School & Learning — Phrasal Verbs
Education · 8 phrasal verbs · Level A2
find out
Meaning: to discover information
find OUT transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: I want to find out the truth about this story.
In conversation: Call the office and find out the price.
Common partners: find out the truth · find out more
⚠️ Common mistake: Find out needs information after it: find out WHEN / find out THE ANSWER. Not: 'find out it yesterday' — found out yesterday.
A Did you find out the exam date?
B Yes — it's next Tuesday.
hand out
Meaning: to give something to each person in a group
hand OUT transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Teachers hand out the worksheets at the start of class.
In conversation: Please hand out these flyers at the door.
Common partners: hand out worksheets · hand out prizes
⚠️ Common mistake: Hand OUT = give to many people; hand IN = give to a teacher/boss. Opposite directions!
A Hand out the quizzes, please.
B Row by row, or all at once?
cross out
Meaning: to draw a line through a word to delete it
cross OUT transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Cross out the wrong word and write the correct one.
In conversation: He crossed out his name and wrote a new one.
Common partners: cross out a word · cross out mistakes
⚠️ Common mistake: With a pronoun: cross it out.
A Cross out the extra word.
B This one? Got it.
catch up
Meaning: to reach the same level after falling behind
catch UP intransitive (with + object) inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: I missed two weeks — I need to catch up.
In conversation: She ran fast to catch up with her friends.
Common partners: catch up with the class · catch up on work
⚠️ Common mistake: Catch up on = do things you missed (sleep, work, news); catch up with a person = reach them.
A I need to catch up on my reading.
B Start with chapter four tonight.
fall behind
Meaning: to make slower progress than others
fall be-HIND intransitive intransitive — no object
Example: If you skip practice, you'll fall behind.
In conversation: He fell behind on his payments.
Common partners: fall behind in class · fall behind schedule
⚠️ Common mistake: Fall behind ON payments/work; fall behind IN a subject.
A Don't fall behind on the rent.
B I won't — I get paid Friday.
drop out
Meaning: to leave school or a course before finishing
drop OUT intransitive (of + object) inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: Some students drop out of college to start a business.
In conversation: Too many students drop out in the first year.
Common partners: drop out of school · a dropout (noun)
⚠️ Common mistake: You drop out OF something: dropped out of the course.
A Why did he drop out?
B He got a full-time job offer.
look over
Meaning: to examine something quickly
look O-ver transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Look over my essay before I send it.
In conversation: The mechanic looked over the car.
Common partners: look over a document · look over the details
⚠️ Common mistake: Look over = quick check; read through = complete reading. Different depths!
A Can you look over my report?
B Sure — send it to me.
go over
Meaning: to review or explain something carefully
go O-ver transitive inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: Let's go over the plan one more time.
In conversation: The teacher went over the answers in class.
Common partners: go over the rules · go over notes
⚠️ Common mistake: Go over = WITH someone through material; look over = quick solo check.
A Let's go over the vocabulary again.
B Good idea — the test is tomorrow.
Practice
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