Multiword Verbs Random Pelmanism Game

Multiword Verbs Random Pelmanism Game
Instructions for teachers
Photocopy and cut up one set of cards per class or per group of two to four people,
perhaps with the two kinds of cards on different coloured paper (which also helps make
sure that the words can’t be seen through the back of the cards). Ask students to spread
the cards out across their table face down.

One student takes one of each kind of card (using the shape and/ or colour to make sure
that they don’t get two of the same kind). They should then try to explain what that
combination would mean and/ or make an example sentence, e.g. saying “Cause
something to happen” or “My headaches are usually brought on by stress” for “bring” +
“on”. If they are not sure, they should be encouraged to just make up likely sounding
definitions, synonyms or example sentences. If their partners accept what they say, they
can keep those two cards. If their partners reject what they say or they can’t think of
anything, they have to put them back face down in the same places and it is the next
person’s turn. Note that students are likely to have lots of questions about which words
match and what they might mean, so you will need to decide if they can use dictionaries to
check or if they can ask you questions (perhaps a limited number of times per game) or if
they must accept their partners’ decisions and leave all questions until after the game. The
variation below also helps solve this issue.

Variation: Multiword verbs random pelmanism betting game
Students take two cards from the table as in the game above but only have to say if they
think that combination will be in their dictionary or not. If their (positive or negative)
statement is correct, they can keep the cards. If not, they have put them back face down in
the same places. The next person must then choose different cards, but after that
students can back and try the same cards again if they like and if they can remember
where they are. You will need at least one dictionary to play this game, preferably one that
matches the students’ level such as an Intermediate-level “learner’s dictionary”. However,
you could possibly use the list of suggested matches below in the same way.

Suggested multiword verb combinations
bring + along/ back/ forward
eat + in/ out/ up
get + along/ back/ down/ off/ on/ out
go + along (with)/ away/ back/ forward (with)/ out/ over
hand + down/ in/ out/ over
hang + around/ back/ on/ up
hold + in/ off/ on/ up
look + away/ down/ forward/ into/ out/ over/ up
put + back/ down/ forward/ off/ on/ up (with)
stand + around/ back/ down/ in (for)/ out/ up (to)
stay + around/ away (from)/ back/ in/ out/ over
switch + back/ off/ on/ over
take + along/ away/ back/ down/ in/ off/ on/ out/ over
throw + around/ away/ back/ down/ in/ on/ out/ up
turn + around/ away/ back/ down/ in/ off/ on/ over/ up

Written by Alex Case for UsingEnglish.com © 2018

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Cards (to cut up and spread face down across the table)
Verb cards

bring

bring

eat

eat

get

get

go

go

hand

hand

hang

hang

hold

hold

look

look

put

put

stand stand

stay

stay switch switch

take

take

throw throw

turn

turn

Particle cards

along

along

around around

away

away

back

back

down

down

forward forward

in

in

off

off

on

on

out

out

over

over

up

up

Written by Alex Case for UsingEnglish.com © 2018

p. 2