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C1 ADVANCED · GRAMMAR · PART 4

Phrasal verbs for C1

Come up with, put up with, call off, dawn on… the phrasal verbs that come up at C1, and how to use them.

Finn the puffin with glasses and a book, your grammar teacher
Finn says

At C1, phrasal verbs are tested in Part 1, Part 2 (that tricky particle!) and Part 4. The trick is to learn each one with its meaning – and with a formal synonym.

Learn them with a formal synonym

In Part 4 the first sentence often uses a formal one-word verb, and the answer uses a phrasal verb.

come up with
= think of (an idea, a plan)
She came up with a brilliant solution.
put up with
= tolerate
I won't put up with this noise any longer.
call off
= cancel
The match was called off because of the rain.
take on
= employ; accept (work, responsibility)
The company took on ten new staff.
come off
= succeed (a plan, an attempt)
The plan didn't come off.
dawn on
= suddenly realise
It dawned on me that I'd left my keys at home.

The grammar of phrasal verbs

separable
noun object before or after the particle; a pronoun always before
turn the offer down / turn down the offer – turn it down
inseparable
the object always goes after
look after the children (not look the children after)
three-part verbs
verb + adverb + preposition, never split
cut down on, face up to, get away with
passive
keep the particle after the past participle
The meeting was called off.

How it comes up in Part 4

In Part 4 you complete the second sentence with the key word, so that it means the same as the first one (3–6 words).

I can't tolerate his rudeness any longer.
PUT
I can't put up with his rudeness any longer.

Tolerate = put up with (a three-part phrasal verb).

They cancelled the meeting because of the strike.
CALLED
The meeting was called off because of the strike.

Cancel = call off; here in the passive.

She finally understood what had happened.
DAWNED
It finally dawned on her what had happened.

Suddenly realise = it dawns on someone.

Common mistakes

  • ✗ He turned down it.✓ He turned it down.A pronoun goes between the verb and the particle.
  • ✗ I look forward to see you.✓ I look forward to seeing you.'To' is a preposition here, so the -ing form follows.
  • ✗ We need to come up a solution.✓ We need to come up with a solution.Three-part phrasal verbs need all three words.
Finn the puffin, smiling kindly
Finn's exam tip

In Part 4, a formal verb in the first sentence (tolerate, cancel, employ, postpone, realise) is often a clue: the answer is a phrasal verb. Check whether you also need the passive or an -ing form.

Quick check

Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first. Use the key word and write 3–6 words.

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