Phrasal verbs are made up of a verb and a preposition or adverb particle. It is not easy to guess the meaning of a phrasal verb. Test your understanding of phrasal verbs with this grammar exercise.
1Don't argue with her; she will never ...............
Wrong!
"Back down" means to stop arguing or defending your opinion.
2The buyer ............... at the last moment.
Wrong!
"Backed out" means decided not to do something that had been agreed.
3............... your argument with valid evidence.
Wrong!
"Back up" means to support an idea with evidence or reasons.
4The government must ............... on drug traffickers and terrorists.
Wrong!
"Bear down" means to take strong action against someone or something.
5She should be praised for ............... under so much pressure.
Wrong!
"Bearing up" means coping bravely in a difficult situation.
6Please ............... us while we complete the paperwork.
Wrong!
"Bear with" means to be patient with someone.
7The scandal ............... in a couple of weeks.
Wrong!
"Blew over" means passed without causing a lasting problem.
8The terrorists ............... the railway station.
Wrong!
"Blew up" means destroyed something with an explosion.
9You should ............... those shoes before you go hiking.
Wrong!
"Break in" means to use new shoes until they become comfortable.
10Violent protests ............... in various parts of the country.
Wrong!
"Broke out" means started suddenly, especially something violent or unpleasant.
11Democracy has ............... great changes in the lives of ordinary people.
Wrong!
"Brought about" means caused something to happen.
12Why did you ............... the fact that she is unemployed?
Wrong!
"Bring up" means to mention a topic in conversation.
Answers
- Don’t argue with her; she will never back down.
- The buyer backed out at the last moment.
- Back up your argument with valid evidence.
- The government must bear down on drug traffickers and terrorists.
- She should be praised for bearing up under so much pressure.
- Please bear with us while we complete the paperwork.
- The scandal blew over in a couple of weeks.
- The terrorists blew up the railway station.
- You should break in those shoes before you go hiking.
- Violent protests broke out in various parts of the country.
- Democracy has brought about great changes in the lives of ordinary people.
- Why did you bring up the fact that she is unemployed?