Phrasal verbs are everywhere in English—used in casual conversations, academic writing, movies, and daily instructions. Yet for many learners, they remain one of the most confusing aspects of the language. Why? Because the meaning of a phrasal verb often can’t be guessed by looking at the words alone.
Take phrases like “give up,” “look after,” or “run into.” None of these mean what the base verb literally suggests. That’s what makes them tricky—but also what makes them powerful. Once you begin to understand phrasal verbs, your English becomes more natural, expressive, and fluent.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know: what phrasal verbs are, how they’re formed, the different types (like separable and inseparable), and how to use them correctly. You’ll find plenty of examples, common usage tips, and even some practice exercises to help you feel more confident.
Whether you’re studying for an exam, preparing for a conversation with native speakers, or just aiming to polish your writing, this article is your step-by-step roadmap to mastering one of the most dynamic elements of English grammar. Let’s dive in and unlock the full potential of phrasal verbs together!
Table of Contents
- Definition of Phrasal Verbs
- Structural Breakdown
- Types and Categories of Phrasal Verbs
- Examples of Phrasal Verbs
- Usage Rules for Phrasal Verbs
- Common Mistakes with Phrasal Verbs
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition of Phrasal Verbs
A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and one or two particles (prepositions or adverbs) that together create a new meaning, which is often different from the original verb. These particles modify the verb’s meaning, sometimes subtly, sometimes drastically.
Phrasal verbs are extremely common in spoken and informal English, making them essential for effective communication and comprehension. Understanding them involves recognizing their structure, function, and the various contexts in which they are used.
For instance, the verb “look” has a simple meaning, but when combined with particles, it forms phrasal verbs like “look up” (search for information), “look after” (take care of), and “look forward to” (anticipate with pleasure). Each of these phrasal verbs carries a distinct meaning that cannot be directly inferred from the verb “look” alone.
This unpredictability is what makes phrasal verbs challenging but also fascinating to learn.
In essence, a phrasal verb functions as a single semantic unit. The combination of the verb and particle(s) operates as a single verb with its own unique definition.
Recognizing this unity is key to understanding and using phrasal verbs correctly. They add depth and precision to the English language, allowing for more nuanced and expressive communication.
Structural Breakdown
The structure of a phrasal verb typically consists of a verb and one or two particles. The particle can be either an adverb or a preposition. Understanding the different components and their arrangement is crucial for identifying and using phrasal verbs correctly.
The basic structure is:
Verb + Particle (Adverb/Preposition)
Here’s a breakdown of the components:
- Verb: This is the main verb that provides the core action or state. Examples include: get, take, put, look, break, come, go, turn.
- Particle: This modifies the verb’s meaning. It can be:
- Adverb: These usually indicate direction or manner. Examples include: up, down, away, out, off, on, around.
- Preposition: These often indicate location or relationship. Examples include: at, to, for, with, in, of, after.
Some phrasal verbs have two particles, usually a combination of an adverb and a preposition. For example, “look forward to” has the adverb “forward” and the preposition “to”.
The order of these components can sometimes change, especially with transitive phrasal verbs (those that take an object). This is where the concept of separability comes into play, which will be discussed in more detail later.
Types and Categories of Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs can be categorized based on their transitivity (whether they take an object) and separability (whether the verb and particle can be separated by an object). Understanding these categories is crucial for using phrasal verbs correctly.
Transitive Phrasal Verbs
Transitive phrasal verbs are those that take a direct object. This means that the action of the verb is performed on something or someone. The object receives the action.
Example: “She turned down the offer.” (The offer is the direct object of the phrasal verb “turned down.”)
Intransitive Phrasal Verbs
Intransitive phrasal verbs do not take a direct object. The action of the verb is not performed on anything or anyone.
Example: “The plane took off on time.” (There is no object receiving the action of “took off.”)
Separable Phrasal Verbs
Separable phrasal verbs are transitive phrasal verbs where the object can be placed between the verb and the particle. However, if the object is a pronoun (e.g., it, him, her, them), it *must* be placed between the verb and the particle.
Example: “He turned down the offer.” (Separable) can also be written as “He turned the offer down.”
Example with pronoun: “He turned it down.” (The pronoun “it” *must* be between “turned” and “down”.)
Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
Inseparable phrasal verbs are transitive phrasal verbs where the object cannot be placed between the verb and the particle. The verb and particle must always stay together.
