On and off are used for lights and machines, for events that happen or are cancelled, for clothes, and for leaving a place. This unit covers the common verbs in each group.
A on and off for lights, machines and so on
We say the light is on, put the light on, leave the light on.
We also say turn the light on/off or switch the light on/off.
You put on music or a song, and you put the kettle on.
- Do you want the big light on, or shall I switch it off?
- "Is the oven still on?" "No, I turned it off ten minutes ago."
- Put something cheerful on. This song is making me sad.
- You look shattered. I'll put the kettle on.
B on and off for events
| Phrasal verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| go on | happen |
| call something off | cancel it |
| put something off, put off doing something | delay it |
- Why is there a police car outside? What's going on?
- The village fete was called off because of the storm.
- The meeting has been put off until next Thursday.
- We can't keep putting off fixing the roof. It's raining in the spare room.
C on and off for clothes
| Phrasal verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| put on clothes, glasses, make-up, a seat belt | start wearing it |
| put on weight | get heavier |
| try on clothes | put them on to see if they fit |
| take off clothes, glasses | remove them |
- It was freezing on the platform, so I put my hat on.
- I've put on half a stone since Christmas.
- I tried on a suit for the wedding, but the sleeves were too long.
- Take your shoes off before you come in. The carpet's new.
D off = away from a person or place
| Phrasal verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| be off (to a place) | be going, be leaving |
| walk off, run off, drive off, ride off, go off | leave (like walk away, run away) |
| set off | start a journey |
| take off | leave the ground (a plane) |
| see somebody off | go with them to the station or airport to say goodbye |
- I'm off to Belfast on Friday. / We're off on holiday next week.
- Owen jumped on his bike and rode off without a word.
- At nineteen, my uncle left Swansea and went off to Australia.
- We set off at five to beat the traffic.
- After two hours on the runway, the plane finally took off.
- The whole family came to the station to see Gran off.
Exercises
140.1 Complete the sentences using put ... on with one of these: some music, the heating, the kettle, the light, the oven.
Nobody could see the crossword any more, so I put the light on.
Nobody could see the crossword any more, so I put the light on.
The house felt like a fridge when we got back, so I .
The house felt like a fridge when we got back, so I put the heating on.
I was going to roast a chicken, so I first.
I was going to roast a chicken, so I put the oven on first.
Mum had just come in and wanted a cup of tea, so I .
Mum had just come in and wanted a cup of tea, so I put the kettle on.
The party was very quiet, so somebody .
The party was very quiet, so somebody put some music on.
140.2 Complete the sentences. Use a verb + on or off in the correct form.
It was boiling in the theatre, so I took off my cardigan.
It was boiling in the theatre, so I took off my cardigan.
Why is there a crowd outside the bank? What's ?
Why is there a crowd outside the bank? What's going on?
The fog was too thick for the plane to , so we waited in the lounge.
The fog was too thick for the plane to take off, so we waited in the lounge.
The thief jumped onto a moped and at high speed.
The thief jumped onto a moped and rode off at high speed.
The vet says our dog is too thin. He needs to weight.
The vet says our dog is too thin. He needs to put on weight.
We had a long day on the fells. We at seven and walked until it got dark.
We had a long day on the fells. We set off at seven and walked until it got dark.
Don't until next week what you can do today.
Don't put off until next week what you can do today.
Kevin and Jo have split up. The wedding has been .
Kevin and Jo have split up. The wedding has been called off.
You look frozen. Shall I find you a fleece to ?
You look frozen. Shall I find you a fleece to put on?
I three pairs of boots in the shop, but none of them fitted.
I tried on three pairs of boots in the shop, but none of them fitted.
I hate long goodbyes. I'd rather nobody came to the airport to me .
I hate long goodbyes. I'd rather nobody came to the airport to see me off.
I really need to book an eye test, but I keep it .
I really need to book an eye test, but I keep putting it off.
140.3 Read each scene and complete the sentence.
A woman is waiting at a bus stop in the snow, pulling woolly gloves over her hands.
Her hands were freezing, so she put her gloves on.
Her hands were freezing, so she put her gloves on.
The departures board at the airport says: BA412, departed 14.20.
The plane at 14.20.
The plane took off at 14.20.
In a changing room, Chloe is wearing a coat that reaches her ankles and hides her hands.
Chloe a coat, but it was far too big for her.
Chloe tried on a coat, but it was far too big for her.
A notice on the gate of a cricket ground says: Today's match cancelled. Pitch waterlogged.
The match because of the weather.
The match was called off because of the weather.
Ollie's parents are standing at the departure gate at Cardiff Airport, waving goodbye to him.
Ollie's parents went to the airport to .
Ollie's parents went to the airport to see him off.
A man takes his sunglasses out of his pocket and puts them over his eyes.
He took his sunglasses out of his pocket and .
He took his sunglasses out of his pocket and put them on.