There are many phrasal verbs with be, and also many expressions. In this page we’ll see the phrasal verbs only. Study the list below and do the exercises at the bottom of this page.
List of Phrasal Verbs with Be
Here’s a comprehensive list of phrasal verbs with be, their meaning, and an example. It’s important you notice that phrasal verbs with Be cannot be split, since it’s a stative verb.
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Be along | Arrive (usually soon) | The bus will be along in a few minutes. |
| Be around | Be present nearby; exist | She is always around when you need her. |
| Be down | Feel sad or depressed | I’ve been down since I lost my job. |
| Be in for | Be about to experience something unpleasant | You’re in for a surprise when she finds out! |
| Be in on | Be part of something (a plan, secret, etc.) | Were you in on the surprise party plan? |
| Be on about | Talk continuously or tediously about something | What are you on about this time? |
| Be onto | Be aware of someone’s actions; contact someone | I think the police are onto them. |
| Be out for | Be trying to achieve or get something | He’s out for revenge. |
| Be up for | Be interested or willing to do something | I’m up for a movie if you are. |
| Be up to | Be doing something (often suspicious or bad) | The kids are too quiet — what are they up to? |
Infographic
Phrasal Verbs with Be Exercises
More Exercises: UsingEnglish | LearnToday | UsefulEnglish |
What’s next?
Below there are many sets of Phrasal Verbs separated by verb, in alphabetical order: