Phrasal Verbs List

This is a list of about 200 common phrasal verbs, with meanings and examples. Phrasal verbs are usually two-word
phrases consisting of verb + adverb or verb + preposition. Think of them as you would any other English
vocabulary. Study them as you come across them, rather than trying to memorize many at once. Use the list below
as a reference guide when you find an expression that you don't recognize. The examples will help you understand
the meanings. If you think of each phrasal verb as a separate verb with a specific meaning, you will be able to
remember it more easily. Like many other verbs, phrasal verbs often have more than one meaning. As well as
learning their meanings, you need to learn how to use phrasal verbs properly. Some phrasal verbs require a direct
object (Š
 something), while others do not. Some phrasal verbs can be separated by the object, while others
cannot. Review the grammar lesson on phrasal verbs from time to time so that you don't forget the rules!

Most phrasal verbs consist of two words, but a few

consist of three words, which always stay together.

Verb Meaning Example

ask Š
  out invite on a date Brian asked Judy out to dinner and a
movie.

ask around ask many people the same question I asked around but nobody has seen my
wallet.

add up to Š
 equal Your purchases add up to $205.32.

back Š
 up reverse You'll have to back up your car so that I

can get out.

back Š
  up support My wife backed me up over my decision

to quit my job.

blow up explode The racing car blew up after it crashed

into the fence.

blow Š
 up add air We have to blow 50 balloons up for the

party.

break down stop functioning (vehicle, machine) Our car broke down at the side of the
highway in the snowstorm.

break down get upset The woman broke down when the police
told her that her son had died.

break Š
 down divide into smaller parts Our teacher broke the final project down
into three separate parts.

break in force entry to a building Somebody broke in last night and stole
our stereo.

break into Š
 enter forcibly The firemen had to break into the room
to rescue the children.

break Š
 in wear something a few times so that it I need to break these shoes in before we
doesn't look/feel new run next week.

break in interrupt The TV station broke in to report the

news of the president's death.

break up end a relationship My boyfriend and I broke up before I

moved to America.

break up start laughing (informal) The kids just broke up as soon as the
clown started talking.

break out escape The prisoners broke out of jail when the
guards weren't looking.

break out in Š
 develop a skin condition I broke out in a rash after our camping
trip.

bring Š
  down make unhappy This sad music is bringing me down.

bring Š
  up raise a child My grandparents brought me up after

my parents died.

bring Š
 up start talking about a subject My mother walks out of the room when
my father brings up sports.

c
c
 bring Š
 up vomit He drank so much that he brought his
dinner up in the toilet.

call around phone many different places/people We called around but we weren't able to
find the car part we needed.

call Š
  back return a phone call I called the company back but the offices
were closed for the weekend.

call Š
 off cancel Jason called the wedding off because he
wasn't in love with his fiancé.

call on Š
  ask for an answer or opinion The professor called on me for question
1.

call on Š
  visit someone We called on you last night but you

weren't home.

call Š
  up phone Give me your phone number and I will

call you up when we are in town.

calm down relax after being angry You are still mad. You need to calm
down before you drive the car.

not care for not like (formal) I don't care for his behaviour.
Š
 Š


catch up get to the same point as someone else You'll have to run faster than that if you
want to catch up with Marty.

check in arrive and register at a hotel or We will get the hotel keys when we
airport check in.

check out leave a hotel You have to check out of the hotel
before 11:00 AM.

check Š
 Š
 look at carefully, investigate The company checks out all new
out employees.

check out look at (informal) ©heck out the crazy hair on that guy!
Š
 Š


cheer up become happier She cheered up when she heard the good
news.

cheer Š
  up make happier I brought you some flowers to cheer you

up.

chip in help If everyone chips in we can get the

kitchen painted by noon.

clean Š
 up tidy, clean Please clean up your bedroom before

you go outside.

come across Š
 find unexpectedly I came across these old photos when I
was tidying the closet.

come apart separate The top and bottom come apart if you
pull hard enough.

come down with become sick My nephew came down with chicken
Š
 pox this weekend.

come forward volunteer for a task or to give The woman came forward with her
evidence husband's finger prints.

come from somewhere originate in The art of origami comes from Asia.

count on rely on I am counting on you to make dinner

Š
 Š
 while I am out.

cross Š
 out draw a line through Please cross out your old address and
write your new one.

cut back on Š
 consume less My doctor wants me to cut back on

sweets and fatty foods.

cut Š
 down make something fall to the ground We had to cut the old tree in our yard
down after the storm.

c

c
 cut in interrupt Your father cut in while I was dancing
with your uncle.

cut in pull in too closely in front of another The bus driver got angry when that car
vehicle cut in.

cut in start operating (of an engine or The air conditioner cuts in when the
electrical device) temperature gets to 22°C.

cut Š
 off remove with something sharp The doctors cut off his leg because it was
severely injured.

cut Š
 off stop providing The phone company cut off our phone
because we didn't pay the bill.

cut Š
  off take out of a will My grandparents cut my father off when
he remarried.

cut Š
 out remove part of something (usually I cut this ad out of the newspaper.
with scissors and paper)

do Š
 Š
 beat up, ransack (Br.E., informal) He's lucky to be alive. His shop was done
over over by a street gang.

do Š
 over do again (N.Amer.) My teacher wants me to do my essay

over because she doesn't like my topic.

do away with Š
 discard It's time to do away with all of these old
tax records.

do Š
 up fasten, close Do your coat up before you go outside.

