Phrasal verbs are two or three word verbs whose meanings are very different from the meanings of the individual words in the expression. There are several phrasal verbs in English. While a student is not required to learn all of them, they must at least be familiar with the most common phrasal verbs.
This grammar exercise tests your ability to use phrasal verbs correctly.
Fill in the blanks with an appropriate phrasal verb.
1The teacher ............... an explanation of his conduct.
Wrong!
"Called for" means demanded or required in this sentence.
2............... the doctor immediately.
Wrong!
"Call in" means ask someone, especially a professional, to come and help.
3Julie ............... us yesterday.
Wrong!
"Called on" means visited someone briefly.
4My grandfather cannot ............... past events.
Wrong!
"Call up" means remember or recall something.
5His arrogance ............... his ruin.
Wrong!
"Brought about" means caused something to happen.
6The publishers are planning to ............... a cheap edition of their new dictionary.
Wrong!
"Bring out" means publish or produce something for the public.
7She ............... the orphan as her own child.
Wrong!
"Brought up" means raised and cared for a child.
8How did these things ...............?
Wrong!
"Come about" means happen or take place.
9The question ............... before the municipal corporation last week.
Wrong!
"Came up" means was raised for discussion.
10He seems to be ............... .
Wrong!
"Well off" means rich or financially comfortable.
11They ............... against the gross injustice meted out to them.
Wrong!
"Cried out" means protested loudly.
12The rope ............... while they were hauling up the pillar.
Wrong!
"Gave way" means broke or collapsed under pressure.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- The teacher called for an explanation of his conduct.
- Call in the doctor immediately.
- Julie called on us yesterday.
- My grandfather cannot call up past events.
- His arrogance brought about his ruin.
- The publishers are planning to bring out a cheap edition of their new dictionary.
- She brought up the orphan as her own child.
- How did these things come about?
- The question came up before the municipal corporation last week.
- He seems to be well off .
- They cried out against the gross injustice meted out to them.
- The rope gave way while they were hauling up the pillar.

