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.
Need a refresher? Jump to the grammar review ↓
Need a refresher? Jump to the grammar review ↓
Choose the correct answer for each sentence, then click Check answers to see how you did.
1. We passed _____ your house the other day.
Correct answer: by
2. Hey, would you like to come _____ next Thursday?
Correct answer: over
3. I was out very late last night and didn't get _____ until 4 AM.
Correct answer: in
4. The police let the thief slip _____ their fingers at the last moment.
Correct answer: through
5. Maria has never fit _____ with the crowd. She has always been a rebel.
Correct answer: in
6. You should put _____ that red dress that I like so much.
Correct answer: on
7. You've made quite a mess. You should clean it _____.
Correct answer: up
8. Could you please turn _____ that light? It's way too bright.
Correct answer: off
9. Come _____, come _____! We've been expecting you.
Correct answer: in
10. She fainted, but then she came _____ about 5 minutes later.
Correct answer: to
11. Kids love to hang _____ in the mall.
Correct answer: out
12. John really wanted to go on a date with Victoria, so he asked her _____.
Correct answer: out
13. That old building burned _____ last month.
Correct answer: down
14. Rachel is a reliable friend, one that I can always count _____ .
Correct answer: on
15. If you make a mistake, cross _____ the wrong answer and write the correct one.
Correct answer: out
16. I'll drop ____ your books on my way home.
Correct answer: off
17. I hardly ever eat at home anymore. I always eat _____.
Correct answer: out
18. They went out for three years and ended _____ getting married.
Correct answer: up
19. I thought my plan was brilliant, but in the end it fell _____.
Correct answer: through
20. Here is the application. Please fill it _____ and return it to me.
Correct answer: out
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.
KEEP PRACTICING — MORE EXERCISES FOR YOU:
More preposition & idiom exercises:
Prepositions: Antonyms 1
Prepositions in Idioms - Exercise 1 (B1/B2)
Prepositions After Adjectives Exercise 2 (B1/B2)
Prepositions in Idioms - Exercise 2 (B1/B2)
Related phrasal verb exercises:
Phrasal Verbs with Get - Exercise 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal Verbs with Get - Exercise 2 (C1/C2)
Mixed Phrasal Verbs Exercise 1 (B1/B2)
Mixed Phrasal Verbs Exercise 2 - Sentence Paraphrase (B1/B2)
Phrasal Verbs with Break - Exercise 1 (C1/C2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
More preposition & idiom exercises:
Prepositions: Antonyms 1
Prepositions in Idioms - Exercise 1 (B1/B2)
Prepositions After Adjectives Exercise 2 (B1/B2)
Prepositions in Idioms - Exercise 2 (B1/B2)
Related phrasal verb exercises:
Phrasal Verbs with Get - Exercise 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal Verbs with Get - Exercise 2 (C1/C2)
Mixed Phrasal Verbs Exercise 1 (B1/B2)
Mixed Phrasal Verbs Exercise 2 - Sentence Paraphrase (B1/B2)
Phrasal Verbs with Break - Exercise 1 (C1/C2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
