GRAMMAR IN USE:PHRASAL VERBS Notes, Quizzes & Revision
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GRAMMAR IN USE: PHRASAL VERBS
Subject: English — Topic: Personal Grooming — For age 14 (Kenya)
What is a phrasal verb?
A phrasal verb = verb + particle (a small word: adverb or preposition). Example: "put on" (verb = put, particle = on). Phrasal verbs are common in spoken English and often used when talking about getting ready, cleaning, and dressing.
Important grammar notes (short):
- Transitive / Intransitive: Some phrasal verbs need an object (transitive): "put on a shirt." Some do not (intransitive): "wash up."
- Separable vs inseparable: - Separable: you can put the object between the verb and particle: "put your shoes on" → "put them on." - Inseparable: you cannot split the verb and particle: wrong to say "look him after" (correct: "look after him").
- Pronoun rule: If the object is a pronoun (it, them, him, her), and the phrasal verb is separable, put the pronoun between the verb and the particle: "take them off" (NOT "take off them").
- Meaning depends on context: Some phrasal verbs have more than one meaning. Use the situation (grooming, clothes, cleaning) to choose the right meaning.
Common phrasal verbs for personal grooming (with meanings & examples)
- put on — wear clothes or accessories.
Example: Put on your school uniform before assembly. → Put it on.
- take off — remove clothes or accessories.
Example: Take off your shoes at the door. → Take them off.
- try on — test clothes to see if they fit.
Example: Try on the blazer before buying it.
- dress up — wear smart clothes for a special event.
Example: Dress up for the church service on Sunday.
- tidy up / clean up — make neat or clean (room, uniform).
Example: Tidy up your desk and clean up your shoes.
- wash up / wash off — wash hands/face; remove dirt.
Example: Wash off the mud from your hands before eating.
- dry off — remove water with towel.
Example: Dry off quickly after your shower so your hair does not get cold.
- comb out / comb through — remove tangles, make hair neat.
Example: Comb out the tangles in her hair. → Comb them out.
- zip up / button up / tie up — fasten clothes.
Example: Zip up your jacket — it is cold outside.
- slip on — put on quickly (shoes, sandals).
Example: Slip on your sandals and let's go to the shop.
- freshen up — make yourself feel clean and presentable.
Example: Freshen up before the photos.
- cut off / shave off / grow out — hair actions.
Example: She wants to cut off the damaged ends. He will grow out his hair over the holidays.
How to place the object (quick guide)
- Separable phrasal verb: object can go between verb and particle or after particle.
Example: "Put on your shoes." or "Put your shoes on." With a pronoun: "Put them on." (NOT "Put on them.")
- Inseparable phrasal verb: object always after the whole phrasal verb.
Example: "Look after your little sister." NOT "Look her after."
Common mistakes
- Wrong: "Take off them." — Right: "Take them off."
- Wrong: "Look him after." — Right: "Look after him."
- Be careful: "brush up" (improve skill) is different from "brush up your hair" (rare). Always check meaning in context.
Quick practice (write the correct phrasal verb)
- _____ your shoes before you go to school. (wear)
- She wants to _____ the blazer to see if it fits. (test clothes)
- After cooking, remember to _____ your hands. (wash)
- He cut _____ the split ends of his hair. (remove)
- Put the tie on correctly — _____ it _____. (fasten / use "it")
Answers (click to show)
- Put on your shoes before you go to school.
- She wants to try on the blazer to see if it fits.
- After cooking, remember to wash up / wash your hands.
- He cut off the split ends of his hair.
- Put the tie on correctly — put it on. (or "button up the tie" is wrong; correct: "fasten the tie" / "tie it up")
Short activity for class / homework
Write a short paragraph (5–7 sentences) about how you get ready for a school day. Use at least three phrasal verbs from the list above. Underline the phrasal verbs and label each as separable or inseparable.
Tip for teachers: check pronoun placement and correct meaning in context.
For help, try speaking the sentences aloud. Phrasal verbs are used a lot in everyday English — practise them in sentences about grooming and dressing to remember their meanings and grammar.