shouting, so he went to the hallway to see what was going on.
Definition

=to happen

count on
I trust Mike. He's responsible. We can count on him to do a good job.
Definition

=to depend/rely on sb to do sth; to trust sb will do sth

hit it off
Margaret likes her new boss. They have really hit it off.
Definition

=to quickly form a good relationship with sb

set up
The journalist managed to set up a meeting with the company CEO.
Definition

=to arrange/organize sth

keep sth up
Jenny hasn't smoked in 24 hrs but she's not sure how long she can keep it up.
Definition

=to continue doing sth

mess up
I don't like giving big speeches. Every time I do it, I mess up.
Definition

=to make a mistake

call off
The football game was called off because of rain.
Definition

= to cancel sth

take after
Darryl takes after his father. They are both really funny.
Definition

=to resemble sb in your family

think sth over
"Give me a few days to think it over, OK?"
Definition

=to spend time thinking about a choice/problem

point out
Janice pointed out a small error on the report's cover page.
Definition

= to make sb aware of sth

put sth off
The meeting was put off until tomorrow because the boss was sick.
Definition

=to decide to do sth later

rip sb off
The cab driver tried to rip me off by charging 40 dollars for a ride to the airport.
Definition

=to get money unfairly from sb; to make sb pay too much money

show off
Greg enjoyed showing off his muscles at the beach.
Definition

= to show sth you are proud of

bring up
No one at the meeting brought up the issue of overtime.
Definition

=to mention sth in a conversation; to introduce a topic in a conversation

show up
Gladys didn't show up to the party until 10 p.m.
Definition

= to arrive at a place; to appear somewhere

sleep in
Mark usually sleeps in until noon on Saturdays.
Definition

=to sleep longer than usual

speak up
Alex had to speak up so his grandfather could hear him.
Definition

=to speak louder than usual

base on
This movie is based on a true story.
Definition

=to make sth by using an idea/story from somewhere else

work on
I need to work on my pronunciation.
Definition

= to work to improve sth

stand out
At 195 cm with red hair, Alan really stood out in Japan.
Definition

= to be easily noticeable in your surroundings; to be conspicuous

2) Basic Phrasal Verb Lesson Plan (7 one-page lessons)

Download: EC-Phrasal-verbs-Intermediate-lesson.doc (DOC)

I've also made seven short phrasal verb lesson plans. Each lesson plan teaches 8 or so of the basic phrasal verbs from the above list. This would be ideal for teachers who want to give their students some exercises based on the phrasal verbs, along with homework.

Here is a web-version of the lesson plans:

Group 1 — Phrasal Verbs
·       "Calm down, Mike. There's no need to yell."
·       The secretary asked me to hold on while she checked her computer.
·       I don't really get along with my boss.
·       After an hour, Mike gave up. He couldn't fix the computer.
·       I want to be a fireman when I grow up.
·       "Please fill out this form."
·       The stupid printer has broken down again.
·       People were passing out flyers in front of the station.
·       Everyone from class is getting together tonight at 7pm.
Write the correct phrasal verb beside its definition.
 
Phrasal Verb
Definition
 
to distribute, to give sth to people by hand
 
to complete by writing
 
to have a good relationship with sb
 
to stop trying (to do sth)
 
to get control of your emotions
 
to meet or gather as a group
 
to become a (mature) adult
 
to wait
 
to stop working, to become inoperable
Make your own sentences using the below ideas (note: good as homework)
hold on / schedule
e.g. I asked her to hold on while I checked my schedule.
dog / calm down
grow up
policeman / fill out
break down / angry
never / get together
get along / uncle
pass out / sample
give up / diet
Group 2 — Phrasal Verbs
·       I didn't have an excuse, so I made one up.
·       My grandfather passed away at the age of 98.
·       Mark and Kate are always fighting. They should break up.
·       I'm trying to save money. I don't eat out much anymore.
·       After new years, Ken plans to start working out.
·       Kate hung up on me. She didn't want to speak anymore.
·       "Hey, check out that man over there. He's huge!"
·       No one could figure out where the ninja went.
·       Brenda looked really sad, so I told her a joke to cheer her up.
Write the correct phrasal verb beside its definition.
Phrasal Verb
Definition
 
