Phrasal verbs are a crucial part of the English language, especially in informal contexts. They are made up of a verb and one or two particles that can change the meaning of the verb. For example, “pick up” means to grab or lift, which is very different from the meanings of “pick” and “up” alone.
In this article, we will explore phrasal verbs in-depth, providing definitions, examples, and tips for using them correctly. We will also discuss the differences between separable and inseparable phrasal verbs, and how to identify them. By the end of this article, readers should have a solid understanding of phrasal verbs and feel confident in using them in their daily conversations and writing.
Phrasal verbs are a type of compound verb that consists of a verb and one or more particles. The particles can be prepositions or adverbs, or a combination of both. When combined with a verb, the meaning of the phrasal verb is often different from the meaning of the individual words.
Phrasal verbs are commonly used in spoken and informal English. They are also used in written English, particularly in novels and other creative writing. However, their use in academic writing is generally discouraged.
Phrasal verbs are an essential part of the English language. They are used to express a wide range of meanings, from simple actions to complex ideas. For example, the phrasal verb “take off” can mean to remove something, to leave a place quickly, or to become successful.
Phrasal verbs are often idiomatic, which means that their meaning cannot be easily predicted from the meaning of the individual words. For example, the phrasal verb “look up” can mean to search for information, but it can also mean to respect or admire someone.
Phrasal verbs are a combination of a verb and one or more particles, which can be prepositions or adverbs. They are commonly used in English and can be classified into different types based on their usage and structure. Here are the three main types of phrasal verbs:
Transitive phrasal verbs are those that require a direct object to complete their meaning. The direct object can come before or after the particle, depending on the context. For example, “pick up the phone” and “pick the phone up” mean the same thing. Here are some common transitive phrasal verbs:
Intransitive phrasal verbs do not require a direct object and can stand alone as a complete sentence. They are often used to describe a change in direction or movement. Here are some common intransitive phrasal verbs:
Phrasal verbs can also be classified based on whether they can be separated by other words or not. Separable phrasal verbs can be separated by an object or adverb, while inseparable phrasal verbs cannot be separated. Here are some examples of separable and inseparable phrasal verbs:
It’s important to note that the meaning of a phrasal verb can change depending on whether it is separable or inseparable.
Phrasal verbs are an essential part of the English language, and they are commonly used in both spoken and written English. Here is a list of some of the most common phrasal verbs:
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Get away | To escape or leave a place |
| Get along | To have a good relationship with someone |
| Get over | To recover from an illness or a difficult situation |
| Get up | To wake up and get out of bed |
| Get in | To enter a vehicle or a building |
| Get out | To leave a place |
| Get off | To leave a vehicle or a mode of transport |
| Get on | To board a vehicle or a mode of transport |
| Get by | To manage to survive or cope with a difficult situation |
| Get through | To complete a task or a difficult situation |
| Get ahead | To make progress in one’s career or life |
| Get down | To feel sad or depressed |
| Get together | To meet with friends or family |
| Get out of | To avoid doing something |
| Get back | To return to a place |
| Get around | To move from place to place |
| Get in touch | To contact someone |
| Get away with | To do something wrong without being punished |
| Get rid of | To dispose of something |
| Get on with | To continue doing something |
| Get the hang of | To understand how to do something |
| Get into | To become interested in something |
| Get off on | To enjoy something |
| Get lost | To go away or leave someone alone |
| Get a hold of | To obtain or acquire something |
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Look after | To take care of someone or something |
| Look around | To explore or examine a place |
| Look away | To avert one’s gaze or attention |
| Look back | To remember or reflect on the past |
| Look down on | To have a negative attitude towards someone or something |
| Look for | To search for something |
| Look forward to | To anticipate or be excited about something in the future |
| Look into | To investigate or examine something |
| Look out | To be careful or watchful |
| Look over | To review or examine something |
| Look up | To search for information or a word in a dictionary |
| Look up to | To admire or respect someone |
| Look through | To browse or examine quickly |
| Look upon | To consider or regard something in a particular way |
| Look beyond | To consider something in a broader context |
| Look out for | To watch out for someone or something |
| Look to | To rely on or seek help from someone |
| Look in on | To visit someone briefly |
| Look for trouble | To intentionally seek out conflict or problems |
| Look sharp | To hurry or be quick |
| Look someone in the eye | To make direct eye contact with someone |
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Take after | To resemble or have similar traits to a family member |
| Take apart | To disassemble or break something down into parts |
| Take away | To remove or subtract something |
| Take back | To retract or withdraw something that was said or done |
| Take down | To write or record information |
| Take in | To understand or comprehend something |