It's snowing!

dress up wear nice clothing It's a fancy restaurant so we have to dress

up.

drop back move back in a position/group Andrea dropped back to third place
when she fell off her bike.

drop in/by/over come without an appointment I might drop in/by/over for tea some
time this week.

drop Š
 Š
 take someone/something somewhere I have to drop my sister off at work
off and leave them/it there before I come over.

drop out quit a class, school etc I dropped out of Science because it was
too difficult.

eat out eat at a restaurant I don't feel like cooking tonight. Let's eat
out.

end up eventually reach/do/decide We ended up renting a movie instead of

going to the theatre.

fall apart break into pieces My new dress fell apart in the washing
machine.

fall down fall to the ground The picture that you hung up last night
fell down this morning.

fall out separate from an interior The money must have fallen out of my
pocket.

fall out (of hair, teeth) become loose and His hair started to fall out when he was
unattached only 35.

figure Š
 out understand, find the answer I need to figure out how to fit the piano
and the bookshelf in this room.

fill Š
 in to write information in blanks (Br.E.) Please fill in the form with your name,
address, and phone number.

fill Š
 out to write information in blanks The form must be filled out in capital
(N.Amer.) letters.

fill Š
 up fill to the top I always fill the water jug up when it is
empty.

find out discover We don't know where he lives. How can

c
c
 we find out

find Š
 out discover We tried to keep the time of the party a
secret, but Samantha found it out.

get Š
 communicate, make understandable I tried to get my point across/over to the
across/over judge but she wouldn't listen.

get along/on like each other I was surprised how well my new
girlfriend and my sister got along/on.

get around have mobility My grandfather can get around fine in

his new wheelchair.

get away go on a vacation We worked so hard this year that we had

to get away for a week.

get away with Š
 do without being noticed or punished Jason always gets away with cheating in
his maths tests.

get back return We got back from our vacation last

week.

get Š
 back receive something you had before Liz finally got her Science notes back
from my room-mate.

get back at Š
  retaliate, take revenge My sister got back at me for stealing her
shoes. She stole my favourite hat.

get back into Š
 become interested in something again I finally got back into my novel and
finished it.

get on Š
 step onto a vehicle We're going to freeze out here if you
don't let us get on the bus.

get over Š
 recover from an illness, loss, I just got over the flu and now my sister
difficulty has it.

get over Š
 overcome a problem The company will have to close if it can't
get over the new regulations.

get round to Š
 finally find time to do (N.Amer.: get I don't know when I am going to get
around to Š
) round to writing the thank you cards.

get together meet (usually for social reasons) Let's get together for a BBQ this
weekend.

get up get out of bed I got up early today to study for my

exam.

get up stand You should get up and give the elderly

man your seat.

give Š
  away reveal hidden information about His wife gave him away to the police.
someone

give Š
  away take the bride to the altar My father gave me away at my wedding.

give Š
 away ruin a secret My little sister gave the surprise party
away by accident.

give Š
 away give something to someone for free The library was giving away old books
on Friday.

give Š
 back return a borrowed item I have to give these skates back to Franz
before his hockey game.

give in reluctantly stop fighting or arguing My boyfriend didn't want to go to the

ballet, but he finally gave in.

give Š
 out give to many people (usually at no They were giving out free perfume
cost) samples at the department store.

give Š
 up quit a habit I am giving up smoking as of January

1st.

give up stop trying My maths homework was too difficult so

I gave up.

c
c
 go after Š
  follow someone My brother tried to go after the thief in
his car.

go after Š
 try to achieve something I went after my dream and now I am a
published writer.

go against Š
  compete, oppose We are going against the best soccer

team in the city tonight.

go ahead start, proceed Please go ahead and eat before the food
gets cold.

go back return to a place I have to go back home and get my

lunch.

go out leave home to go on a social event We're going out for dinner tonight.

go out with Š
  date Jesse has been going out with Luke since
they met last winter.

go over Š
 review Please go over your answers before you

submit your test.

go over visit someone nearby I haven't seen Tina for a long time. I
think I'll go over for an hour or two.

go without Š
 suffer lack or deprivation When I was young, we went without
winter boots.

grow apart stop being friends over time My best friend and I grew apart after
she changed schools.

grow back regrow My roses grew back this summer.

grow up become an adult When Jack grows up he wants to be a

fireman.

grow out of Š
 get too big for Elizabeth needs a new pair of shoes
because she has grown out of her old
ones.

grow into Š
 grow big enough to fit This bike is too big for him now, but he
should grow into it by next year.

hand Š
 down give something used to someone else I handed my old comic books down to
my little cousin.

hand Š
 in submit I have to hand in my essay by Friday.

hand Š
 out to distribute to a group of people We will hand out the invitations at the
door.

hand Š
 over give (usually unwillingly) The police asked the man to hand over
his wallet and his weapons.

hang in stay positive (N.Amer., informal) Hang in there. I'm sure you'll find a job
very soon.

hang on wait a short time (informal) Hang on while I grab my coat and shoes!

hang out spend time relaxing (informal) Instead of going to the party we are just
going to hang out at my place.

hang up end a phone call He didn't say goodbye before he hung

up.

hold Š
 Š
 prevent from doing/going I had to hold my dog back because there
back was a cat in the park.

hold Š
 back hide an emotion Jamie held back his tears at his
grandfather's funeral.

hold on wait a short time Please hold on while I transfer you to the
Sales Department.

hold onto hold firmly using your hands or arms Hold onto your hat because it's very
Š
 Š
 windy outside.

hold rob A man in a black mask held the bank up

c
c
 Š
 Š
up this morning.

keep on doing Š
 continue doing xeep on stirring until the liquid comes to
a boil.

keep Š
 from not tell We kept our relationship from our
Š
  parents for two years.

keep Š
 Š
 stop from entering Try to keep the wet dog out of the living
out room.

keep Š
 up continue at the same rate If you keep those results up you will get
into a great college.

let Š
  down fail to support or help, disappoint I need you to be on time. Don't let me
down this time.

let Š
  in allow to enter Can you let the cat in before you go to
school?

look after take care of I have to look after my sick

Š
 Š
 grandmother.

