Examples and explanation
The phrasal verb to put something out means to stop something (i.e. a fire) burning. e.g. We were able to put the fire out before it caused too much damage.
We can use this phrasal verb to talk about turning off lights. e.g. Don’t forget to put out all the lights before you go to work.
This phrasal verb can also be used for cigarettes, e.g. Would you mind putting out your cigarette? You aren’t allowed to smoke here.
Have a go at these micro-dictation exercises to hear this expression being used in context – how much can you understand?
Accent: Northern England
Answer Feedback Guide
Answer Feedback Guide
Answer Feedback Guide
…The fire brigade managed to put out the fire…
To manage to do something = to succeed in doing something (which was probably difficult). e.g. It wasn’t easy but I managed to convince Harry to stay.
Accent: England (RP)
Answer Feedback Guide
Answer Feedback Guide
Answer Feedback Guide
…I’m trying to get some sleep...
to try to do sth means to make an effort to do something, that it is difficult. e.g. I’m trying to learn Spanish but I’m not really getting anywhere.
Be careful: to try doing sth has a different meaning: to experiment, to see what something is like. e.g. If you can’t sleep, try counting backwards from 1000.
Accent: Northern England
Answer Feedback Guide
Answer Feedback Guide
Answer Feedback Guide
…you must have forgotten..
Must is a modal verb of speculation. We can use it when we don’t know if something is true, but we are almost certain that it is true.
She left = I know that she left, probably because I saw her leaving.
She must have left = I don’t know that she left, but I am almost certain that she left (maybe because her car is gone).
Extra practice
Here are some questions/links to help you learn the new vocabulary:
- Have you ever had to put out a fire, e.g. in the kitchen, a campfire, or somewhere else? What steps did you take, and what was the outcome?
- What are some common safety tips for putting out small household fires? Do you you could handle such a situation if you had to?
Unlock This Full Exercise with a Free Account
Free accounts can unlock any 5 full exercises every month. Track your progress and bookmark favorites.
Unlock This Exercise with a Free Account
Free accounts can unlock any 5 full exercises every month. Track your progress and bookmark favorites.
Never miss an exercise!
I’ll keep you updated on new exercises I’ve posted. 1-2 emails a month, unsubscribe any time.
Have you ever had to put out a fire? What happened? yes, when I was child, I had to put out a fire in my house, because it was burning part of the roof of the house.
Wow – well done! How old were you at the time?!
No, I never had to put fire. God saved me!
Lucky you!
Remember you can use the phrasal verb here (to put out a fire).
Also, because you’re talking about your whole life (an unfinished period), the best tense to use would be the present perfect: “I’ve never had to put out a fire”. Let me know if you need any more examples 🙂
When I was child during New Year the fir-tree suddenly started to burn and I had to put it out. My father put it out.
Good example Seva! We would say ‘Christmas tree’ rather than fir tree.
How did it catch fire? I’ve heard that in some countries they decorate the tree with candles – very risky!
My dad tried to use firecracker (I don’t know how exactly it cald, this special thing that when you pull the thread, from the inside shootout multicolored small pieces of paper) on the Christmas tree for rejoicing, but this one caught on the cotton under the tree and began to burn 🙂
That sounds like what we call a party popper. The ones we have don’t catch fire though 🙂
It was a good experience for me and entertainment learning way. Thanks
I don’t understand anything, is very faster for me, what can I do?? Some one exercise less difficult for me?
Don’t worry – these exercises are very challenging.
Try using the ‘easy’ option to begin with, and remember that it doesn’t matter if you don’t understand anything – listening repeatedly and then checking the answer will still help you.
One possibility is doing this on one day and then checking the answer, then doing the same exercise again the next day to see if you can remember/recognise the missing words.
Be patient, keep practising and you will improve 🙂