C1 Advanced: Use of English – Phrasal Verbs

Level: C1 / CAE

Mastering phrasal verbs is essential for success in the C1 Advanced (CAE) exam. This lesson will help you understand, use, and recognize a wide range of phrasal verbs, including their meanings, structures, and common pitfalls.

What Are Phrasal Verbs?

A phrasal verb is a verb combined with one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs) that changes the original meaning of the verb. Phrasal verbs are extremely common in English, especially in spoken and informal contexts, and often appear in the C1 Advanced Use of English exam.

Example: run into (to meet someone by chance)
I ran into an old friend at the supermarket.

Key Theory: Types and Structures

Transitive vs Intransitive:
Transitive phrasal verbs need an object.
Intransitive phrasal verbs do not take an object.
Separable vs Inseparable:
Separable: The object can come between the verb and the particle.
Inseparable: The object must come after the particle.

Separable Example

Turn down (to refuse)

She turned down the offer.

She turned it down.

Inseparable Example

Look after (to take care of)

She looks after her little brother.

(Not: ~~She looks her little brother after.~~)

Practical Examples

Come up with (to think of an idea or solution)
He came up with a brilliant plan.
Carry out (to perform or complete a task)
The scientists carried out an important experiment.
Get away with (to avoid punishment)
She got away with cheating in the exam.
Put up with (to tolerate)
I can’t put up with this noise any longer.

Highlighted Grammatical Structures

Direct object position:
Separable: He turned the invitation down. / He turned down the invitation.
Pronouns with separable phrasal verbs:
The pronoun must go between the verb and the particle.
He turned it down. (Not: ~~He turned down it.~~)
Inseparable phrasal verbs:
The object always comes after the particle.
She looks after her cat.

Common Learner Mistakes

Incorrect separation: She ~~put up~~ the noise ~~with~~. Correct: She put up with the noise.
Wrong preposition: He ~~came out with~~ a solution. Correct: He came up with a solution.
Misuse with pronouns: She ~~turned down it~~. Correct: She turned it down.

Exam-Focused Tips

Pay close attention to the particle (preposition/adverb) used. Many phrasal verbs look similar but have different meanings.
Remember which phrasal verbs are separable and which are inseparable, especially when using pronouns.
Practice paraphrasing: Phrasal verbs are often tested through sentence transformations in the CAE exam.
Learn phrasal verbs in context to remember their meanings and usage better.

Interactive Practice

Choose the correct phrasal verb to complete each sentence:

1. I can’t ________ this mess any longer.

put up with

get away with

come up with

2. She ________ a brilliant idea for the project.

came up with

carried out

turned down

3. The scientist ________ an important experiment.