English grammar, vocabulary, and listening comprehension exercises

Topic: Transitive and intransitive phrasal verbs 1

level: Intermediate

Paying attention to the definition of each of the phrasal verbs below, choose whether it is an intransitive phrasal verb (no direct object required) or a transitive phrasal verb that requires a direct object.

1. To look up (to search for)
Is "He looked up." correct?
  Yes, this is fine without a direct object.
  No, the sentence needs a direct object.

2. To show up (to appear)
Is "I showed up." correct?
  Yes, this is fine without a direct object.
  No, the sentence needs a direct object.

3. To act on (to take action because of some information, etc.)
Is "She acted on." correct?
  Yes, this is fine without a direct object.
  No, the sentence needs a direct object.

4. To give up (to stop making an effort; to admit defeat)
Is "We gave up." correct?
  No, the sentence needs a direct object.
  Yes, this is fine without a direct object.

5. To kick off (to start)
Is "He kicked off." correct?
  No, the sentence needs a direct object.
  Yes, this is fine without a direct object.

6. To back off (to not follow up on a threat)
Is "They backed off." correct?
  No, the sentence needs a direct object.
  Yes, this is fine without a direct object.

7. To bail out (to save; to help)
Is "The government bailed out." correct?
  No, the sentence needs a direct object.
  Yes, this is fine without a direct object.

8. To pass out (to faint)
Is "She passed out." correct?
  Yes, this is fine without a direct object.
  No, the sentence needs a direct object.

9. To pass out (to distribute)
Is "She passed out." correct?
  Yes, this is fine without a direct object.
  No, the sentence needs a direct object.

10. To pass away (to die)
Is "His great grandmother passed away." correct?
  No, the sentence needs a direct object.
  Yes, this is fine without a direct object.

11. To make out (to decipher; to understand)
Is "He couldn't make out." correct?
  No, the sentence needs a direct object.
  Yes, this is fine without a direct object.

12. To set up (to arrange)
Is "My brother set up." correct?
  Yes, this is fine without a direct object.
  No, the sentence needs a direct object.

13. To sneak out (to leave a place quietly, secretly)
Is "Stacey and I snuck out." correct?
  Yes, this is fine without a direct object.
  No, the sentence needs a direct object.

14. To drop off (to deliver)
Is "I dropped off." correct?
  Yes, this is fine without a direct object.
  No, the sentence needs a direct object.

15. To fall for (to believe, in a naive way)
Is "We fell for." correct?
  No, the sentence needs a direct object.
  Yes, this is fine without a direct object.

16. To slow down (to go more slowly)
Is "The driver didn't slow down." correct?
  No, the sentence needs a direct object.
  Yes, this is fine without a direct object.

17. To make up (to reconcile after a fight)
Is "They made up." correct?
  No, the sentence needs a direct object.
  Yes, this is fine without a direct object.

18. To make up (to fabricate; to invent)
Is "They made up." correct?
  Yes, this is fine without a direct object.
  No, the sentence needs a direct object.

19. To blow up (to explode)
Is "The container blew up." correct?
  Yes, this is fine without a direct object.
  No, the sentence needs a direct object.

20. To bump into (to meet unexpectedly)
Is "We bumped into." correct?
  Yes, this is fine without a direct object.
  No, the sentence needs a direct object.

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