Example: “She looks after her sister.” (Inseparable) It is incorrect to say, “She looks her sister after.”
Prepositional Verbs
Prepositional verbs are similar to phrasal verbs, but the particle is always a preposition, and the meaning is usually more literal. The preposition connects the verb to its object, and the object always follows the preposition.
Example: “I listened to the music.” (The preposition “to” connects the verb “listened” to the object “the music”.)
The key difference between prepositional verbs and phrasal verbs is that prepositional verbs generally retain a meaning that is closely related to the original verb, whereas phrasal verbs often have idiomatic meanings.
Phrasal-Prepositional Verbs
Phrasal-prepositional verbs consist of a verb followed by an adverb and a preposition. These are always inseparable and must be followed by an object.
Example: “She looks forward to the holidays.” (The verb “looks” is followed by the adverb “forward” and the preposition “to”.)
Examples of Phrasal Verbs
To further illustrate the concept of phrasal verbs, here are several examples organized by common verbs. Each table provides a variety of phrasal verbs with clear definitions and example sentences.
Understanding these examples will help you recognize and use phrasal verbs effectively.
Phrasal Verbs with “Break”
The verb “break” can form many different phrasal verbs, each with its own unique meaning. The following table presents a selection of common phrasal verbs using “break,” along with their definitions and example sentences.
| Phrasal Verb | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Break down | Stop functioning (usually a machine) | The car broke down on the highway. |
| Break up | End a relationship | They decided to break up after five years. |
| Break in | Enter a building illegally | Someone broke into their house last night. |
| Break out | Escape from prison | The prisoners broke out of jail. |
| Break through | Make a discovery or achievement after effort | Scientists have finally broken through with a new vaccine. |
| Break even | Neither make a profit nor a loss | After a slow start, the business finally broke even. |
| Break off | Stop speaking | She broke off in the middle of her sentence. |
| Break out in | Suddenly develop a skin condition | He broke out in a rash after eating the shellfish. |
| Break with | End a relationship or connection | She decided to break with tradition and wear a black dress. |
| Break down (emotionally) | Lose emotional control | She broke down after hearing the bad news. |
| Break the news | Inform someone of important news (often bad) | I had to break the news to her about the accident. |
| Break a habit | Stop doing something habitual | It’s hard to break a bad habit. |
| Break the ice | Make people feel more comfortable | A funny joke can help break the ice at a party. |
| Break ranks | Go against the rules of a group | He broke ranks with his party and voted against the bill. |
| Break one’s word | Fail to keep a promise | He broke his word and didn’t show up. |
| Break ground | Begin construction | They will break ground on the new stadium next month. |
| Break cover | Emerge from hiding | The deer broke cover and ran across the field. |
| Break a story | Be the first to report a news item | The journalist broke the story about the scandal. |
| Break from | Separate oneself from | She decided to break from her family’s expectations. |
| Break the bank | Cost too much money | That new car will break the bank. |
| Break a leg | Good luck (said to performers) | “Break a leg!” she said before the performance. |
| Break bread | Share a meal | Let’s break bread together and discuss the project. |
| Break silence | End a period of silence | She decided to break her silence and speak out about the issue. |
| Break stride | Lose momentum | He broke his stride when he tripped over a rock. |
| Break wind | Fart | Excuse me, I need to break wind. |
| Break the back of something | Complete the hardest part of something | We’ve broken the back of the project now. |
| Break someone’s fall | Cushion someone when they fall | He broke her fall when she tripped. |
Phrasal Verbs with “Get”
The verb “get” is incredibly versatile and forms a wide array of phrasal verbs, each conveying a different nuance of meaning. This table showcases some of the most common phrasal verbs using “get,” providing definitions and illustrative sentences to aid in comprehension.