| Take off | To leave the ground (for a plane) or to remove clothing |
| Take on | To accept responsibility or a challenge |
| Take out | To remove something or to go on a date with someone |
| Take over | To assume control or responsibility |
| Take up | To begin a new activity or hobby |
| Take care of | To look after or attend to someone or something |
| Take advantage of | To use or exploit a situation for one’s benefit |
| Take a break | To rest or take a pause from an activity |
| Take a chance | To take a risk or gamble |
| Take a hike | To go away or leave |
| Take a look | To examine or inspect something |
| Take a stand | To make a firm decision or position on an issue |
| Take a step back | To pause and reassess a situation |
| Take a turn | To change direction or course |
| Take it easy | To relax or slow down |
| Take someone for granted | To not appreciate or value someone |
| Take the plunge | To take a big risk or make a major decision |
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Put away | To tidy up or store something |
| Put down | To criticize or belittle someone |
| Put off | To postpone or delay something |
| Put on | To wear clothing or makeup |
| Put out | To extinguish a fire or to inconvenience someone |
| Put up | To accommodate or host someone |
| Put together | To assemble or create something |
| Put aside | To save or reserve something |
| Put forward | To propose or suggest something |
| Put in | To install or contribute something |
| Put through | To connect or transfer a phone call |
| Put up with | To tolerate or endure something |
| Put money on | To bet on something |
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Add up | To make sense or be logical |
| Back up | To support or confirm something |
| Bring up | To raise or mention a topic |
| Cheer up | To make someone feel happier or more positive |
| Clean up | To tidy or clean a space |
| Dress up | To wear formal or fancy clothing |
| End up | To eventually reach or become something |
| Fix up | To repair or improve something |
| Give up | To quit or surrender |
| Grow up | To mature or become an adult |
| Hang up | To end a phone call or to hang clothing on a hook |
| Hold up | To delay or hinder something |
| Keep up | To maintain or continue something |
| Look up | To search for information or to improve |
| Make up | To reconcile or create something |
| Pick up | To lift or collect something |
| Put up | To accommodate or host someone |
| Show up | To arrive or appear |
| Speak up | To speak louder or more confidently |
| Stand up | To rise from a seated position or to defend oneself |
| Take up | To begin a new activity or hobby |
| Team up | To collaborate or work together |
| Turn up | To increase in volume or to appear unexpectedly |
| Wake up | To become alert or to awaken from sleep |
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Break away | To escape or separate from a group |
| Break down | To stop functioning or to have an emotional collapse |
| Break in | To wear something in or to interrupt someone |
| Break into | To enter a building or a conversation |
| Break off | To end a relationship or a piece of something |
| Break out | To escape or to start suddenly |
| Break through | To make a breakthrough or to penetrate a barrier |
| Break up | To end a relationship or to disperse a group |
| Break the ice | To initiate conversation or to make a situation less tense |
| Break the news | To inform someone of something important or difficult |
| Break the rules | To violate or disobey established rules |
| Break the bank | To spend or lose a large amount of money |
| Break a habit | To stop doing something that has become routine |
| Break a leg | A superstitious phrase used to wish someone good luck |
| Break bread | To share a meal with someone |
| Break even | To have expenses equal to income |
| Break ground | To begin construction or to make progress |
| Break the cycle | To put an end to a negative pattern |
| Break the mold | To do something different or unconventional |
| Break the silence | To speak up or to end a period of silence |
| Break the news gently | To deliver bad news in a sensitive way |
| Break ranks | To deviate from a group or organization |
| Break free | To escape or to become independent |
| Break wind | To pass gas or to fart (informal) |
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Turn around | To reverse direction or to change one’s attitude |
| Turn away | To refuse or reject something or someone |
| Turn back | To return or to change one’s mind |
| Turn down | To refuse or reject an offer or request |
| Turn in | To submit or hand in something |
| Turn off | To switch off or to disgust someone |
| Turn on | To switch on or to excite someone |
| Turn out | To attend or to produce a result |
| Turn over | To flip or to transfer ownership |
| Turn to | To seek help or advice from someone |
| Turn up | To arrive or to increase in volume |
| Turn against | To become hostile or opposed to someone or something |
| Turn into | To transform or to change into something else |
| Turn over a new leaf | To start fresh or to change one’s behavior |
| Turn a blind eye | To ignore or overlook something |
| Turn the tables | To reverse a situation or outcome |
| Turn the corner | To make progress or to recover from a difficult situation |
| Turn the page | To move on from a past event or situation |
| Turn up the heat | To increase pressure or intensity |
| Turn heads | To attract attention or admiration |
| Turn a profit | To earn money or make a financial gain |
| Turn the other cheek | To forgive or tolerate an offense |
| Turn to stone | To become petrified with fear or shock |
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Do away with | To get rid of or eliminate something |
| Do up | To fasten or to renovate something |
| Do without | To manage or survive without something |
| Do over | To redo or to repeat something |
