BBC_Learning English

to write

These exercises look at the verb 'to write' combined with particles. Here are some of the most common:

'to write away for' something means to send a letter or form asking for something.

I want a free copy so I'll write away for one.
She has written away for a brochure with details of the course.

'to write back' means to reply.

I sent him a letter but he didn't write back.
I wrote back saying that we would be happy to accept their invitation.

'to write down' means to record something on paper.

So I don’t forget, can you write that down, please?
I wrote down his phone number on a piece of paper but I can't find it now.

'to write in' to an organisation means to send a letter to them.

To give us your comments on today's show, write in to the usual address.
The first one hundred people who write in will receive a free copy.

'to write off' means that you decide someone or something is unimportant or not to be considered further.

Children who are not academic are often written off by schools instead of being helped.
Most companies write off any employee over fifty-five as they assume they are profitable.

'to write off' a car means to crash it so that it cannot be repaired.

She has had only one accident but she did write the car off.
There really isn't much damage to the car. It won't be written off by the insurance.

'to write off' a debt means to cancel it.

The rich countries in the West should write off the debts of the Third World.
We had to write off quite a lot of bad debts at the end of the year.

'to write out' means to note all the necessary information on a cheque or prescription.

Can you write me out a receipt for my accounts, please?
The doctor wrote out a prescription for the drugs and handed it to me.

'to write up' your notes means to record them on paper in a neat form.

After every class, I always write up my notes straight away.
She wrote up the minutes of the meeting and distributed them the next day.

'to write up' means to note something on a notice or board on a wall.

The teacher wrote her name up on the board.
If you want to join, just write your name up on the notice board

to work

These exercises look at the verb 'to work' combined with particles. Here are some of the most common:

'to work against' means to cause problems for someone or something, make it harder to achieve.

When you are applying for a job, age often works against you.
Their image works against them. They need to change it if they are going to succeed.

'to work away at ' means to continue working hard at something for a long time.

When I got back to the office, he was still working away at his report.
He's been working away at it all afternoon but you can't really see what he has achieved.

'to work around' something means that you find a way of organizing an activity avoiding any problems.

We can't change it. We'll just have to work around it.
The deadlines are very short but I'm sure you can find a way to work around them.

'to work off' means to overcome the effects of something by doing something energetic or different.

I feel totally stressed. I'm going to go work it off at the gym.
We ate too much at lunch so we went out into the garden to work it off.

'to work on' something means you spend time and effort trying to perfect it.

In training, he's been working on improving the weak parts of his game.
I've been working on my level of fitness before I go on this walking holiday.

'to work out' means to calculate the solution to a mathematical problem.

I've never been very good at maths. I couldn't work out the rate per week.
The bill is $98, so who can work out how much each of us must pay?

'to work out' also means to think carefully to find a solution to a problem.

We don't want a strike. I hope that someone can work out a way to avoid it.
Nobody has worked out a solution to this problem. We are still spending too much.

'to work out' also means to do physical exercise to improve your fitness.

He runs at the weekend and works out twice a week in the gym.
I worked out a lot when I was younger but now I prefer easier exercise like walking!

'to work yourself up' means to make yourself angry or anxious about something.

It's not very important. Don't get so worked up about it!
He got very worked up about the interview. He really wanted the job and got very stressed about it.

'to work up to' something means to gradually do more of something until you reach a certain level.

He started training with small weights and worked up to 100 kilos.
You should start by doing a few minutes exercise and work up to half an hour a day

to walk

These exercises look at the verb 'to walk' combined with particles. Here are some of the most common:

'to walk away' means to leave an unpleasant situation that is difficult to deal with.

You are responsible for this. You can't just walk away.
Don't get involved in an argument. Just walk away.

'to walk in on' means to enter a room when someone is doing something private or personal.

They were whispering. I think I walked in on a private conversation.
He walked in on me when I was getting changed in my office.

'to walk into' means to unexpectedly get involved in something, usually unpleasant.

I really didn't see this coming. I just walked straight into it.
I didn't realise I was just walking into a trap. He planned it beautifully.

'to walk into' can also mean to get a job very easily.

After university, he just walked into a very good job in the bank.
Thanks to her father and his connections, she walked into a very well paid job.

