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".
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".
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.
Examples of B1 level Phrasal Verbs
CEFR Level - Item no. - Phrasal verb - Definition - Item difficulty
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
B1 82 believe in - to be certain that something exists −1.445
B1 100 laugh at - to show that you think someone or something is stupid −1.328
B1 25 take out - to go somewhere with someone and pay for them −1.299
B1 71 write down - to write something on a piece of paper so that you do not forget it −1.175
B1 26 fall down - to fall onto the ground −1.076
B1 48 base on - If you base something on facts or ideas, you use those facts or ideas to develop it. −1.065
B1 36 depend on - to need the help and support of someone or something in order to exist or continue as before −0.788
B1 83 bring up - to care for a child until it is an adult −0.726
B1 16 break down - If a machine or vehicle breaks down, it stops working. −0.644
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
B1 29 keep on - to continue to do something, or to do something again and again −0.566
B1 77 put off - to arrange to do something at a later time −0.551
B1 92 get back - to be given something again that you had before −0.510
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
B1 70 remind of - to be similar to, or make you think of, something or someone else −0.430
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
B1 18 find out - to get information about something, or to learn a fact for the first time -0.031
B1 66 deal with - to take action in order to achieve something or in order to solve a problem -0.065
B1 4 go on - to happen -0.069
B1 91 hand in - to give a piece of written work to a teacher 0.139
B1 72 put on - to put a CD/DVD, etc. into a machine so that you can see or hear it -0.318
B1 53 shut down - If a computer or machine shuts down or someone shuts it down, it stops operating. -0.464
B1 10 consist of - to be made of or formed from something -0.469
B1 28 go on - to continue to happen or exist -0.542
B1 9 run out - to finish, use or sell all of something, so that there is none left -0.592
B1 32 hang up - to finish a conversation on the telephone by putting the phone down -0.706
B1 50 care for - to look after someone or something, especially someone who is young, old or ill -0.809
B1 85 set up - to formally establish a new company, organization, system, way of working, etc. -0.837
B1 81 look up - to try to find a piece of information by looking in a book or on a computer -1.035
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
B1 76 put out - to make something that is burning stop burning -1.630
B1 11 keep off - to not go onto an area, or to stop someone or something going onto an area -1.734
B1 2 work out - to exercise in order to improve the strength or appearance of your body -1.874
B1 89 pass on - to tell someone something that another person has told you -2.926
B1 93 key in - to put information into a computer using a keyboard -3.057
B1 30 put through - to connect someone using a telephone to the person they want to speak to -3.231
B1 64 split up - If two people who have a romantic relationship split up, they finish their relationship. -4.443
Practice using B1 Level Phrasal verbs (According to University of Cambridge)
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Other English Grammar Tasks
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