| Phrasal Verb | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Get up | Rise from bed | I get up at 7 AM every morning. |
| Get on | Enter a bus, train, or plane | We got on the bus to go downtown. |
| Get off | Leave a bus, train, or plane | We got off the train at the next station. |
| Get in | Enter a car | I got in the car and drove away. |
| Get out | Leave a car | He got out of the car and walked towards the building. |
| Get along | Have a good relationship | They get along very well with each other. |
| Get over | Recover from an illness or disappointment | It took her a long time to get over the breakup. |
| Get through | Finish something; reach someone by phone | I finally got through to her after trying for hours. |
| Get by | Manage to survive or live | They get by on a very small income. |
| Get around | Travel to different places; avoid something | It’s easy to get around the city by bus. |
| Get together | Meet socially | Let’s get together for coffee next week. |
| Get away | Escape | The thief tried to get away from the police. |
| Get back | Return | When did you get back from your trip? |
| Get rid of | Eliminate or throw away | I need to get rid of these old clothes. |
| Get into | Become interested in | She’s really getting into yoga lately. |
| Get out of | Avoid doing something | He tried to get out of doing his chores. |
| Get down | Depress | The gloomy weather gets me down. |
| Get across | Communicate effectively | She struggled to get her point across. |
| Get ahead | Make progress | You need to work hard to get ahead in this company. |
| Get at | Imply | What are you getting at? |
| Get cracking | Start doing something quickly | We need to get cracking if we want to finish on time. |
| Get even | Retaliate | He wanted to get even with her for what she did. |
| Get hitched | Get married | They are planning to get hitched next summer. |
| Get real | Be realistic | Get real, you’ll never win the lottery. |
| Get stuffed | Go away | “Get stuffed!” he shouted angrily. |
| Get wind of | Hear a rumor | I got wind of their plans to move. |
Phrasal Verbs with “Put”
The verb “put” is commonly used to form phrasal verbs that describe placing or arranging things, as well as various abstract actions. This table provides a range of phrasal verbs with “put,” accompanied by their definitions and example sentences for clear understanding.
| Phrasal Verb | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Put on | Wear clothing | She put on her coat and went outside. |
| Put off | Postpone | We had to put off the meeting until next week. |
| Put out | Extinguish a fire | Please put out your cigarette before entering. |
| Put down | Insult or criticize | He always puts her down in front of her friends. |
| Put up | Tolerate or accommodate | I don’t know how she puts up with his bad behavior. |
| Put away | Tidy up; save money | Please put your toys away after playing. |
| Put through | Connect someone by phone | I’ll put you through to the manager now. |
| Put across | Communicate effectively | He struggled to put his ideas across to the audience. |
| Put in | Install; spend time or effort | We need to put in a new window. |
| Put together | Assemble | I need to put together this bookshelf. |
| Put up with | Tolerate | I can’t put up with his rudeness any longer. |
| Put someone up | Provide accommodation for someone | We can put you up for the night if you need a place to stay. |
| Put something down to | Attribute something to a particular cause | I put her success down to hard work and dedication. |
| Put your foot down | Assert one’s authority | The parents had to put their foot down and forbid their child from going to the party. |
| Put your mind to something | Concentrate on something | If you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything. |
| Put on an act | Pretend to be someone you’re not | He was just putting on an act to impress her. |
| Put the kettle on | Make tea | I’ll put the kettle on so we can have a cup of tea. |
| Put the blame on someone | Make someone responsible for something | They tried to put the blame on him for the mistake. |
| Put to sleep | Euthanize an animal | The vet had to put the old dog to sleep. |
| Put pen to paper | Start writing | It’s time to put pen to paper and start writing the novel. |
| Put someone in their place | Show someone they are not as important as they think | She really put him in his place after his rude comment. |
Phrasal Verbs with “Take”
The verb “take” is another versatile verb that forms numerous phrasal verbs with varying meanings related to seizing, removing, or assuming control. The table below presents a selection of these phrasal verbs, complete with definitions and illustrative example sentences.
