Here is a list of common phrasal verbs.
Account for
This is an inseparable phrasal verb.
To account for something is to give a reason or explanation for it.
- How will you account for the money you spent on that fancy dress?
- How do you account for the sudden improvement in your grades?
- The student was brought before the principal to account for his behavior.
- Exports account for nearly 60% of our revenue.
Act out
To act out is to express your feelings through your words or actions.
- She was acting out her feelings of insecurity by being overly possessive.
Act up
When children act up, they behave badly. When machines act up, they fail to work properly.
- My kids act up whenever we have guests.
- The car is acting up again.
Add in
To add in something is to include it.
- If you add in the information about his family background, you will understand why he behaves so strangely.
Add up
When something adds up it makes sense.
- Your arguments just don’t add up.
- There is something about his behavior that just doesn’t add up.
To add up is to calculate the total.
- Add up those numbers.
Allow for
To allow for something is to take it into consideration.
- The survey does not allow for the fact that many students drop out of school before they turn fourteen.
Answer back
To answer back is to reply rudely.
- Her children are very badly brought up. They answer back all the time.
Answer for
To answer for something is to take responsibility for something you have done.
- You will have to answer for your actions.