look down on Š
  think less of, consider inferior Ever since we stole that chocolate bar
your dad has looked down on me.

look for try to find I'm looking for a red dress for the
Š
 Š
 wedding.

look forward to be excited about the future I'm looking forward to the Christmas
Š
 break.

look into Š
 investigate We are going to look into the price of
snowboards today.

look out be careful, vigilant, and take notice Look out! That car's going to hit you!

look out for be especially vigilant for Don't forget to look out for snakes on the
Š
 Š
 hiking trail.

look Š
 over check, examine Can you look over my essay for spelling
mistakes?

look Š
 up search and find information in a We can look her phone number up on the
reference book or database Internet.

look up to Š
  have a lot of respect for My little sister has always looked up to
me.

make Š
 up invent, lie about something Josie made up a story about about why
we were late.

make up forgive each other We were angry last night, but we made
up at breakfast.

make Š
  up apply cosmetics to My sisters made me up for my

graduation party.

mix Š
 up confuse two or more things I mixed up the twins' names again!

pass away die His uncle passed away last night after a
long illness.

pass out faint It was so hot in the church that an elderly

lady passed out.

pass Š
 out give the same thing to many people The professor passed the textbooks out
before class.

pass Š
 up decline (usually something good) I passed up the job because I am afraid
of change.

pay Š
  back return owed money Thanks for buying my ticket. I'll pay you
back on Friday.

pay for Š
 be punished for doing something bad That bully will pay for being mean to my
little brother.

pick Š
 out choose I picked out three sweaters for you to try

c
c
 on.

point Š
 Š
 indicate with your finger I'll point my boyfriend out when he runs
out by.

put Š
 down put what you are holding on a surface You can put the groceries down on the
or floor kitchen counter.

put Š
  down insult, make someone feel stupid The students put the substitute teacher
down because his pants were too short.

put Š
 off postpone We are putting off our trip until January
because of the hurricane.

put Š
 out extinguish The neighbours put the fire out before
the firemen arrived.

put Š
 together assemble I have to put the crib together before the
baby arrives.

put up with tolerate I don't think I can put up with three

Š
 Š
 small children in the car.

put Š
 on put clothing/accessories on your Don't forget to put on your new earrings
body for the party.

run into meet unexpectedly I ran into an old school-friend at the

Š
 Š
 mall.

run over drive a vehicle over a person or thing I accidentally ran over your bicycle in
Š
 Š
 the driveway.

run over/through rehearse, review Let's run over/through these lines one
Š
 more time before the show.

run away leave unexpectedly, escape The child ran away from home and has
been missing for three days.

run out have none left We ran out of shampoo so I had to wash
my hair with soap.

send Š
 back return (usually by mail) My letter got sent back to me because I
used the wrong stamp.

set Š
 up arrange, organize Our boss set a meeting up with the
president of the company.

set Š
  up trick, trap The police set up the car thief by using a
hidden camera.

shop around compare prices I want to shop around a little before I

decide on these boots.

show off act extra special for people watching He always shows off on his skateboard
(usually boastfully)

sleep over stay somewhere for the night You should sleep over tonight if the
(informal) weather is too bad to drive home.

sort Š
 out organize, resolve a problem We need to sort the bills out before the
first of the month.

stick to Š
 continue doing something, limit You will lose weight if you stick to the
yourself to one particular thing diet.

switch Š
 off stop the energy flow, turn off The light's too bright. Could you switch
it off.

switch Š
 on start the energy flow, turn on We heard the news as soon as we
switched on the car radio.

take after Š
  resemble a family member I take after my mother. We are both
impatient.

take Š
 apart purposely break into pieces He took the car brakes apart and found
the problem.

take Š
 back return an item I have to take our new TV back because
it doesn't work.

c
c
 take off start to fly My plane takes off in five minutes.

take Š
 off remove something (usually clothing) Take off your socks and shoes and come
in the lake!

take Š
 out remove from a place or thing Can you take the garbage out to the
street for me?

take Š
  out pay for someone to go somewhere My grandparents took us out for dinner
with you and a movie.

tear Š
 up rip into pieces I tore up my ex-boyfriend's letters and

gave them back to him.

think back remember (often + to, sometimes + When I think back on my youth, I wish I
on) had studied harder.

think Š
 over consider I'll have to think this job offer over
before I make my final decision.

throw Š
 away dispose of We threw our old furniture away when
we won the lottery.

turn Š
 down decrease the volume or strength Please turn the TV down while the
(heat, light etc) guests are here.

turn Š
 down refuse I turned the job down because I don't
want to move.

turn Š
 off stop the energy flow, switch off Your mother wants you to turn the TV
off and come for dinner.

turn Š
 on start the energy, switch on It's too dark in here. Let's turn some
lights on.

turn Š
 up increase the volume or strength (heat, Can you turn the music up? This is my
light etc) favourite song.

turn up appear suddenly Our cat turned up after we put posters

up all over the neighbourhood.

try Š
 on sample clothing I'm going to try these jeans on, but I
don't think they will fit.

try Š
 out test I am going to try this new brand of

detergent out.

use Š
 up finish the supply The kids used all of the toothpaste up so
we need to buy some more.

wake up stop sleeping We have to wake up early for work on

Monday.

warm Š
 Š
 increase the temperature You can warm your feet up in front of
up the fireplace.

warm up prepare body for exercise I always warm up by doing sit-ups

before I go for a run.

wear off fade away Most of my make-up wore off before I

got to the party.

work out exercise I work out at the gym three times a

week.

work out be successful Our plan worked out fine.

work Š
 out make a calculation We have to work out the total cost
before we buy the house.

c
c
 TENSE
B
 
 
 

      
 

    


 


   
 


  

< Š
  s  < Š
 
 Š
s 

The changes are shown below:

Simple present Simple past



Š „
    Š Š
 < Š
 
 Š

Š „ s  
Present continuous Past continuous

 s  s„

    
 M 
 
 
s s„

 
Simple past Past perfect
 s
„  <

   Š
 M Š
 
  Es„s
„  <


Present perfect Past perfect
 Es  <
    
 M  
 
  Es„  <

Past perfect Past perfect
 Es„ „     
 M 
 
  Es„ „  
Present perfect continuous Past perfect continuous
B 

  Es
s

   B 

 
  Es„
s

  
 Š   Š
Past continuous Past perfect continuous

 

  
Š    
 B  
 
  Es„

  
Š

Juture Present conditional



  
 
   Š
 M Š
 
 
 „  
 

Juture continuous ©onditional continuous
< Š
 ˜ 
  
  !
  < Š
 
 Š
 „
  
 
!


