Same verb · different particle

“move” phrasal verbs

Same verb, different particle, different meaning. Learn these 4 one at a time, then test yourself.

4 phrasal verbslisten & quiz

move

in on on to out

move + in · 1 of 4

move in

to start living in a new home

move in with sb

to begin living in a different house, apartment, or place, especially after moving your belongings there.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

We’re going to move in next weekend, once the painting is finished.

A: When are you moving in?
B: On Saturday. I can’t wait to see my new place!

Common mistake

Not: When did you move in your new house?

Say: When did you move into your new house?

With the place named, use 'move INTO'; bare 'move in' has no object.

More on “move in”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

I remember when I first moved in to my university dormitory. It was exciting but also a bit scary because everything was new.

Tell it apart

They're moving in together.

starting to live there

They're moving out at the weekend.

leaving the place

Goes with

move in + with/timing

Practice saying this

Next: move on

move + on · 2 of 4

move on

continue after a change or difficulty

move on from sth

To stop focusing on something in the past, especially after a problem or loss, and start thinking about the future or doing something new.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

After losing his job, it took him a while to move on and look for new opportunities.

A: Are you still upset about the argument?
B: Not really. I’ve decided to move on.

Common mistake

Not: It's time to move on ~~from~~ to the next topic.

Say: It's time to move on to the next topic. / to move on from the past.

'Move ON TO' the next thing, or 'move on FROM' something — don't stack both prepositions.

More on “move on”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my opinion, it’s important to move on from mistakes so you can learn and improve in the future.

Tell it apart

After the breakup, she moved on.

left it behind emotionally

Let's move on to question two.

go to the next item

Goes with

move on + from/to

Practice saying this

Next: move on to

move + on to · 3 of 4

move on to

start discussing or doing something new

move on to sth

to stop focusing on the current topic or activity and begin a new one.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

After finishing the budget report, let's move on to the marketing plan.

A: Are we done talking about the schedule?
B: Yes, let's move on to the next topic.

Common mistake

Not: Let's move on the next topic.

Say: Let's move on to the next topic.

'Move ON TO' the next thing — don't drop 'to'.

More on “move on to”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my presentation, I first described the problem, and then I moved on to possible solutions.

Tell it apart

Let's move on to the budget.

start the next topic

Let's move on from that.

leave the current topic behind

Goes with

move on to + next thing

Practice saying this

Next: move out

move + out · 4 of 4

move out

leave home to live elsewhere

move out of sth

to leave the place where you live, usually your home, and go to live in another place.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

After finishing university, I decided to move out of my parents' house.

A: When are you moving out?
B: Next weekend. I finally found a place near my office.

Common mistake

Not: He moved out ~~from~~ his parents' house.

Say: He moved out of his parents' house.

'Move OUT OF' a place — not 'out from'.

More on “move out”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

I moved out when I got my first job because I wanted to experience living on my own.

Tell it apart

She moved out of her flat.

left it for good

She moved into a bigger flat.

started living there

Goes with

move out + of/timing

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which “move” fits?

Fill the gap

Which “move” fits?

Read the sentence, then pick the phrasal verb that belongs in the gap.

Turn this into speaking practice

Pick one and say it out loud. Save the ones you mix up.

move in move on move on to move out