Learn English Phrasal Verbs:Computer Issues
Use this set when a laptop freezes, a printer jams, or you need to tell someone what already went wrong.
Not sure when the object goes in the middle? Read separable and inseparable phrasal verbs.
break down
stop working
My laptop tends to break down during important meetings.
My laptop tends to stop working during important meetings.
Machines and vehicles break down. Break something down, meaning analyse it, is a separate transitive verb.
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turn off
switch a device off
Please turn off your computer when you’re done.
Please switch off your computer when you’re done.
Turn the computer off or turn it off. Same pattern for turn on.
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turn on
switch a device on
Can you turn on the printer for me?
Can you start the printer for me?
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sort out
fix
We need to sort out this error before the presentation.
We need to fix this error before the presentation.
British, for fix or organise. Sort the problem out.
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bring up
mention
Could you bring up the topic of upgrades in the next meeting?
Could you mention the topic of upgrades in the next meeting?
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look after
take care of
It’s essential to look after your devices to avoid problems.
It’s essential to take care of your devices to avoid problems.
A preposition, so it never splits. Look after them, never look them after.
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play up
not work properly
The internet connection has been playing up all morning.
The internet connection has not been working properly all morning.
British, for a machine that keeps failing. A printer that plays up is unreliable, not playful.
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throw out
remove something unwanted
Don’t forget to throw out old cables you no longer use.
Don’t forget to get rid of old cables you no longer use.
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turn out
be discovered to be true
It turned out that the issue was caused by a loose wire.
It became clear that the issue was caused by a loose wire.
Means prove to be. Nothing to do with turn off.
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go along with
agree
I go along with your plan to install the software update.
I agree with your plan to install the software update.
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find out
discover
Did you find out why the system was so slow?
Did you discover why the system was so slow?
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call in
ask someone to assist you
We should call in a technician to check the server.
We should ask a technician to help us check the server.
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All 12 computer issues phrasal verbs at a glance
Separable means the object can sit in the middle, and a pronoun has to. Inseparable means it never can. No object means the verb does not take one. Full explanation here.
| Phrasal verb | Meaning | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| break down | stop working | No object |
| turn off | switch a device off | Separable |
| turn on | switch a device on | Separable |
| sort out | fix | Separable |
| bring up | mention | Separable |
| look after | take care of | Inseparable |
| play up | not work properly | No object, informal |
| throw out | remove something unwanted | Separable |
| turn out | be discovered to be true | No object |
| go along with | agree | Inseparable |
| find out | discover | Separable |
| call in | ask someone to assist you | Separable |
About this set
It is aimed at everyday users, not only IT staff. The verbs cover turning things on, finding the cause, and calling someone in.
A few items are informal (play up) and sit next to more neutral ones (sort out, find out).
Usage notes
- turn off. Separable. Turn the computer off or turn it off. Same pattern for turn on.
- sort out. Separable and informal-to-neutral British English for fix or organise: sort the problem out.
- play up. Informal British English for a machine that keeps failing. A printer that plays up is unreliable, not playful.
- look after. Inseparable. Look after the files means take care of them. Do not say look the files after.
Mistakes to avoid
Incorrect: Turn off it and turn on it again.
Correct: Turn it off and turn it on again.
Both verbs are separable, so the pronoun sits in the middle each time.
Incorrect: The problem turned off to be a loose cable.
Correct: The problem turned out to be a loose cable.
Turn out means prove to be. Turn off stops a device. The particle changes everything.
Incorrect: My laptop keeps breaking down the files.
Correct: My laptop keeps breaking down.
Break down in the failure sense takes no object at all.
Incorrect: Can you look the files after while I am away?
Correct: Can you look after the files while I am away?
Look after is inseparable, so the object never moves inside it.
Common questions
Is turn out the same as turn off?
No. Turn off means stop a device. Turn out in this set means prove to be, as in the problem turned out to be a loose cable. The particle changes the meaning completely.
When do people say play up about a computer?
Mostly in informal British English. If the laptop plays up, it keeps misbehaving. In more formal writing, say it keeps failing or it is unreliable.