drop in - visit someone casually without planning
drop out - abandon some organized activity; leave; quit
drop over - visit someone casually
fall behind - not progress at required pace
fall off - decrease; lose weight
fall through - fail; not be accomplished
fill in - substitute
find out - learn
fly back - return by air
fly over - fly to where someone is
get ahead - make progress
get along - have a friendly relationship
get around - circulate; move about
get away - escape
get by - manage; either just barely or with a minimum of effort
get in - enter
get off - descend from leave
get on - enter (a vehicle); mount (a horse, etc.)
get on/along - progress; be compatible
get up - rise
get through - finish
give out - become exhausted
give up - surrender; fail to finish
go back - return
go off - explode
go on - happen; continue
go out - stop burning; leave one's residence
go over - go; succeed
grow up - mature
hang around - remain idly; dawdle
hang up - replace a telephone receive on its hook
hold on - grasp tightly; persevere; wait while telephoning
hold out - continue to resist; persevere; persist
keep on - continue
keep up - maintain the required pace or standard; continue
let up - diminish in intensity
lie down - recline
look on - be a spectator
make out - progress; succeed
make up - become reconciled
move over - move to the side
pan out - turn out well; be successful
pass out - become unconscious
pass on - die

pick up - grow; increase
pull in - arrive
pull out - deport
pull through - survive (barely)
ride over - ride to where someone is
run away - escape; leave; leave quickly without permission
run down - slowly lose power so as to stop functioning
run off - depart running; drain
sell out - sell the ownership or responsibility
settle up - pay one's bills or debts
show off - boast by words or actions
show up - arrive; appear unexpectedly
shut up - stop talking
slow up - reduce speed
stand by - wait; be prepared to assist
stand up - stand; rise from sitting; last; endure
stay over - remain at someone's house overnight or longer
step aside - move to one side
take off - leave the ground
take over - assume command
talk back - answer impolitely
throw up - vomit
turn around - turn so that one is facing another direction
turn in - go to bed
turn out - succeed; come; appear, as at a public meeting
turn up - arrive; be found unexpectedly
wait up - remain awake in anticipation
wake up - awaken
walk back - return on foot to where one was
walk over - walk to where someone is
wash out - fade or disappear from washing
watch out - be careful
wear off - fade; disappear through use or time
wear out - become unusable through use; become used up
work out - be successful

the end, I hope it was helpful

pass out - distribute
pass up - not take advantage of (as an opportunity)
pass on - transmit
pay back - repay
pay off - discharge a debt completely; give someone his final pay
pick up - come to meet an escort; lift with hands or fingers; learn casually;
initiate an association publicly
play down - minimize
play up - emphasize
point out - indicate
pull down - pull in a downward direction; raze
push across - cause to be understood or accepted
put off - postpone
put on - dress in; deceive or fool
put up - preserve (food); receive as an overnight guest
quiet down - be quiet
ring up - the telephone
rinse off - rinse the surface of
rinse out - rinse the inside of
rule out - eliminate
run down - trace; disparage; hit with a vehicle
run off - cause to depart; reproduce mechanically
save up - accumulate
see through - complete; in spite of difficulties
see off - accompany someone to the beginning of a trip
send back - send to a place where formerly located
send over - send to where someone is
set up - arrange
show off - exhibit ostentatiously
shut off - cause to cease functioning
slow up - cause to move more slowly
spell out - enumerate; state in detail
stand up - fail to keep an appointment with
sweep out - sweep the inside of
take back - return; retract a statement
take down - remove from a high position; write from dictation
take in - understood; fool; deceive; make smaller (in sewing)
take over - take; assume command of
tear down - destroy
tear up - tear into small pieces
tell off - scold; reprimand
think over - consider
think through - consider from beginning to end
think up - create; invent
throw away - discard
throw over - reject
tie up - tie securely or tight
tire out - cause to be exhausted

touch up - repair
try on - put on a garment to verify the fit
try out - test
turn down - refuse; lower the volume
turn out - produce; force into exile, extinguish (a light)
wash off - wash the surface of
wash out - wash the inside of
wear out - use until no longer usable; tire greatly
wind up - finish, tighten the spring of a watch or machine
wipe off - wipe the surface of
wipe out - wipe the inside of; decimate
work out - solve
write down - record
write out - write down every detail; spell out
write up - compose; prepare (a document)
Inseparable
back out of - desert; fail to keep a promise
bear down on - lean on; browbeat
bear on - have to do with
bear up under - endure
break in on - interrupt
break into - interrupt
call for - come to get; require
care for - like; guard; supervise; maintain
carry on with - continue
catch up with - cover the distance between oneself and
check up on - examine; verify
come across - find accidentally
come along with - accompany; make progress
come by - find accidentally
come down with - become ill with
come out with - utter; produce
come up with - utter; produce
count on - rely on
cut in on - interrupt
disagree with - cause illness or discomfort to
do away with - abolish
do without - deprive oneself of
drop in at/on - visit casually without planning
drop out of - leave; quit
face up to - acknowledge
fall behind in - lag; not progress at required pace
fall back on - use for emergency purpose
fall out with - quarrel with

