A dating-related grammar worksheet to practice phrasal verbs, for intermediate to advanced ESL students. (Free download available.)
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A. Activity: Select the correct verb
Choose the best answer to the following questions/statements.
1. It doesn’t look like things are working out between us. I think she is going to ________________ me.
a. break down with
b. break over with
c. break up with
d. break away with
2. She is the most beautiful girl in school. You can always see boys _________________ her.
a. hitting on
b. hitting over
c. hitting down
d. hitting in
3. If you are interested in her, you should _______________ on a date!
a. ask her up
b. ask her out
c. ask her for
d. ask her in
4. Me and my girlfriend generally _________________ each other but sometimes we can have a big argument.
a. get ahead with
b. get over with
c. get across with
d. get along with
5. She was very upset when she found out that her boyfriend ________________ her.
a. cheated up on
b. cheated up
c. cheated on of
d. cheated on
6. You can try asking her out, but she already has a boyfriend. I think she will __________________ because of this.
a. turn you up
b. turn you down
c. turn you out
d. turn you across
7. Unfortunately our relationship isn’t going so well. I feel like it’s __________________ .
a. falling apart
b. falling away
c. falling out on
d. falling behind
8. My sister is single and looking for a partner. I’m trying to __________________ my best friend who is also single and looking. I think they’d make a good match.
a. set her down with
b. set her out with
c. set her up with
d. set her off with
9. The couple in the front row of the cinema won’t stop kissing. I they’ve been __________________ each other since the movie started.
a. making up with
b. making out with
c. making in with
d. making away with
10. After breaking up with his girlfriend, he’s been trying to __________________ some new girls.
a. pick off
b. pick down
c. pick away
d. pick up
11. I hate it when I have a date with somebody and they always __________________ late. It drives me crazy.
a. show over
b. show up
c. show in
d. show off
12. I had a first date tonight but the guy didn’t show up. He didn’t even let me know or send me a message. I can’t believe he completely __________________ .
a. stood me up
b. stood me over
c. stood me down
d. stood me across
13. It’s clear this girl isn’t interested in me. I should stop __________________ her.
a. going ahead of
b. going after
c. going in on
d. going behind
14. If you are with somebody for a long time in a relationship it can be really hard to __________________ after breaking up.
a. move on
b. move down
c. move across
d. move up on
15. I gave him my phone number, but I didn’t expect for him to __________________ quickly! I just gave him my number two hours ago.
a. hit me up
b. hit me over
c. hit me across
d. hit me off
B. Activity: Define the verbs
For each of the following phrasal verbs, write a short definition and provide an example in context. Use a different context than the examples from the activity above.
To hit on
Definition: ________________________________________________________________
Example: ________________________________________________________________
To turn (somebody) down
Definition: ________________________________________________________________
Example: ________________________________________________________________
To get along with
Definition: ________________________________________________________________
Example: ________________________________________________________________
To set (somebody) up with
Definition: ________________________________________________________________
Example: ________________________________________________________________
To cheat on
Definition: ________________________________________________________________
Example: ________________________________________________________________
To go after
Definition: ________________________________________________________________
Example: ________________________________________________________________
To fall apart
Definition: ________________________________________________________________
Example: ________________________________________________________________
To call off
Definition: ________________________________________________________________
Example: ________________________________________________________________
To get over
Definition: ________________________________________________________________
Example: ________________________________________________________________
To hit (somebody) up
Definition: ________________________________________________________________
Example: ________________________________________________________________
C. Activity: Fill in the blank spaces
Fill in the blank spaces with phrasal verbs from the list. 5 of the phrasal verbs will not be used. Make sure you change the verb to fit the tense or grammar of the context.
Verb list:
| get along with | go after | stand (smb) up |
| fall apart | cheat on | show up |
| set (smb) up | ask (smb) out | move on |
| hit on | hit (smb) up | turn (smb) down |
| pick up | make out with | break up with (smb) |
He’s been (1) ____________________ this one girl for years, but clearly she just doesn’t feel the same way as he does. He should (2) ____________________ and find a new girl.
He was really embarrassed after he (3) _________ her ___________ on a date and she just (4) ___________ him ____________ immediately in front of his friends.
My friend is having trouble finding a new girlfriend. Do you know any single girls that we could (5) ___________ him ____________ with?
I think the most important things in a relationship are to have similar interests as your partner and (6) ____________________ each other well.
They’re always arguing. It’s clear that their relationship is (7) ____________________ .
Do you see the group of boys over there? They are (8) ____________________ every girl they see trying to get phone numbers!
You got her number a week ago but you haven’t (9) _________ her ___________ yet? What are you waiting for?!
I found out that she (10) ____________________ me three times. I’m done with this relationship!
D. Activity: Rewrite the sentences
Rewrite each sentence below using a suitable phrasal verb.
(1) Their relationship has become really bad the past few months. I’m not expecting it to last for much longer.
_________________
(2) She denied his request to get dinner on a date together because she already has a boyfriend.
_________________
(3) Even though sometimes we don’t agree on everything, me and my wife still have a pretty good relationship.
_________________
(4) Wow, look how much he is flirting, trying to gain her interest! Do you think he will be successful?
_________________
(5) I can’t stop thinking about her even though we broke up. Do you have any good advice how to accept the situation and get ready for future?
_________________
(6) How soon should you get in contact with someone after getting their phone number?
_________________
(7) He must really like her. He’s been chasing her trying to convince her to go on a date for months already.
_________________
(8) The boy who asked me out arrived to the date reallydrunk. No chance I’m going out with him again.
_________________
(9) I’m lucky to have such a great friend who organized a date for me and his colleague who is also single. I’ll have to thank him!
_________________
(10) That’s the second time this month that somebody didn’t come to the date without notifying me. What bad luck!
_________________
E. Activity: Fill in the gap
Funny Pickup Lines: Fill in the gaps with the words below.
| running | socks | earthquake | |
| fell | picture | break | alphabet |
(1) {Boy} How much does a polar bear weigh? {Girl} How much? {Boy} Enough to _______________ the ice, Hi I’m Dave.”
(2) {Boy} That must have been painful. {Girl} – What? {Boy} When you ____________________ from heaven.
(3) {Boy} Hey are your legs tired? {Girl} Why? {Boy} Because you’ve been _____________________ through my mind all day.
(4) We’re not _____________________, but I think we’d make a great pair.
(5) I’m no photographer but I could _____________________ us together.
(6) Is your name ____________________? Because you’ve got every thing I’m searching for.
(7) If I could rearrange the _____________________, I would put U and I together.
(8) Was that an _______________________ or did you just rock my world?
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