Prepositions in Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are made of two parts: a base verb and another small word that is either a preposition or an adverb particle.

It is not always possible to guess the meaning of a phrasal verb from the individual words in it. The more exposure you have to phrasal verbs the easier they are to learn.

Take a look at the following ten sentences and decide which preposition is needed to form the correct phrasal verb.
 

• 1. Can you ___ this equation? It's too difficult for me.
  
  work up
  work out
  
  
• 2. Our car ___ fuel. We ended up walking all the way home.
  
  ran out with
  ran out of
  
  
• 3. Jim and Patrick had a ___ last week. They're still not talking to each other.
  
  fall out
  fall up
  
  
• 4. I'm ___ all my old magazines. I don't need them anymore.
  
  throwing in
  throwing out
  
  
• 5. I'll ___ on the way to the party.
  
  pick you down
  pick you up
  
  
• 6. Catherine's decided to ___ smoking. Let's see if she can!
  
  give up
  give out
  
  
• 7. What time do you usually ___ to on Saturdays?
  
  wake up
  wake down
  
  
• 8. He was devastated after his girlfriend ___ with him.
  
  broke up
  broke in
  
  
• 9. I need to buy new shoes. These ones are really ___.
  
  worn out
  worn up
  
  
• 10. ___! That car nearly bumped you!
  
  Look on
  Look out