fill in for - substitute for
get ahead of - surpass; beat
get around - evade; avoid
get away with - do without being caught or punished
get by with - manage with a minimum of effort
get down to - become serious about; consider
get in - enter (a vehicle)
get off - descend from; leave
get on - enter (a vehicle); mount
get on with - proceed with
get through with - terminate, finish
go back on - desert; fail to keep (a promise)
go for - like a great deal
go in for - be interested in; participate in
go on with - continue
go over - review
go with - harmonize with; look pleasing together
go without - abstain from
hang around - remain idly in the vicinity of
hear from - receive a communication from
hear of - learn about (sometimes accidentally)
hit on - discover accidentally
hold on to - grasp tightly
hold out against - resist
keep at - persevere at
keep to - persist in; continue
keep up with - maintain the pace of
lie down on - evade; fail to do
live on - support or sustain oneself by means of
live up to - maintain the standard demanded of
look after - take care of
look back on - remember nostalgically
look down on - feel superior to
look forward to - anticipate
look up to - respect; admire
make up for - compensate for
pass on - transmit
pick on - tease; bully
play up to - flatter for personal advantage
put up with - tolerate
read up on - search out information on
run against - compete against in an election
run away with - leave; escape from
run for - campaign for
see about - consider; arrange
see to - arrange; supervise
settle on - decide on; choose
stand for - represent; permit
stand up for - support; demand
stand up to - resist
stick to - persist
stick up for - support; defend
take after - resemble
talk back to - answer impolitely
talk over - discuss
tell on - report misbehavior to authority
touch on - mention briefly
turn into - become
wait on - serve
wait up for - not go to bed while waiting for
watch out for - be careful for
Intransitive
back down - retreat from a position in an argument
back out - desert; fail to keep a promise
back up - move backwards
bear up - endure
blow in - drop in to visit unexpectedly
blow over - pass without doing harm
blow up - explode; lose one's temper
call up - telephone
calm down - become calm
carry on - continue as before; misbehave
catch on - understand
catch up - cover the distance between oneself and a moving goal
check up - investigate
check out - leave; pay one's bill
cheer up - become cheerful
clear out - leave
clear up - become clear
close down - close permanently
close up - close temporarily
came about - happen
come along - accompany; make progress
come back - return
come by - visit someone in his home
come out - appear; make a social debut
come over - come to someone's house, to where someone is
come through - succeed
come to - regain consciousness
cut in - interrupt
die away - fade; diminish
die down - fade; diminish
die off/out - disappear; become extinct
dress up - don fancy or unusual clothes
drive back - return by car

Separable
add up - add
back up - cause to move backwards; support; blow up; cause to explode; destroy by explosives
break down - analyze; list the parts of separately
break into - go into a house or room forcibly; suddenly; begin; bring about - cause to happen
bring off - accomplish
bring on - cause
bring out - publish; emphasize
bring over - bring
bring to - revive
bring up - raise; care for from childhood
brush out - brush the inside of
burn down - destroy by burning
burn up - consume by fire
buy out - by the other person's share of a business
buy up - buy the whole supply of
call off - cancel; order away
call up - telephone; summon for military service
calm down - become calm
carry on - continue
carry out - fulfill; complete; accomplish; perform
carry over - carry; continue at anoher time or place
cheer up - cause to become cheerful
chew up - chew thoroughly
chop up - chop into small pieces
clean off - clean the surface of
clean out - clean the inside of
clean up - clarify; tidy
clear out - clear the surface of
clear up - clear the inside of
close down - close permanently
close up - close temporarily
count in - include
count out - exclude
count up - calculate; count; add to a total
cross out - eliminate
cut off - interrupt; sever; amputate
cut out - eliminate; delete
cut down - reduce in quantity
draw up - write; compose (a document)
dress up - put clothes on; adorn
dust out - dust the inside of
eat up - eat completely
figure out - interpret; understand
figure up - compute
fill in - complete (a printed form)
fill out - complete (a printed form)
fill up - fill completely (a container)
find out - discover
fix up - repair; arrange in a suitable manner
get across - cause to be understood
give back - return
give out - distribute; announce
give up - surrender something
hand down - deliver; pronounce formally; leave as an inheritance
hand over - yield control of
hang up - suspend
have on - be dressed in
have over - entertain someone informally at one's home
hold off - delay; restrain
hold up - delay; rob; threaten with a weapon
keep up - continue; keep the same pace
leave out - omit
let down - disappoint
let out - release from confinement; make larger (in sewing)
light up - light; illuminate thoroughly
live down - live in such a way as to cause something to be forgotten
make over - remake
move over - move to the side

