| Meaning | To request or inquire about something. |
|---|---|
| Example | "Driving after drinking alcohol is asking for trouble." |
| Usage | Commonly used in informal and formal contexts to indicate a request for something desired or needed. |
| Meaning | To require or demand something. |
|---|---|
| Example | "The principal called for an explanation for his absence / The situation calls for immediate action." |
| Usage | Often used to emphasize the necessity or urgency of a particular action or response. |
| Meaning | To be naturally suited or talented for something. |
|---|---|
| Example | "She's really cut out for a career in music." "He is not cut out for the job" |
| Usage | Used to describe someone's aptitude or suitability for a particular task or role. |
| Meaning | To participate in or show interest in something. |
|---|---|
| Examples | "He goes in for long-distance running." "I don’t like to go in for teaching" |
| Usage | Indicates a person’s involvement or preference for a particular activity or pursuit. |
| Meaning | To move towards a place or destination. |
|---|---|
| Examples | "We made for the nearest shelter during the storm." "Death control has made for population explosion" |
| Usage | Describes physical movement towards a specific location or goal. |
| Meaning | To compensate for a deficiency or mistake. |
|---|---|
| Examples | "She worked extra hours to make up for the lost time." "He is doing lot of good things now a days to make up for his past bad life" |
| Usage | Used when someone tries to rectify or offset a previous error or shortfall. |
| Meaning | To search for or seek something. |
|---|---|
| Example | "Excuse me, can you help me? I am looking for 201 MGM St." |
| Usage | Used when someone is actively trying to find or locate something. |
| Meaning | To give money in exchange for something. |
|---|---|
| Example | "Can I pay for this stuff with a debit card?" |
| Usage | Describes the action of settling a financial transaction, typically for goods or services. |
| Meaning | To make preparations or arrangements in advance for something expected or anticipated. |
|---|---|
| Example | "The festival was a disaster because they didn’t plan for such a huge crowd." |
| Usage | Highlights the importance of anticipating and preparing for future events or situations to avoid problems or failures. |
| Meaning | To be deeply attracted to someone; to develop romantic feelings. |
|---|---|
| Example | "I guess he really fell for her in a big way." |
| Usage | Used to describe a strong emotional attraction or infatuation towards someone. |
| Meaning | To accept something less desirable than what one truly wants or deserves. |
|---|---|
| Example | "Dr. Rosy has very high standards. She won’t settle for second best." |
| Usage | Highlights a refusal to compromise on one's expectations or standards. |
| Meaning | To tolerate or accept someone or something, usually implying disapproval or opposition. |
|---|---|
| Example | "I will never stand for him." |
| Usage | Expresses refusal to accept someone's actions, behavior, or presence. |
| Meaning | To collapse inward, usually due to external pressure or force. |
|---|---|
| Example | "Due to the tsunami, the roof of the mud house caved in." |
| Usage | Describes a sudden collapse or giving way of a structure or surface. |
| Meaning | To generate or earn (income, profit, etc.) from something. |
|---|---|
| Example | "Her painting's brought in some income to support her." |
| Usage | Used to describe the act of earning or obtaining something, typically money or revenue. |
| Meaning | To request the presence or services of someone or something. |
|---|---|
| Example | "Call in an ambulance immediately." |
| Usage | Indicates the urgent or necessary summoning of assistance or support. |
| Meaning | To participate or become involved in an activity or endeavor. |
|---|---|
| Example | "You should always be engaged in some meaningful activities." |
| Usage | Encourages involvement or participation in productive or beneficial pursuits. |
| Meaning | To forcibly enter a building or place illegally, typically for theft or burglary. |
|---|---|
| Example | "The thieves broke in through the kitchen window." |
| Usage | Describes the unlawful entry into a premises with criminal intent. |
| Meaning | To yield or surrender to someone or something; to concede. |
|---|---|
| Example | "At last, the government gave in to the demands of the government employees." |
| Usage | Indicates the act of finally agreeing or submitting after resistance or opposition. |
| Meaning | To investigate or examine something. |
|---|---|
| Example | "The officials looked into the matter and took necessary steps." |
| Usage | Describes the action of examining a situation or problem in order to understand or resolve it. |
| Meaning | To begin and continue to happen or have an effect. |
|---|---|
| Example | "The rainy season has set in." |
| Usage | Refers to the commencement or arrival of a particular season, condition, or situation. |