NOTE:

1. You do not need to change the tense if the reporting verb is in the present, or if the original statement was about
something that is still true, e.g.

Éc M Š
Š EEs
„  
  E 
s
E   
Éc  
 


       Š

2. These modal verbs do not change in reported speech:

     Š     

Éc  
 
 
 „       Š
Éc < Š
 
 Š
E 
   


žB
    
 
 


    

! 

Éc ë c
c ccE


ë
c c
c  c
cc c c c cE
E  
c

The most common of these changes are shown below:

B
c c
E

c

 Š
 
„s  Š Š
 cc < Š
 
 Š 
 Š 
Es„s

à 

c c
E 
 
c

 Š
 
 „s  Š Š
 cc < Š
 
 Š 
 Š 
E „s 

BE 
 
 

c c

 
c


  E„s  „s   Š

 cc M Š
 
  

  
„s 

c
c
B

c c
E  
c

" Š     
  Š
 cc M Š
 
    Š
   


BE 




c c

 


c

" 
 E„ss   
  Š

 cc B Š
 
    


„s


„s s 
×  E

c c
E  E

c

 


 
  
  Š Š
 cc < Š
 
 Š 


 
 E
 



ý
 E

c c
E 
 E

c

 
Š   
 s
     Š cc M   Š 
  
    
 E
 



c c

c

 Š
  s
s  Š
 cc M Š
  
 Š  s
 

E
 c c

E
c

"

 
 E
   Š Š
 cc < Š
 Š 
Š 
 
 Es 

EE

  c c
E c

#    E
 Š$ 

Š cc M
Š    E Š

E
c c
E
c

M Š
   E   cc M  
   E 

6 
 

In general, personal pronouns change to the third person singular or plural, except when the speaker reports his own
words:

Éc ˜


 

c 
 

c
Éc V  

 

c + +
+
 c

Éc M c
cë c
 cc cëc M cc cc c
 c c cc
Éc c
cë c
ccc
c ëc c
cc c c
ccc
c c

c
c
 Question Jorms and Reported Speech

3 

" 
    

Y Normal word order is used in reported questions, that is, the subject comes before the verb, and it is not
necessary to use " " or "":

Éc ë  c c  c
! "ëc  c c
cE
 
 cc

ž Yes / no questions: This type of question is reported by using 'ask' +

EE + clause:

Éc ëcc# c$
"ëc M c c c Ec
Éc ë cc%

cc 
"ëc M c c cE E


E


 c
Éc ë c
c

"ëc  c c


c
Éc ëM! cccc# "ëc M c  cc cE E
E


c
Éc ëcc# "ëc  c c  c
Éc ë
cc c&c
"ëc M c '
 cE E
E
  

c
Éc ëM! cc& cc%
c&  "ëc  c E
 
 
c

 Question words:

This type of question is reported by using 'ask' (or another verb like 'ask') + question word + clause. The clause
contains the question, in normal word order and with the necessary tense change.

Éc ëc
cc "ëc c c c M c c cE

 
c
Éc ëM cc
cc "ë
c c c M c cE E
E

c
Éc B c#
c
cc c&
cë  ccc
! "ëc B c#
 c c c&cE
E  c
Éc ëc
 c c c
c
! "ëc c c  c cE
 E 




 c
Éc ë cc c! c
 "ëc c c  c E E  E
  
c
Éc  c
cc(
cëc ccc "ëc  c c c(cEE 

 c

 Reported Speech: orders, requests & suggestions

6#  3 B $$ B%6

Y When we want to report an order or request, we can use a verb like "" with a to-clause.

! 

Éc M c
c c
cc
c

The pattern is   
„



 
s

(The indirect object is the person spoken to.)

Other verbs used to report orders and requests in this way are:
 s„
 „

s 
s
s„






s
E
 
„

! 

Éc cB cc
cc
cë#c
)ëc B cc  c
Éc ë ccc c)ëc
c c#
 c B c#
 c

E E 

c
Éc ëcc#  c& c'

ëc c
c  c
   ! c
Éc B cc
c cc
cc
cëc! )ëc B cc
c cc

  c

(See also section on Verbs followed by infinitive and Verbs followed by gerund)

2. Requests for objects are reported using the pattern s   
’

! 

Éc ëc c! cc## "ë
c c c  cs

ss
c
Éc ëc c! c c ## 
c#  "ëc M c
 
E  

c
Éc ëc c! cccc  "ëc c
c M c
 




c
Éc ë
c#  ëc  c
 
E 

c
Éc ëc c! c c
cc
"ëc M c
 
E
c

3. Suggestions are usually reported with a 

%
Š "B
" and "Š " are optional in these clauses:

Éc  c
cëccc cc 
cccc c"ëc  c  cc cc cc
 
cccc cc6 c c  c c cc 
cccc cc

c
c
Other reporting verbs used in this way are:


 
 „
„ s„
 
 

! 

