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Intermediate | IELTS & CELPIP

Phrasal Verbs: Movement – Intermediate

B2 vocabulary lesson on Phrasal Verbs: Movement with a practical word bank, collocations, and retrieval practice.

Topic Explanation and Use

Core idea

This lesson helps you say the same idea with sharper, more natural vocabulary.

Phrasal Verbs: Movement teaches verb + particle combinations that are common in everyday English and must be learned as full phrases.

Use phrasal verbs when they are natural for the topic and level. They are especially useful in speaking, but they still need accurate word order.

At B2 level, learn fewer words but learn them well: meaning, collocation, and one model sentence.

Use it here

  • Learn the verb and particle as one unit.
  • Check whether the object can go between the verb and particle.
  • Use the phrasal verb only if it sounds natural in the task and register.

Watch it work

The speaker brought up a problem with the timetable.
Please look up the station name before you leave.

Remember this

  • Choose the meaning first before you choose the word.
  • Learn the word with a natural collocation or partner phrase.
  • Use the new word in one short sentence right away.
  • Replace vague words only when the new word stays accurate.
  • Keep the register stable so the language fits the task.

Real-World Examples with Phrasal Verbs: Movement

Example 1

Too weakThe speaker brought the cost issue in the meeting.

BetterThe speaker brought up the cost issue in the meeting.

The stronger version names the real meaning instead of staying vague.

Example 2

Too weakPlease look the station name up before you leave.

BetterPlease look up the station name before you leave.

The better sentence sounds more natural for a real task and a real reader.

Word Bank and Useful Chunks

Word bank

  • set off: begin a journey
  • get on: enter a bus or train
  • head back: return to a place
  • drop off: leave someone or something
  • run into: meet unexpectedly
  • pull over: stop a vehicle at the side

Useful chunks

  • bring up a topic
  • look up a word
  • carry out a task
  • point out a problem

Sentence frames

  • The speaker brought up...
  • Please look up...
  • The team carried out...

Common Errors with Phrasal Verbs: Movement

Common problem 1

choosing the wrong particle with a familiar verb

WeakThe manager pointed the delay out about at the meeting.

StrongThe manager pointed out the delay at the meeting.

Fix: learn the full phrasal verb as one item

Common problem 2

placing the object in an unnatural position

WeakPlease look the timetable up before class.

StrongPlease look up the timetable before class.

Fix: check where the object belongs in the phrase

Common problem 3

using a phrasal verb without understanding its meaning

WeakThe team carried out late because of traffic.

StrongThe team carried out the safety check despite the traffic delay.

Fix: use the phrasal verb only when you know what action it describes

Interactive Practice Lab

Practice

Start with meaning. Then move to collocations and sentence control for Phrasal Verbs: Movement.

Score: 0/3

Use words that sound natural together. Precision is more important than difficulty.

1. Quick pick

Which phrasal verb means "introduce a topic"?

2. Build it

Put the sentence in a natural order.

Put the chunks in the natural order.

3. Type the missing word

Complete the useful chunk: bring up a _____

Fix this: set off: begin a journey

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