Phrasal Verbs

Unit 1.1 - "On" meaning "Beginning"

Guess the meanings of the phrasal verbs from context:
- The street lights come on at 6 p.m. every evening.
- Alzheimer's Disease tends to come on gradually in elderly people.
- Headaches are often brought on by stress.

All these 3 phrasal verbs have the meaning of "to start" or "to begin". See Explanations ê

Explanations:

Come on

(inseparable)

[For utility supplies, e.g. water, electricity] To start working
>> The street lights come on at 6 p.m. every evening.

>> The heat didn't come on because I forgot to pay the electricity bill!

[For radio or television programs] To start being broadcast
>> The baseball game comes on after the news.

>> "What's coming on next?" "NHK Drama."

[For illnesses, feelings, or moods] To start
>> Alzheimer's Disease tends to come on gradually in elderly people.
>> After a long day, I can feel a headache coming on.

Catch on

(inseparable)

To become popular
>> Eating tofu has really caught on in North America.

>> It seems that learning English online has caught on in Japan.

Bring on

(separable)

To make something unpleasant start
>> Headaches are often brought on by stress.

>> Her depression was brought on by the death of her husband.

Exercises:
- Fill in the missing words:
  - Yoga has recently in North America.
  - Hurry up! Our favorite TV program is in 5 minutes!
  - I think my cold was by overworking and a lack of sleep recently.
  - How neat! The lights automatically the moment you enter the room!
- Complete the following dialog:
  - A: Our boss lost his temper this morning!
  - B: What that ?
  - A: Probably his cold. I heard that he forgot to pay the electricity bill last month, that's why the heat didn't at night, and that his cold!
  - B: No kidding!
  - A: Oh, I'd better get going. I have to get home before 6.
  - B: What's the hurry? Let's go out for a drink.
  - A: No, not today. The hockey game is at 6. I don't want to miss that.

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