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50 Powerful Phrasal Verbs with ‘A’ (Must-Know for 11+ & SATs Students)
27 Sep 2025
11Plus 4 min read

50 Powerful Phrasal Verbs with ‘A’ (Must-Know for 11+ & SATs Students)

~9–10 mins read


50 Powerful Phrasal Verbs with ‘A’ (Must-Know for Students)

Learning phrasal verbs is one of the fastest ways to improve vocabulary, comprehension, and writing style for exams such as the 11+ (eleven plus) and SATs in the UK.

Phrasal verbs = verb + preposition/adverb, but the meaning often changes completely. Example: “act up” ≠ act + up literally, but means “to misbehave.”

This list of 50 phrasal verbs beginning with ‘A’ gives you the meaning, usage focus, and exam value. Perfect for 11+ comprehension, VR practice, creative writing, and SATs grammar mastery.


📚 Full List of 50 Phrasal Verbs with ‘A’

Phrasal Verb Meaning
Act onTake action based on advice or information
Act outPerform, often in a dramatic way
Act upBehave badly or cause trouble
Add inInclude as part of something
Add onInclude as an extra
Add upMake sense logically
Add up toEqual a total of
Agree onReach the same opinion
Agree toAccept a proposal
Agree withShare the same view
Aim atDirect towards a target
Allow forConsider when planning
Answer backReply rudely
Answer forTake responsibility for
Answer toBe accountable to
Ask afterEnquire about someone’s health
Ask aroundAsk many people for information
Ask forRequest
Ask inInvite someone indoors
Ask outInvite on a date
Associate withConnect with someone/something
Attend toDeal with a task or person
Argue outDiscuss until a decision is reached
Argue overDispute about something
Appeal toAttract or request
Apply forMake an official request
Apply toConcern or relate to
Approach toMove closer to something
Arrive atReach a conclusion or place
Arise fromResult from
Allow intoPermit entry
Agree uponAccept jointly
Ask overInvite to one’s house
Ask roundInvite casually
Ask aboutEnquire regarding
Ask backInvite to return
Answer back atRetort against
Add togetherCombine numbers
Act againstOppose or resist
Act forRepresent someone
Account forExplain or justify
Aim forTry to achieve
Aim towardsDirect effort to
Allow outLet someone leave
Allow backPermit re-entry
Appeal againstChallenge formally
Argue againstOppose with reasons
Argue forSupport with reasons
Ask back intoInvite someone in again


Why Learn These Phrasal Verbs?

  • Boost Exam Writing – Examiners reward varied, natural vocabulary.
  • Improve Comprehension – 11+ and SATs passages regularly include phrasal verbs.
  • Sound Natural – Avoid “robotic English” by using phrasal verbs in speech and writing.

💡 Student Tip: Write 5 short sentences each day using these phrasal verbs. Example: “He accounted for his lateness by showing the bus timetable.”


Parent Guidance: How to Support

  • Use flashcards to practise meanings and contexts.
  • Build weekly vocabulary goals (10–12 phrasal verbs per week).
  • Encourage usage in creative writing and comprehension answers.
  • Correct gently — focus on positive reinforcement when used correctly.

✨ GLECTA Advantage

At GLECTA Tutoring, we go beyond just vocabulary lists:

  • Integrated mocks – phrasal verbs appear in comprehension + VR.
  • Feedback reports – spotting weak vocabulary usage.
  • Exam-day coaching – using phrasal verbs naturally in writing tasks.
  • Parent resources – structured revision lists + sentence drills.

❓ FAQs

Why are phrasal verbs important for 11+? They appear in comprehension texts and creative writing. Knowing them improves vocabulary range and exam accuracy.

How many phrasal verbs should my child know? Ideally 200–300 common ones across A–Z. This list covers the essential ‘A’ group.

What’s the best way to practise phrasal verbs? Use them in sentences daily, practise in flashcards, and revise through comprehension papers.

Do phrasal verbs come up in VR/NVR? Yes, particularly in synonym/antonym VR questions and in comprehension-linked reasoning tasks.

What makes GLECTA’s approach unique? We combine vocabulary mastery with mock exam practice so students apply words in real timed conditions, not just rote learning.


🔗 Quick Links (Parents)


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