Phrasal Verbs with Act – Meaning & Examples

Phrasal verbs are an essential aspect of the English language that can add complexity and depth to our communication. One group of phrasal verbs that is particularly useful includes the verb “act.” The act is a versatile verb used in many different contexts. When paired with other words, it can take on new meanings and convey different shades of meaning.

List of Phrasal verbs with Act

Here are a few examples of common phrasal verbs that include the verb “act”:

• Act up
• Act out
• Act on
• Act as
• Act like

Act up

Act up meaning: to behave badly

‘Act up’ phrasal verb sentence

• My computer has been acting up all morning.
• The children started to act up during class and disrupted the lesson.
• My computer has been acting up lately, and I can’t seem to fix it.
• She was acting up at the party and making everyone uncomfortable.
• The engine started acting up, and we had to pull over on the side of the road.
• He acted up in front of the teacher and was sent to the principal’s office.
• My phone has been acting up, and I can’t seem to make calls or send texts.
• The dog has been acting up and barking at everyone who walks by.
• The students were acting up in the cafeteria and caused a commotion.
• The car started acting up on the way to the meeting, and we were late.
• He was acting up during the meeting and was asked to leave.
• The printer has been acting up and won’t print my documents.
• The kids were acting up at the park and causing a scene.
• My stomach has been acting up and causing me discomfort.
• The machine started acting up and caused a delay in production.
• She was acting up at the concert and was removed by security.
• The computer program has been acting up and won’t let me save my work.
• The dog started acting up and wouldn’t stop barking.
• The students were acting up in the library, which caused a disturbance.
• My car has been acting up and making strange noises.
• He was acting up at the store and causing a scene.

Act out

Act out meaning: to play as an actor

‘Act out’ phrasal verb sentence

• The child acted out during class and had to be sent to the principal’s office.
• The children love to act out their favorite stories during playtime.
• The actor skillfully acted out the emotions of the character he was playing.
• The students were asked to act out a scene from the play in front of the class.
• The parents were worried that their child was acting out due to stress at school.
• The teacher had to intervene when the students began to act out during the lesson.
• The therapist suggested role-playing to help the patient act out their feelings.
• The young boy couldn’t control his temper and started to act out in frustration.
• The director instructed the actors to act out the fight scene more intensely.
• The patient’s behavior improved after they were able to act out their traumatic experiences in therapy.
• The teacher had to act out the experiment’s instructions to ensure the students understood.
• The clown acted out a silly skit to entertain the children at the birthday party.
• The children’s play was successful as they enthusiastically acted out the story.
• The patient was encouraged to act out different scenarios to practice social skills.
• The drama class had to act out a scene from a Shakespeare play as part of the final exam.
• The little girl was pretending to be a princess and acting out a fantasy story.
• The team had to act out a mock emergency drill to prepare for possible real-life situations.
• The students understood the concept better after the teacher acted it out.
• The therapist used puppets to help the child act out their feelings and emotions.
• The actors rehearsed for hours to perfect the way they would act out the play’s climax.
• The patient was able to overcome their fear of public speaking by acting out different scenarios in therapy.

Act on

Act on meaning: to take action as a result of advice, information

‘Act on’ phrasal verb sentence

• I told him about the mistake, and he immediately acted on it.
• The government is planning to act on the recommendations of the committee.
• We need to act on this information immediately.
• I will act on your suggestion and call the client.
• The company is taking steps to act on the feedback from customers.
• The manager has decided to act on the employee’s complaint.
• We must act on the threat of cyber attack before it’s too late.
• The board of directors is discussing how to act on the proposal.
• The teacher will act on the student’s request for extra help.
• The doctor instructed the nurse to act on the patient’s medication orders.
• The president promised to act on the issue of climate change.
• The company will act on the results of the market research.
• The government has promised to act on the rising crime rate in the city.
• We need to act on the information we have and make a decision.
• The committee is discussing how to act on the findings of the investigation.
• The CEO is being pressured to act on the company’s financial troubles.
• The organization is taking steps to act on the problem of poverty.
• The police are investigating how to act on the reported suspicious activity.
• The company will act on the results of the employee survey.
• The school board is considering how to act on the concerns of parents.
• The city council is discussing how to act on the proposal for a new park.

Act as

Act as meaning: to describe when someone is fulfilling a role or performing a function.

‘Act as’ phrasal verb sentence

• He acted as the mediator in the dispute between the two parties.
• She acts as a mediator in conflicts between her friends.
• He acts as a mentor to the new employees at the company.
• The company’s CEO acts as a spokesperson for the organization.
• The actor was asked to act as a double for the lead role.
• She acts as a liaison between the two departments.
• He acts as a representative for the company at trade shows.
• The government acts as a regulator in the financial industry.
• She acts as a substitute teacher when needed.
• He acts as a translator for business meetings.
• The organization acts as a resource for those in need.
• She acts as a guide for tourists visiting the city.
• He acts as a judge in the local talent show.
• The company acts as a distributor for the product.
• She acts as a consultant for small businesses.
• He acts as a facilitator for team building exercises.
• The organization acts as a advocate for children’s rights.
• She acts as a secretary for the board of directors.
• He acts as a coach for the youth sports team.
• The company acts as a provider for internet services.
• She acts as a host for the local radio show.

Act like

Act like meaning: to describe someone’s behavior or mannerisms, often implying that they are trying to be someone else

‘Act like’ phrasal verb sentence

• He’s acting like the boss, but he’s just an intern.
• He’s acting like a child.
• She’s acting like she doesn’t care.
• They’re acting like they’re better than everyone else.
• Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about.
• He acted like he was hurt, but I knew he was faking it.
• She acted like she didn’t hear me.
• They acted like they were shocked by the news.
• Don’t act like you’re not interested in the project.
• He’s always acting like he’s the boss.
• She acts like she’s too good for us.
• They act like they own the place.
• Don’t act like a fool.
• He acted like he didn’t have a care in the world.
• She acted like she was in a hurry.
• They acted like they had never met before.
• Don’t act like you’re not impressed.
• He’s acting like he’s in charge, but he’s not.
• She acts like she knows everything.
• They act like they’re above the law.
• Don’t act like you’re not responsible for this mess.