Some particles can be separated from the verb so that a noun and pronoun can be inserted, and some particles
can't be separated from the verb. In addition, some phrases are intransitive, meaning they cannot take a direct
object.
Separable
add up (meaning: to
add)
Correct: She added up the total on her calculator.
Correct: She
it
added
up on her calculator.
Inseparable get around (meaning:
to evade)
Correct: She always gets around the rules.
Incorrect: She always gets the rules around (This construction
makes no sense in English.)
catch on (meaning: Correct: After I explained the math problem, she began to
Intransitive to understand)
catch on.
Incorrect: She began to catch on the math problem.
(catch on
cannot take a direct object in this meaning.)
Correct: She began to catch on
the math problem. (the
to
word
to makes a
the math problem
n
indirect object, which is
acceptable in this meaning.)
Unfortunately, there is usually no indicator whether an idiomatic phrase is separable, inseparable, or
intransitive.
In most cases the phrases must simply be memorized. Below is a partial list of each kind of phrase.

Two-Part (Phrasal) Verbs (Idioms)
Many verbs in English are followed by an adverb or a preposition (also called a particle), and these two-part
verbs,
also called phrasal verbs, are different from verbs with helpers
The particle that follows the verb changes the meaning of the phrasal verb in idiomatic ways:
VERB MEANING EXAMPLE
drop off decline gradually The hill dropped off near the river.
drop off(2) fall asleep While doing his homework, he dropped off
drop off(3)
stop and give something to
someone
Would you drop this off at the post office?
drop out cease to participate After two laps, the runner dropped out

Verbs describe actions or states of being. Example verbs are "run," "be," and "look."
Active and Passive Verbs
Verbs have an active and passive quality. Active verbs "do":

run
write
inspect
prepare

Passive verbs describe states of being and suggest no action:

be
am
is
are
was
were
being
been

Sentences written with passive verbs become passive sentences.


Grammar Expert
Lay vs. Lie
The distinction between "lay" and "lie" is subtle and sometimes confusing. "Lay" and "lie" are both verbs, but of different form.
"Lay" is always used as an action applied to some object. "Lay" describes the action of placing something down.
"Lie" describes the condition of being placed down.
Examples:

I lay the cards on the table.

-- "Lay" is an action applied to "cards."

The cards lie on the table.

-- "Lie" describes the condition of "cards."

The past-tense form of "lay" is "laid." The past-tense form of "lie" is "lay." This also causes confusion because of the similarity of spelling with the present tense "lay."

I lie the cards on the table.
The cards laid on the table.
I laid the cards on the table.

-- "Laid" is the past-tense form of "lay." "Laid" describes an action applied to "cards."

The cards lay on the table.

-- "Lay" is the past-tense form of "lie." "Lay" describes the condition of "cards."

Grammar Expert
Subject and Verb Agreement
The subject of a sentence or clause must agree in number with the verb associated with it. For example, the following sentence is incorrect:

The shipment were delivered to your warehouse.

The subject, "shipment," is a singular noun, and the verb, "were," refers to a plural noun. The singular verb "was" must be substituted for "were" to correct the sentence:

The shipment was delivered to your warehouse.

Most problems with subject and verb agreement involve the choice between "is" or "are" and "was" or "were." Other verbs may be incorrectly used as well. The rules for subject and verb agreement are simple:
1. Use the singular form of the verb when the subject is a singular noun. "Is" and "was" are singular verbs.
2. Use the plural form of the verb when the subject is a plural noun. "Are" and "were" are plural verbs.


Grammar Expert

Verb Agreement with Collective Subjects
When the subject of a sentence or clause is a collective noun, such as "crowd" or "group," the subject is in fact singular, since it refers to a single unit comprising several things. Use the singular form of the verb in this case.

A group of anxious reporters were blocking the exit.

-- The collective subject "group" is singular.

A group of anxious reporters was blocking the exit.
Management are opposed to this approach.

