There are minimal instances of phrasal verbs at the A1 level. Commonly used phrasal verbs are go out and get up. Once the A2 level is achieved, the frequency of phrasal verbs in learner work increases drastically. At the A2 level, learners can use a limited range of phrasal verbs without an object.
We can meet up at 2 pm. (Cambridge English: Key; Portuguese)
If you have time, you can come over and I will introduce you to my friends. (Cambridge English: Key; Chinese)
Every day I can see the sea when I wake up. (Cambridge English: Key; Spanish - European)
A2 learners are also able to use a limited range of phrasal verbs + object pronoun + particle.
I will pick you up and arrange everything. (Cambridge English: Key; Burmese)
Ring me up or send me an email if you have any questions. (Cambridge English: Key; Basque)
You may need to throw it away. It’ll be too dirty after painting. (Cambridge English: Key; Thai)
Once the B1 level is achieved, the range of phrasal verbs used without an object and in the structure phrasal verb + object pronoun + particle increases.
[talking about a phone] Its battery had run out. (Cambridge English: Preliminary; Portuguese)
Her feelings, emotions were all scattered. But Lisa didn’t give up. (Cambridge English: Preliminary; Vietnamese)
I heard about this club when I was watching TV and I wanted to check it out. (Cambridge English: Preliminary; French)
So, think it over and tell me what you decide to do. (Cambridge English: Preliminary; Russian)
B1 level learners are also able to use a limited range of phrasal verbs + particle + object.
Were it not for my university, I would give up this class immediately. (Cambridge English: Preliminary; Russian)
So I opened the envelope and took out the letter. (Cambridge English: Preliminary; German)
She turned off the phone and walked to the bathroom. (Cambridge English: Preliminary; Spanish - Latin American)
By the B2 level, learners are using a wide range of phrasal verbs without an object.
Some species are dying out, and keeping such animals in zoos where they can give life to new generations is the only way to prevent them from becoming completely extinct. (Cambridge English: First; Polish)
The following day my grandpa didn’t show up. (Cambridge English: First; Greek)
If you are not good enough at reading, you’ll end up wasting your time. (Cambridge English: First; Japanese)
In addition, learners can use a wide range of phrasal verbs + particle + object.
I had already booked my seat on the ferryboat to Athens and I couldn’t put off my crossing. (Cambridge English: First; Italian)
I can surf the internet and look up some useful information. (Cambridge English: First; Chinese)
The concert finished very late and after the concert I had to clean up the hall. (Cambridge English: First; French)
Learners can also use phrasal verbs + nouns as object + particle at the B2 level.
Another way is also to turn the computers off in the evenings. (Skills for Life: Entry 1; Swedish)
It was necessary to call the electrician up. (Cambridge English: First; Spanish - European)
If we can make these improvements, we might be able to work this problem out. (Cambridge Business English: Vantage; French)
At C1 learners are able to use a wide range of phrasal verbs + object pronoun + particle.
[talking about a band] I went to check them out last week and here is my review of the two concerts. (Cambridge English: Advanced; Danish)
[talking about a living room] I tried to clean it up as much as possible. (CELSH; Swedish)
[talking about setting up an office phone system] We just need a small set and a little time to fix it up. (Cambridge Business English: Higher; Chinese)
A key area of improvement in learners’ use of phrasal verbs is seen in the structures in which phrasal verbs are used. The first structure used by learners is phrasal verb + no object at the A2 level, phrasal verb + object pronoun + particle at the A2 level, phrasal verbs + particle + object at the B1 level and phrasal verbs + nouns as object + particle at the B2 level. Yet, the most important area of development is, of course, the increasing range of phrasal verbs used by learners as the progress through the CEFR levels.
