ISC Class 11 Phrasal Verbs: How the Particle Changes the Meaning
Updated 18 October 2026 · Fact-checked
A phrasal verb is a verb plus a particle (an adverb or a preposition) whose meaning is often not the sum of its parts: call off means cancel, put up with means tolerate, turn down means reject. In ISC Paper I, Question 3 tests them as items needing one exact particle or one exact verb form, so learn them in pairs and sets.
Notice that the verb stays the same but the particle in orange, blue or purple decides the meaning, so learn each particle with its verb.
Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.
Understand Phrasal Verbs: Meaning and the Correct Particle
Place in the paper. Question 3 of ISC English Paper I tests grammar, structure and usage. The chapter page lists phrasal verbs as one of the three item types; board papers set them as ten items worth 5 marks, each needing one exact answer.
What a phrasal verb is. A verb combined with a particle. The same verb with different particles gives different meanings, so the particle is what you must learn.
Meanings listed on the chapter page. put off (postpone), put on (wear), put up with (tolerate), call off (cancel), turn down (reject), turn up (arrive), carry out (perform), carry on (continue), give in (surrender), give up (stop), look into (investigate), look after (take care of), break out (start suddenly), stand by (support), stand for (represent).
Learning in sets. The chapter page notes that board papers test them in pairs and sets with the same verb (carry on and carry out; jump at and jump to). Compare the members of a set, because only one fits the sentence.
Method for an item.
- Read the whole sentence and decide what the blank or underlined phrase means.
- Try each particle you know with the verb.
- Check the tense or form: put the verb in the right tense (carried out, calls off) and spell it correctly.
- Write only the answer asked for (the particle, or the phrasal verb in full).
Scope note. Only the phrasal verbs given on the chapter page are treated as official; the sentences here are invented for practice.
Phrasal Verbs: Meaning and the Correct Particle: key facts
- Meanings to remember
- put off = postpone
- put on = wear
- put up with = tolerate
- call off = cancel
- turn down = reject
- turn up = arrive
- Taken from the chapter page list.
- More meanings
- carry out = perform
- carry on = continue
- give in = surrender
- give up = stop
- look into = investigate
- look after = take care of
- Learn each pair together.
- Other meanings
- break out = start suddenly
- stand by = support
- stand for = represent
- Check which particle fits the sentence.
How to answer Phrasal Verbs: Meaning and the Correct Particle questions
Use this for fill-in and replace-the-phrase items on phrasal verbs.
- 1Read the full sentence and decide the meaning needed.
- 2List the particles that go with the verb.
- 3Pick the particle whose meaning fits.
- 4Put the verb in the correct tense and check spelling.
- 5Write only what is asked.
Phrasal Verbs: Meaning and the Correct Particle in real life
The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.
One verb, many meanings
Suppose a class teacher says to the captain, 'We will put off the picnic if it rains, but we will not call off the exam.' A new student thinks both mean the same thing.
What difference should the new student understand?
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- Put off means postpone to a later time.
- Call off means cancel completely.
- So the picnic may be moved, but the exam is certainly happening.
Answer: The picnic is postponed, while the exam is not cancelled. The particle changes the meaning.
Memory hook: Put off = later, call off = never.
Tricks to remember Phrasal Verbs: Meaning and the Correct Particle
Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.
Off for ending
Call off = switch the plan off (cancel); put off = push it to later (postpone).
Use it when: Separates call off and put off.
Carry on, carry out
On = go on; Out = do it out in full.
Use it when: Distinguishes the pair.
Phrasal Verbs: Meaning and the Correct Particle: solved examples
Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.
Example 1: Choose the meaning · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
'The committee will look into the complaint.' Look into here means: (a) take care of (b) investigate (c) glance inside (d) ignore
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- Look after = take care of.
- Look into = investigate.
Answer: (b) investigate.
Example 2: Fill the particle · 1 mark · Very short answerBoard level
Fill in the blank with a suitable particle: 'The villagers cannot put ___ with the noise any longer.'
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- Meaning: tolerate.
- The phrasal verb is put up with.
Answer: up
Example 3: Replace with a phrasal verb · 2 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Replace the underlined words with a phrasal verb: 'The organisers decided to cancel the concert because of the storm.' Then write the sentence with the phrasal verb in the correct tense.
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- Cancel = call off.
- Decided to + base form.
Answer: The organisers decided to call off the concert because of the storm.
Example 4: Pairs in one passage · 2 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Choose from carry on / carry out and write the correct form in each blank: 'The scientists will ___ the experiment as planned. If the results are good, they will ___ for another month.'
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- Perform an experiment = carry out.
- Continue for another month = carry on.
Answer: carry out; carry on.
Example 5: Explain the difference · 5 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency
Explain the difference between 'turn up' and 'turn down' using one sentence each, and say which is the nearer to 'arrive' and which to 'reject'.
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- Turn up = arrive; turn down = reject.
- Write two sentences in the same context.
Answer: Turn up means arrive, as in 'He turned up late for the match'. Turn down means reject, as in 'She turned down the offer'. A particle changes the meaning completely.
Where students lose marks in Phrasal Verbs: Meaning and the Correct Particle
The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.
Mistake: Writing the wrong particle
Two particles look possible.
Wrong working
The match was called up.
Right working
The match was called off.
Do this: Check the meaning before choosing.
Usually costs: 1 mark per item
Mistake: Wrong tense or spelling of the verb
The form must fit the sentence.
Wrong working
carryed out
Right working
carried out
Do this: Check the sentence time and spelling.
Usually costs: 1 mark per item
Mistake: Writing the whole sentence when a particle is asked
Only one answer is asked for.
Wrong working
A full sentence for a one-word blank.
Right working
The single particle.
Do this: Read the instruction.
Usually costs: Time and sometimes marks
Exam tips
- Learn phrasal verbs in pairs and sets, not singly.
- Read the whole sentence before choosing.
- Write the verb in the form the sentence needs.
- Spell each form correctly.
- Answer only what the item asks.
Practice questions on Phrasal Verbs: Meaning and the Correct Particle
Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.
Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
Which phrasal verb means 'to stop doing something'? (a) give in (b) give up (c) give out (d) give on
Hint
Remember surrender and stop.
Answer
(b) give up.
Q2 · 1 mark · Very short answerBoard level
Complete: 'War broke ___ in the region last year.'
Hint
Start suddenly.
Answer
out
Q3 · 2 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Replace the underlined phrase with a phrasal verb: 'The police are investigating the theft.'
Hint
Present continuous.
Answer
The police are looking into the theft.
Q4 · 2 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Fill the blanks with the correct phrasal verb from stand by / stand for: 'What does the abbreviation ___?' and 'A true friend will ___ you in trouble.'
Hint
Represent; support.
Answer
stand for; stand by.
Q5 · 5 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency
Write three sentences using put off, put on and put up with so that each shows the meaning clearly.
Hint
Postpone, wear, tolerate.
Answer
Model: The match was put off to next week. She put on a raincoat before leaving. I cannot put up with such delays.
Test your recall
Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.
1.What does put off mean?Show answer
Postpone.
2.What does call off mean?Show answer
Cancel.
3.What does put up with mean?Show answer
Tolerate.
4.What does stand for mean?Show answer
Represent.
5.How many phrasal-verb items are set in the board paper?Show answer
Ten items for 5 marks, as the chapter page records.
Phrasal Verbs: Meaning and the Correct Particle: frequently asked questions
What is the particle?
The adverb or preposition that follows the verb.
Can the same verb have different phrasal meanings?
Yes, give up and give in differ.
Is the Class 11 paper set by CISCE?
No, schools set it on the board pattern.