-- "Management" is the singular collective subject.

Management is opposed to this approach.
The box of trophies were reported stolen.

-- "Box" is the singular collective subject.

The box of trophies was reported stolen.

When individual members of a collective subject are identified, treat the subject as plural :

Several members of the audience were noisy.
The audience was quiet.



Grammar Expert
Verb Agreement with Compound Subjects
Compound subjects joined by "and" are normally treated like plural subjects, even if the individual parts are singular:

Your ticket and itinerary are ready.
That behavior and attitude are no longer tolerated.
Both John and Mary are going.

When the conjunction joining two parts of a compound subject is "or" or "nor," the verb must agree with the part closest to it:

Either the chairman or the members cancel the motion.

-- The verb "cancel" is closest to the plural "members."

Either the members or the chairman cancels the motion.

-- The verb "cancels" is closest to the singular "chairman."

Neither the cow, the pig, nor the chickens have been fed today.

-- The verb "have" is closest to the plural "chickens."

Neither the chickens, the pig, nor the cow has been fed today.

-- The verb "has" is closest to the singular "cow."

Neither Fred nor Sam was here today.

-- The verb "was" is associated with the singular "Sam."

When the subject contains the word "either," use the singular form of the verb.

Either Bill or Barb are going.
Either Bill or Barb is going.
Either of us are going.
Either of us is going.
Either person are capable.
Either person is capable.

Grammar Expert
Verb Agreement with "ics" Words
Words ending in "ics," such as "statistics," "mathematics," "graphics," "physics," and "politics," are normally treated as singular collective nouns. When the word is preceded by an article (e.g., "a," "an," or "the") or a preposition (e.g., "of"), or modified by an adjective, treat it as a plural noun.

Mathematics are my best subject.
Mathematics is my best subject.
The graphics for your book design is ready.

-- "The" is an article.

The graphics for your book design are ready.
The physics of planetary motion is beyond my grasp.
The physics of planetary motion are beyond my grasp.

Grammar Expert
Verb Agreement with Indefinite Subjects
When the subject is an indefinite word such as "all," "most," or "some," the word referred to by the subject determines whether the verb is singular or plural. If the referenced word is plural use the plural verb form.

Most of the cars is on sale.

-- The indefinite subject "most" refers to the plural "cars."

Most of the cars are on sale.
Most of the car were damaged.

-- "Most" refers to the singular "car."

Most of the car was damaged.
None of the cars was damaged.
None of the cars were damaged.
The majority of students has passed.
The majority of students have passed.
Thirty-three percent of our customers wants better service.
Thirty-three percent of our customers want better service.

When the subject is "one" in a phrase like "one of the," the noun referred to by "one" is always plural, so the verb is plural.

One of the toasters is broken.
One of the toasters are broken.
She is one of the people who works in my office.
She is one of the people who work in my office.

Grammar Expert
Verb Agreement with Measured Subjects
A singular subject quantified by a measurement is treated as a singular, so use the singular form of the verb.

Eight feet of electrical cord are required.

-- "Cord" is the singular subject.

Eight feet of electrical cord is required.
The purchase price were three million dollars.

-- "Price" is the subject.

The purchase price was three million dollars.

If the subject is plural, and the measurement specifies the number or quantity, use the plural form of the verb.

Forty boxes of popcorn was sold.

-- "Boxes" is the plural subject.

Forty boxes of popcorn were sold.
Three million dollars was raised for the homeless.

-- "Dollars" is the plural subject.

Three million dollars were raised for the homeless.

Treat the fractional part of a singular subject as singular:

Three-quarters of the pie is gone.

Treat the fractional part of a collection consisting of more than one as plural :

Three-quarters of the pies are gone.

Grammar Expert
Distinguishing the Subject
The subject is the "who" or "what" about which the sentence or clause is written. Distinguishing the subject of a sentence or clause is important to knowing which form of verb to use.

The main reason the report was delivered late are the people in the copy room.

-- "Reason" is the subject, not "people."

The main reason the report was delivered late is the people in the copy room.
Snowstorms is the leading cause of employee lateness this month.

-- "Snowstorms" is the subject, not "cause."

Snowstorms are the leading cause of employee lateness this month.
The interest we receive from our investments are a major source of income.

-- "Interest" is the subject, not "investments."

The interest we receive from our investments is a major source of income.
Which one of the folders are being kept?

-- "One" is the subject, not "folders."

Which one of the folders is being kept?
There was three men waiting to see me when I returned.

-- "Men" is the plural subject.

