10 Useful Environment Phrasal Verbs

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In this reference, you will explore some of the most common and useful environment phrasal verbs. These special expressions are essential not only for those passionate about the environment but also for anyone aiming to enhance their English. You will find examples and contexts to help you use these verbs in daily conversations.

List of Environment Phrasal Verbs

Environment Phrasal Verbs
Environment Phrasal Verbs – Created by 7ESL
  • Wipe out
  • Break down
  • Scale back
  • Used up
  • Throw away
  • Run out of
  • Die out
  • Spread out
  • Rely on
  • Cut down

 

Environment Phrasal Verbs with Meaning and Examples

Wipe out

  • Meaning: To completely destroy or eliminate something
  • Example: The hurricane wiped out the entire island, leaving nothing but destruction in its wake.

Break down

  • Meaning: To stop working or functioning properly
  • Example: My car broke down on the way to the airport, so I had to take a taxi instead.

Scale back

  • Meaning: To reduce the size, amount, or extent of something
  • Example: The company had to scale back its production due to a decrease in demand for their products.

Used up

  • Meaning: To exhaust or deplete the resources or energy of something
  • Example: I’m feeling used up after working long hours all week, and I need to take a break.

Throw away

  • Meaning: To discard or dispose of something
  • Example: I always try to recycle instead of throwing away plastic bottles to reduce waste.

Run out of

  • Meaning: To exhaust the supply of something
  • Example: We ran out of gas on our road trip and had to call for help.

Die out

  • Meaning: To cease to exist or become extinct
  • Example: The dinosaurs died out millions of years ago, leaving only fossils behind.

Spread out

  • Meaning: To extend over a large area or space
  • Example: We spread out the picnic blanket and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon in the park.

Rely on

  • Meaning: To depend on or trust in someone or something
  • Example: I rely on my friends for support when I’m going through a tough time.

Cut down

  • Meaning: To remove or fell trees
  • Example: The logging company cut down thousands of trees in the forest, causing environmental damage.

Practical Applications of Environment Phrasal Verbs

Environment Phrasal Verbs in Written Communication

In written communication, using environmental phrasal verbs can make our text more engaging and concise. For instance, when discussing environmental actions, instead of writing “reduce the use of plastic,” a more effective phrase could be “cut down on plastic use.” Here are a few examples:

  • Cut down on: Decrease the use of something: We need to cut down on disposable cups.
  • Clear up: Resolve a problem or situation: The city council is working to clear up the pollution issue.
  • Switch off: Turn off an electrical device: Switch off the lights when not in use to save energy.

When we use these phrasal verbs in written communication, it not only helps convey messages more effectively, but it also demonstrates to our readers that we are knowledgeable about the subject matter.

Environment Phrasal Verbs in Spoken English

In spoken English, incorporating environment phrasal verbs can make our conversations more engaging and relatable. Utilizing these expressions in everyday conversations will make us come across as informed individuals who care about the environment. Here are a few examples:

  • Throw away: Dispose of or discard: We should stop throwing away so much food.
  • Use up: Consume or deplete resources entirely: We’ve used up all our vacation days this year.

Interactive Exercise

Match the Verbs

In this exercise, we have prepared a list of environment-related phrasal verbs and their meanings. Your task is to match each verb with its correct meaning. Here’s a table to help you get started:

Phrasal Verb Meaning
a. Cut down 1. Recycle materials to make new items
b. Run out of 2. Reduce the amount of waste produced
c. Clean up 3. Consume resources until nothing left
d. Reuse 4. Remove polluting substances
e. Recycle 5. Utilize items more than once
f. Cut back on 6. Destroy or remove trees and plants

Fill in the Blanks

Now that you’ve matched the verbs, let’s put them into practice. We’ve prepared several sentences where you need to fill in the blanks with the appropriate phrasal verb from the list above. Make sure to use the correct verb form depending on the context.

  1. Yesterday, our school organized a volunteer event to help the community _________ the park.
  2. We must _________ our use of plastic bags to reduce our plastic waste.
  3. Many companies have started to _________ their waste to create new and innovative products.
  4. By choosing to _________ glass bottles, we cut down the demand for new materials and reduce waste.
  5. If we don’t act now, soon we might _________ our planet’s natural resources.
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