Phrasal Verbs and Their One-Word Alternatives
Phrasal verbs are an essential part of everyday English. Native speakers use them constantly in conversation, emails, and informal writing.
However, in more formal or academic contexts, phrasal verbs are often avoided in favour of one-word verbs that sound more neutral, precise or professional.
This does not mean that phrasal verbs are “wrong” or should be avoided altogether. Rather, good writers know how to change their vocabulary to suit the context.
In essays, reports, formal emails, and Cambridge exam writing tasks, replacing informal phrasal verbs with appropriate one-word alternatives can make your writing clearer and better suited to the situation. In this lesson, you will learn common phrasal verbs and their one-word alternatives and see how meaning, tone and usage can change depending on context.
Important note
One-word alternatives are not always exact replacements for phrasal verbs. Meaning, tone, and grammar may differ slightly, and some alternatives work only in particular situations. Always choose the verb that sounds most natural for the sentence and the degree of formality required.
Common Phrasal Verbs and Their One-Word Alternatives
Add up → calculate
Add up these two numbers.
It would help if you calculated the distance between the two houses.
It would help if you calculated the distance between the two houses.
Back up → support
The witnesses backed up Mark’s story.
Local residents supported the idea of building a new road.
Local residents supported the idea of building a new road.
Butt in → interrupt
She always butts in when others are talking.
Please stop interrupting me — I’m speaking.
Please stop interrupting me — I’m speaking.
Call off → cancel
The police called off the search.
The flight was cancelled due to bad weather.
The flight was cancelled due to bad weather.
Carry out → conduct
The authorities will carry out an investigation.
The study was conducted over a six-month period.
The study was conducted over a six-month period.
Catch up → reach
She stopped walking to let her dog catch up.
When he reached the group, Michael slowed down.
When he reached the group, Michael slowed down.
Close down → cease
Financial difficulties caused the factory to close down.
The company ceased production of that model.
The company ceased production of that model.
Come up → arise
During the meeting, several issues came up.
New concerns may arise later.
New concerns may arise later.
Count on → rely on
You can count on her support.
We rely on teachers to set a good example.
We rely on teachers to set a good example.
Cut down (on) → reduce
Don’t you think you should cut down on sugar?
The company reduced its costs significantly.
The company reduced its costs significantly.
Cut off → interrupt
They cut off the electricity.
Suddenly, a loud noise interrupted the conversation.
Suddenly, a loud noise interrupted the conversation.
Fall through → fail
Our plan to go on a city break to Paris fell through.
The project failed due to insufficient funding.
The project failed due to insufficient funding.
Fill in → complete
Have you filled in the form at last?
Students are expected to complete the application by Friday.
Students are expected to complete the application by Friday.
Get across → communicate
He struggled to get his message across.
The manager communicated the changes clearly.
The manager communicated the changes clearly.
Go against → oppose
This decision goes against my principles.
Many organisations oppose the proposal.
Many organisations oppose the proposal.
Go along with → agree
She went along with his suggestion.
I agree with your point.
I agree with your point.
Get together → gather
They get together every weekend.
The family gathered for dinner.
The family gathered for dinner.
Get up → rise
She got up early.
All students rose when the teacher entered.
All students rose when the teacher entered.
Go ahead → proceed
You may go ahead with the plan.
Please proceed to the next stage.
Please proceed to the next stage.
Go into → discuss in detail
The report goes into the causes of climate change.
The committee discussed the issue in detail.
The committee discussed the issue in detail.
Go through → check
Sandra went through her essay carefully.
Each and every passenger will be checked at the airport.
Each and every passenger will be checked at the airport.
Give away → donate
He gave away his old clothes.
The company donates regularly to charity.
The company donates regularly to charity.
Leave out → omit
She felt left out of the conversation.
Several details were omitted from the report.
Several details were omitted from the report.
Look after → care for
Can you look after the children?
She cares for elderly patients.
She cares for elderly patients.
Look back → reflect on
The narrative looks back on the artist’s life.
Simon reflected on his early career.
Simon reflected on his early career.
Make up → constitute
A significant proportion of the population is made up of children.
Women constitute 55% of the workforce.
Women constitute 55% of the workforce.
Meet up → meet
They met up after work.
The two leaders met privately.
The two leaders met privately.
Point out → indicate
She pointed out the risks.
The data indicate a downward trend.
The data indicate a downward trend.
Put forward → present
He put forward a proposal.
The evidence was presented by the attorney.
The evidence was presented by the attorney.
Put up with → tolerate
The noise is something I can’t put up with.
Discrimination will not be tolerated.
Discrimination will not be tolerated.
Send for → request
The citizens sent for a doctor.
The elderly woman requested assistance.
The elderly woman requested assistance.
Set out → outline
The objectives are set out in the document.
The key conclusions are outlined in the report.
The key conclusions are outlined in the report.
Set up → establish
They set up this company after the WW2.
The organisation was established in 1998.
The organisation was established in 1998.
Take over → assume control
She took over the business.
He assumed control of the department.
He assumed control of the department.
Turn up → appear
He turned up late.
Her name appeared on the list.
Her name appeared on the list.
Write back → reply
I’ll write back tomorrow.
She replied immediately.
She replied immediately.
Final tip for learners
Strong English writing is not about avoiding phrasal verbs completely — it’s about choosing the right register. Learn phrasal verbs for natural communication, but practise one-word alternatives for formal writing, exams, and workplace situations.
Practise tip:
Rewrite short texts twice — once using phrasal verbs and once using formal alternatives. This is excellent preparation for Cambridge exams (B2 First and C1 Advanced)
Learn vocabulary for business communication here
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