PHRASAL VERBS WITH CALL — EXERCISE 1 (ESL)
C1–C2 · AdvancedSeveral call phrasal verb combinations have meanings that differ significantly from a literal reading of verb + particle. The sentences show how the whole expression can mean something different from the individual words.
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Choose the correct preposition to complete each of the following sentences.
1. He called ________ (= asked) his supporters to boycott the election results.
Correct answer: called on — call on = formally ask or request someone to do something — he called on his supporters to boycott the results.
2. The army called ________ 2,000 more soldiers.
Correct answer: called up — call up = summon someone for military service.
3. The game was called ________ (= cancelled) due to bad weather.
Correct answer: called off — call off = cancel an event or arrangement — the game was cancelled due to bad weather.
4. P1: Is Jim here? P2: No, he called ________ sick this morning.
Correct answer: called in — call in sick = phone your workplace to say you are too ill to come in.
5. The teacher called ________ the names of all the students.
Correct answer: called out — call out = read out loud or announce, one by one — the teacher called out the names of all the students.
6. Please ask him to call me ________ (= to return my phone call) as soon as he can.
Correct answer: called back — call back = return a phone call — she will phone you again later.
7. He called ________ ( = visited) an old friend while he was in town.
Correct answer: called on — call on = visit someone — he visited an old friend while he was in town.
8. Call her ________! = Call her (on the phone)!
Correct answer: called up — call up = phone someone.
9. The mayor called ________ (= demanded) new laws against animal abusers.
Correct answer: called for — call for = demand or require — the mayor demanded new laws against animal abusers.
10. I'll pay you the money I owe you, just call ________ your lawyers. (= tell your lawyers to stop bothering me, etc.)
Correct answer: called off — call off (someone/something) = tell them to stop or withdraw — call off your lawyers.
ABOUT PHRASAL VERBS WITH CALL
Call has a strong association with communication and summoning — and its phrasal forms extend those ideas in interesting ways. Some combinations stay close to the idea of voice or contact (call back, call up); others develop more figurative meanings around cancellation, demand, or obligation.
One pattern worth noting: when call combines with for, it almost always means to demand or require something — a meaning quite removed from the literal act of calling. Similarly, call off has nothing to do with going away — it means canceling. These shifts from literal to figurative are typical of phrasal verbs at C1/C2 level.
These verbs appear frequently in news English, professional communication, and everyday conversation, so they’re well worth knowing.
Call has a strong association with communication and summoning — and its phrasal forms extend those ideas in interesting ways. Some combinations stay close to the idea of voice or contact (call back, call up); others develop more figurative meanings around cancellation, demand, or obligation.
One pattern worth noting: when call combines with for, it almost always means to demand or require something — a meaning quite removed from the literal act of calling. Similarly, call off has nothing to do with going away — it means canceling. These shifts from literal to figurative are typical of phrasal verbs at C1/C2 level.
These verbs appear frequently in news English, professional communication, and everyday conversation, so they’re well worth knowing.
KEEP PRACTICING — MORE EXERCISES FOR YOU:
More phrasal verb exercises:
Phrasal verbs with get 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs with get 2 (C1/C2)
Mixed phrasal verbs 1 (B1/B2)
Mixed phrasal verbs 2 (B1/B2)
Phrasal verbs with break 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs with catch 1 (C1/C2)
Related preposition & idiom exercises:
Prepositions: antonyms 1
Prepositions in idioms 1 (B1/B2)
Prepositions in idioms 2 (B1/B2)
Prepositions with phrasal verbs 1 (B1/B2)
Prepositions after adjectives 1 (B1/B2)
Prepositions after adjectives 2 (B1/B2)
Browse all phrasal verb exercises →
More phrasal verb exercises:
Phrasal verbs with get 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs with get 2 (C1/C2)
Mixed phrasal verbs 1 (B1/B2)
Mixed phrasal verbs 2 (B1/B2)
Phrasal verbs with break 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs with catch 1 (C1/C2)
Related preposition & idiom exercises:
Prepositions: antonyms 1
Prepositions in idioms 1 (B1/B2)
Prepositions in idioms 2 (B1/B2)
Prepositions with phrasal verbs 1 (B1/B2)
Prepositions after adjectives 1 (B1/B2)
Prepositions after adjectives 2 (B1/B2)
Browse all phrasal verb exercises →
