Phrasal Verbs — Guessing Meaning from Context

Can you guess the meaning from context?

Notice

  • Can you look after my cat while I’m away?
  • I need to give up sugar.
  • She turned down the job offer.

Rule

A phrasal verb = verb + particle (up, down, off, on, in, out…) with a meaning you often can’t guess from the individual words. Look after = take care of. Give up = stop doing something. Turn down = refuse.

Practice

  1. Who is going to ___ (look after) the kids tonight?
    Answer: look after
  2. I’m trying to ___ (give up) chocolate.
    Answer: give up
  3. He ___ (turn down) the promotion.
    Answer: turned down
  4. Can you ___ (fill in) this form for me?
    Answer: fill in
  5. The meeting was ___ (put off) until next week.
    Answer: put off

Connect

Practise common phrasal verbs in context.

Try Vocabulary Quiz →

CEFR: Reading — understand everyday high-frequency language, including common phrasal verbs.

Azizul Hakim
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