Phrasal Verbs Exercises in English (All Levels)
Welcome to our complete collection of phrasal verbs exercises for ESL learners. Phrasal verbs are one of the most challenging — and most rewarding — areas of English vocabulary and grammar. You'll find free, interactive exercises organised by base verb (get, take, put, go, and more), plus mixed and structural exercises covering separable vs. inseparable forms and transitive vs. intransitive usage.
All exercises are free and interactive, with instant answer checking. Levels range from B1 (Intermediate) to C1 (Advanced).
Quick Grammar Review: Phrasal Verbs in English
What is a phrasal verb?
A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs) that together produce a meaning that is often very different from the individual words. Phrasal verbs are extremely common in everyday spoken English and informal writing.
She gave up smoking. (= she stopped — not "gave something upward")
The meeting was called off. (= cancelled — not "called from a high place")
Separable vs. inseparable phrasal verbs
Separable phrasal verbs allow — and sometimes require — the object to be placed between the verb and the particle.
| Type | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Separable (noun object) | Object can go before or after the particle | Turn off the TV. / Turn the TV off. |
| Separable (pronoun object) | Pronoun MUST go between verb and particle | Turn it off. ✗ Turn off it. |
| Inseparable | Object always follows the particle — never separated | She looked after the children. ✗ She looked the children after. |
| Three-part (always inseparable) | Verb + two particles, never separated | I can't put up with this noise. |
Transitive vs. intransitive phrasal verbs
Transitive phrasal verbs take a direct object: She picked up her keys.
Intransitive phrasal verbs do not take an object: The engine broke down.
Some phrasal verbs can be both depending on context: She gave up smoking. (transitive) / Don't give up! (intransitive)
Common phrasal verbs with GET
| Phrasal verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| get up | rise from bed; stand up | I get up at 7am every day. |
| get on with | have a good relationship with | She gets on well with her colleagues. |
| get over | recover from | He finally got over his cold. |
| get away with | escape punishment for | He got away with cheating on the test. |
| get across | communicate successfully | Did I get my point across? |
Common phrasal verbs with TAKE
| Phrasal verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| take off | remove (clothing); (plane) leave the ground; become successful | The plane took off on time. |
| take over | gain control of | She took over the business. |
| take up | begin a hobby; occupy space or time | He took up cycling last year. |
| take after | resemble a family member | She takes after her mother. |
| take back | retract a statement; return an item | I take back what I said. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Separating inseparable phrasal verbs: ✗ She looked the baby after. → ✓ She looked after the baby.
- Not separating when a pronoun is the object: ✗ Turn off it. → ✓ Turn it off.
- Guessing meaning from the individual words: Give up does not mean to give something upward. Always learn phrasal verbs as whole units with their meanings.
- Using formal verbs where phrasal verbs are expected: In informal spoken English, phrasal verbs are strongly preferred: put off over postpone, find out over discover, go on over continue.
Intermediate learners should begin with the individual verb groups — start with GET and TAKE as these are the most common. Work through each verb group before moving to the mixed exercises. Advanced learners should head straight to the Separable/Inseparable and Transitive/Intransitive exercises, which require deeper structural knowledge.
All Phrasal Verbs Exercises — Free & Interactive
(B) = Beginner (A1/A2) | (I) = Intermediate (B1/B2) | (A) = Advanced (C1/C2)
