Unit 3: Particles in Phrasal Verbs  Unit3.mp3 


This unit explores the function of particles in phrasal verbs.


What is a Particle?


A particle is either a preposition (e.g.,

from, to, with) or an adverb (e.g., out, up, about). You can form phrasal verbs by adding different particles to a basic verb.


Meaning of Particles


In some phrasal verbs, the particle has a clear, basic meaning. For example, consider the verb "invite" with different particles:


  • Jack invited me out. (Implies: "Let's go out together.")


  • Rosie invited me in.


  • Jill invited me over.


  • Mark invited me up.


  • Susie invited me along.


Other Meanings of Particles


Most particles convey several different senses. For instance, "over" can mean:


  • Changing position: as in "fell over" (fall to the ground) or "move over" (change your sitting/standing position to make room).


  • Thoroughness: as in "read over" (read thoroughly) or "talk over" (discuss something thoroughly before deciding).


    The meanings of particles are discussed in more detail in Units 13-21.


Where Does the Particle Go?


With verbs that have an object:

  • Sometimes the particle must go

    before the object (e.g., "I'm looking for my keys").


  • Sometimes it must go

    after the object (e.g., "I have a lot of work on").


  • Sometimes the particle can go

    either before or after the object (e.g., "The thunder woke up the children" or "The thunder woke the children up").


    • Note: If the object is a pronoun (e.g., him, them), the particle must go after it (e.g., "The thunder woke them up").


Exercises for Unit 3   Unit3-ex.mp3 


Exercise 3.1


Look at section A and then answer the questions about these sentences:

  1. "My brothers were going to the circus and they asked me along."


    • Did the speaker go to the circus on her own, with her brothers, or do we not know for sure?

    • Answer: The speaker went with her brothers.


  2. "When I took Di a birthday present, she asked me in but I had to get to my lecture."


    • Did the speaker go into Di's house?

    • Answer: No, she didn't go into Di's house.


  3. "When I saw Mark on the balcony, he asked me up."


    • Who was in a higher position, Mark or the speaker?

    • Answer: Mark was in a higher position.


  4. "When the Richardsons asked me back after the concert I was happy to accept."


    • Where did the speaker go after the concert?

    • Answer: The speaker went to the Richardson's house.


  5. "My cousin has asked me to go over to his flat this evening."


    • What word could replace "over" with no change in meaning?

    • Answer: "round"


Exercise 3.2


Look at B opposite. Are the underlined phrasal verbs in the sentences below examples of the (a) or (b) meanings of "over"?

  1. "Think it

    over before you make up your mind what to do next."


    • Answer: (b) thoroughness


  2. "You may

    turn over the page now and read the exam questions."


    • Answer: (a) changing position


  3. "It's raining too hard to drive.

    Pull over to the edge of the road."


    • Answer: (a) changing position


  4. "Look

    over your answers before the end of the exam."


    • Answer: (b) thoroughness


Exercise 3.3


Look at C opposite. Then read these definitions and decide whether the sentences below are correct or incorrect. If necessary, correct them.

  • have sth on: to have an arrangement to do something (never in continuous tenses)


  • have sb on: to persuade someone that something is true when it is not, usually as a joke


  • have sth on: if you have clothes on, you are wearing them


  1. "I have on three important meetings tomorrow."


    • Answer: Incorrect. This phrasal verb cannot be used in continuous tense. Corrected: "I have three important meetings on tomorrow."


  2. "John has an amazing tie on."


    • Answer: Correct.


  3. "Sue was only having on her sisters when she told them she was planning to become a model."


    • Answer: Correct.


  4. "I'm having a lot of work on today."


    • Answer: Incorrect. This phrasal verb cannot be used in continuous tense. Corrected: "I have a lot of work on today."


  5. "I don't believe you! I'm sure you're having me on."


    • Answer: Correct.


  6. "Ruth was wearing her new jeans this morning and she had on them yesterday."


    • Answer: Incorrect. When the object is a pronoun, the particle must go after it. Corrected: "Ruth was wearing her new jeans this morning and she had them on yesterday."


Exercise 3.4


Put the words in the correct order to make sentences.

  1. to / you / for / make room / Can / move / over / your sister?


    • Answer: Can you move over to make room for your sister?


  2. finished / she / over. / Harry / it / to read / When / her essay, I asked / Jill


    • Answer: When Jill finished her essay, I asked Harry to read it over.


  3. his house / tomorrow. / Jim / back / me / has invited / to


    • Answer: Jim has invited me back to his house tomorrow.


  4. when he / Paul / his driving test. / his parents / he'd failed / only having / was / told them / on


    • Answer: Paul was only having his parents on when he told them he'd failed his driving test.


  5. tomorrow? / What / you / on / do / have


    • Answer: What do you have on tomorrow?


  6. the light / in her bedroom, / was / she / at home. / Sue / had / I knew / on / so


    • Answer: I knew Sue was at home so she had the light on in her bedroom.


If you have any more questions from this book, feel free to ask!


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