Grammar 101: Phrasal verbs

Do you know the difference between verbs like turn up, turn off and turn out? 

English speakers use phrasal verbs all the time, particularly for more informal communication such as everyday conversations or messages to friends. 

Learning how to use phrasal verbs can also help you to improve your IELTS Speaking score. To achieve a band 7 and higher in the IELTS Speaking test, you need to show the examiner that you can use a wider range of vocabulary including idiomatic language. 

Before we get started, take our phrasal verb challenge to see what you already know.

Complete the the sentences below with one of these three phrasal verbs: 

Turn out/ turn up/ turn off       

1. Time for bed! ______the TV please, kids! 

2. Even though she never follows a recipe, her cakes always _________ well. 

3. He was late for class because the bus didn’t ______on time. 

Answers: 1. turn off    2. turn out   3. turn up 

How did you do? If you didn’t get all three, don’t be hard on yourself. Phrasal verbs can be difficult for English language learners for several reasons. 

1. There are a lot. 

Turn off, turn on, turn out, turn in, turn into, turn up, turn down, turn around... (and that’s just a few!) 

2. Their meaning is often idiomatic. 

You can’t always understand the meaning of a phrasal verb by looking at each word’s individual meaning. For example, if we say a cake turns out well, we’re talking about a surprising result that happens.  

However, if we use the word turn on its own, the meaning is different. 

He drove down the road and turned left at the traffic lights. = He changed direction and moved left at the traffic lights. 

 3. They can have more than one meaning. 

Some phrasal verbs have more than one meaning. For example, if you turn up the music, you increase the volume. If a bus didn’t turn up, it didn’t arrive.  

To help you manage these challenges, let’s take a closer look at phrasal verbs and how you can learn them. 

What are phrasal verbs? A phrasal verb is a compound verb. The verb is combined with an adverb or a preposition. It can have two or three parts.  

Examples: 

When you’re learning a new phrasal verb, it’s important to check if it’s separable or inseparable.  

Separable 

Sometimes you can separate the two words in a phrasal verb and put an object in the middle.  

Example: 

Turn off the TV, please, kids! 

or 

Turn the TV off, please, kids! 

Inseparable 

If a phrasal verb is inseparable, this means you must keep the words together. 

Sometimes a phrasal verb is inseparable because it cannot take a direct object. These are called intransitive phrasal verbs.  

Break down = when a vehicle or machine stops working 

✓ We had to get a taxi because the bus broke down. 

A bus can break down, but it can’t break down something.  

× We had to get a taxi because the bus broke down the engine. 

Phrasal verbs can also be inseparable but still take an object. Phrasal verbs that take an object are called transitive phrasal verbs.  

run into (somebody) = to meet someone you know expectedly. 

✓ I ran into my cousin at the cinema. 

× I ran my cousin into at the cinema. 

After checking whether a phrasal verb needs an object and can be separated, how do you remember it? Try these tips below. 

• Group similar verbs together: Learn phrasal verbs by theme for common IELTS topics like education, hobbies and health. 

• Keep it personal: It can be hard to remember random sentences that you read in a dictionary, so try creating your own examples. If you connect new phrasal verbs to your own life and experiences, you're more likely to remember them. 

• Practise regularly: Don’t just memorise phrasal verbs for the IELTS Speaking test as this can make you sound unnatural. Practise using them in your everyday conversations with friends, colleagues and shop assistants. Reinforce your understanding by doing practice exercises like the quiz below.  

Test your knowledge of the phrasal verbs we mentioned in this article. Choose the missing phrasal verb for each sentence. You can find the answers at the end of the quiz. 

Q1: Nora ______her mum. They both have dark, curly hair. 

a. takes of 

b. takes in 

c. takes from 

d. takes after  

Q2: Can you come and get us? Abdullah’s car __________. 

a. broke down 

b. broke out 

c. broke up 

d. broke in 

Q3: I’m worried about Elena. She didn’t _____________ for work today. 

a. turn on 

b. turn up 

c. turn off 

d. turn out 

Q4: How do you ____________ new ideas? 

a. come up 

b. come out 

c. come up with 

d. come out with 

Q5: We ______________ seeing you soon. 

a. look forward   

b. look forward to 

c. look forward with 

d. look to forward 

Q6: The doctor told David he needed to ________ processed foods. 

a. cut down in 

b. cut off with 

c. cut down on 

d. cut out with 

Q7: It took Yuto weeks to ________ the flu. 

a. get over 

b. get out 

c. get under 

d. get off  

Q8: Jing was doing her grocery shopping when she __________ an old classmate. 

a. ran out 

b. ran in 

c. ran into 

d. ran on  

Q9: The thieves ______________ more than $400,000 worth of jewellery. 

a. got on with 

b. got away with 

c. got away 

d. got off 

Q10: Pravin’s a good friend. He always ___________ me. 

a. stands out for 

b. stands on with 

c. stands up for 

d. stand on for  

• Q1: d 

• Q2: a 

• Q3: b 

• Q4: c 

• Q5: b 

• Q6: c 

• Q7: a 

• Q8: c 

• Q9: b 

• Q10: c 

Learning how to use phrasal verbs naturally takes time, but it’s worth the effort. Not only can it make a difference to your IELTS Speaking band score, but it can also prepare you for real-life success after test day. By adding phrasal verbs to your vocabulary, you’ll start to improve the everyday communication skills you need for life in an English-speaking country.  

Read more about how your Speaking test is assessed here: Understanding the IELTS Speaking band descriptors

For more tips on using idiomatic language, read our blog post How to use idioms in the IELTS Speaking test.  

Once you’re ready, find your closest IELTS test centre and book your test.