Transitive and intransitive phrasal verbs 1
B1–B2 · IntermediateSome phrasal verbs require a direct object, while others can stand on their own. This exercise uses the stated meaning of each phrasal verb to help you decide whether a sentence needs an object.
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?
Is “He looked up.” correct?
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
2. To show up (to appear)
Is “I showed up.” correct?
Is “I showed up.” correct?
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
3. To act on (to take action because of some information, etc.)
Is “She acted on.” correct?
Is “She acted on.” correct?
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
4. To give up (to stop making an effort; to admit defeat)
Is “We gave up.” correct?
Is “We gave up.” correct?
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
5. To kick off (to start)
Is “He kicked off.” correct?
Is “He kicked off.” correct?
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
6. To back off (to not follow up on a threat)
Is “They backed off.” correct?
Is “They backed off.” correct?
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
7. To bail out (to save; to help)
Is “The government bailed out.” correct?
Is “The government bailed out.” correct?
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
8. To pass out (to faint)
Is “She passed out.” correct?
Is “She passed out.” correct?
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
9. To pass out (to distribute)
Is “She passed out.” correct?
Is “She passed out.” correct?
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
10. To pass away (to die)
Is “His great grandmother passed away.” correct?
Is “His great grandmother passed away.” correct?
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
11. To make out (to decipher; to understand)
Is “He couldn't make out.” correct?
Is “He couldn't make out.” correct?
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
12. To set up (to arrange)
Is “My brother set up.” correct?
Is “My brother set up.” correct?
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
13. To sneak out (to leave a place quietly, secretly)
Is “Stacey and I snuck out.” correct?
Is “Stacey and I snuck out.” correct?
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
14. To drop off (to deliver)
Is “I dropped off.” correct?
Is “I dropped off.” correct?
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
15. To fall for (to believe, in a naive way)
Is “We fell for.” correct?
Is “We fell for.” correct?
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
16. To slow down (to go more slowly)
Is “The driver didn't slow down.” correct?
Is “The driver didn't slow down.” correct?
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
17. To make up (to reconcile after a fight)
Is “They made up.” correct?
Is “They made up.” correct?
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
18. To make up (to fabricate; to invent)
Is “They made up.” correct?
Is “They made up.” correct?
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
19. To blow up (to explode)
Is “The container blew up.” correct?
Is “The container blew up.” correct?
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
20. To bump into (to meet unexpectedly)
Is “We bumped into.” correct?
Is “We bumped into.” correct?
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
Teacher? Share this exercise with your students.
Send this free transitive and intransitive phrasal verbs exercise to your Google Classroom class.
Share to Google Classroom
KEEP PRACTICING — MORE EXERCISES FOR YOU:
Understanding whether a phrasal verb is transitive or intransitive determines where its object can go — these exercises build that knowledge.
More transitive/intransitive exercises:
Transitive and intransitive verbs 1 (B1/B2)
Transitive and intransitive verbs 2 (B1/B2)
More phrasal verb exercises:
Separable phrasal verbs 1 (B1/B2)
Separable phrasal verbs 2 (B1/B2)
Mixed phrasal verbs 1 (B2/C1)
Mixed phrasal verbs 2 (B2/C1)
Phrasal verbs with get 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs with get 2 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs with go 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs with pull 1 (C1/C2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
Understanding whether a phrasal verb is transitive or intransitive determines where its object can go — these exercises build that knowledge.
More transitive/intransitive exercises:
Transitive and intransitive verbs 1 (B1/B2)
Transitive and intransitive verbs 2 (B1/B2)
More phrasal verb exercises:
Separable phrasal verbs 1 (B1/B2)
Separable phrasal verbs 2 (B1/B2)
Mixed phrasal verbs 1 (B2/C1)
Mixed phrasal verbs 2 (B2/C1)
Phrasal verbs with get 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs with get 2 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs with go 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs with pull 1 (C1/C2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
