AFPSAT Verbal Ability — Phrasal VerbsRevision Notes
Final-week revision notes for Phrasal Verbs. If you have already studied the full chapter, this page is your go-to refresher before sitting the AFPSAT. Compact, high-yield, and aligned with what Armed Forces of the Philippines tests in the Verbal Ability subtest.
Exam context
The Armed Forces of the Philippines Service Aptitude Test is conducted by Armed Forces of the Philippines and is scheduled for Multiple schedules yearly. The Verbal Ability subtest is marked as "Core" in the official pattern, and Phrasal Verbs appears in position 6th of 7 in the AFPSAT Verbal Ability review rotation. Passing mark: AFP-set percentile. Recent AFPSAT 2026 papers have drawn roughly a meaningful share of questions from this subject.
Phrasal Verbs - Revision notes
Phrasal verbs are essential components of English that consist of a main verb paired with an adverb, preposition, or both. These combinations create new meanings that are often idiomatic and cannot be deduced from the individual words. Mastering phrasal verbs is crucial for CSE Professional examinations as they frequently appear in verbal ability tests and demonstrate advanced language comprehension.
Sections
Exam Tips
- Always read the complete sentence for context
- Look for signal words that indicate the intended meaning
- Practice with multiple meanings of common phrasal verbs
- Memorize high-frequency phrasal verbs through usage examples
Key Points
- A phrasal verb = main verb + adverb/preposition/both
- Meanings are usually idiomatic (non-literal)
- Context clues are essential for understanding meaning
- Most phrasal verbs have multiple meanings depending on context
- Cannot determine meaning by analyzing individual words separately
Definitions
Term
Phrasal Verb
Definition
A paired word consisting of a main verb plus an adverb, preposition, or both, creating an idiomatic meaning
Importance
Fundamental concept for understanding complex English expressions in professional contexts
Term
Idiomatic Meaning
Definition
A meaning that cannot be understood from the individual words but must be learned as a complete unit
Importance
Critical for interpreting phrasal verbs correctly in exam contexts
Term
Context Clues
Definition
Information within a sentence or passage that helps determine the meaning of unfamiliar words or phrases
Importance
Essential strategy for determining correct phrasal verb meanings in exams
Section Title
Understanding Phrasal Verbs
Common Mistakes
- Trying to understand phrasal verbs by analyzing individual word meanings
- Assuming one meaning applies to all contexts
- Ignoring context clues in sentences
- Confusing similar-sounding phrasal verbs
Exam Tips
- Group phrasal verbs by main verb to see patterns
- Practice with sentence completion exercises
- Focus on the most common meanings first
- Create mental associations with real-life situations
Key Points
- TURN AROUND: change of fate, move in opposite direction
- TAKE OFF: leave/depart, remove something, aircraft departure
- BRING UP: introduce topic, raise children
- BACK UP: support someone, make copies, move backward
- BREAK: down/off/out/up/into - various destructive or separating actions
- CALL: for/off/in/out/on - various communication actions
- CARRY: on/off/out - various continuation or execution actions
Definitions
Term
Bear on
Definition
To be relevant to or have connection with something
Importance
Common in formal contexts and professional discussions
Term
Bear up
Definition
To remain strong and cope well despite difficulties
Importance
Frequently used in motivational and resilience contexts
Term
Bear with
Definition
To be patient with someone or tolerate a situation
Importance
Essential for polite communication in professional settings
Term
Break into
Definition
To enter illegally or forcefully
Importance
Common in crime and security contexts
Term
Break up
Definition
To end a relationship or stop a fight/gathering
Importance
Versatile phrasal verb with multiple social applications
Section Title
Common Phrasal Verb Families
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'bear up' (cope) with 'bear on' (be relevant)
- Mixing up 'break into' (enter illegally) with 'break out' (escape/erupt)
- Using wrong preposition with 'cope' (should be 'cope with', not 'cope up')
- Confusing 'call off' (cancel) with 'call for' (require/demand)
Exam Tips
- Read the entire sentence before selecting an answer
- Look for logical connections between ideas
- Consider what makes sense in the given situation
- Eliminate options that don't fit the context logically
Key Points