Éc ë c c& ccc
 cc c c 
ë
c
cc c c c   c c 
c
Éc B c 
c

cë c
ccc cc
  c&ëc B c 
c
  E

E  cc
  c&c
Éc c c

cë c
c cc *
 c c& c cc
c 
ëc c c

 E
  
 c c& c cc c 
c
Éc ëccc #c! 
ccc "ëc c
c  c  cE
 c! 
cc c
 c

  

<Š can also be followed by a gerund: I ŠŠ postponing the visit to the dentist.

See also Summary of Reporting Verbs.

5. REPORTED SPEECH: hopes,intentions & promises

M6 %B B%6& 6
% 

When we report an intention, hope or promise, we use an appropriate reporting verb followed by a 
%
Š or a
 %’

"I'll pay you the money tomorrow."

M 
Š  

 
   

M 
Š 
    

 
   


Other verbs used in this pattern include:

E
 
E s
s s

s 

! 

Éc ë c& c&c&c

 ëc
Éc M c

+sc c 

c
Éc M c

+s+V
sc c 

c

Éc ë cc
! c
c+c&  c
ëc
Éc B c +s

c c  c  c 


c
Éc B c +V
s

c c  c  c 


c

Éc ë
! c c c cc c cc cc)ëc
Éc M c+
s+++c ccc 
c cc
 c c
c
 c
c
Éc M c+
s++s+V
+c ccc 
c cc
 c c
c
 c
c

Note: see also Summary of Reporting Verbs.

6. Reported Speech: Summary of reporting verbs

   

' 

Note that some reporting verbs may appear in more than one of the following groups.

1. Verbs followed by '
 or '
EE  

s’

c c
 c  cc
  & c

2. Verbs followed by a Es

s’

add doubt reply

admit estimate report
agree explain reveal
announce fear say
answer feel state
argue insist suggest
boast mention suppose
claim observe tell
comment persuade think
complain propose understand

c

c
confirm remark warn
consider remember
deny repeat

3. Verbs followed by either a Es

s or a 



’

decide promise
expect swear
guarantee threaten
hope

4. Verbs followed by a Es

s
s

E „
(but note that it may be omitted, leaving a subject + zero-infinitive):

advise insist recommend

beg prefer request
demand propose suggest

5. Verbs followed by a clause s 


Es

 „:

decide imagine see

describe know suggest
discover learn teach
discuss realise tell
explain remember think
forget reveal understand
guess say wonder

6. Verbs followed by 

 





advise forbid teach

ask instruct tell
beg invite warn
command
c

c
c
Y Verb Tenses: Simple Present

%
    B
(See also Verbs -'Regular verbs in the simple present')


  

 



× "cc

c E #E #"c
c c
c# c
c c! &c

  $c
 c
c c c c c c
 c

c , 
! cc' 
cc c $c-. c
c# cc c*

 
c÷c c



! cc c! &c
M c

cc c
cM cc 
c

c

c / &c 
c
c$cc c
c# c c c$cc$ c
 c  c c

 c
c  c
cc! c&  c c0c
 c   c  c

c c$ cc! &c 

c
$#$#$E#$Ec
 c c
 c
cc

See also Verbs -'Regular verbs in the simple present', and 'Be, do & have'

c
! 

Y Third person singular with s or -es

Éc Mccc ! c

c
Éc < 
+sc$
c
Éc ˜+
c ccc c  c
Éc M+
c! cc
Éc <c#
c c#
cc

ž
  
 

! + c+
 


 


 c 


 c × 
 c

˜ think Do I think ? I do not think.

You think Do you think? You don't think.
he, she, it thinks Does he, she, it think? He, she, it doesn't think.
we think Do we think? We don't think.
you think Do you think? You don't think.

B 
  

 

c c *# c&


c  c
c #  c
cc
c


c 
cc
 c
c c
ccc c  c   c

 c  ccc c
c c

c

c c
! c

cc
 
c
à Vs
cc
c  c
 c
 c +
c 

c

c c *# c

* c  
c#  cc c
Ãc c+s
+c
c
c

c c *# c c


c c c1
cs+
V
ss +
c
M c c
c
c c c 
c 
c!

c

•E ©
REJL! The simple present is not used to express actions happening now. See Present Continuous.

! 

c J
E

M c
c cc& c
 ccs+c
c
B cVs+c  !

c c

c
c

c J


 

  
 cs+c c&c ! c
c
c
sc ! c c
c cc c
B c
ccc ! c c

c J
 


Ec
 c
cc2 c  c
B c$c

cc cc
M c cc !
c

c J


 


6 c c# cc 
c c c
cc  c
3c+sc c,c&cc cc c c, cc% c

c J
 



  
M
c cs

c c
c
c+s
+cc c
cc

c E



 c cc&  c 
sc
 c
! c
cc c  c cs

c

ž Present ©ontinuous or Present Progressive

 



    
   
' ( " 

)  



  

The present continuous of any verb is composed of two parts -  Š Š      &  Š

  

 

(The form of the present participle is: 

Š&  
 

 Š
'



 cc

Subject +  + base+


she is talking
cc cc cc

× 
 cc

Subject +   + base+


she is not (isn't) talking
cc cc cc




 cc

 
 + base+

is she talking?

! c+ c  



 


 c × 
 c 


 c

˜ am going I am not going Am I going?

You are going You aren't going. Are you going?
He, she, it is going He, she, it isn't going Is he, she, it going?
We are going We aren't going Are we going?
You are going You aren't going Are you going?
They are going They aren't going Are they going?

Note: alternative negative contractions: "
     "     "Š     

c
c
ž  



 




As with all tenses in English, the s s
„is as important as the time of the action or event. When someone
uses the present continuous, they are thinking about something that is 

E„ 

  .