| Meaning | To include or integrate something into a schedule or plan. |
|---|---|
| Example | "I'll try to work in a Cubs game." |
| Usage | Describes the act of fitting something into an already established schedule or arrangement. |
| Meaning | To attend or watch something, such as a movie or show. |
|---|---|
| Example | "After lunch we took in a movie." |
| Usage | Refers to the action of attending an event or experiencing something visually or audibly. |
| Meaning | To temporarily do someone else's work or duty. |
|---|---|
| Example | "She's the star of the show. No one can fill in for her." |
| Usage | Describes the act of temporarily replacing someone who is absent or unavailable. |
| Meaning | To record one's arrival by signing a register or log. |
|---|---|
| Example | "All visitors to the consulate are asked to sign in." |
| Usage | Refers to the action of officially registering one's presence upon arrival at a location. |
| Meaning | To interrupt or intrude into a conversation or situation. |
|---|---|
| Example | "My father taught me that it's not polite to butt in line." |
| Usage | Describes the act of interfering in a conversation or action without being invited or welcome. |
| Meaning | To have faith or confidence in something or someone. |
|---|---|
| Example | "Do you believe in God?" |
| Usage | Refers to having a strong conviction or trust in the existence or principles of something. |
| Meaning | To exchange something for something else, typically of higher value. |
|---|---|
| Example | "We'll get a good price on our new car if we trade in our old one." |
| Usage | Describes the action of exchanging an old or used item for credit towards a new purchase. |
| Meaning | To secure or confine someone or something with a lock. |
|---|---|
| Example | "It's dangerous to lock in children in a car." |
| Usage | Refers to the action of securing or confining someone or something using a lock. |
| Meaning | To visit someone casually or informally, often without prior notice. |
|---|---|
| Example | "Sarah dropped in on Paris last night." |
| Usage | Describes the act of making an unexpected visit or appearance at someone's place. |
| Meaning | To enter a place or location. |
|---|---|
| Example | "Rosy went into the kitchen to get a cup of coffee." |
| Usage | Describes the action of entering or going inside a specific area or building. |
| Meaning | To allow someone or something to enter a place or location. |
|---|---|
| Example | "That small window doesn't let in enough light to read by." |
| Usage | Refers to granting permission or enabling someone or something to enter a specified area. |
| Meaning | To connect an electrical appliance to a power source. |
|---|---|
| Example | "The iron box is plugged in." |
| Usage | Describes the action of inserting a plug into an electrical outlet to power an appliance. |
| Meaning | To enter a place or location secretly or without being noticed. |
|---|---|
| Example | "If you don't have a ticket for the game, you'll have to sneak in." |
| Usage | Describes the act of entering a place covertly or stealthily, often to avoid detection. |
| Meaning | To clock in or record one's arrival time using a time clock or similar device. |
|---|---|
| Example | "I forgot my card to punch in." |
| Usage | Refers to the action of registering one's attendance or starting work by punching a time clock. |
| Meaning | To enter a vehicle or confined space. |
|---|---|
| Example | "Get in the car!" |
| Usage | Commands someone to enter a vehicle or enclosed area. |
| CARRY OUT | Carry out your job very seriously |
|---|---|
| BREAK OUT | Last night a fire broke out in our street |
| FALL OUT | He left home after falling out with his parents |
| FIND OUT | I couldnot find out the reason for his strange behaviour |
| PUT OUT | The firemen had a tough time putting out the fire |
| SEND OUT | The manager sent out every two months |
| WEAR OUT | Jim felt worn out after a long journey |
| BACK OUT | He had promised to help me, but backed out at the last moment |
| RUN OUT | Our stock of sugar has run out |
| FIGURE OUT | He couldn’t figure out where he put them |
| POINT OUT | She wanted to point out several possible problems |
| LET OUT | The lion let out a loud roar before he attacked the deer |
| BURN OUT | the sun won’t burn out for another four billion years |
| PICK OUT | I have four puppies, so I want to pick one out |
| HAND OUT | Handouts of food and clothing were given to the homeless people |
| START OUT | The stock market started out in negative territory but closed 300 points higher |
| DROP OUT | Dhoni’ father was very disappointed when he dropped out of college |
| HOLD OUT | There are still a few holdouts who don’t have credit cards |
| DRY OUT | My skin always gets dried out in the winter |
| STAY OUT | You can’t come in here. Stay out! |
| WATCH OUT | Watch out when you’re crossing a busy street |
| PRINT OUT | Type a letter and take a print out |
| LOOK OUT | Look out for bears when you camp in the mountains |
| MAKE OUT | How did you make out on the test yesterday? |
