GRAMMARB1Phrasal VerbsItalian learner editionEdizione per studenti italiani

B1 Phrasal Verbs & Verbs with Prepositions

Learn how to understand and use common phrasal verbs and verbs with fixed prepositions. Master separable and inseparable patterns, object-pronoun position and high-frequency combinations for speaking and writing.Impara a capire e usare i principali phrasal verbs e i verbi con preposizione fissa. Padroneggia forme separabili e inseparabili, posizione dei pronomi oggetto e combinazioni frequenti per speaking e writing.

turn it offlook afterfind outdepend onapologise forlook forward to -ing

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If the student is logged in, these fields can be auto-filled by the platform. Otherwise, the student can complete them manually.Se lo studente ha effettuato l’accesso, questi campi possono essere compilati automaticamente dalla piattaforma. Altrimenti può completarli manualmente.

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1. See the verbs in context1. Guarda i verbi nel contesto

This morning, I ran into an old friend. We talked about school, and she asked me to look after her bag while she bought coffee. Before leaving, I wrote down her new number because I did not want to lose it.Stamattina ho incontrato per caso una vecchia amica. Abbiamo parlato della scuola e mi ha chiesto di tenere d’occhio la sua borsa mentre comprava un caffè. Prima di andare via, ho annotato il suo nuovo numero perché non volevo perderlo.
Why these combinations matterPerché queste combinazioni sono importanti

run into = incontrare per caso.

talk about = parlare di un argomento.

look after = prendersi cura di / sorvegliare.

write down = scrivere per ricordare.

The complete combination often has a meaning that cannot be guessed by translating each word separately.La combinazione completa ha spesso un significato che non si può indovinare traducendo ogni parola separatamente.

2. The B1 phrasal-verb map2. La mappa B1 dei phrasal verbs

Core idea:Idea centrale:

Learn the verb and its particle or preposition as one complete chunk. Then learn whether it can be separated, where an object pronoun goes and what type of word follows the preposition.Impara il verbo e la sua particella o preposizione come un unico blocco. Poi impara se può essere separato, dove va il pronome oggetto e quale forma segue la preposizione.

Separable phrasal verbsPhrasal verbs separabili

verb + noun + particleverb + particle + noun

Turn the light off. / Turn off the light.

Pick your coat up. / Pick up your coat.

Pronoun rule: con it, them, him, her, la posizione centrale è obbligatoria: turn it off, non turn off it.

Inseparable phrasal verbsPhrasal verbs inseparabili

verb + particle + object

She looks after her nephew.

I came across an old email.

He is getting over the flu.

Italian trap: non inserire l’oggetto tra verbo e particella: look after him, non look him after.

No-object phrasal verbsPhrasal verbs senza oggetto

subject + verb + particle

The plane took off.

We grew up in Rome.

Hurry up!

Remember: alcuni phrasal verbs possono avere più strutture: I woke up ma anche I woke the children up / I woke them up.

Verbs with fixed prepositionsVerbi con preposizione fissa

verb + preposition + object

listen to music

depend on someone

apologise for a mistake

agree with a person

Italian trap: la preposizione inglese non corrisponde sempre a quella italiana. Memorizza wait for, pay for, belong to come blocchi.

Preposition + -ingPreposizione + forma in -ing

preposition + noun / pronoun / -ing

She apologised for arriving late.

I am thinking about changing jobs.

We look forward to seeing you.

Important: in look forward to, to è una preposizione, non il segnale dell’infinito: to seeing, non to see.

Similar forms, different meaningsForme simili, significati diversi

look at = guardare

look for = cercare

look after = prendersi cura di

talk to = parlare con qualcuno

talk about = parlare di qualcosa

Strategy: non studiare soltanto look o talk; studia l’intera combinazione con una frase esempio.
High-frequency B1 chunks:Combinazioni B1 ad alta frequenza:

get up, wake up, go out, come back, find out, give up, pick up, put on, take off, turn on/off, turn up/down, write down, fill in, look for, look after, get on with, deal with, ask for, wait for, listen to, pay for, depend on, belong to, agree with, worry about, think about, apologise for.

3. Italian brain vs English brain3. Cervello italiano vs cervello inglese

Literal translation often creates the wrong particle, the wrong preposition or an impossible object position.La traduzione letterale crea spesso la particella sbagliata, la preposizione sbagliata o una posizione impossibile dell’oggetto.

MeaningCommon mistakeNatural English
Spegni la luce.Turn off it.Turn it off.
Sto cercando le chiavi.I am searching my keys.I am looking for my keys.
Ascolta l’insegnante.Listen the teacher.Listen to the teacher.
Dipende dal tempo.It depends from the weather.It depends on the weather.
Abbiamo discusso il problema.We discussed about the problem.We discussed the problem.

4. Use the combinations in real context4. Usa le combinazioni nel contesto reale

Phrasal verbs are especially common in everyday speaking, instructions, messages and informal writing. Verbs with prepositions are essential in every register.I phrasal verbs sono particolarmente comuni nel parlato quotidiano, nelle istruzioni, nei messaggi e nella scrittura informale. I verbi con preposizione sono essenziali in ogni registro.

