P o w e r e d b y c o b u I l d

Identifying phrasal verbs in context
Look out for phrasal verbs when you are:
• reading a book or article
• watching a film or TV programme
• looking at a website.
Pay attention to how the phrasal verb is used and in what kind of situation. Make a note about this to help 
you remember the right context in which to use the phrasal verb.
Work on your Phrasal Verbs 
Appendices

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Appendix 2 
Understanding common particles
Appendices 1 and 2
A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and at least one particle. Understanding some of the basic 
meanings of particles can help you to understand the meanings of phrasal verbs. Some common particles 
are up, down, on, off, in, out, away, back, for, from, into, over, through and with. Below you will find the basic 
meanings of these common particles, with examples of phrasal verbs from this book.
particle
AWAY
meaning
moving to a different place
transferring or taking 
something to a different place
getting rid of or destroying 
something
example
• go away
• give away
• blow away
• get away
• run away
• take away
• throwaway
particle
BACK
meaning
returning to a place where you were before
controlling or suppressing something
example
• come back
• cut back on
• go back
• hold back
• turn back
particle
FOR
meaning
to state a reason, cause, purpose, or aim
example
• go for
• look for
• ask for
• head for
• make for
• call for
• hope for
• opt for
• care for
• try for
• stand for
• plan for