Phrasal verbs of calculation / result (Additional Exercises, Units 137-145)
Pattern
Section titled “Pattern”Several phrasal verbs mean “the result is” / “when calculated”. They pair with at or to depending on the verb.
| Phrasal verb | Preposition | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| work out at | at | equals when calculated | Three days at £45 a day works out at £135. |
| add up to | to | totals to | The bill adds up to £135. |
| come to | — | amounts to | The bill comes to £135. |
| figure out | — | calculate / solve | I figured out the total. |
| make out | — | understand / claim | How did you make that out? (not for totals) |
| turn out | — | end up being | It turned out to be cheaper. |
| end up at | at | finish at (a number) | It ended up at £135. |
Quick test for “totals to” context
Section titled “Quick test for “totals to” context”- “Three days at £45 a day — that ___ at £135.” → works out at ✓ (most natural for “I did the math”)
- “The total ___ £135.” → comes to ✓
- “The total ___ to £135.” → adds up to ✓ (works too)
- “I couldn’t ___ the total.” → figure out ✓
Trap: work vs work out
Section titled “Trap: work vs work out”Work alone = function / do a job (“the machine works”). Work out = solve / calculate / turn out. Don’t drop the particle.
- “The math works out.” ✓
- “The math works.” ✗ (means the math is functional, not that it equals a total)
Trap: sort out
Section titled “Trap: sort out”Sort out = organize, resolve, tidy. Wrong context for totals.
- “I need to sort out my finances.” ✓ (organize)
- “The total sorts out at £135.” ✗
Source
Section titled “Source”Raymond Murphy, English Grammar in Use (4th ed.), Additional Exercises — Phrasal verbs (Units 137-145). Ebot lesson 2026-08-29: “Three days at £45 a day – that ___ out at £135” → works (phrasal verb work out at = totals to).