Daily routineRoutine quotidiana
I get up at seven and put on my uniform.
Work and studyLavoro e studio
Please fill in the form and send it back.
RelationshipsRelazioni
I get on well with my colleagues.
Natural mini-paragraph:Mini-paragrafo naturale:
I found out about the course online and asked for more information. The school replied quickly, so I filled in the form and sent it back. I am now looking forward to starting the lessons.

5. Common mistakes5. Errori comuni

❌ Please turn off it.

A pronoun must go between the two parts of a separable phrasal verb.Un pronome deve stare tra le due parti di un phrasal verb separabile.

✅ Please turn it off.
❌ She looks her brother after.

Look after is inseparable.Look after è inseparabile.

✅ She looks after her brother.
❌ It depends from the price.

The fixed combination is depend on.La combinazione fissa è depend on.

✅ It depends on the price.
❌ I look forward to meet you.

To is a preposition here, so it is followed by -ing.Qui to è una preposizione, quindi è seguito dalla forma in -ing.

✅ I look forward to meeting you.

6. Concept Check Questions6. Domande di controllo del concetto

Check structure and meaning before controlled practice.Controlla struttura e significato prima della pratica guidata.

1. Which sentence is correct with a pronoun?
2. Which sentence uses an inseparable phrasal verb correctly?
3. Which sentence contains a verb with a fixed preposition?
4. What does “give up” mean in “He gave up smoking”?

7. Quick Check — choose the correct combination7. Quick Check — scegli la combinazione corretta

1. Could you _____ the music? It is too loud.
2. I am looking _____ my keys. Have you seen them?
3. Please listen _____ the instructions carefully.
4. We need to find _____ what happened.
5. She apologised _____ being late.

8. Challenge Check — structure and meaning8. Challenge Check — struttura e significato

1. The form is important. Please fill _____.
2. I unexpectedly _____ an old photograph while cleaning.
3. Which sentence is correct?
4. I do not know how she _____ such a difficult situation.
5. We are really looking forward _____ you again.

9. Write it in English9. Scrivi in inglese

Translate using the correct phrasal verb or prepositional verb.Traduci usando il phrasal verb o il verbo con preposizione corretto.

1. Per favore, spegni il computer.
2. Sto cercando il mio telefono.
3. Lei si prende cura di sua nonna.
4. Dipende dal prezzo.
5. Non vedo l’ora di rivederti.

10. Cambridge-style transformations10. Trasformazioni stile Cambridge

Rewrite using the word or phrasal verb given without changing the meaning.Riscrivi usando la parola o il phrasal verb indicato senza cambiare il significato.

1. Rewrite using TURN.

Please switch the television off. (TURN)

2. Rewrite using RAN.

I met an old teacher by chance yesterday. (RAN)

3. Rewrite using FILL.

Please complete this form. (FILL)

4. Rewrite using GAVE.

She stopped eating meat last year. (GAVE)

5. Rewrite using FORWARD.

I am excited about meeting the new teacher. (FORWARD)

11. Mini dialogue practice11. Mini dialogo pratico

Choose the most natural reply.Scegli la risposta più naturale.

1. A: “Why are you late?”

12. Guided writing task12. Writing guidato

Write about a busy or unexpected day. Explain what happened, what you discovered, who you contacted and how you solved a problem. Use at least six target combinations.Scrivi di una giornata impegnativa o inaspettata. Spiega cosa è successo, cosa hai scoperto, chi hai contattato e come hai risolto un problema. Usa almeno sei combinazioni target.

No-object phrasal verb
Pronoun in the middle
Inseparable phrasal verb
Separable phrasal verb
Verb + fixed preposition
for / about combination
look forward to + -ing
talk to/with + about
Clear punctuation + 75+ words
Model answer:

Yesterday I got up late because my alarm did not go off. My phone was still ringing, so I turned it off. When I found out what time it was, I quickly put on my clothes and called my manager. I apologised for being late and explained that my car had broken down the previous evening. On the way to work, I ran into a neighbour who offered me a lift. I talked to her about the traffic and listened to the news in the car. When I arrived, my manager asked me to fill in a form. I am now looking forward to having a much quieter day tomorrow.

13. How to learn and use these verbs13. Come imparare e usare questi verbi

The most effective method is to learn each combination with its meaning, grammar pattern and one memorable example.Il metodo più efficace è imparare ogni combinazione con significato, schema grammaticale e un esempio memorabile.

Build vocabulary chunksCostruisci blocchi lessicali

look for something
look after someone
depend on something
apologise for doing something

Record the object pattern, not only the translation.Annota lo schema dell’oggetto, non soltanto la traduzione.

Use personal examplesUsa esempi personali

I get on well with my colleagues.

I am looking forward to my holiday.

I need to cut down on coffee.

A personal sentence is easier to remember than an isolated list.Una frase personale è più facile da ricordare di una lista isolata.

Want a lasting method to really learn English?Vuoi un metodo duraturo per imparare davvero l’inglese?

Book a consultation with us and we will help you choose the best course for your level, objectives and timetable.Prenota un colloquio con noi: ti aiuteremo a scegliere il percorso più adatto al tuo livello, ai tuoi obiettivi e ai tuoi tempi.

Book a consultationPrenota un colloquio

14. Final score and report14. Punteggio finale e report

Check the score, identify weak areas and download or save the result.Controlla il punteggio, identifica le aree deboli e scarica o salva il risultato.

Your resultIl tuo risultato

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