There were three men waiting to see me when I returned.

Grammar Expert
Verb Agreement with Problem Subjects
Certain subjects cause confusion because they seem singular but are really plural, or vice versa.
Nouns which denote pairs are always treated as plural , and so take plural verbs :

The scissors is in the drawer.
The scissors are in the drawer.
My pants is in the wash.
My pants are in the wash.

Similar words for pairs:

reins scales
shears spectacles
tongs trousers
tweezers pliers

The pronoun "you" is treated as plural, even if it refers to a single person:

You is sitting in my chair.
You are sitting in my chair.



Grammar Expert
Verb Tense
Verb tense indicates when an action or state occurs over time. Verbs can be expressed in three tenses: past, present, and future:

They agreed with the proposal.

-- "Agreed" is the past-tense verb

They agree with the proposal.

-- Present tense

They will agree with the proposal.

-- Future tense

Sentences containing more than one clause sometimes present a problem, since each clause contains its own verb. Normally, all verbs in a sentence are in the same tense. Exceptions exist, however.
When the verb in the independent clause is in the past tense, the verb in a dependent clause is also usually in the past tense:

They said they agreed with the proposal.

-- Both "said" and "agreed" are past-tense verbs

He informed me he had written the letter weeks ago.

-- Both "informed" and "had written" are past-tense verbs

When the verb in the independent clause is in the future tense, the verb in a dependent clause is usually in the present tense. This is true because the independent clause verb places the time of the remainder of the sentence in the future:

They will say they agree with the proposal.

-- "Will say" is in the future tense, but "agree" is in the present tense

When the verb in the independent clause is in the present tense, the verb in a dependent clause can be in any tense, depending on the time ordering of actions:

We need a new projector because the one was have was broken.

-- "Need" is a present-tense verb, and "was" is past-tense

We need a new projector because the one we have is broken.

-- Both "need" and "is" are present-tense verbs

We need a new projector because the one we have will break soon.

-- "Will break" is a future-tense verb



Grammar Expert
Split Infinitives
A split infinitive is an adverb inserted between the word "to" and an infinitive verb:

I decided to quickly leave.

The split infinitive is considered weak by some people. The word "to" and the infinitive verb really form a single unit. Inserting an adverb between them makes them separate, so they lose their association. Moving the adverb following the infinitive verb may be preferable:

I decided to leave quickly.

Note that moving the adverb ahead of the word "to" results in ambiguity:

I decided quickly to leave.

-- Does "quickly" apply to "decided" or to "leave"?

Don't substitute "and" for "to" when forming infinitive verbs.

I will try and come if I have time.
I will try to come if I have time.



Grammar Expert
Participles
Participles are verb forms that usually end in "ed" ( past tense ) or "ing" ( present tense ).
A participle at the beginning of a sentence must have a noun or pronoun subject or a "dangling participle" results:

Having opened the window, the room was noticeable cooler.

-- The subject of the participle "having" is missing, so the participle "dangles"

Noticing their poor performance, the stocks were sold.
While skiing yesterday, my nose was frostbitten.

Correct these sentences by providing subjects for the participles:

Peter having opened the window, the room was noticeably cooler.
Noticing their poor performance, Wayne sold the stocks.
While I was skiing yesterday, my nose was frostbitten.

The gerund also ends in "ing," but is really a verb transformed to a noun:

Her skating is excellent.

-- "Skating" is the gerund

Pronouns in English are distinguished based on the gender of the person to which the pronoun refers:

Bill sprained his ankle.

-- "His" is the male pronoun

Mary lost her book.

-- "Her" is the female pronoun

English does not have a singular gender -independent personal pronoun. Traditionally, the singular pronoun "he" has been used to refer to both sexes, but this is now regarded as sexist:

Anyone who wants lunch must present his ticket at the counter.

This problem can be removed in two ways.
The first method is to use "he or she" or "he/she" in place of "he":

Anyone who wants lunch must present his or her ticket at the counter.

The second method is to use a plural indefinite pronoun in place of the singular:

All people who want lunch must present their tickets at the counter.

The third method is to rewrite the sentence to eliminate indefinite pronouns entirely:

If you want lunch, present your ticket at the counter.

Note that the following sentence is incorrect, because the plural pronoun "their" is inconsistent with the singular indefinite pronoun "everyone":

Everyone who wants lunch must present their tickets at the counter.

When using pronouns to stand for compound subjects whose individual parts are of mixed gender, use at least one pronoun of each gender:

Either Jim or Helen will bring his car or her car.
Either Jim will bring his car or Helen will bring hers.