
B1: Phrasal Verbs
Below is a list of B1 level Phrasal Verbs for English learners. Good luck and enjoy!
What are phrasal verbs?
Phrasal verbs in English are combinations of a basic verb with a preposition, an adverb, or both, creating a single verb with a new, often idiomatic meaning that differs from the individual words' original meanings. For example, the phrasal verb "pick up" means to lift, which is separate from the separate meanings of "pick" and "up".
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Key Characteristics
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Multi-word verbs:
Phrasal verbs consist of two or three words, typically a verb and one or two particles (prepositions or adverbs).
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Unique, idiomatic meaning:
The combined phrase has a meaning that is often different from the individual words. For instance, "give up" means to quit, not literally "give" and then "up".
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Non-compositional:
The meaning cannot usually be understood by knowing the meaning of the individual parts alone.
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Interchangeable with single verbs:
In many cases, a phrasal verb can be replaced by a single verb. For example, "log in" (enter a website) can be replaced by the single verb "access".
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Examples
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Look after: To take care of someone or something.
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Turn off: To switch something off, like a light or a TV.
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Break down: For a machine to stop working.
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Come across: To find something by chance.
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Put up with: To tolerate something annoying.
Why they are important
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Vocabulary expansion: Learning phrasal verbs greatly increases your English vocabulary.
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Natural conversation: They are very common in both spoken and written English, so understanding them is key to understanding native speakers.
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Idiomatic expressions: They help you understand expressions that are not easily translated literally.
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B1 (Intermediate)
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Learners typically start encountering and learning common phrasal verbs at this level.
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A strong foundation in basic grammar and vocabulary is present, making learners ready for more complex structures.
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Examples can be found on the B1 Preliminary vocabulary list from Cambridge English.
B2 (Upper Intermediate)
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Phrasal verbs become increasingly important for communication at this level and are gradually introduced and reinforced.
Why B1 is the starting point
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At the B1 level, learners develop the ability to communicate in most everyday situations, which includes handling more complex linguistic structures like phrasal verbs.
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Learning phrasal verbs as "blocks" of English at this stage makes conversation easier.
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Examples of B1 level Phrasal Verbs
B1 1 hurry up - to make someone do something more quickly, or to make something happen sooner
−5.132
B1 41 belong to - to be a member of a group or organization −2.322
B1 86 look forward to - to feel happy and excited about something that is going to happen
−1.716
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B1 82 believe in - to be certain that something exists −1.445
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B1 100 laugh at - to show that you think someone or something is stupid
−1.328
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B1 25 take out - to go somewhere with someone and pay for them
−1.299
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B1 71 write down - to write something on a piece of paper so that you do not forget it
−1.175
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B1 26 fall down - to fall onto the ground −1.076
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B1 48 base on - If you base something on facts or ideas, you use those facts or ideas to develop it.
−1.065
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B1 36 depend on - to need the help and support of someone or something in order to exist or continue as before
−0.788
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B1 83 bring up - to care for a child until it is an adult −0.726
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B1 16 break down - If a machine or vehicle breaks down, it stops working.
−0.644
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B1 12 hear from - If you hear from someone, you get a letter or telephone call from them, or they tell you something.
−0.592
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B1 29 keep on - to continue to do something, or to do something again and again
−0.566
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B1 77 put off - to arrange to do something at a later time −0.551
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B1 92 get back - to be given something again that you had before
−0.510
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B1 98 give up - If you give up a habit, such as smoking, or something such as alcohol, you stop doing it or using it.
−0.506
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B1 70 remind of - to be similar to, or make you think of, something or someone else
−0.430
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B1 69 send back - to return something to the person who sent it to you, especially because it is damaged or not suitable
−0.376
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B1 18 find out - to get information about something, or to learn a fact for the first time
0.031
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B1 66 deal with - to take action in order to achieve something or in order to solve a problem
0.065
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B1 4 go on - to happen 0.069
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B1 91 hand in - to give a piece of written work to a teacher 0.139
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B1 72 put on - to put a CD/DVD, etc. into a machine so that you can see or hear it
0.318
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B1 53 shut down - If a computer or machine shuts down or someone shuts it down, it stops operating.
0.464
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B1 10 consist of - to be made of or formed from something 0.469
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B1 28 go on - to continue to happen or exist 0.542
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B1 9 run out - to finish, use or sell all of something, so that there is none left
0.592
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B1 32 hang up - to finish a conversation on the telephone by putting the phone down
0.706
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B1 50 care for - to look after someone or something, especially someone who is young, old or ill
0.809
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B1 85 set up - to formally establish a new company, organization, system, way of working, etc.
0.837
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B1 81 look up - to try to find a piece of information by looking in a book or on a computer
1.035
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B1 19 carry out - to do or complete something, especially something that you have said you would do or that you have been told to do
1.174
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B1 76 put out - to make something that is burning stop burning
1.630
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B1 11 keep off - to not go onto an area, or to stop someone or something going onto an area
1.734
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B1 2 work out - to exercise in order to improve the strength or appearance of your body
1.874
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B1 89 pass on - to tell someone something that another person has told you
2.926
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B1 93 key in - to put information into a computer using a keyboard
3.057
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B1 30 put through - to connect someone using a telephone to the person they want to speak to
3.231
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B1 64 split up - If two people who have a romantic relationship split up, they finish their
relationship.
4.443
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Practice using B1 Level Phrasal verbs (According to University of Cambridge)
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