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← Grammar reference

VERBS

Phrasal verbs

A verb with a small word (up, off, in, to) often has its own meaning. Some take an object, some do not, and some let the object sit in the middle.

Learn this topic Practice all
no objectwith an object
+Please sit downTurn the light off / Turn off the light
−Don't give upDon't turn it off
?When did you get up?Did you turn the light off?

With a pronoun the particle goes after it: turn it off · pick them up · put it on

A1

Verb + preposition + object

New

Some verbs always go with a fixed preposition before their object. The preposition cannot be dropped, and the object stays after it.

subject+ listen / wait / look+ to / for / at+ object

  • I listen to the radio every morning.
  • We are waiting for the bus.
  • I listen the radio.
  • I listen to the radio.

Quick Check

1/4

Choose the form

We   the news every evening.

A2

Phrasal verb without an object

New

Some phrasal verbs have no object, and the particle completes the meaning. If you drop the particle, the meaning changes or is lost.

subject+ verb+ particle

  • The plane takes off at ten.
  • Please sit down and relax.
  • The plane takes at ten.
  • The plane takes off at ten.

Quick Check

1/4

Type the answer

Please come and sit down.

A2

Pronoun between verb and particle

New

When the object is a pronoun (it, them, me), put it between the verb and the particle. Never put the pronoun after the particle.

subject+ verb+ it / them / me+ particle

  • Turn it off, please.
  • I picked them up from school.
  • Turn off it, please.
  • Turn it off, please.

Quick Check

1/4

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I don't know this word. I will  .

A2

Look forward to + -ing

New

Look forward to means that you feel happy about something in the future. To here is a preposition, so a verb after it takes -ing.

subject+ look forward to+ noun / verb + -ing

  • I look forward to seeing you soon.
  • She is looking forward to the holiday.
  • I look forward to see you.
  • I look forward to seeing you.

Quick Check

1/4

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She looks forward to her new job.

B1

Noun object: before or after the particle

New

With a noun object you can put the noun after the particle or between the verb and the particle. A long object usually goes after the particle.

subject+ verb+ particle+ noun

  • Please turn off the TV.
  • Please turn the TV off.
  • Please turn the off TV.
  • Please turn the TV off.

Quick Check

1/4

Choose the form

I need to  .