Fill in the blank with the correct phrasal verb from the given alternatives:
The fear that Covid 19 has _________ in the country is unfounded.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → broken out
A phrasal verb is a verb joined with a small word such as up, out or together. The two words together have a new meaning.
The fear is that Covid 19 has broken out in the country, that is, the disease has suddenly appeared and is spreading.
Complete sentence: The fear that Covid 19 has broken out in the country is unfounded.
| Phrasal verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) broken over | used of waves or a storm crashing over something. It does not describe a disease starting. | Huge waves broke over the sea wall. |
| (2) broken out (answer) | to start suddenly. It is used of something unpleasant such as a war, a fire or a disease. | Cholera broke out in the village after the floods. |
| (3) broken up | to end a relationship, or of a meeting or crowd, to come to an end and scatter | The meeting broke up at noon. |
| (4) broken through | to force a way past a barrier or to make a new discovery | The protesters broke through the police line. |