Phrasal Verbs

Infinitive: get back at
PRESENT TENSE
-ING FORM
PAST TENSE
PAST PARTICIPLE
get back at & gets
back at
getting back at
got back at
gotten/got back at
1. get back at p.v. When you get back at people, you do something bad to them because
they have done something bad to you.
John won’tforgetwhat you didto him. He’lldefinitely get backat you someday.
She wants to get back at her ex-husband for the way he treated her.
Infinitive: go about
PRESENT TENSE
-ING FORM
PAST TENSE
PAST PARTICIPLE
go about & goes
about
going about
went about
gone about
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1. go about p.v. When you go about something or go about doing something, you begin or
continue to follow all the steps necessary to do it.
I have no idea how to go about opening a restaurant.
Every day he quietly went about his business and never caused any problems.
Infinitive: grow out of
PRESENT TENSE
-ING FORM
PAST TENSE
PAST PARTICIPLE
grow out of & grows
out of
growing out of
grew out of
grown out of
1. grow out of p.v. When people become too tall or too big to wear an item of clothing, they
grow out of the item of clothing.
I bought Susie’s shoes one size too big, but she’s quickly growing out of them.
Do you want these clothes for your daughter? Mine has grown out of them.
2. grow out of p.v. When people become too mature for a toy, for an interest, or for a form
of behavior, they have grown out of it.
Judy had a big crush on a pop star when she was in high school, but after a while
she grew out of it.
Jim’s son is going through a difficult stage, but he’ll grow out of it in a couple of
years.
Infinitive: head into
PRESENT TENSE
-ING FORM
PAST TENSE
PAST PARTICIPLE
head into & heads
into
heading into
headed into
headed into
1. head into p.v. When you head into or are headed into a place or area, you begin to enter
it.
I almost had an accident as I was heading into town.
We scared away the bear, and it headed slowly into the woods.
Jim was headed into Ashland when his car broke down.
Infinitive: rip up
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PRESENT TENSE
-ING FORM
PAST TENSE
PAST PARTICIPLE
rip up & rips up
ripping up
ripped up
ripped up
1. rip . . . up p.v. When you tear paper or cloth into many pieces, you rip it up.
Nancy was furious when she read Tom’s letter, and she angrily ripped it up.
Always rip up a check before you put it in the wastebasket.
ripped up part.adj. After a piece of paper or cloth has been torn into many small piece, it
is ripped up.
After the kids opened their Christmas presents, the floor was covered with ripped
up paper.
Infinitive: wear down
PRESENT TENSE
-ING FORM
PAST TENSE
PAST PARTICIPLE
wear down & wears
down
wearing down
wore down
worn down
1. wear . . . down p.v. When something wears down or when someone wears something
down, the top or surface gradually disappears because of friction.
The feet of thousands of visitors a year have worn down the marble steps of this
old church.
The mechanic told me that my car’s brake pads have worn down badly and need
to be replaced.
worn down part.adj. After the top or surface of something has gradually disappeared
because of friction, it is worn down.
The marble steps are very old and worn down.
The tread on these tires is dangerously worn down.
2. wear . . . down p.v. When people wear you down, they gradually persuade you, through
persistent pressure, to change your mind about a decision.
He wouldn’t tell me the answer, but little by little, I wore him down.
She still will not give us permission, but I think we’re wearing her down.
PRACTICE
17-1. On a separate piece of paper, complete the sentences with phrasal verbs from this
unit. Be sure the phrasal verbs are in the correct tense and person.
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1. I waved to Jim when I saw him across the street, and he _____________
_____________ and talked to me.
2. This company has been _____________ _____________ since that idiot was made the
manager.
3. Don’t leave the newspaper where the dog can get it. He’ll totally _____________ it
_____________.
4. We need a lot of things from the supermarket. When are you _____________
_____________ town?
5. Jake told the boss I was not doing my job, and I got fired, but I _____________
_____________ _____________ Jake—I told his wife about his girlfriend.
6. During the American Revolution, the French fleet _____________ _____________ and
helped the Americans fight the British.
7. The heels on my boots have _____________ _____________ badly, and I need to get
them replaced.
8. Can you help me get hooked up to the Internet? I have no idea how to _____________
_____________ it.
9. Don’t spend a lot of money on baby clothes—she’ll _____________ _____________
_____________ them in a few weeks.
10. I need a new car. This piece of junk is _____________ _____________.
11. Sally asks her parents for a pony about a hundred times a day. She’s trying to
_____________ them _____________.
12. When his wife said she wanted a divorce, he just _____________ _____________.
13. If you’re not busy tonight, would you like to _____________ _____________ and watch
TV?
14. My four-year-old son thinks it’s really funny to say bad words. I hope he
_____________ _____________ _____________ it.