Phrasal Verbs 2: When the Meaning Changes the Pattern
By the end: I can choose a phrasal verb’s object pattern from its meaning.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Choose a short recording.
Work out: exercise or solve
Work out can mean exercise without a direct object. To solve or calculate something, include the thing solved; a pronoun goes between work and out.
I work out before breakfast.
I worked it out on paper.
Turn up: arrive or increase
A person can turn up without a direct object. When increasing volume, name the thing increased; put a pronoun in the middle.
Mia turned up late.
Please turn it up a little.
Take off: depart or remove
A plane takes off without a direct object. Removing clothing uses an object, with a pronoun in the middle.
The plane took off at nine.
He took his coat off.
The object changes what take off means
At nine gives the time. It is not an object being removed.
His coat is the removed object. With a pronoun: He took it off.
Guided practice
Say or write your answer first. Compare form and meaning with the model.
1. Does I work out at the gym need a direct object after out?
Compare a model and explanation
No. Work out means exercise here.
At the gym gives location, not a direct object.
2. Replace the noun: She worked out the answer.
Compare a model and explanation
She worked it out.
Put it before out.
3. Correct the volume request: Turn up it.
Compare a model and explanation
Turn it up.
A pronoun goes between verb and particle.
4. Explain Mia turned up at six.
Compare a model and explanation
Mia arrived at six.
No volume object is implied.
5. Explain The plane took off.
Compare a model and explanation
The plane left the ground.
No clothing is being removed.
6. Replace the noun: Take off your shoes.
Compare a model and explanation
Take them off.
Use them in the middle.
7. Give two senses of work out in two sentences.
Compare a model and explanation
I work out on Mondays. I worked the price out yesterday.
Let the context select the pattern.
8. Why is I took off at nine different from I took it off?
Compare a model and explanation
The first can describe departure; the second has an object being removed.
A pronoun can signal a different sense and argument structure.
A short conversation
Listen first, then open the transcript when useful.
Open the conversation transcript
A: Did you work out this morning?
B: No, I was working out the total cost of the trip.
A: When did Mia turn up?
B: At nine, just before our plane took off.
Listening checks
Listen to each extract or open its transcript. These three questions have a separate score.
Mastery quiz
Choose the best answer for each situation. The score is out of eight.
Use it in your own words
Speaking 1
Use work out once for exercise and once for solving something.
Reveal a possible response
I work out twice a week. I worked out the cost of my trip.
Success check: Make the meanings identifiable.
Speaking 2
Use turn up and take off with pronoun objects.
Reveal a possible response
The music is quiet; turn it up. Your coat is wet; take it off.
Success check: Put pronouns before particles.
Put it all together
Tell a short airport story containing an arrival, a departure and removal of an item.
Reveal a possible response
Mia turned up at eight. I took my jacket off. Our plane took off at nine.
Success check: Let each context determine the pattern.
Take it with you
I can choose a phrasal verb’s object pattern from its meaning.