Reference Centre
Language, when you need it
Search concise B2 First grammar, vocabulary, functional phrases and exam strategy — without leaving the course to hunt through past lessons.
Practise thisOpen cloze — grammar words under pressureKey word transformations — 10 extra itemsCommon errors — spot and fixExtra Practice
What it is
Multi-word verbs whose meaning is not the sum of their parts, and the fixed word partnerships that make English sound natural.
Form
| Type | Pattern | Model sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Separable | verb + object + particle / verb + particle + object | Turn the lights off. / Turn off the lights. |
| Pronoun object | verb + pronoun + particle | Turn them off. (never 'turn off them') |
| Inseparable | verb + particle + object | She looks after her nephew. |
| Three-part | verb + adverb + preposition + object | I can't put up with the noise. |
| Collocation | fixed verb + noun / adjective + noun | make a decision · heavy traffic · strong opinion |
Use it when
- You want natural, informal English in speaking, emails or reviews.
- A gap-fill tests the exact particle or partner word.
- You need a more formal single-word alternative in a report (put off → postpone).
Examples
- The meeting was called off at the last minute.
- I came across an old photo while tidying up.
- She's taken up cycling to keep fit.
- We need to make a decision, not take one.
Watch out
I'll pick up you at eight.
I'll pick you up at eight.
A pronoun object goes between verb and particle.
do a mistake
make a mistake
Fixed collocation with make.
Remember
Learn the whole chunk, not the verb alone.
Quick check
- 1.The flight was ___ off because of fog.
- 2.___ an effort / ___ progress