B2 Grammar: Advanced Phrasal Verbs

B2 Grammar: Advanced Phrasal Verbs
ESL Structure Curriculum

ESL Grammar Course

B2: Upper-Intermediate

Building blocks showing a verb and a particle combining to make a new meaning

Advanced Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are verbs combined with a particle (a preposition or adverb) to create a new meaning. At the B2 level, you encounter more complex and idiomatic phrasal verbs that are essential for fluency.

Focus Areas:

  • Recognizing common B2-level phrasal verbs.
  • Understanding literal vs. idiomatic meanings.
  • Learning about separable and inseparable phrasal verbs.

⚠️ Attention: Common Challenges

1. Idiomatic Meaning: The meaning of a phrasal verb is often very different from the meaning of the individual words. They must be learned as a complete chunk of vocabulary.

  • “He ran into an old friend.” (Meaning: met by chance, not physically collided).

2. Separable vs. Inseparable: Some phrasal verbs can be separated by an object pronoun, while others cannot.

  • Separable: “Turn the music down.” OR “Turn it down.”
  • Inseparable: “I will look after the cat.” (Incorrect: look the cat after).

Practice Quiz

1. It’s a difficult problem, but we’ll find a way to ____ it ____.

2. The meeting has been ____ until next Friday because the manager is sick.

3. I can’t believe he ____ with such a terrible excuse.

4. She had to ____ the job offer because the salary was too low.

5. Don’t ____! I know you can finish the race.

6. We need to ____ a new plan because the old one isn’t working.

7. I’m really ____ my vacation next month.

8. It took him a long time to ____ the flu.

9. The plane will ____ in twenty minutes.

10. Please ____ the lights when you leave the room.