'to walk something off' means to go for a walk to stop having unpleasant or angry feelings.

The best thing to do was to go out and walk off my bad mood.
I had a terrible headache but managed to walk it off.

'to walk off with' means to take something without permission or without paying for it.

When they evacuated the shop, customers walked off with lots of things.
Kate has just walked off with my sweater and new boots. She's always doing that.

'to walk out' means to leave a meeting or performance before the end to show displeasure.

He just walked out half way through and left us sitting there.
Some of the audience walked out during the play, they weren't enjoying it at all.

'to walk out' can also mean workers suddenly go on strike.

All the technicians in production walked out in support of their pay claim.
The drivers walked out when they heard that one of them had been sacked.

'to walk out on' means to leave someone you have a close relationship with.

His girlfriend walked out on him after a big argument about money.
My father walked out on us when I was very young.

'to walk over' means to treat someone very badly, especially by telling you what to do all the time.

He just walks all over her. He does just as he pleases.
He lets her walk all over him. He never says no to her

to turn 3

These exercises continue looking at the verb 'to turn' combined with particles. Here are some of the most common:

'to turn over' means to move yourself or something so that you or it are facing in the opposite direction.

I'd like to see the other side. Can you turn it over, please?
Turn over and lie on your back.

'to turn over' means to give something to someone in authority.

During the investigation all the do*****ents were turned over to the police.
They were turned over to the immigration authorities as soon as they landed at the airport.

'to turn round' means to make a business profitable after an unsuccessful period.

It lost a lot of money last year but the new management have turned it round.
All political parties promise to turn the economy round if elected but they never do!

'to turn round' also means to change the way something is expressed or considered.

Let's turn that question round and look at it from a different point of view.
He always turns what I say round to make me look stupid.

'to turn to' someone means to ask them for help or sympathy.

I need help and I don't know who to turn to.
She doesn't seem to have any friends to turn to when she needs help.

'to turn to' can also mean to focus on something.

Let's turn our attention to the question of finance next.
Let's move on and turn to an important problem we are facing – drop in sales.

'to turn up' means to increase the amount of something, especially heat or volume.

It is cold in here. Can you turn up the heating, please?
I can't hear it. Can you turn it up, please?

'to turn up' also means to arrive at a place.

He finally turned up at my house half an hour late.
You don't need to book. You can just turn up and buy a ticket at the door.

'to turn up' can also mean that someone or something arrives when not expected.

You'll find a job. I'm sure something will turn up quite soon.
Jane didn't call to ask if she could come, she just turned up and stayed the weekend

to turn 2

These exercises continue looking at the verb 'to turn' combined with particles. Here are some of the most common:

'to turn in' means to go to bed.

It's very late, I'm going to turn in.
Come on, let's turn in and get a good night's sleep.

'to turn in' also means to produce results, usually very good results.

The company turned in it's best results yet. Turnover is up 20% on last quarter.
All of the students turned in excellent work this term.

'to turn into' means to change and become something different.

If we are not careful, this little setback could turn into a major problem.
The old warehouses along the river have been turned into very expensive flats.

'to turn off' means to use a switch to stop something working.

Before you go up to bed, remember to turn the TV off.
Don't turn off the light in the hall. I usually leave it on all night.

'to turn off' also means to leave a road to travel on a different one.

After a couple of miles, you turn off the main road and go down a little lane.
You turn off the motorway at junction 6 and follow the signs to the airport.

'to turn on' means to use a switch to start something working.

First thing I do in the morning, is turn on my computer and the coffee machine.
It was dark in the house when I went in. Nobody had turned the lights on.

'to turn on' also means to attack or criticise someone.

They had always supported the Prime Minister but now they have turned on him.
That race of dog is very unpredictable, they can suddenly turn on you.

'to turn out' means to have a particular result.

We had a very good afternoon. The weather turned out well.
I was so pleased with the food. Even the cakes turned out perfectly.

'to turn out' also means to produce, often in big quantities.

They turn out hundreds every day which they sell all over the country.
The new machines in production mean we can turn out twice as many at half the price.

'to turn out' also means people go and participate at or watch an event.

