Prepositions with Phrasal Verbs Exercise 1
level: Intermediate (B1/B2)
Prepositions in phrasal verbs and prepositional phrases often can't be guessed from logic alone — they have to be learned as fixed combinations. This exercise focuses on prepositions that commonly appear with everyday phrasal verbs.
Grammar review
Prepositions with common phrasal verbs
A phrasal verb is a verb combined with a preposition or adverb particle that creates a new, often idiomatic meaning. The correct particle must be memorized — it generally cannot be predicted from the individual words.
A selection of common patterns:
pass ___ (go past) / come ___ (visit) / get ___ (have a good relationship)
run ___ (meet by chance) / look ___ (take care of) / put ___ (postpone)
go ___ (experience) / carry ___ (continue) / bring ___ (mention)
Tip: Always learn a phrasal verb as a complete unit — verb + particle together. The particle changes the meaning entirely, and different particles are not interchangeable.
A phrasal verb is a verb combined with a preposition or adverb particle that creates a new, often idiomatic meaning. The correct particle must be memorized — it generally cannot be predicted from the individual words.
A selection of common patterns:
pass ___ (go past) / come ___ (visit) / get ___ (have a good relationship)
run ___ (meet by chance) / look ___ (take care of) / put ___ (postpone)
go ___ (experience) / carry ___ (continue) / bring ___ (mention)
Tip: Always learn a phrasal verb as a complete unit — verb + particle together. The particle changes the meaning entirely, and different particles are not interchangeable.
Choose the correct preposition to complete each phrasal verb or prepositional phrase.
1. We passed _____ your house the other day.
a. across
b. by
2. Hey, would you like to come _____ next Thursday?
a. through
b. over
3. I was out very late last night and didn't get _____ until 4 AM.
a. in
b. by
4. The police let the thief slip _____ their fingers at the last moment.
a. through
b. in
5. Maria has never fit _____ with the crowd. She has always been a rebel.
a. on
b. in
6. You should put _____ that red dress that I like so much.
a. in
b. on
7. You've made quite a mess. You should clean it _____.
a. through
b. up
8. Could you please turn _____ that light? It's way too bright.
a. off
b. over
9. Come _____, come _____! We've been expecting you.
a. on
b. in
10. She fainted, but then she came _____ about 5 minutes later.
a. to
b. about
11. Kids love to hang _____ in the mall.
a. on
b. out
12. John really wanted to go on a date with Victoria, so he asked her _____.
a. in
b. out
13. That old building burned _____ last month.
a. on
b. down
14. Rachel is a reliable friend, one that I can always count _____ .
a. in
b. on
15. If you make a mistake, cross _____ the wrong answer and write the correct one.
a. through
b. out
16. I'll drop ____ your books on my way home.
a. over
b. off
17. I hardly ever eat at home anymore. I always eat _____.
a. out
b. on
18. They went out for three years and ended _____ getting married.
a. around
b. up
19. I thought my plan was brilliant, but in the end it fell _____.
a. through
b. by
20. Here is the application. Please fill it _____ and return it to me.
a. on
b. out
CHECK OUT OUR OTHER RELATED EXERCISES:
Prepositions with Phrasal Verbs 1 (B1/B2)
Word Order 1 (A1/A2)
More grammar exercises
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Prepositions with Phrasal Verbs 1 (B1/B2)
Word Order 1 (A1/A2)
More grammar exercises
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