PHRASAL VERBS WITH PUT — EXERCISE 1 (ESL)
level: Advanced (C1/C2)
Put phrasal verbs are extremely common in everyday English and cover a wide range of situations — from tolerating and postponing to accommodating and performing. Several of these combinations are used far more frequently than their single-word equivalents. Definitions are provided in brackets where the meaning might not be immediately obvious.
ABOUT PHRASAL VERBS WITH PUT
Put is one of those everyday verbs that becomes surprisingly complex once you add a particle. The basic sense of placing or positioning something feeds into some combinations, but many put phrasal verbs have developed meanings that are entirely figurative.
One of the interesting features of put phrasal verbs is how negative several of them are: put down means to criticise or demean someone; put off means to postpone or to cause reluctance; even put up with — the most common of all — is about tolerating something unpleasant. This negative cluster is worth noticing as a memory aid.
On the positive side, put on (perform, or put clothing on), put up (accommodate someone), and put out (extinguish) are extremely high-frequency and appear across a wide range of contexts from everyday conversation to news reporting.
Put is one of those everyday verbs that becomes surprisingly complex once you add a particle. The basic sense of placing or positioning something feeds into some combinations, but many put phrasal verbs have developed meanings that are entirely figurative.
One of the interesting features of put phrasal verbs is how negative several of them are: put down means to criticise or demean someone; put off means to postpone or to cause reluctance; even put up with — the most common of all — is about tolerating something unpleasant. This negative cluster is worth noticing as a memory aid.
On the positive side, put on (perform, or put clothing on), put up (accommodate someone), and put out (extinguish) are extremely high-frequency and appear across a wide range of contexts from everyday conversation to news reporting.
Choose the correct preposition to complete each of the following sentences.
1. I can't put ________ with ( = handle/tolerate) his attitude any more.
1.I can't put ________ with ( = handle/tolerate) his attitude any more.
Correct answer: up — put up with = tolerate or accept without complaining.
2.Put ________ your name. = Write your name.
Correct answer: down — put down = write something down.
3.She put ________ ( = postponed) the meeting until next Thursday.
Correct answer: off — put off = postpone or delay.
4.They put ________ ( = had/performed) a great show last night.
Correct answer: on — put on = organize and present (a show, performance, or event).
5.Are you putting me ________? = Are you kidding? = Are you pulling my leg?
Correct answer: on — put someone on = joke with someone, pull their leg.
6.They put me ________ for the night. = They let me stay at their house for the night.
Correct answer: up — put someone up = provide overnight accommodation for someone.
7.The firefighters put ________ ( = extinguished) the fire.
Correct answer: out — put out = extinguish (a fire).
8.Stop putting everyone ________ ! = Stop saying bad things about everyone!
Correct answer: down — put someone down = criticize or say negative things about someone.
9.My favorite band put ________ ( = released) a new album last week.
Correct answer: out — put out = release, publish, or issue something.
10.He looks like he put ________ ( = gained) some weight.
Correct answer: on — put on = gain (weight).
TRY ALL OF OUR PHRASAL VERB EXERCISES:
Phrasal verbs (mixed) 1 (I/A)
Phrasal verbs (mixed) 2 (I/A)
Phrasal verbs (to break +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to call +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to come +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to go +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to make +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to pull +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to put +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to run +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to stand +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to take +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to turn +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to get +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to get +) 2 (C1/C2)
Transitive/intransitive phrasal verbs 1 (I)
Separable/inseparable phrasal verbs 1 (I/A)
Separable/inseparable phrasal verbs 2 (I/A)
Phrasal verbs list — the most common phrasal verbs in everyday English
Phrasal verbs (mixed) 1 (I/A)
Phrasal verbs (mixed) 2 (I/A)
Phrasal verbs (to break +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to call +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to come +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to go +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to make +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to pull +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to put +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to run +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to stand +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to take +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to turn +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to get +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to get +) 2 (C1/C2)
Transitive/intransitive phrasal verbs 1 (I)
Separable/inseparable phrasal verbs 1 (I/A)
Separable/inseparable phrasal verbs 2 (I/A)
Phrasal verbs list — the most common phrasal verbs in everyday English
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