Thousands turned out to see the Queen when she opened the new hospital.
A very high percentage of voters turned out to vote at the last elections

to turn 1

These exercises are about using the verb 'to turn' combined with particles. Here are some of the most common:

'to turn against' means to change opinion to not liking or agreeing with someone or something.

Since they declared war, the country has turned against the government.
He is always spreading nasty stories in an attempt to turn everyone against me.

'to turn around' means to turn so that you are facing the opposite direction.

When I'm speaking to you, turn around and look at me.
I recognised him even from behind. He didn't need to turn around so I could see his face.

'to turn someone away' means to refuse them entry to a place.

We only have fifty places so we have to turn people away every day.
The restaurant has a strict dress code. It turns away anyone in shorts and T-shirt.

'to turn away' also means to refuse to help someone.

Nobody is turned away. We help everyone who comes to us.
He's my nephew, I can't turn him away without giving him some money.

'to turn back' means to fold a part of something so that it covers another part.

She marked her place in the book by turning back the page.
When we arrived in the room, the maid had turned back the bedcovers.

'to turn back' also means to return to the place you came from.

The road was impassable after the snow so we had to turn back.
I forgot to pick up the street map and guide book so we had to turn back and go get them.

'to turn back' also means to change your plans.

There was no turning back once she had said she was going to do it.
We have invested a lot of time and money in this project, there's no turning back now.

'to turn down' means to refuse something.

He was offered a job there but he turned it down as it was too far from home.
I turned down an invitation to dinner to come and spend the evening with you.

'to turn down' also means to reduce the amount of heat or sound produced.

Turn the TV down. It is far too loud.
It's rather hot in here. Shall I turn the heating down now?

'to turn in' means to give something to someone in authority to deal with it.

To get a new driver's licence, I had to turn in my old one.
There was an amnesty and you could turn in guns and knives without any consequence

to throw

These exercises are about using the verb 'to throw ' combined with particles. Here are some of the most common:

'to throw away' means to get rid of something because you don't need or want it any more.

I'm going to throw away these old shoes. I can't wear them any more.
Throw away those old magazines. Everybody has read them.

'to throw in' means to add something extra when you are selling something.

When I bought my car, they threw in free insurance.
When you buy fruit and vegetables on the market, they often throw in a few extra.

'to throw in' a remark in a conversation means to suddenly say something without thinking about it.

In the middle of dinner, he just threw in that he was leaving his job to travel the world.
She just threw in some comment about how terrible a manager Nick was.

'to throw yourself into' means to do something with a lot of enthusiasm and energy.

The children threw themselves into the project and got it finished very quickly.
He loves his new job and has thrown himself into it with great enthusiasm.

'to throw off' means to free yourself from something.

I've had this cold for ages now. I just can't throw it off.
He has never been able to throw off that young boy image.

'to throw on' means put on a piece of clothing quickly without much thought.

I was in a hurry so I just threw on an old dress and coat.
I'll just throw on my coat and be with you in a moment.

'to throw out' means to reject a proposal or idea.

The court didn't have enough evidence so they threw the case out.
After all the demonstrations and protests, parliament threw out the bill.

'to throw someone out of' means to force someone to leave a place.

His bad behaviour was the reason he was thrown out of school.
They were thrown out of the club because they had had too much to drink.

'to throw together' means to quickly make something without a lot of preparation.

It was a very simple dinner. I just threw together a salad with things from the fridge.
She's very good at sewing. She just throws together a dress in an evening.

'to throw up' means to generate or produce new problems or ideas.

It was a very good meeting. It threw up loads of new ideas.
Our discussion has thrown up some very serious concerns about safety

to think

These exercises are about using the verb 'to think' combined with particles:

'to think ahead' means to make plans or arrangements for the future.

Just concentrate on today and try not to think too far ahead.
We're already thinking ahead to what will happen after the elections.

'to think back' means to look back over things that have happened.

When I think back on what I did, I feel embarrassed.
Think back to when I first lived here and what the house was like then.

'to think of' a fact or something that exists means you know it and can suggest it to someone else.

I can't think of any examples of something he has done well.
Can you think of any reason I should do it? I'm not going to get paid.

'to think of' also means to consider the possibility of doing something.

