Category Archive

KEEP ON Keep on means to continue doing something. We usually use keep on followed by a gerund (that’s the ING verb).Remember! Keep is an irregular verb, and the three parts are KEEP, KEPT, and KEPT The pizza was so good that I kept on eating. That guy on the train kept on talking on his phone for an hour! …

Name after means to have a name from another person or thing. Children can be named after their relatives or ancestors, and places like buildings or bridges can be named after famous people. I was named after my grandfather. This highway was named after a famous baseball player. Jack named his dog Jimi after Jimi Hendrix. How about you? Were …

LEAVE OUT Leave out means to omit or not include something or someone. I ordered a ham and cheese sandwich at the deli but they left out the cheese. I accidentally left out Jim when I made the meeting agenda. How about you? Have you left out anyone or anything recently? Leave a comment below and let us know! If …

GET TOGETHER GET TOGETHER means to spend time with other people. You can get together with someone. I get together with my friends from high school a few times a year. Let’s get together tomorrow after work! How about you? Who have you gotten together with recently? Leave a comment below and let us know! If you know anyone who …

FIGURE OUT The phrasal verb figure out means to find the solution to a problem. When I go to Tokyo this week I need to figure out how to use the subway system there. It’s hard for me to figure out a SUDOKU puzzle. My mom can figure out a crossword puzzle pretty quickly. How about you? What do you …

HAND IN Hand in the means to submit. We usually use hand in when you need to submit or give something officially to someone. You need to hand in your homework by tomorrow! In order to get paid on time, you need to hand in your timesheet on Thursdays. Please complete this application and then hand it in to the …

SET ASIDE When you set aside something, you keep it or save it for another time, usually a special occasion. I set aside a bottle of wine for the party tomorrow. Can you set aside some time for me for a meeting tomorrow? Let’s set that topic aside for another meeting. How about you? What have you set aside recently? …

BACK UP Back up has several meanings, and the one I’m focusing on today is “to support someone.” You can back someone up emotionally, financially, and in other ways. When I was in college my parents backed me up. Jim wants to complain to the boss and I said I wold back him up. I’ve decided to back up my …

Look For Look for means to search. I’m looking for a good coffee shop near my office. Jack broke up with his girlfriend and now he’s looking for a new girl! How about you? What are you looking for? Leave a comment below and let us know! If you know anyone who might be interested in this English language point, …

Gobble Up When you gobble up something, you eat it quickly and/ or with a lot of enthusiasm! I gobbled up my lunch in 5 minutes. The pizza was so good I gobbled up 4 slices. Gobbling up your food is not good for your health. How about you? What have you gobbled up recently? Leave a comment below and …