INDEX
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Rationale of the study
1.2. Aim of the study
1.3. Method of the study
1.4. Objective and scope of the study
2. PROBLEM SOLVING
2.1. Theoretic basis of the problem
2.2. Practical basis of the study
2.3. Solutions to the problem
2.3.1. Some Common Phrasal Verbs
2.3.1.1 What is a phrasal verb?
2.3.1.2. Some common phrasal verbs
2.3.2. Practice on Phrasal Verbs
2.4. Evaluation of the results of the study
2.4.1. Findings of the study
2.4.2 The effectiveness of the study in comparison with the previous
methods
3. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1. General Overview and Enhancement of the study
3.2. Suggestions for further studies
3.3. Recommendations

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idioms. They appear in part E of Unit 14 and Unit 15 of the textbook of English 12
– basic curriculum. When teaching these points, I myself find it confusing to get
students to memorize the forming of the phrasal verbs and idioms. The only way to
keep them in our minds is to learn by heart and to practice regularly.
During my teaching and carrying out extensive research into this problem, I
found it necessary to provide more common phrasal verbs and also extra practice
for teachers and students when teaching and learning this. For all the reasons, I
would like to conduct my research on the topic: “Common Phrasal Verbs and
Sentence Transformation Exercises”.
1.2. Aim of the Study
The main aims of the research are:
- To provide teachers and students with some common phrasal verbs in English
used in sentence transformation exercises.
- To provide opportunity to practice writing skills, especially the skill of doing
sentence transformation exercises for gifted students
- To hope to provide reference materials for any teachers or students who intend to
master the language of English or want to make their English more natural and
more fluent.
1.3. Method of the Study
Multi-methods are integrated to conduct this research, including mainly
methods of observation and analysis. Beside, the research is undertaken as a result
of the reality of the long-time process of my daily teaching at school.
1.4. Objective and Scope of the Study
The objective of the study is phrasal verbs and idioms that are often used in
sentence transformation exercises, including rewrite the sentences using the given
words and rewrite the sentences using the key word(s). Some of them are taken
from the textbook of English 12 of basic curriculum, and the others are collected
from a variety of kinds of other material sources. Because of many reasons, both
subjective and objective, the study will limit itself within “sentences transformation
with some common phrasal verbs and idioms”, and this will mainly apply to the

problem and usually find it necessary to find out the ways to improve the situation.
I try my best to do this research with a view to getting my students and other
teachers to benefit from it by giving them more opportunities to practice and to
better their English.
2.3. Solutions to the problem
After studying the content of the textbooks English 10, 11 and 12, especially
the part E – Language Focus of units 14 and 15, and taking deep investigation into
this problem, I have found out some useful measures to deal with this problem.
The study consists of two main parts: Some Common Phrasal Verbs often
used in Sentence Transformation Exercises, with clear meaning and examples and
Practice, with 6 exercises of rewriting the sentences using the given words and the
key words at all levels.


2.3.1.Some common phrasal verbs
2.3.1.1. What is a phrasal verb?
A phrasal verb is a two-part or three-part verb and is sometimes called a
compound verb. It is a combination of a verb and an adverb, a verb and a
preposition, and a verb with an adverb and a preposition. It can have a literal
meaning that is easy to understand because the meaning is clear from the words
that are used. It can also have an idiomatic meaning which cannot easily be
understood by looking at the words themselves.
*. Verb and Adverb: run + around
- to run around something: to run in a circle around something (literal meaning)
E.g. The dog ran around the tree.
- to run around somewhere: to go to various places to do something (idiomatic
meaning)
E.g. I spent the day running around downtown.
*. Verb and Preposition: run + into
- to run into someone/ something: to hit or crash into someone or something (literal

