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 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
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 →