| SORT OUT | The mail is sorted out and ready to be delivered |
| CUT OUT | I cut an interesting story out of the newspaper to show to my friend |
| RULED OUT | Ater the hurricane they ruled out moving to Florida |
| CLEAN OUT | When I go home, I found that my place had been cleaned out |
| CLEAR OUT | Clear out! This is a private property |
| COME OUT | How did the investigation come out? |
| EMPTY OUT | The security told me to empty out my pockets |
| FALL OUT | Did she fall out or was she pushed? |
| GO OUT | The forest fire didn’t go out until it started to rain |
| BROUGHT UP | Robert was brought up by his parents as a hard working and intelligent boy |
|---|---|
| CALL UP | The patient could not call up past events |
| LOOK UP | Look up the word in the dictionary |
| TEAR UP | She tore up the letter |
| BACK UP | He was able to achieve this mainly because he was backed up by his wife |
| BREAK UP | She broke up with her boy friend |
| HOLD UP | I was held up in traffic jam |
| GIVE UP | The doctors have given him up but he made a remarkable recovery |
| MAKE UP | He made up an excuse to get leave |
| SHOW UP | Over a thousand people showed up for the news conference |
| THROW UP | I feel like I’m going to throw up |
| WRAP UP | We wrapped up the meeting around 6:00 and went home |
| WORK UP | You have to work up to it |
| CATCH UP | Coca-Cola has caught up with Pepsi in many markets |
| GROW UP | Growing up without a father wasn’t easy |
| FOLLOW UP | The doctor told me he’d need to follow up the treatment with physical therapy |
| WAKE UP | I woke up at 6:00 AM on every day |
| COME UP | Why don’t you come up and see me some time? |
| CALL ON | Yesterday we called on our family friend |
|---|---|
| CARRY ON | They carried on their conversation for a long time |
| GET ON | Robert is getting on well in studies |
| GO BACK ON | I never go back on my promises |
| KEEP ON | She kept on asking me questions the whole time |
| BANK ON | Do not bank on your relatives when you are in difficulties |
| PUT ON | She put on a gray shkirt and a gray woolen cardigan |
| LOOK ON | I look on him as my son |
| GO ON | Go on doing your duty |
| PILE ON | He piled compliments on her |
| CHEAT ON | The teacher caught David cheating on the exam |
| SCREW ON | Make sure you screw each of the nuts on tightly |
| FIGURE ON | You can figure on spending a least hundred bucks if you’re going to that restaurant |
| PLAN ON | What are you planning on doing tonight? |
| COME ON | It was so cold that the heat came on last night |
| CATCH ON | It took me a while, but I finally caught on to him |
| TRY ON | Would you like to borrow this dress for the dance tonight? Here, try it on |
| TURN ON | I wonder why she turned on me like that? |
| HOLD ON | I have been holding on for fifteen minutes. |
| BREAK DOWN | Our car broke down on the way |
|---|---|
| GO DOWN | The prices of houses has gone down |
| KNOCK DOWN | While crossing the road, the old man was knocked down by a motorist |
| LET DOWN | The government let down the farmers badly in the talks |
| LIVE DOWN | The politician could not live down his part bad antecedents |
| PULL DOWN | The government is trying to pull down all opposition against it |
| TAKE DOWN | The students were taking down the notes |
| HANDS DOWN | India won the final match against England hands down |
| PUT DOWN | The army put down the rebellion |
| GET DOWN | He could not get down the stairs |
| SETTLED DOWN | She settled down in France with her husband and two daughters |
| TRACK DOWN | The terrorists were tracked down by Interpol |
| CRACK DOWN | The FBI is planning a major crackdown on organized crime |
| COME DOWN | It’s been raining for an hour! It’s really coming down |
| SLOW DOWN | I was driving pretty fast, but I slowed down after I saw the police car. |
| FALL DOWN | I slipped on some ice on the sidewalk and fell down |
| LAID DOWN | The IRS laid down several new tax regulations |
| RUN DOWN | The man was run down and killed by a speeding taxi |
| SIT DOWN | The teacher told his students to sit down |
| TURN DOWN | My request for a pay raise was turned down |
| BREAK OFF | He broke off in the middle of his speech |
|---|---|
| CALL OFF | The union has called off the strike |
| COME OFF | The meeting did not come off because the minister suddenly fell ill |
| CUT OFF | Water adn electricity supplies have been cut off |
| GET OFF | He got off with his light to injury in the accident |
| HOLD OFF | The ruling party managed to hold off its main rival party in the general election |
| KEEP OFF | Buses and lorries kept off the road in protest against the oil price hike |
| LET OFF | The teacher let him off homework because he was ill |
| PUT OFF | They have put off the wedding |
| SHOW OFF | He showed off his new watch to his friends |
| TAKE OFF | Please take off your shoes before entering |
| TURN OFF | The electrician turned off the main switch before attending the fault |
| SET OFF | He set off for London last night |
Modal auxiliaries are used for
1.Probability - will ought
2.Possibility - can, could, may, might