← Back to lessons
A2At the Post Office

How to Use 'Wrap Up' at the Post Office

Phrasal Verb: wrap up |Grammar: Past Simple

Objective

Students will learn to use the phrasal verb 'wrap up' in past simple tense to talk about packaging items at the post office.

Article

Last week, Sarah went to the post office to send a gift to her friend. She wrapped up the present carefully in colourful paper. Then, she wrapped up the box with tape to make sure it was safe. After she wrapped up everything, she gave the package to the post office clerk. The clerk checked the address and weighed the box. Sarah paid for the postage and said, "I wrapped up the gift well to protect it." She felt happy because she wrapped up the parcel carefully and it was ready to send. Wrapping up items is important when you send them by post, to keep them safe during delivery.

Grammar Explanation

Meaning

To 'wrap up' means to cover or pack something, usually with paper or other materials, to protect it.

Grammar Note

The Past Simple tense is used to talk about actions that finished in the past. For regular verbs, add -ed. For phrasal verbs like 'wrap up', use the past form of 'wrap' which is 'wrapped' followed by 'up'.

Usage Tips

  • Use 'wrapped up' to describe completed packaging actions.
  • Remember to use the past simple form 'wrapped' for past events.
  • Use 'wrap up' when talking about covering items with paper or packing materials.

Examples

She wrapped up the parcel before going to the post office.

Talking about packing the parcel

I wrapped up the documents with brown paper yesterday.

Covering documents in the past

They wrapped up the box carefully to avoid damage.

Protecting the box during shipping

He wrapped up the gift and added a ribbon.

Packing a gift in the past

We wrapped up the package before sending it last week.

Completed packaging action

Dialogue

Context: A customer is at the post office desk, asking about wrapping a package.

A:
Hello, I wrapped up this box, but I’m not sure if it’s enough.
B:
Let me check it for you. You wrapped it up very well.
A:
Thanks. I wrapped up the gift last night.
B:
Great! Do you want me to add extra tape to wrap it up better?
A:
Yes, please. I want it to be safe during delivery.
B:
Okay, I wrapped up the box securely. You’re all set to send it now.

Vocabulary

parcel
A package sent by post
Example: I sent the parcel to my friend yesterday.
Synonym: package
postage
The money paid to send mail
Example: I paid the postage at the post office.
Synonym: shipping cost
tape
Sticky material used to close packages
Example: She used tape to wrap up the box.
Synonym: adhesive strip
package
An object wrapped for sending
Example: The package was wrapped up tightly.
Synonym: parcel
address
The place where mail is sent
Example: Please write the address clearly.
Synonym: location
delivery
The act of bringing mail to someone
Example: The delivery arrived this morning.
Synonym: shipment
wrap
To cover something with paper or material
Example: She wrapped the gift before the party.
Synonym: cover
ribbon
A thin strip of material used to decorate
Example: He tied a ribbon after he wrapped up the gift.
Synonym: bow
protect
To keep something safe
Example: Wrapping up the box protects it during shipping.
Synonym: guard
post office
Place where you send and receive mail
Example: I went to the post office to send a package.
Synonym: mail centre

Tips

  • Always check that you wrapped up your item tightly to protect it during delivery.
  • Use past simple 'wrapped up' when talking about packaging you already did.
  • Don’t confuse 'wrap up' with 'wrap' – 'wrap up' is the full phrasal verb.

Summary

In this lesson, you learned to use the phrasal verb 'wrap up' in the past simple tense to talk about packaging items at the post office. You also practised related vocabulary and a dialogue to help you use 'wrap up' naturally in everyday situations.

← Back to all lessons