Please note that all phrasal verbs marked by an asterisk (*) are NON-separable verbs (i.e. the preposition MUST follow the main verb. For example: I called on Dan NOT I called Dan on!). Verbs that are not marked by an asterisk (*) are separable verbs (i.e. the preposition may or may not follow the main verb. For example: I brought the children up OR I brought up the children).

IMPORTANT

Remember that separable phrasal verbs using a pronoun as the object of the verb MUST be separated (I brought them up NOT I brought up them)A Ask out Ask someone to go on a date
B

 Bring about 

cause


 Bring up 

1) rear children 2) mention or introduce a topic
C 

Call back

 Return a telephone call
 Call in

 

 Ask to come to an official place for a special reason
 Call off 

cancel


 Call on*

 1) visit 2) ask a student a question in class
 Call up

 

Call on the telephone
 Catch up (with)*

 Reach the same position or level as someone
 Check in

* Register at a hotel
 Check into*

 investigate
 Check out 

1) borrow a book from a library 2) investigate
 Cheer up 

Make (someone) feel happier
 Clean up

 Make clean and orderly
 Come across

* Find by chance
 Cross out

 Draw a line through
 Cut out 

Stop an annoying activity
D

 Do over

 repeat
 Drop by

* Visit informally
 Drop in (on)

* Visit informally
 Drop off Leave something/someone somewhere
 Drop out (of)* Stop going to school or class
F 

Figure out

 Find the answer by logic
 Fill out 

Complete a form
 Find out

 Discover information

G


 Get along (with)

* To have a good relationship with
 Get back (from) 

1) return from somewhere 2) receive again
 Get in, get into* 

1) enter a car 2) arrive


 Get off

* Leave any vehicle


 Get on

* Enter any vehicle


 Get out of

* 1) leave a car

2) avoid some unpleasant activity
 Get over

* Recover from an illness
 Get through

* finish
 Get up

* Arise from bed, a chair etc.
 Give back

 Return something to someone
 Give up

 Stop doing something
 Go over*

 Review or check
 Grow up*

 Become an adult


H

 Hand in 

Submit an assignment
 Hang up 

1) Stop a telephone conversation 2) put up clothes on a line or a hook
 Have on

 Wear


K

 

Keep out (of) 

Not enter


 Keep up (with)* 

Stay at the same position or level



 Kick out (of) 

Force (someone) to leave


L

 Look after

* Take care of


 Look into

* Investigate


 Look out (for)

* Be careful


 Look over

Review or check


 Look up

 Look for information in a reference book


M

 

Make up


 1) invent 2) do past work


N 

Name after 

Give a baby the name of someone else


P

 Pass away

* Die
 Pass out

 1) distribute 2) lose consciousness
 Pick out 

Select
 Pick up 

1) go to get someone 2) take in one's hand
 Point out 

Call someone's attention to
 Put away

 Remove to an appropriate place
 Put back 

Return to original position
 Put off

 Postpone
 Put on 

Dress
 Put out

 Extinguish a cigarette, fire
 Put up with

* Tolerate
R 

Run into 

Meet by chance


 Run across

 Find by chance


 Run out (of) 

Finish a supply of something
S 

Show up

* Appear, come to


 Shut off 

Stop a machine, equipment, light etc.
T 

Take after

* Resemble
 Take off 1)

remove clothing 2) leave on a trip 3) leave the ground (aeroplane)
 Take out 1

 take someone on a date 2) remove
 Take over 

Take control
 Take up 

Begin a new activity
 Tear down

 Demolish, reduce to nothing
 Tear up

 Tear into many little pieces
 Think over

 Consider
 Throw away 

Discard; get rid of


 Throw out Discard; get rid of
 Throw up Vomit
 Try on Put on clothing to see if it fits
 Turn down Decrease volume
 Turn in 1) submit classwork 2) go to bed
 Turn off Stop a machine, equipment, light etc.
 Turn on Start a machine, equipment, light etc.
 Turn out Extinguish a light
 Turn up Increase volume or intensity