English Phrasal Verbs With “Over”
Phrasal verbs are an essential part of English vocabulary, especially for learners aiming to sound more natural in conversation. The particle “over” often changes the meaning of the verb in ways that can be subtle but significant. Below is a comprehensive list of common phrasal verbs with “over,” along with their meanings, examples, and exercises to test your understanding.
1. Get Over
Meaning: To recover from an illness, emotional distress, or a difficult situation.
- She finally got over her fear of public speaking.
- It took him months to get over the flu.
- They managed to get over their financial troubles.
2. Look Over
Meaning: To examine or review something carefully.
- Can you look over my essay before I submit it?
- The manager looked over the report before the meeting.
- He quickly looked over the contract before signing.
3. Take Over
Meaning: To assume control or responsibility for something.
- The new CEO will take over the company next month.
- She took over the project when her colleague left.
- The army took over the government in a coup.
4. Go Over
Meaning: To review, examine, or discuss something in detail.
- Let’s go over the plan one more time.
- The teacher went over the homework with the students.
- We need to go over the budget before finalizing it.
5. Run Over
Meaning: To hit someone or something with a vehicle; also means to exceed a time limit.
- Be careful not to run over the cat!
- The meeting ran over by 30 minutes.
- He accidentally ran over a bicycle left on the road.
6. Think Over
Meaning: To consider something carefully before making a decision.
- I need some time to think over your proposal.
- She thought over the job offer before accepting it.
- He asked me to think over my decision.
7. Hand Over
Meaning: To give something to someone else, often reluctantly or formally.
- The thief was forced to hand over the stolen goods.
- She handed over the keys to the new owner.
- The president will hand over power next week.
8. Fall Over
Meaning: To lose balance and collapse; also means to fail.
- He fell over when he tripped on the rug.
- The stack of books fell over when the table shook.
- Their business fell over due to poor management.
9. Turn Over
Meaning: To flip something to the other side; also means to transfer responsibility.
- Please turn over the page to continue reading.
- He turned over the company to his son.
- The police turned over the suspect to the FBI.
10. Come Over
Meaning: To visit someone’s place; also means to change one’s opinion.
- Why don’t you come over for dinner tonight?
- She finally came over to our way of thinking.
- He came over to my house to watch the game.
Exercises
Test your understanding of these phrasal verbs with the following exercises.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Choose the correct phrasal verb from the list above to complete the sentences.
- She needed time to __________ the job offer before deciding.
- The teacher asked us to __________ our answers before submitting the test.
- After the accident, it took him weeks to __________ his injuries.
- The new manager will __________ the department next Monday.
- Can you __________ my application for any mistakes?
Exercise 2: Match the Phrasal Verb to Its Meaning
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Get over | To examine carefully |
| Look over | To recover from something |
| Take over | To assume control |
| Go over | To review in detail |
| Run over | To hit with a vehicle |
Exercise 3: Create Sentences
Write a sentence using each of the following phrasal verbs:
- Think over
- Hand over
- Fall over
- Turn over
- Come over