The present continuous is used:

Éc c 
& cc
cc
c
ccc
c c cc
à s
 
 c

cà s
+ c" c
c
Éc c 
& cc
cc
c
cc
c
c# 
cc
 ccc 
c c
¯
 +

V
cc
 c c c# c c c  cs

c 

c
Éc c 
& cc
cc ! c
c c
c 
cc c& c# cc# # c- ccc
c *# 
c c
c cc

c c c
c˜

+c c  c
 
c¯
++cc *c
 "c
Éc c 
& cc #c ! cc


c cc
M c c c
 cc
c
scc
c
 
cB c 
 c 
ccc
c+

sc
c
 c

cc
Éc
c 
c ! 
c
cc 
& cc #
 cc

c 
cc #  c

c cc
M c c! cs
s
Vss
 $cà 




sc
c c
 % %$c

•E ©
REJL! Some verbs are not used in the continuous form - see below.

 Verbs that are not normally used in the continuous form

The verbs in the list below are normally used in the simple form, because they refer to s, rather than actions or
processes:

List of common verbs normally used in simple form:

<  
 c

feel?, hear, see?, smell, taste

6c

assume, believe, consider, doubt, feel (= think), find (= consider), suppose, think?
~ 

 c

forget, imagine, know, mean, notice, recognise, remember, understand

 
c

envy, fear, dislike, hate, hope, like, love, mind, prefer, regret, want, wish
~

 c

contain, cost, hold, measure, weigh

6E
c

look (=resemble), seem, be ô
Š 

ŠŠ' have ô 

Š   ŠŠŠŠ'?

Notes:

Éc   #
c! &c-
c 
c 
c
c 
c c c c
c &c c
c c

c
Éc ?cB  c! &c c& c c
c c
cc&c
cc
  c 

c# cc

Éc Bc
c
c  c c
c'c c  
 cc
 c
c(
 c
Éc ¬
cc

c c'cc 
cc c
Éc ! csc
 cc cc

c'  c
Éc <sc 
c'c! c 
 c
Éc c cc)
 c c
 c c'c  
 c
Éc ˜
c)
 c
c'c* c c  c
c
cc

! 

Éc cVc c c
c  c c
Éc  cVs+cc c
c c
Éc cc 
+sc c c
c
c
Éc c
c c c
cc
 c
Éc B
cc
ccc
 c

c
c
 Present Perfect Verb Tense

  B " B

)  
  *" 

The present perfect of any verb is composed of two elements : the appropriate form of the auxiliary verb Es
(present tense), plus the past participle of the main verb. The past participle of a regular verb is s+ed, e.g. 


  . For irregular verbs, see the Table of irregular verbs in the section called 'Verbs'.



 cc

Subject to have past participle

< 
Š Š
× 
 c

Subject to have + not past participle

< 
Š" Š



 c

to have subject past participle

M
Š Š Š$



  
 c

E
 %c   c 


 c

M 
cc  cc 


cc

Example:  
 present perfect



 c × 
 c 


 c

˜ have walked I haven't walked Have I walked?

You have walked You haven't walked Have you walked?
He, she, it has walked He, she, it hasn't walked Has he,she,it walked
We have walked We haven't walked Have we walked?
You have walked You haven't walked Have you walked?
They have walked They haven't walked Have they walked?

ž  
  




The Present Perfect is used to indicate a link between the present and the past. The time of the action is before now
but not specified, and we are often more interested in the result than in the action itself.

c
c
•E ©
REJL! There may be a verb tense in your language with a similar form, but the meaning is probably NOT
the same.The Present Perfect is used to describe:

c c
cc

cc c
c c#cc
 c
c c#  c$*# cc c c c+
c
  c, -.c-.cc c
c
c

c c
c#  c
cc# 
cccc c

 c$*# c cscc c
 c
 c

c c-.cc c c
c! c 
c
c c #  c
c
cc# 

c# 
c&  c c#cc c$*# c cs+c c
 ! c
 c
c c
cc c#  c
c c

 c#
c- *#  c&c&&
c$*# c cs +c
c c
c c
c  c c
 c
cc
#c$*# cM cs
sccc  
c- c
cc
c
 
c
c
#
c

Note: When we want to give or ask details about    , we use the simple past Example: He s„ 'War
and Peace' s


! 

Y
ctions started in the past and continuing in the present

Éc B cs+
c  cc c
Éc  csV
c
c c&cc
! c c
Éc  cssc c ccc c c
Éc Ms 
sc c#
c
 cc  cc
"c

ž When the time period referred to has not finished

Éc ˜sV
cc+Vc
Éc cs
scc+s
c
Éc  cs+c c+sc


ctions repeated in an unspecified period between the past and now

Éc B cscc
c
*c
 c
Éc css  ! c
 c c
Éc  cs+c c ' c
Éc  css+ccc cc
 c


ctions completed in the very recent past (+).

Éc Ms  +c "c

Éc cs +s+c
Éc  cs +c c
Éc Ms +
+"c

ñ When the precise time of the action is not important or not known

Éc   css+c c)c

Éc Ms c c
c c
"c
Éc <+ c(# 
c4
cc$
c

 Present perfect + ever,never,already,yet

  B " B+Ï Ï
cÏ Ï
c
Ï

c
Ï+

The adverbs  and  express the idea of an unidentified time  
e.g. M
    Š $

 ' 
 

Éc in questions e.g.
M
      (
$
M
Š Š 
  
 Š$
Éc in negative questions e.g.
M
"     ( $
M
"   
 )Š  $
Éc
  
 
  E 

+

 
cc
cc

c
c c 
c
+c c
cc
c c
c
c

Éc 

 E
++
 

c
 c
c
 c

c c
c 
c 
cc
Bcc
 c
c
 c c  c c
c"  
cc

c
c
 Ï Ï
 
+c c+ÏcÏ
Ïc 

   +ccÏ Ï


Éc c c
c
c+  c

•E ©
REJL!