to go to a restaurant for breakfast/lunch/dinner
 
to make sb feel happier
 
to look at sth
 
to exercise to make your muscles stronger
 
to die
 
to end a relationship with someone
 
to invent sth, e.g. a story or game
 
to put down the phone to end a conversation
 
to find the answer to sth by thinking carefully
Make your own sentences using the below ideas (note: good as homework)
eat out / month
cheer up / ice cream
check out / new house
lazy / work out
pass away / 2011
break up / girlfriend
pet / make up / name
hang up / quickly
figure out / mystery
Group 3 — Phrasal Verbs
·       I agreed to look after Renee's dog while she is away.
·       I dropped off my car at the repair shop yesterday. I hope they have fixed it by now.
·       The boys ran out of beer so they walked to the store to get more.
·       “Shut up, Lisa! I can't hear the TV!"
·       We checked in to our hotel at 2 pm.
·       I have to pick up my girlfriend at the airport at 8pm.
·       After high school, and then five years in the military, Mark ended up in Taiwan.
·       “Look out -- there's a deer on the road!"
Write the correct phrasal verb beside its definition.
Phrasal Verb
Definition
to take care of sth; to care for sth
to take sb to a place they want to go to, or deliver sth to a place
to finally finish in a certain position/situation, especially without planning it.
to no longer have enough of something you need
to register after arriving at the hotel or airport
to go somewhere to get sth; to collect sb
to look up in order to see something dangerous
to be quiet (strong/impolite)
Make your own sentences using the below ideas (note: good as homework)
look after / old
angry / shut up
look out
emergency / run out
check in / late
pick up / dinner
drop off / park
end up / Mexico
Group 4 — Phrasal Verbs
·       Yesterday, Mark found out that his wife has been cheating on him.
·       I was tied up so I couldn't answer the phone.
·       The mountain climber could no longer go on. It was too cold.
·       The doctor told Alan to cut back on fatty foods.
·       "A: Can we start eating, mom? B: Sure, go ahead."
·       I had to do my report over because my computer crashed.
·       "Bobby, can you cut it out?? The sound you're making is annoying."
·       After her vacation, it took Janice all morning to catch up on her e-mails.
Write the correct phrasal verb beside its definition.
Phrasal Verb
Definition
to use less of sth; to consume less of sth
to be too busy to do sth else
to continue
to go from behind to where you should be; to reach sb ahead of you
to stop doing sth (usually sth stupid/unreasonable)
to learn something new; to discover sth
to do again
to start before sb else
Make your own sentences using the below ideas (note: good as homework)
cut down on / health
tied up / all day
tired / go on
catch up / schoolwork
singing / cut / it / out
boy / find out
do over / quiz
lady / go ahead
Group 5 — Phrasal Verbs
·       I hate giving big speeches. Every time I do it, I mess up.
·       The journalist managed to set up a meeting with the company CEO.
·       Mark heard shouting, so he went to the hallway to see what was going on.
·       Jason is really set on becoming an Olympic wrestler. That's all he talks about.
·       The football game was called off because of rain.
·       Jenny hasn't smoked in 24 hrs but she's not sure how long she can keep it up.
·       We have a big problem today that we need to deal with before we go home.
·       I trust Mike. He's responsible. We can count on him to do a good job.
Write the correct phrasal verb beside its definition.
Phrasal Verb
Definition
to happen
to depend/rely on sb to do sth; to trust sb will do sth
to arrange/organize sth
to continue doing sth
to make a mistake
to cancel sth
to be firmly decided to do something
to handle, or manage a situation or problem
Make your own sentences using the below ideas (note: good as homework)
go on / upstairs
children / count on
set up / interview
exercise / keep / it / up
date / mess up
call off / marriage
set on / England
deal with / mistake
Group 6 — Phrasal Verbs
·       Janice pointed out a small error on the report's cover page.
·       The cab driver tried to rip me off by charging 40 dollars for a ride to the airport.
·       Darryl takes after his father. They are both really funny.
·       "Give me a few days to think it over, OK?"
·       Greg wears tank tops so he can show off his muscles.
·       The meeting has been put off until tomorrow.
·       A tourist was beaten up last night in central park.
·       Margaret likes her new boss. They have really hit it off.
Write the correct phrasal verb beside its definition.
Phrasal Verb
Definition
to resemble sb in your family
to physically hurt sb in a fight
to quickly form a good relationship with sb
to spend time thinking about a choice/problem
to make sb aware of sth
to decide to do sth later
to get money unfairly from sb; to make sb pay too much money
to show sth you are proud of;
Make your own sentences using the below ideas (note: good as homework)
high school / beat up
I / take after
hit it off
think over / marriage
point out / problem
put off / lazy
rip off / salesman
rich / show off
Group 7 — Phrasal Verbs
·       No one at the meeting brought up the issue of overtime.
·       Gladys didn't show up to the party until 10 p.m.
·       Mark sleeps in until noon on Saturdays.
·       Alex had to speak up so his grandfather could hear him.
·       This movie is based on a true story.
·       I need to work on my pronunciation.
·       At 195 cm with red hair, Alan really stood out in Japan.
Write the correct phrasal verb beside its definition.
Phrasal Verb
Definition
to mention sth in a conversation; to introduce a topic in a conversation
to speak louder than usual
to sleep longer than usual
to repair sth; to work to improve sth
to be easily noticeable in your surroundings
to make sth by using an idea/story from somewhere else
to arrive at a place; to appear somewhere
Make your own sentences using the below ideas (note: good as homework)
brought up / politics
movie star / show up
wish / sleep in
speak up / nightclub
base on / facts
this year / work on
foreigner / stand out

