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English grammar

Phrasal verb or single verb: choosing by register

C1 · Advanced Verbs and time Questions 10

The rule

Most phrasal verbs have a one-word equivalent, usually of Latin origin: find out → discover, establish; put off → postpone; look into → investigate; put up with → tolerate; carry on → continue; set up → establish; cut down on → reduce; go up → increase, rise; turn down → reject, decline; point out → indicate. The phrasal verb is natural in conversation and informal writing; the single verb belongs in reports, formal letters and academic work. Neither is better in itself: I shall ascertain whether Tom is coming sounds absurd in a chat, and a report full of looked into and found out sounds casual. Some phrasal verbs are neutral and used everywhere (carry out research, set up a company). Remember too that separable phrasal verbs put a pronoun before the particle (pick you up), while inseparable ones do not (look into it).

Pattern

conversation: find out · put off · look into · put up with · turn down · go up ⟷ formal: discover / establish · postpone · investigate · tolerate · reject · increase · separable: pick it up · inseparable: look into it

Examples

  1. We need to look into why the numbers dropped.

  2. The committee will investigate the causes of the decline.

  3. They put the match off because of the snow.

  4. The hearing has been postponed until further notice.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: In conclusion, the government should cut down on spending.

    Right: In conclusion, the government should reduce spending.

    An essay conclusion calls for the single-word verb.

  • Wrong: Hey, can you ascertain whether Tom’s coming tonight?

    Right: Hey, can you find out whether Tom’s coming tonight?

    In a chat, the phrasal verb is natural; ascertain sounds stiff.

  • Wrong: The board turned the offer.

    Right: The board turned the offer down.

    A phrasal verb needs its particle.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

    Which is right for a formal letter?

    Telling a customer that a meeting is later.

    1. We have pushed the meeting back a bit, to 3 May.
    2. The meeting has been put off till 3 May, sorry.
    3. We are bumping the meeting to 3 May.
    4. The meeting has been postponed until 3 May.
    Show answer

    Answer: D The meeting has been postponed until 3 May.

    Formal: postponed.

  2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

    Which fits an informal chat?

    Telling a friend you will check the times.

    1. I will determine when it commences.
    2. I’ll find out when it starts.
    3. The start time will be ascertained.
    4. I shall ascertain the commencement time.
    Show answer

    Answer: B I’ll find out when it starts.

    In a chat: the phrasal verb find out.

  3. 3Change the sentence.

    Make it formal.

    The company has cut down on its energy use.

    1. The company has reduction its energy use.
    2. The company has reduced its energy use.
    3. The company has cutted down its energy use.
    4. The company has cut its energy use down on.
    Show answer

    Answer: B The company has reduced its energy use.

    cut down on → reduce.

  4. 4Fill in the gap.

    The police are _____ the cause of the fire.

    1. finding
    2. putting up
    3. investigating
    4. looking
    Show answer

    Answer: C The police are investigating the cause of the fire.

    The formal equivalent of looking into: investigating.

  5. 5Choose the correct sentence.

    1. She turned down the job because the salary was too low.
    2. She down turned the job because the salary was too low.
    3. She turned down to the job because the salary was too low.
    4. She turned the job because the salary was too low down.
    Show answer

    Answer: A She turned down the job because the salary was too low.

    turn down a noun: the particle can come before it.

  6. 6Choose the correct sentence.

    Which sentence means the same?

    We can’t put up with this noise any longer.

    1. We can put this noise somewhere else.
    2. We will turn this noise up.
    3. We can no longer make this noise.
    4. We can no longer tolerate this noise.
    Show answer

    Answer: D We can no longer tolerate this noise.

    put up with = tolerate.

  7. 7Change the sentence.

    Say it as you would to a friend.

    The concert has been cancelled.

    1. The concert’s been called off.
    2. The concert’s been called out.
    3. The concert’s been called up.
    4. The concert’s been cancelled off.
    Show answer

    Answer: A The concert’s been called off.

    cancel → call off in conversation.

  8. 8This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    The committee will look the complaint into.

    1. The committee will look into the complaint.
    2. The committee will into look the complaint.
    3. The committee will look the complaint in.
    4. The committee will look into it the complaint.
    Show answer

    Answer: A The committee will look into the complaint.

    look into is inseparable: the object comes after the particle.

  9. 9Put the words in the right order.

    The plan was rejected by the board

    Show answer

    Answer: The plan was rejected by the board.

    Formal: reject rather than turn down.

  10. 10Fill in the gap.

    You are writing a report.

    Staff costs have _____ by eight per cent since 2023.

    1. gone up with
    2. increased
    3. went up
    4. upped
    Show answer

    Answer: B Staff costs have increased by eight per cent since 2023.

    Report style: increased by.

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