not happen
E.g. - They have called off their engagement.
- The game was called off because of bad weather.
+ Call on/upon Sb: to ask Sb for an answer in class; to formally invite or ask Sb to
speak, etc
E.g. - I don't know why the teacher never calls on you. You always know the
answer.
- I now call upon the chairman to address the meeting.
+ Care for Sb: to look after Sb who is sick, very old, very young, etc (synonym:
take care of); to love or like Sb very muc
E.g. - She moved back home to care for her elderly parents.
- He cared for her more than she realized.
+ Break in: to enter a building by force
E.g. - Burglars had broken in while we were away.
+ Break into St: to enter a building by force, to open a car, etc. by force
E.g. - We had our car broken into last week.
+ Break up: to separate into smaller pieces; to come to an end, to end a personal
relationship
E.g. - The ship broke up on the rocks.
- Their marriage has broken up.
- Tim and Julie aren't going steady any more. They got really angry with each
other and broke up.
+ Bring Sb/St back/ Bring back Sb/St: to return Sb/St
E.g. - Please bring back all library books by the end of the week.
- He brought me back in his car.
+ Catch up with Sb: to reach Sb who is ahead by going faster; to reach the same
level or standard as Sb who was better or more advanced
E.g. - Terry stopped to rest for a few minutes. He'll catch up with us later.
- After missing a term through illness he had to work hard to catch up with
the others.

+ Count on Sb/St: to trust to do St or to be sore that St will happen
E.g. - I’m counting on you to help me.
- Few people can count on having a job for life.
- We can’t count on this warm weather lasting.
+ End up: to find yourself in a place or situation that you did not intend or expect
to be in
E.g. - I ended up doing all the work myself.
- If you go on like this you’ll end up in prison.
- If he carries on driving like that, he’ll end up dead.
+ Face up to St: to accept and deal with St that is difficult or unpleasant; to take
responsibility for…
E.g. - She had to face up to the fact that she would never walk again.
- You have to face up to your responsibilities.
+ Fall through: to not be completed, or not happen
E.g. - Our plans fell through because of lack of money.
- We had originally intended to go to Mexico for our vacation, but our trip


fell through when I got sick.
+ Feel for Sb: to have sympathy for Sb
E.g. - I really felt for her when her husband died.
- I do feel for you, honestly.
+ Feel up to St: to have the strength and energy to do or deal with St
E.g. - Do we have to go to the party? I really don’t feel up to it.
- I know the accident was a terrible shock. Do you feel up to talking about it?
+ Figure Sb/St out; Figure out Sb/St: to think about Sb/St until you understand
them/it; to solve a problem by thinking about it carefully.
E.g. - For a long time I couldn't understand the last problem, but I finally figured
it out.
- I can't figure Margie out. Sometimes she's very warm and friendly and

E.g. - She didn’t give up work when she had the baby.
- You ought to give up smoking.
+ Go out (with Sb): to leave your house to go to a social event; to spend time with
Sb and have romantic or sexual relationship with them
E.g. - She goes out drinking most evenings.
- Tom has been going out with Lucy for six weeks.
+ Hand in St(to Sb)/ Hand St in (to Sb): to submit homework, an assignment,
etc., to give St to a person in authority, especially a piece of work or St that is lost.
E.g. - You must all hand in your projects by the end of next week.
- You'd better get started on your report. You know that you have to hand it
in at 8:30 tomorrow morning!
+ Hand out St (to Sb)? Hand St out (to Sb): to distribute St to the members of a
group.
E.g. - Could you hand these books out, please?
- Why don't you have a course description and list of assignments? The
teacher handed them out on the first day of class."
+ Hang up: to end a telephone conversation by putting the telephone receiver
down or switching the telephone off
E.g. - After I hung up I remembered what I’d wanted to say.
- I'd like to talk longer, but I'd better hang up. My sister needs to make a call.
+ Hang St up/ Hang up St: to finish using St for the last time
E.g. - Ruth has hung up her dancing shoes.
+ Hold up/ Hang up St: to delay or block the movement or progress of Sb/St; to
steal from a bank, shop/store, etc. using a gun
E.g. - An accident is holding up traffic.
- When she was walking home last night, two men held her up and took her
purse.
+ Keep on: to continue
E.g. - I'm not ready to stop yet. I think I'll keep on working for a while.
+ Look down on Sb/St: to think that you are better than Sb/St