You must not use  and  together:

Éc c 
c  c c
c


c
Éc c! c 
c& cc c






cc
 c c# c 
E 




 c

¯
Ï


Ï+

, 
  ccc
ccc##  ccc# 

c
 c&  c c c cc  c
cc cc
 # 


c c
c cs

sc c
 c c
c  c-c c 
c c c )
c
&cî 
c
c
c/ c cs

sc c

cc

It is also used in questions:

Éc M c cs

sc

c
c/ c
Éc Mc c  c c cs

sc






s s„ can be placed before the main verb (past participle) or at the end of the sentence:

Éc c cs

sc c
cB 
c
Éc c c c
cB cs

s
c

à 

is used in negative statements and questions, to mean ô '      
     
   ô '
 
   Š e.g.

Éc M! cc c(c+c

Éc c! c!

 c cB c c+c
Éc Mc c
! +c
Éc B c! c  c+cc






à is usually placed at the end of the sentence.

ñ Present Perfect of Simple Past?

c
c
M     
   
  

  B
 

Éc  c c c
 
 c  c c

 c
cc
#
ccc# 

c
Éc  c c c< 
c  c 
c&c c
 cc# c c# 

cc cc

©ompare:


 
 c < 

c

I Es
„ in Lyon. I
„ in Lyon  *+,+

They Ess Thai food. They s Thai food 
Š .
Ms 'Othello'?. Where „
„ 'Othello'?
We Es to Ireland. When „
„ to Ireland?

There is also a difference of attitude that is often more important than the time factor.

Éc ë*
cc cc
cc
 ëc

cc' 
c&c
 
cc
 c cccc
E c
Éc ë*
c c c c
cc
 ëc
cc' 
c&c
c0cë c ë
cc c c
 cc
# 
ccc
cc ccc

6 Present Perfect + for and since

  B " B+
cÏ

Using the present perfect, we can define a period of time before now by considering its duration, with   a
period of time, or by considering its starting point, with 

 a point in time

J
+ 
 
 

Éc 
c
*c 
c
cc 
c
cc
c
c
c
c cc
Éc c! c  c  c
c
! c c

<Ï+




 

Éc  c
c

c cc 
c
 c  
c
Éc  c c cc

c c  
c
 c
cc
Éc c! c  c  c c c

 
  



Éc  cc
! c  c
c c c
Éc  c! ccc
cc
cc
 c
Éc 
 cc& c
c
 cc
Éc B c! c& cc c c
c c

 
  
Ï

Éc  cc
! c  c c
Éc  c! ccc
ccc c
Éc 
 cc& c
ccc
c
Éc B c! c& cc c cccB c

c

c
  

Éc J
ccc&c& c c
c c#c#  c
Éc <ccc& c c
c#  c  
c
ccc& c c
c c
# c#c

Title: Reading Comprehension Animals Workbook Sample

Number Of Printable Pages: 35

Description: Contains 29 reading passages on various wild life. Engages beginning readers with fun and
educational activities, while exploring new and wondrous creatures. Reading passages include: Alligators, Bats,
Bears, Beavers, Camels, Cheetahs, Cows, Dolphins, Ducks, Elephants, Foxes, Frogs, Giraffes, Hedgehogs,
Hippopotamus, Horses, Kangaroos, Lions, Mice, Monkeys, Penguins, Platypus, Raccoons, Sheep, Skunks, Tigers,
Turtles, Wolves, Zebras.

c

c
c


$
#
 
%

  

î
 


   


 
  

We often have to give information about what people say or think. In order to do this you can use
direct or quoted speech, or indirect or reported speech.

î
Ï+c< ÏÏ
cc +Ï c< ÏÏ
c

Saying exactly what someone has said is called direct speech (sometimes called quoted speech)

Here what a person says appears within quotation marks ("...") and should be word for word.

!  

’

She said, "Today's lesson is on presentations."

or

"Today's lesson is on presentations," she said.

˜ 
Ï+c< ÏÏ
ccÏ
+Ï c< ÏÏ
c

Indirect speech (sometimes called reported speech), doesn't use quotation marks to enclose what
the person said and it doesn't have to be word for word.

When reporting speech the tense usually changes. This is because when we use reported speech,
we are usually talking about a time in the past (because obviously the person who spoke
originally spoke in the past). The verbs therefore usually have to be in the past too.

!  

’

î
 E  
 E

ë c
cc c
 ë
c c
cc M c
c c c
cc c
 cc

BÏÏc
Ïc

As a rule when you report something someone has said you go back a tense: (the tense on the left
changes to the tense on the right):

î
  ˜



 
c c 
c

cc
cc cc

cc
c 

    c

cc c

c
c cc
c    c

cc
cc

c
c cc

c


c

 

c


cc

cc cc c

ccc c
cc
c
cc c

ccccc
c

 
   c 
   c

cc cc

c
c c  c
cc
c
cc

c
c cc
cc cc


c

cc c


c c
c
c 
c

cc
c
c


c c
cc

   c 
   c

cc cc

ccc
c
cc
c
cc

ccc


c 
c


cc
c c
cc

c cc !"#c$c
cc

c c
cc

c
cc 

c
c
cc


   c 
   c

cc ccc

c c  cc !"#c$c
cc
ccc
c
c

c cc
c

Modal verb forms also sometimes change:

î
  ˜



 
cc
 cc

cc c

c
c c
  c

c
cc
c c

c
c c

  cc

 cc c 
cc

cc
c c

c
c cc

cc cc

c
c c

cc 
 c

cc c
c
cc %
c
c

c  c
cc
c
c
c
cc %
c
c

c

c c 
c cc

cc

cc&

c
ccc
'cc
c 
cc

c(c

cc
cc
cc

cc

cc)c c %ccc 'c
c

c(cc
c

c %ccc 
cc
c

!Note - There is no change to; could, would, should, might and ought to.

