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Want to sound more natural in English? In this lesson, you’ll learn some of the most common phrasal verbs used in preparation such as get ready, set up, put together and more – with explanations, natural examples and practice exercises.
Who is this for?
The effective use of phrasal verbs is a key sign of fluency in English. English is practically teeming with phrasal verbs, which pop up in all kinds of contexts and use cases, and it is crucial to understand how and when to use these phrasal verbs. In order to break out of the intermediate levels of English, a strong command of phrasal verbs is vital. This series is designed for those speakers looking to push up to an advanced level (C1+) in English, and for those advanced speakers who want to fine-tune their abilities.
Of course, we could simply make a big list of some of the most important and well-used phrasal verbs, but I believe the best way to learn is through context and examples.
In the first article of this series exploring phrasal verbs in English, we kick off by focusing on some of the most common and valuable phrasal verbs used to talk about preparation, with typical and useful examples.
Remember, these verbs may have use cases outside of preparation, which may not be covered here.
To round off, you’ll find a few exercises to help you practice using these phrasal verbs.
Common Phrasal Verbs for Preparation
Get ready
Meaning: To prepare yourself or an object for something, e.g., for the day, an event or action.
1. Get ready, guys! This climb is going to be tough!
2. Person A: We need to leave in no more than five minutes! I hope you’re ready.
Person B: I’m getting ready, don’t worry.
3. Please get the table ready, the guests will arrive soon.
I brush my teeth when getting ready in the morning.
When using “for” with “get ready”, it is always followed by the thing that is being prepared for – i.e., it is followed by a noun or pronoun.
1. I must get ready for the big dance tonight – I want to look my best!
2. Harry is getting ready for his first day on the job.
3. The race is about to start. Get ready for it, guys!
When using “to” with “get ready”, it must be followed by an action you are preparing for. This differs from “get ready for” as the verb is followed by an infinitive instead of a noun, e.g., “Let’s get ready to go swimming”.
1. Tom’s morning routine is always the same. He wakes up at 7 am and gets ready to go to work.
2. OK, let’s get ready to board, the train will arrive soon.
Common mistake:
I’m getting ready for go to work.
I’m getting ready to go to work / I’m getting ready for work
Set up
Meaning: To make something ready for use.
1. I’ve set up the new television so we can watch a few films later.
2. Once we’ve reached the campsite, you can set up the tent and I’ll set up the stove.
Meaning: To prepare for something by putting things where they need to be, e.g., for an event.
1. The band is setting up for the concert tonight.
2. I can’t meet for coffee tomorrow morning as I’m setting up everything for my kid’s birthday party.
In addition, set up can also be used for arranging and for establishing something. For example, you may set up a business (start a business), or perhaps set up a meeting (arrange a meeting).
I’ll set up the stove.
Put together
Meaning: To prepare a piece of work.
1. I’ll need the morning to put together the presentation.
2. It’ll take ages to put together this report!
3. Have you started putting together the proposal for our investors yet?
This phrasal verb usually confers an idea of bringing together different items/components to build something. E.g., I may put together a team for a project by assembling a number of my colleagues.
Throw together
Meaning: To quickly prepare something without much planning. Often used for pieces or work or for food prep.
1. Her parents just turned up without any notice, so she had to throw together lunch with what was left in the cupboards.
2. Alex completely forgot about the presentation that afternoon and so had to throw together some slides.
This is a really good one to use and very common among fluent speakers; it can denote a sense of spontaneity, last-minuteness or even haphazardness. As a pertinent recent example, last week, I had to throw a lesson together in less than 20 minutes as a student changed the topic they wanted to study just before the lesson. Exceedingly useful when discussing pieces of work. Another phrasal verb that can be used in a similar way is whip up (e.g., my brother whipped up a superb meal in under five minutes).
Plan out
Meaning: To think carefully about what/how you are going to do something.
1. John and Amy spent a whole morning planning out their trip to Italy.
2. We were totally puzzled, so we asked a senior colleague to help us plan out the project.
Often used for something which is quite lengthy, e.g., a long trip or a project, rather than a short presentation or quick getaway.
I’m planning out my trip.
Phrasal Verbs for Finishing Tasks
It may also be useful to consider the phrasal verbs we often use when finishing an activity, action, task for which we initially prepared.
Quite often the particle “up” is used to imply the completion of something.
Pack up
Meaning: To put all your things together at the end of some sort of activity.
1. The band packed up at the end of the concert.
2. The kids were very sad when they had to pack up their luggage at the end of the holiday.
Wrap up
Meaning: To finish something – usually a meeting, talk, presentation or conference.
1. Shall we wrap up the meeting? I have to pick up my daughter in half an hour.
2. I hope he wraps up this talk soon; it’s dragging on and on.
Quick Review: Phrasal Verbs for Preparation
Get ready
Meaning: Prepare for something
Typical Context: Events, actions, daily routine
Set up
Meaning: Make something ready for use
Typical Context: Events, tech, equipment, rooms
Put together
Meaning: Prepare work
Typical Context: Presentations, reports, plans, long emails
Throw together
Meaning: Prepare quickly without planning
Typical Context: Food, pieces of work
Plan out
Meaning: Organise in detail
Typical Context: Trips, projects
Practice tasks
For these practice tasks, you can write down your answers or say them out loud. Try to create a response with at least 30 words or speak for about 20 seconds. You can extend your answer by adding context before and after the target phrase. If possible, use real examples, as they tend to stick better; if not, feel free to imagine a situation where the phrasal verb can be used.
You can use more than one phrasal verb in your response where suitable.
1) Describe a time where you had to quickly prepare something with very little planning.
2) Detail your prep for long trip where you visited multiple locations.
3) Detail your morning routine in an earlier part of your life. How has it since changed?
4) What tasks do you do at work and how do you prepare and organise them?
5) Tell me about the most difficult piece of equipment you have ever assembled.
Think I’ve missed out any other important phrasal verbs used for preparation, or want to learn about phrasal verbs in other contexts, let me know: aandhenglish@gmail.com
Which of these phrasal verbs do you use most at work?
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