Phrasal and Single-word Verbs

Vocabulary practice for learners and teachers · Ted Power

PHRASAL VERBS

Practise phrasal verbs in context

Study the vocabulary in the themed sets first. When you are ready, use the gap-fill quizzes to test what you have learned, then reinforce it with the crosswords.

Choose an activity

The activities are arranged in the order I recommend: study the themes first, then test yourself with the gap fills, and finally reinforce what you have learned with the crosswords.

Start here · 1Explore the 14 themesStudy the phrasal and single-word verbs in each themed set before testing what you have learned.Test yourself · 2Gap Fill QuizzesWhen you are ready, test your knowledge by completing the gap-fill quiz for each theme.Reinforce · 3Phrasal Verb CrosswordsReinforce the vocabulary by solving a crossword for each theme.Reference · 4248 Phrasal VerbsBrowse the complete alphabetical list, with meanings and links to the themed practice.

Explore the 14 themes

Start here: explore the vocabulary in each theme, comparing the phrasal verbs with their single-word equivalents. When you are ready, use the gap-fill quiz to test what you have learned.

Gap Fill Quizzes

After you have explored the vocabulary, choose a theme to test your knowledge with an interactive gap-fill.

Theme 1Good & Bad FeelingsAn unhappy relationshipTheme 2Good & Bad BehaviourThe world we live inTheme 3Life & HealthBetter & Worse · Success & FailureTheme 4Perception & JudgementGood years or badTheme 5Acceptance & AgreementThe new compact disk recorderTheme 6"Haves" & "Have-nots"From rags to richesTheme 7Business & FinanceFish & Chips Technical Supplies LtdTheme 8Home Maintenance & WorkDo It Yourself: the great British pastimeTheme 9Connections & RevelationsColoniesTheme 10Cause & EffectFailing SchoolsTheme 11Escaping & DepartingThe need to escapeTheme 12Travel & VisitsA visit to MadridTheme 13Time & Getting AlongTime ManagementTheme 14Oral & Written CommunicationLearning English

Phrasal Verb Crosswords

Each theme has a crossword, with separate pages for the grid, clues, hints and answers.

Crossword 1Good & Bad FeelingsOpen the crossword gridCrossword 2Good & Bad BehaviourOpen the crossword gridCrossword 3Life & HealthOpen the crossword gridCrossword 4Perception & JudgementOpen the crossword gridCrossword 5Acceptance & AgreementOpen the crossword gridCrossword 6"Haves" & "Have-nots"Open the crossword gridCrossword 7Business & FinanceOpen the crossword gridCrossword 8Home Maintenance & WorkOpen the crossword gridCrossword 9Connections & RevelationsOpen the crossword gridCrossword 10Cause & EffectOpen the crossword gridCrossword 11Escaping & DepartingOpen the crossword gridCrossword 12Travel & VisitsOpen the crossword gridCrossword 13Time & Getting AlongOpen the crossword gridCrossword 14Oral & Written CommunicationOpen the crossword grid

A note about the terminology

The verbs contrasted with the phrasal verbs in these exercises are called single-word verbs. Many of them are of Latin or French origin, and some are more common in formal or written English. However, this is not true of every verb.

Single-word verbs is therefore used here simply to distinguish these verbs from phrasal verbs. The distinction is not intended to suggest that one type is always more formal than the other.

When do I use phrasal verbs or single-word equivalents?

Phrasal verbs are particularly common in everyday conversation and informal English. Their single-word equivalents are often more common in formal or written English, although this is not always the case.

In many contexts, both forms can be used without changing the basic meaning. The choice may depend on the context, the level of formality, the style of the speaker or writer, and which expression sounds most natural.