î
 E  
 E

ë c
ccc c
 ë
c c
cc M c
c c
ccc c
 cc

You can use the present tense in reported speech if you want to say that something is still true i.e.
my name has always been and will always be Lynne so:-

î
 E  
 E

< Š
  

 
Š -
ë# c  cc ë
c c
cc


< Š
  

 Š -

You can also use the present tense if you are talking about a future event.

c

c
 î
 E 
!   
 E 


ë 
c c  cc c 
c

< Š
  "Š ŠŠ  Š   
 cë
c c
cc Š

BÏc
Ïcc

If the reported sentence contains an expression of time, you must change it to fit in with the time
of reporting.

For example we need to change words like  and Š

 if they have different meanings at
the time and place of reporting.

B
 %'(E
$ 
 E

ëBc c
cc#  
ëcc  c
c  c c cc#  
cc

% 
  
 


 

 


c*+cc c


c*+cc

c c 
ccc


c*+cc c

c*+cc
 cc c

cc
*c(+c cc c *c(+c cc

c(cc c

c(c c
c,c

c% c(cc

cc c

cc
-
c*(+cc c

c  c*(+cc

  cc c

c-
,  ccc

In addition if you report something that someone said in a different place to where you heard it
you must change the place (here) to the place (there).

!  

’%


 E 

ëMc c c c c  ëcc  c c c cc c  c  c

.
 c
Ïcc

In reported speech, the pronoun often changes.

!  

’

~  Ã 

ë˜
c" c 

ëcc <cc c
 c" c 
c

c

c
 

Ï
+cÏ
cc

<
   and
Š are the most common verbs used in indirect speech.

We use s„to report questions:-

!  

’  s„ - 
 
  ŠŠ  Š


We use  „ with an object.

!  

’ -  „
 Š  

g - Here me is the object.

We usually use s
„ without an object.

!  

’ - s
„ Š 
Š    
 

If said is used with an object we must include ;

!  

’ - s
„ 
 
 Š"    )


g  - We usually use  „

!  

’ -  „
 
 Š"    )


There are many other verbs we can use apart from said, told and asked.

These include:-

 
c
 
c!
 
c  
c 
c#
 
c&  
c& 
c#
 
c
 

c *#
 
c
#

c
!
 
c  
c  
c#
 
c #

c  cc
cc

Using them properly can make what you say much more interesting and informative.

!  

’

M
Š
  
   
’%

M c 
c c
c
 c

cc

M c  c c
c c
c
 c

cc

M c  c c
c c
c
 c

cc

M c c c
c c
c
 c

cc

M c 
ccc c
c
 c

cc

jÏc cB
+cc
Ï
+Ï c ÏÏ
c

In reported speech, the word Esis often used.

!  

’ M  
 Es    

However, 
 is optional.

!  

’ M  
    

g  - That is never used in questions, instead we often use if.

c

c
!  

’ M
Š
     
   


We often have to give information about what people say or think. In order to do this you can use
direct or quoted speech, or indirect or reported speech.

î
Ï+c< ÏÏ
cc +Ï c< ÏÏ
c

Saying exactly what someone has said is called direct speech (sometimes called quoted speech)

Here what a person says appears within quotation marks ("...") and should be word for word.

!  

’

She said, "Today's lesson is on presentations."

or

"Today's lesson is on presentations," she said.

˜ 
Ï+c< ÏÏ
ccÏ
+Ï c< ÏÏ
c

Indirect speech (sometimes called reported speech), doesn't use quotation marks to enclose what
the person said and it doesn't have to be word for word.

When reporting speech the tense usually changes. This is because when we use reported speech,
we are usually talking about a time in the past (because obviously the person who spoke
originally spoke in the past). The verbs therefore usually have to be in the past too.

!  

’

î
 E  
 E

ë c
cc c
 ë
c c
cc M c
c c c
cc c
 cc

BÏÏc
Ïc

As a rule when you report something someone has said you go back a tense: (the tense on the left
changes to the tense on the right):

î
  ˜




c

 
c c
cc
cc cc

cc
c 

    c

cc c

c
c cc
c    c

cc
cc

c
c cc

 

c

cc cc c

ccc c 

cc

cc
c
cc c

ccccc
c

 
   c 
   c

cc cc

c
c c  c
cc
c
cc

c
c cc
cc cc


c 
c

cc c


c c
c
c
cc
c
c


c c
cc

c

c
    c 
   c

cc cc

ccc
c
cc
c
cc

ccc


c 
c


cc
c c
cc

c cc !"#c$c
cc

c c
cc

c
cc 

c
c
cc


   c 
   c

cc ccc

c c  cc !"#c$c
cc
ccc
c
c

c cc
c

Modal verb forms also sometimes change:

î
  ˜



 
cc
 cc

cc c

c
c c
  c

c
cc
c c

c
c c

  cc

 cc c 
cc

cc
c c

c
c cc

cc cc

c
c c

cc 
 c

cc c
c
cc %
c
c

c  c
cc
c
c
c
cc %
c
c

c

c c 
c cc

cc

cc&

c
ccc
'cc
c 
cc

c(c

cc
cc
cc

cc

cc)c c %ccc 'c
c

c(cc
c

c %ccc 
cc
c

!Note - There is no change to; could, would, should, might and ought to.

î
 E  
 E

ë c
ccc c
 ë
c c
cc M c
c c
ccc c
 cc

You can use the present tense in reported speech if you want to say that something is still true i.e.
my name has always been and will always be Lynne so:-

î
 E  
 E

< Š
  

 
Š -
ë# c  cc ë
c c
cc


< Š
  

 Š -

You can also use the present tense if you are talking about a future event.

î
 E 

!   
 E 


ë 
c c  cc c 
c

< Š
  "Š ŠŠ  Š   
 cë
c c
cc Š

c

c