yesterday, they hadn't seen each other for nearly five years.
+ Run out (of St): to use up or finish a supply of St
E.g. - Could I have a cigarette? I seem to have run out.
- On the way home from work, Arthur ran out of gas."
+ Show off: to try to impress others by talking about your abilities, possessions,
etc.
E.g. - He’s just showing off because that girl he likes is here.
+ Show up: to arrive where you have arranged to meet Sb or do St
E.g. - It was getting late when she finally showed up.
- The boss was very upset when you didn't show up for the meeting. What
happened?
+ Stand for (no passive): to be an abbreviation or symbol of St
E.g. - The book’s by T.C. Smith. What does “T.C” stand for?
+ Take after Sb (no passive): to look or behave like an older member of your
family, especially your mother or father; to resemble Sb
E.g. - Both my sister and I take after our father.
+ Take care of Sb/St/Yourself: to care for Sb/St/yourself; to be careful about St
E.g. - Lois has been taking care of her father since he returned home from the
hospital.
+ Take off: (of an aircraft, etc.) to leave the ground and begin to fly; Take St off/
Take of St – to remove St, especially a piece of clothing from your/Sb’s body
E.g. - The plane took off an hour late.


- Please take your hat off when you go inside a building.
+ Try out: to use a machine briefly to determine how well it works
E.g. - I really like the way this car looks. May I try it out?
+ Turn Sb/St down/ Turn down Sb/St: to reduce the noise, heat, etc. produced by
a piece of equipment by moving its controls; to reject or refuse to consider an offer,
a proposal, etc. or the person who makes it.

=> Jean brought ………………………………………………………...……………
EXERCISE 2: Rewrite the following sentences using the given words.
1. I’ll do the ironing in the end.


=> I’ll get …………………………………………………………….……………..
2. The arrangements for our holiday didn’t come to anything.
=> Our holiday ………………………………………………………………………
3. The best solution was thought of by Sally.
=> Sally came ……………………………………………………………………...
4. Gerry has applied for the job of financial director.
=> Gerry has put ……………………………………………………………..……..
5. Our teacher used Sophia as an example of a good student.
=> Our teacher held ……………………………………………………….………..
6. I’m not much interested in sports.
=> I don’t really go ………………………………………………………….……...
7. Terry was rude but Anne got her revenge on him.
=> Anne paid …………………………………………………………….…………
8. You can stay with us for a week.
=> We can ………………………………………………………………..…………
9. The police only warned Sally because it was her first offence.
=> Sally was let …
10. Sue drew attention to the flaw in the plan.
=> Sue pointed ……………………………………………..……………………….
EXERCISE 3: Rewrite the following sentences using the given words.
1. The huge traffic jam on the motorway delayed us for several hours. (held)
=> The huge traffic jam on the motorway …………………..…… for several hours.
2. Our plane’s departure time is 10.00 am.
(takes)
=> Our plane ………………………….…………………………………. 10.00 am.

3. You were in my dreams last night. (about)
=> ……………………………………………………………………………………
4. This house brings home to mind! (of)
=> ……………………………………………………………………………………
5. Tina rewrote the French book in Spanish. (from)
=> ……………………………………………………………………………………
6. Christmas and roast turkey go together in my mind. (with)
=> ……………………………………………………………………………………
7. I think a rest would do you good. (from)
=> ……………………………………………………………………………………
8. When he has to face a crisis, Tony panics. (faced)
=> ……………………………………………………………………………………
9. Collecting stamps gives me a lot of pleasure. (derive)
=> ……………………………………………………………………………………
10. The deaths of over fifty people were caused by the storm. (resulted)
=> …………………………………………………………………………..………
EXERCISE 5: Rewrite the following sentences using the given words.
1. We have given winter equipment to all the soldiers. (provide)
=> ………………………………………………………………………..…………
2. You haven’t explained exactly how the money disappeared. (accounted)
=> ……………………………………………………………………………………
3. Brian is good at looking after the sick. (care)
=> ……………………………………………………………………..…….………
4. That sort of behaviour is deplorable, in my opinion. (approve)
=> ……………………………………………………………………………………
5. The new lecturer was unpopular with his students. (take)
=> ……………………………………………………………………………………
6. We wouldn’t want to restrict the freedom of the students in any way. (impose)
=> ……………………………………………………………………….…………
7. I suddenly realized the meaning of a “freebie”. (dawn)

1. up against a rather nasty problem.
2. fallen out with her next-door neighbour.
3. doesn’t belong to me
4. you with everything except a toothbrush.
5. of my cousin.
6. people with drinks.
7. me to your parents.
8. prices of that camera with those in other shops?
9. down when I heard the bad news.
10. the others round to her point of view.
EXERCISE 2: Rewrite the following sentences using the given words.
1. round to the ironing in the end.
2. fell through.
3. up with the best solution.
4. in for the job of financial director.
5. up Sophia as an example of a good student.