| Do in | To exhaust or to kill someone |
| Do for | To ruin or to defeat someone |
| Do out of | To deprive someone of something |
| Do up in | To dress in fancy or formal clothing |
| Do the dishes | To wash the dishes |
| Do the laundry | To wash and dry clothing |
| Do time | To serve a prison sentence |
| Do a favor | To help someone out |
| Do a job on | To criticize or damage something |
| Do a number on | To deceive or manipulate someone |
| Do a double take | To take a second look or to be surprised |
| Do business | To conduct transactions or to work together |
| Do drugs | To use illegal drugs |
| Do harm | To cause harm or damage |
| Do justice | To treat fairly or to represent accurately |
| Do research | To investigate or study a topic |
| Do the trick | To solve a problem or satisfy a need |
| Do well | To perform successfully or to prosper |
| Do your best | To try your hardest |
| Do your homework | To prepare or research something thoroughly |
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Make up | To invent or create something, to reconcile after a disagreement |
| Make out | To see or hear something with difficulty, to understand, to kiss passionately |
| Make up for | To compensate for something, to make amends |
| Make up one’s mind | To decide |
| Make for | To head towards a destination |
| Make off | To leave quickly or secretly |
| Make do | To manage with what one has |
| Make over | To renovate or transform something, to transfer ownership |
| Make out with | To engage in sexual activity with someone |
| Make a point | To emphasize or stress something |
| Make a difference | To have an impact or effect |
| Make a living | To earn money |
| Make a fool of | To embarrass or humiliate someone |
| Make a break for it | To try to escape |
| Make a mess | To create a disorderly or untidy state |
| Make a scene | To cause a public disturbance |
| Make good | To succeed or fulfill a promise |
| Make light of | To treat something as unimportant or insignificant |
| Make sense | To be logical or understandable |
| Make the most of | To take advantage of an opportunity |
| Make up to | To try to gain someone’s favor or affection |
| Make waves | To cause trouble or controversy |
| Make way for | To clear a path for someone or something |
These are just a few examples of the many phrasal verbs in the English language. Each phrasal verb consists of a verb and one or more particles that modify the meaning of the verb.
When it comes to using phrasal verbs, context is key. As mentioned in the search results, phrasal verbs can have more than one meaning, and the meaning can change depending on the context. Here are a few tips on how to use phrasal verbs in context:
Phrasal verbs are a common feature of the English language. They are formed by combining a verb with a preposition or adverb to create a new meaning. Prepositions are words like in, on, at, up, down, etc., while adverbs are words that describe verbs. When used in phrasal verbs, prepositions and adverbs can change the meaning of the verb completely.
Phrasal verbs with prepositions and adverbs are often used in everyday English. They can be separable or inseparable, depending on whether the object can be placed between the verb and the particle. Here are some examples:
Prepositional verbs are another type of verb that includes a preposition and an object. Unlike phrasal verbs, the object always comes after the preposition. Here are some examples:
It is important to note that prepositions and adverbs can have different meanings depending on the context in which they are used. For example, the preposition “up” can mean “to increase” in the sentence “The company’s profits are up,” but can mean “to complete” in the sentence “I need to finish up my work.”
Exercise 1: Choose the correct phrasal verb to complete the sentence.
Answers: 1) c, 2) c, 3) c, 4) c, 5) a
Exercise 2: Rewrite the sentences using the phrasal verbs in brackets.
Answers: 1) I’m going to give up smoking. 2) She’s going to take on a new job next week. 3) Can you please go over the concept again? 4) The teacher put off the test until next week. 5) We need to tidy up the kitchen before the guests arrive.
Phrasal verbs can be tricky to understand, so here are some frequently asked questions to help clarify their meaning and usage.
What are phrasal verbs?
Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb and one or more particles, such as prepositions or adverbs. Together, they create a new meaning that is different from the individual words used. For example, “take off” means to remove clothing or to leave quickly by airplane.
Are phrasal verbs only used in informal English?
No, phrasal verbs can be used in both formal and informal English. However, they are more common in spoken and informal English than in written and formal English.
How can I tell if a phrasal verb is separable or inseparable?
A separable phrasal verb can have the particle separated from the verb and placed in a different position in the sentence. For example, “I took off my shoes” and “I took my shoes off” are both correct. In contrast, an inseparable phrasal verb cannot be separated, such as “I’m looking forward to the party.”
Are there any rules for using phrasal verbs?
There are no strict rules for using phrasal verbs, but there are some general guidelines to follow. For example, it is important to use the correct particle to convey the intended meaning. Additionally, some phrasal verbs are more common in certain contexts or regions, so it can be helpful to study them in context.
How can I learn and practice phrasal verbs?
One way to learn phrasal verbs is to study them in context, such as in news articles or TV shows. Another way is to use flashcards or quizzes to practice identifying and using phrasal verbs. Additionally, it can be helpful to use phrasal verbs in your own writing and speaking to become more comfortable with them.
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