Mastering English Phrasal Verbs and Expressions

Capable

• The camel can go for long periods without water.
• The camel is capable of going for long periods without water.

Succeed

• Management failed to convince the workers to end their strike.
• Management didn’t succeed in convincing the workers to end their strike.

Unable

• Although he can’t play any instruments, Steve wants to form a rock band.
• Despite being unable to play any instruments, Steve wants to form a rock band.

Able

• It’s a pity I couldn’t go to the concert with Leslie.
• I wish I had been able to go to the concert with Leslie.

Incapable

• He just cannot seem to get to meetings on time.
• He seems completely incapable of turning up to meetings on time.

Manage

• I’m afraid I wasn’t able to buy the brand of dog food you asked for.
• I’m afraid I didn’t manage to buy the brand of dog food you asked for.

Order

• You should put an extra jumper on so that you don´t get cold.
• You should put an extra jumper on in order not to get cold.

As

• He left early because he didn’t want to miss the last bus.
• He left early so as not to miss the last bus.

Case

• I’ve kept the receipt for the shirt because it may not fit you.
• I’ve kept the receipt for the shirt in case it doesn’t fit you.

Turned

• The workers were offered a three percent pay increase, but they didn’t accept it.
• The workers turned down the offer of a three percent pay increase.

Make

• You really ought to complain to the manager about the service.
• You really should make a complaint to the manager about the service.

Mind

• Have you decided where you’re going on holiday this year?
• Have you made up your mind where you’re going on holiday this year?

Succeed

• The two sides were unable to reach an agreement.
• The two sides didn’t succeed in reaching an agreement.

Capable

• He may be 50, but he can run a marathon in under three hours.
• He may be 50, but he is capable of running a marathon in under three hours.

So

• He wore an extra pair of socks to avoid getting cold feet.
• He wore an extra pair of socks so as not to get cold feet.

Effort

• Jake isn’t trying to improve his handwriting.
• Jake is not making any effort to improve his handwriting.

Case

• Lucy might arrive later, so let’s save a piece of cake for her.
• Let’s save a piece of cake for Lucy in case she turns up later.

Made

• They tried twice to find the missing climber, but without success.
• They made two unsuccessful attempts to find the missing climber.