6. in for sports
7. Terry back for being rude to her.
8. put you up for a week.
9. off with a warning because it was her first offence.
10. out the flaw in the plan.
EXERCISE 3: Rewrite the following sentences using the given words.
1. held us up
6. bring her round
2. takes off at
7. came across
3. this land belongs to her
8. put off

3. What are you getting at?
4. Graham broke off to deal with a customer.
5. I have to leave early because something has come up/ cropped up.


6. John doesn’t feel up to going out.
7. You can count on Susan for help.
8. How are you getting on in your new job?
9. Because it was late, I ended up walking home.
10. Ted’s illness was brought on by overwork.
2.4.Evaluatiion the results of the study
2.4.1. Findings of the study
After a trial period in some classes at Ba Thuoc High School in the school
year 2015 - 2016, I noticed that the students made a considerable progress in
comparison with those in the previous years. They know more phrasal verbs and
know how to do rewriting sentences exercises with them effectively.
Specific findings
School year 2014 – 2015:
8-10
6.5-7.9
5-6.5

19
Total
77
5
6.5
19
24.7
38
49.4
15
19.4
School year 2015 – 2016:
8-10
Number
Number
Class of
of
students
students
12A1
39
9
12A8
37
7
Total
76
16

6.5-7.9

30
39.1
25
32.9
5
6.6

2.4.2. The effectiveness of the study in comparison with the previous methods
The research results above show that doing the researches not only helps the
students understand the lessons well and have a good chance to practice what they
have learnt but the teachers themselves benefit from it a lot as well. To achieve this
requires the teachers to invest time, effort and intelligence to discover treasures of
knowledge. It is also necessary for the teachers to select proper methods so that
they can promote the students’ proactive ability in learning English.


However, not all students can achieve the desired result because phrasal
verbs are difficult points. I myself usually adhere to the principal that it is better if I
teach my students five things and they can achieve four things than I teach them ten
things and they may only achieve three things. The teachers, therefore, should
understand their students well so that they can gain the best result from their
teaching.
3. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1. General overview and enhancement of the study
Knowledge is like an endless ocean. The English teaching methods are
plentiful and flexible, depending on many factors. Therefore, the teachers should
find themselves the most appropriate way to achieve the best result but not be
mechanical and rigid.
Although this is only my private experience as a result of my teaching
everyday, I hope it will be beneficial to other teachers and students. Beside, it


Trinh Thi Yen

REFERENCES


1. Tiếng Anh 10, Hoàng Văn Vân, Nhà xuất bản Giáo dục Việt Nam
2. Tiếng Anh 11, Hoàng Văn Vân, Nhà xuất bản Giáo dục Việt Nam
3. Tiếng Anh 12, Hoàng Văn Vân, Nhà xuất bản Giáo dục Việt Nam
4. Ngữ Pháp Tiếng Anh, Mai Lan Hương, Nhà xuất bản Đà Nẵng
5. Bồi Dưỡng Học Sinh Giỏi 11, Nguyễn Phú Thọ, Nhà xuất bản Đại học Quốc gia
Hà Nội
6. Bồi Dưỡng Học Sinh Giỏi 12, Nguyễn Phú Thọ, Nhà xuất bản Đại học Quốc gia
Hà Nội
7. Certificate in Advanced English 1, Cambridge University Press
8. Certificate in Advanced English 2, Cambridge University Press
9. Certificate in Advanced English 3, Cambridge University Press
10. Certificate in Advanced English 4, Cambridge University Press
11. Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th Edition, Cambridge University
Press
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
St
= something
Sb
= somebody
E.g.
= for example