Students, try the Phrasal Verb Quiz to test your skill! Or if you have a question or find a mistake, please leave a comment below!

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Copyright Matthew Barton, July 2011, of Englishcurrent.com. Do not remove website name or URL from printable materials.

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53 comments on “Basic English Phrasal Verbs (Pre-Intermediate to Intermediate)

  1. Rizky Ana (Posted on 2-24-2012 at 04:03) Reply

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  2. admin (Posted on 2-24-2012 at 04:22) Reply

    Thanks Rizky! It’s always motivating to hear positive feedback.
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  6. Andrea (Posted on 11-15-2012 at 17:34) Reply

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  7. Romell Carneiro (Posted on 1-17-2013 at 14:11) Reply

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  16. mackayteacher@yahoo.com (Posted on 4-16-2014 at 04:44) Reply

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    Doug

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  37. Abdi Ali Raabuush (Posted on 9-28-2015 at 09:06) Reply

    well done job, thank you for listing these phrasal verbs , really, it has helped me to master the phrasal verbs in terms of writing and speaking specially when I am communicating foreign people.

  38. Om (Posted on 4-1-2016 at 17:29) Reply

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  39. khadar abdi farah (Posted on 4-6-2016 at 02:27) Reply

    this useful phrasal verbs. i appreciated it. thank u very much for your help

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  42. kavita (Posted on 6-12-2016 at 10:18) Reply

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  43. Jackson G©m©na. (Posted on 8-24-2016 at 10:15) Reply

    Great!

  44. Mir khan (Posted on 9-12-2017 at 14:11) Reply

    Use the Bring off in sentance

    1. mb Post author (Posted on 9-14-2017 at 01:42) Reply

      You should make your request more polite (Use ‘please’). ‘Bring off’ is not a phrasal verb I’ve used. ‘Take off’ and ‘bring up’ are, but ‘bring off’ is a strange combination.

  45. ghazal (Posted on 11-7-2018 at 09:15) Reply

    but not fr me use more phrasal verbs

  46. John Brightam (Posted on 1-24-2019 at 08:15) Reply

    Learning the phrasal verbs are always like taking a deep dive into an ocean full of knowledge and wisdom. It’s indeed helpful for my Ideal English training classes in Central Burma.

  47. Susan (Posted on 3-26-2021 at 05:18) Reply

    Thank you so much from Argentina

  48. S.Baba Imroz (Posted on 3-30-2021 at 11:30) Reply

    I understand
    Gud study I understand the phrasal verbs

  49. Yurii (Posted on 4-22-2021 at 13:55) Reply

    Actually that’s the ground basis to learn fluent English
    Grammar lessons must have, but it’s nothing to do without a plenty lexicon of phrasal verbs in your head

  50. Suhail mushtaq itoo (Posted on 5-13-2021 at 02:39) Reply

    That’s was quite helpful thanks a bunch love from kashmir

  51. Anonymous (Posted on 8-17-2022 at 08:15) Reply

    the most easiest way of learning of phrasal verbs…Appreciated

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