I'm thinking of going to Portugal for the holidays.
He's thinking of starting his own business.

'to think out' means to prepare or plan something fully before you start doing it.

He obviously hadn't thought it out properly before starting.
It was very well thought out. He had obviously spent a lot of time on it.

'to think over' means to consider something carefully before deciding.

We've got all the information we need. We'd like to think it over.
I just needed a bit of time to think it over before I told him what I had decided.

'to think through' means to consider something carefully with all the possible consequences.

It sounds like a good idea but we need to think it through to see if it will work.
I haven't had time to think it through at all. I don’t know what will happen.

'to think up' means to create something using your imagination.

I don't want to go to their party but I can't think up an excuse.
We'll have to think up a very good reason why we didn't make the deadline

to talk

These exercises are about using the verb 'to talk ' combined with particles:

'to talk at' someone means to speak to someone without listening to them, there is no dialogue.

She just talks at me. She never lets me say a word.
He doesn't talk to you, he just talks at you.

'to talk round' a problem or subject means that you avoid discussing the important point.

I feel we didn't get to the point, we talked around it for hours.
She just talked round the problem but didn't say anything of importance.

'to talk back' means to reply rudely instead of being polite.

He was very polite and didn't talk back to his parents.
Her children are not at all well brought up. They talk back to everyone.

'to talk down' means to reduce the importance of something, make something smaller than it is.

He is forever talking me down and making me feel useless.
They talked down the success of our project as they were very jealous.

'to talk down to' someone is to speak to someone as if they were inferior to you.

She talked down to me as if I was a child.
The teacher talks down to her students as if they were idiots.

'to talk someone into' means to persuade someone to do something.

He doesn't want to do it but I think I can talk him into it.
She talked me into going with her even though I didn’t want to.

'to talk someone out of' means to persuade someone not to do something.

I talked her out of buying that car. She doesn't need to spend so much money.
I wanted to do a parachute jump but he talked me out of it saying it was dangerous.

'to talk over' means to discuss a problem or situation before making a decision.

I want to talk things over with Freddie first. He always gives good advice.
Can we talk it over? I think you are being too hasty.

'to talk through' means to help someone to understand something by explaining the details.

Can you talk me through the procedure? I'm not sure what I have to do.
I'll talk you through it step by step as you do it.

'to talk up' means to speak enthusiastically about something so that it appears more interesting.

When you demonstrate the products, talk up the advantages of buying them.
I'm sure he talked up my skills to his boss to make him sure he hired me

to take 4

Here is the final part of our look at some common expressions using the verb 'to take ' combined with particles:

'to take up' means to start doing a hobby or activity.

Since he retired, he's taken up golf.
I'm thinking of taking up yoga. It will help me relax.

'to take up' also means to take a particular quantity of space or time.

This sofa is too big. It takes up too much space.
I'm going to stop going to the classes. They take up too much time.

'to take up' can also mean to remove something which is fixed down to a surface.

We're taking up the tiles and replacing them with a new ones.
We are going to take up the old floor in the kitchen and put in a wooden one.

'to take up' also means to accept an offer or opportunity.

I'm going to take up your offer of a lift. Can you pick me up at seven?
He's going to take up that job offer and move to the office in London.

'to take up' means to continue an activity that had been interrupted.

Jenny came back and took up the story where she had left off.
When Pete had to leave, I took up the story where he had finished.

'to take up' also means to shorten a piece of clothing.

I'm so short that when I buy jeans, I always have to take them up.
I had to take the sleeves up a couple of inches as my arms are not as long as yours.

'to take someone up on something' means to accept an offer someone has made.

Bill offered me a ride home so I took him up on it.
I don't know whether to take my parents up on their offer of a loan to buy my car.

'to take someone up on something' can also mean to ask for an explanation of what they have said or done.

You should have taken him up on it. You can't let him say things like that.
I took her up on what she said because I didn't think it was true.

'to take up with someone' means to start a relationship with someone.

She's taken up with Johnny who is almost 5 years older than her.
He took up with a rough gang of boys who lived just down the street.

'to take something upon yourself' means to decide to do something without asking first.

She took it upon herself. If she had asked me, I'd have done it.
Harry has taken it upon himself to organise everything without talking to us first