- Same phrasal verb can have completely different meanings
- Surrounding words provide crucial meaning clues
- Subject and object of sentence influence interpretation
- Situational context determines appropriate meaning
- Time markers and descriptive words guide understanding
Definitions
Term
Multiple Meaning Phrasal Verbs
Definition
Phrasal verbs that have two or more distinct meanings depending on context
Importance
Majority of phrasal verbs fall into this category, requiring careful analysis
Term
Contextual Analysis
Definition
The process of examining surrounding text to determine word or phrase meaning
Importance
Primary strategy for correctly answering phrasal verb questions in exams
Section Title
Context-Based Interpretation
Common Mistakes
- Applying the first known meaning without checking context
- Ignoring grammatical structure of the sentence
- Not considering the logical flow of the passage
- Overlooking key descriptive words that signal meaning
Exam Tips
- Memorize the top 20 most common phrasal verbs with all meanings
- Practice with authentic Filipino contexts and examples
- Use flashcards for quick recall during exams
- Focus on phrasal verbs that appear frequently in past CSE exams
Key Points
- GIVE: in/out/up - surrender, distribute, quit
- HOLD: back/off/on/out/forth - restrain, postpone, wait, endure, speak
- PULL: in/out/together/over/up - attract, withdraw, cooperate, stop, approach
- PUT: down/off/on/back/out - record, postpone, wear, return, extinguish
- THROW: out/in/away/off/open - eject, contribute, discard, remove, make accessible
- HANG: out/on/up/together/back - socialize, wait, end call, make sense, hesitate
Definitions
Term
Give in
Definition
To surrender or yield to pressure or demands
Importance
Common in conflict and negotiation contexts
Term
Hold forth
Definition
To speak at length about a topic, often in an authoritative manner
Importance
Frequently used in academic and professional discourse
Term
Pull together
Definition
To cooperate and work as a team toward a common goal
Importance
Essential for teamwork and collaboration contexts
Term
Put off
Definition
To postpone or delay something to a later time
Importance
Common in scheduling and planning situations
Section Title
High-Frequency Exam Phrasal Verbs
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'give up' (quit) with 'give in' (surrender)
- Mixing 'put off' (postpone) with 'put out' (extinguish)
- Using 'hang on' for physical holding instead of waiting
- Confusing 'throw out' (discard/eject) with 'throw away' (discard)
Connections
- Phrasal verbs connect to reading comprehension skills needed for other CSE sections
- Understanding context clues helps with vocabulary questions across all verbal ability topics
- Many phrasal verbs appear in professional communication and business correspondence
- Phrasal verb knowledge supports better performance in essay writing and verbal expression
- Context-based interpretation skills transfer to analyzing complex passages in other subjects
Exam Strategy
For CSE Professional phrasal verb questions: 1) Read the complete sentence carefully for context, 2) Identify the subject and object to understand the relationship, 3) Look for time markers and descriptive words that signal meaning, 4) Consider what makes logical sense in the situation, 5) Eliminate obviously incorrect options first, 6) Choose the meaning that best fits the overall context. Remember that most phrasal verbs have multiple meanings, so context is crucial for correct interpretation.
Quick Review Questions
What does 'bear on' mean in the sentence: 'Your argument does not bear on the main issue'?
In this context, 'bear on' means to be relevant to or relate to the main issue being discussed.
In 'The meeting was called off due to rain', what does 'called off' mean?
'Call off' means to cancel an event or activity, usually due to circumstances beyond control.
What is the meaning of 'break up' in 'Police tried to break up the fight'?
Here, 'break up' means to intervene and stop a fight or disturbance from continuing.
In 'You should back up your files', what does 'back up' mean?
In this computer context, 'back up' means to create copies of files for safety and protection.
What does 'give in' mean in 'Don't give in to peer pressure'?
'Give in' means to surrender or submit to pressure, demands, or temptation.
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Vocabulary — Modals, Affixes, Context Clues & Word Usage
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Reading Comprehension
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