GV

Phrasal Verb Particles

Understanding particle meanings: up, down, out, off, on

intermediate

When to Use Phrasal Verb Particles

  • •UP = complete/increase: eat up, speak up, cheer up
  • •DOWN = decrease/record: calm down, write down, break down
  • •OUT = completely/distribute: find out, hand out, wear out
  • •OFF = disconnect/leave: turn off, take off, put off
  • •ON = continue/attach: carry on, put on, hold on

How to Form Phrasal Verb Particles

Affirmative (+)

Verb + particle (+ object)

Negative (-)

Don't give up. / He didn't turn off the light.

Question (?)

Did you find out the answer?

💡 Particles add meaning to verbs. Learning particle patterns helps predict phrasal verb meanings.

Examples of Phrasal Verb Particles

✓Please speak up—I can't hear you. (UP = louder/more)

✗Please speak down—I can't hear you.

UP often means increase; speak up = speak louder.

✓The car broke down on the highway. (DOWN = stop working)

✗The car broke up on the highway.

DOWN with machines = malfunction; UP = end relationship.

✓I need to figure out this problem. (OUT = completely/discover)

✗I need to figure in this problem.

OUT often means completely or to discover.

Common Mistakes with Phrasal Verb Particles

💡 Practice Tips for Phrasal Verb Particles

  • • UP: increase, complete, approach (wake up, use up, come up)
  • • DOWN: decrease, record, destroy (slow down, note down, knock down)
  • • OUT: completely, distribute, discover (sell out, give out, find out)
  • • OFF: disconnect, leave, cancel (switch off, set off, call off)
  • • ON: continue, wear, depend (go on, try on, count on)
Quick Quiz
  1. 1.It's bedtime — please turn   the TV completely.
  2. 2.I'll pick   at 8 — be ready! (your friend Sarah)
  3. Question 3: After thirty years of smoking, she finally gave blank . (= quit)
    3.After thirty years of smoking, she finally gave . (= quit)
  4. Question 4: The car broke blank on the motorway and we had to call for help. (= stopped working)
    4.The car broke on the motorway and we had to call for help. (= stopped working)
  5. Question 5: We need to figure blank what went wrong yesterday. (= discover by thinking)
    5.We need to figure what went wrong yesterday. (= discover by thinking)
  6. Question 6: Please speak blank — the people at the back can't hear you. (= louder)
    6.Please speak — the people at the back can't hear you. (= louder)
  7. Question 7: Don't give blank — you're almost finished! (= surrender / quit trying)
    7.Don't give — you're almost finished! (= surrender / quit trying)
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