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KitWren
b2B2 Upper-Intermediate EnglishVocabulary in depthVocabularyabout 18 min

Phrasal verbs for discussion

Master B2 phrasal verbs for work, relationships and problems: come up with, put up with, carry out, bring about, fall through, look into.

In this lesson you will

  • Learn 20 high-value B2 phrasal verbs
  • Know which are separable
  • Use three-part phrasal verbs correctly

Learn

Problems and solutions: come up with (an idea), sort out, look into (investigate), deal with, work out (a solution), carry out (a plan/test), bring about (cause change).

Plans and events: fall through (fail to happen), call off (cancel), put off (postpone), turn out (have a result), set up (establish), wind up (end).

Relationships: get on with, fall out with, put up with (tolerate), look up to (admire), let down (disappoint), stand by (support).

Grammar: three-part verbs are never separated: put up with* the noise. Separable verbs take pronouns in the middle: call it off* ✓, call off it ✗.

Examples

  • Our holiday plans fell through at the last minute.
  • The police are looking into the complaint.
  • I can’t put up with his rudeness any longer.
  • It turned out that she was right all along.

Vocabulary

fall through

fail to happen

look into

investigate

put up with

tolerate

bring about

cause to happen

look up to

admire and respect

Practice

1 / 8

We need to ___ a better idea.

Speaking

Talk about a plan that fell through, a problem you sorted out, and someone you look up to. Use at least eight phrasal verbs from this lesson.

Recording isn’t available in this browser. You can still practise: say your answer aloud, then type what you said.

Writing

Write an email (120–150 words) to a colleague explaining a project problem and how you plan to deal with it, using at least six phrasal verbs.

0 / 120+ words

Lesson quiz

1 / 5

They ___ a survey of 1,000 customers.

Review

Key points

  • Problems: come up with, look into, sort out, carry out.
  • Plans: fall through, call off, put off, turn out.
  • People: put up with, look up to, let down, fall out with.
  • Separable with pronouns in the middle; three-part never split.

What you learned

  • ✓ I know key B2 phrasal verbs.
  • ✓ I use pronouns with them correctly.
  • ✓ I understand them in context.