Words (Core Vocabulary)
(Group by life area; (sep.) = separable; (inse.) = inseparable)
Home & routines
- get up (inse.) – leave bed.
- sleep in (inse.) – wake up later than usual.
- tidy up (sep.) – make a place neat.
- throw out / take out (sep.) – put garbage outside.
- run out of (inse.) – have none left.
Errands & transport
- pick up (sep.) – collect (kids, parcel); buy casually.
- drop off (sep.) – deliver/leave someone or something.
- fill out (sep.) – complete a form.
- try on (sep.) – test clothes for size.
Work & study
- look into (inse.) – investigate.
- follow up (on) (inse.) – check again; continue.
- hand in / turn in (sep.) – submit.
- figure out (sep.) – understand/solve.
- set up (sep.) – arrange (a meeting, device).
Social & communication
- reach out (to) (inse.) – contact.
- catch up (inse.) – share updates.
- back out (of) (inse.) – cancel participation.
- drop by (inse.) – visit briefly.
Tech & utilities
- log in / log out (inse.) – access/exit an account.
- turn on / turn off (sep.) – start/stop a device.
- plug in / unplug (sep.) – connect/disconnect power.
- set up (sep.) – install/configure.
Phrases (Natural patterns)
- Could you pick up the package on your way home?
- I’ll look into the prices and follow up by Friday.
- We ran out of milk—I’ll pick some up later.
- Let’s set up a quick call to figure this out.
Contextual Examples (Everyday)
- School: Please fill out the field trip form and hand it in tomorrow.
- Travel: We’ll drop off the car, then check in at the desk.
- Neighbour: Drop by anytime—just text first.
Collocations & Phrases (bold the key words)
- pick up a parcel/groceries/kid
- drop off a form/rental car
- look into a quote/problem
- follow up by email
- run out of time/milk/battery
- set up a meeting/router
Quick Grammar Notes
- Separable: place the object between verb + particle (pick it up).
- Inseparable: object comes after (look into it).
- Pronouns usually go in the middle for separable verbs (turn it off).
Extra Mini-Patterns (plug-and-play)
- Request: “Could you follow up with the office and get back to me?”
- Plan: “Let’s set up a time tomorrow to go over the details.”
- Problem: “We’ve run out of detergent—can you pick some up?”