| Phrasal Verb | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Take off | Remove clothing; (of a plane) depart | She took off her shoes and relaxed. |
| Take after | Resemble a parent | He takes after his father in personality. |
| Take out | Remove; go on a date | I need to take out the trash. |
| Take over | Assume control | The new manager will take over next week. |
| Take up | Start a hobby; occupy space or time | She decided to take up painting. |
| Take down | Write down; remove from a high place | Please take down the information. |
| Take back | Return something | I need to take back this shirt to the store. |
| Take in | Deceive; provide shelter | Don’t be taken in by his charm. |
| Take on | Accept a responsibility | I can’t take on any more work right now. |
| Take apart | Disassemble | He took apart the engine to see what was wrong. |
| Take to | Start liking something | She took to her new job immediately. |
| Take a break | Stop working for a short time | Let’s take a break and grab some coffee. |
| Take your time | Don’t hurry | Take your time, there’s no rush. |
| Take effect | Become active or operative | The new law will take effect next month. |
| Take for granted | Underestimate the value of something | Don’t take your health for granted. |
| Take notice | Pay attention | Please take notice of the warning signs. |
| Take charge | Assume control | She took charge of the situation and organized the rescue. |
| Take advantage of | Make good use of; exploit | We should take advantage of the good weather and go for a hike. |
| Take into account | Consider | We need to take into account all the factors before making a decision. |
| Take it easy | Relax | Just take it easy and don’t worry so much. |
| Take heart | Be encouraged | Take heart, things will get better soon. |
| Take issue with | Disagree with | I take issue with your statement about the budget. |
| Take the plunge | Decide to do something important or risky | They decided to take the plunge and buy a house. |
| Take the mickey out of | Make fun of | They were taking the mickey out of his accent. |
| Take your breath away | Be extremely beautiful or impressive | The view from the top of the mountain took my breath away. |
Phrasal Verbs with “Look”
The verb “look” is frequently used to form phrasal verbs that relate to observation, searching, and anticipation. The following table presents a variety of phrasal verbs using “look,” providing definitions and illustrative sentences for each one.
| Phrasal Verb | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Look up | Search for information | I need to look up the meaning of this word. |
| Look after | Take care of | Can you look after my cat while I’m away? |
| Look forward to | Anticipate with pleasure | I’m looking forward to the holidays. |
| Look into | Investigate | We will look into the matter and get back to you. |
| Look out | Be careful | Look out! There’s a car coming. |
| Look through | Examine quickly | I looked through the documents but didn’t find anything. |
| Look back | Remember the past | When I look back on my childhood, I have many happy memories. |
| Look down on | Despise | He looks down on people who are less educated. |
| Look up to | Admire | I’ve always looked up to my older brother. |
| Look around | Explore a place | We decided to look around the town for a while. |
| Look over | Review or examine | Can you look over my essay before I submit it? |
| Look for | Try to find | I’m looking for my keys. |
| Look ahead | Think about the future | It’s important to look ahead and plan for your retirement. |
| Look in on | Visit briefly | I’ll look in on my grandmother later to see how she’s doing. |
| Look sharp | Be quick | Look sharp, we’re running late! |
| Look the other way | Ignore something | The authorities chose to look the other way when they saw the illegal activity. |
| Look a gift horse in the mouth | Be critical of a gift | Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth; just accept the help. |
| Look daggers at someone | Give someone an angry look | She looked daggers at him after he interrupted her. |
| Look like a million dollars | Look very attractive | She looked like a million dollars in her new dress. |
| Look alive | Be energetic | Look alive, everyone! We have a lot of work to do. |
Usage Rules for Phrasal Verbs
Using phrasal verbs correctly involves understanding their transitivity, separability, and the nuances of their meanings. Here are some key rules to keep in mind:
- Transitivity: Know whether the phrasal verb is transitive (takes an object) or intransitive (does not take an object). This will determine whether you need to include an object in the sentence.
- Separability: If the phrasal verb is separable, you can place the object between the verb and the particle, but only if the object is a noun. If the object is a pronoun, it *must* go between the verb and the particle.
- Meaning: Be aware of the specific meaning of each phrasal verb. Don’t assume that the meaning is simply the sum of the verb and particle’s individual meanings.
- Formality: Phrasal verbs are generally more common in spoken and informal English. In formal writing, it’s often better to use a single-word verb with a similar meaning. For example, instead of “put off,” you could use “postpone.”
- Prepositions vs. Adverbs: Understand whether the particle is a preposition or an adverb, as this affects how the phrasal verb interacts with objects and other sentence elements.
Example of Separability:
Correct: “He picked up the book.” or “He picked the book up.” (Noun object)
Correct: “He picked it up.” (Pronoun object *must* be between the verb and particle)
Incorrect: “He picked up it.”
Example of Inseparability:
Correct: “She looks after her children.”
Incorrect: “She looks her children after.”
Common Mistakes with Phrasal Verbs
One of the biggest challenges with phrasal verbs is that their meanings can be unpredictable, leading to frequent errors. Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them:
- Incorrect Word Order: Especially with separable phrasal verbs, learners often struggle with word order. Remember that pronouns *must* go between the verb and the particle.
- Misunderstanding Meaning: Assuming the meaning of a phrasal verb is the sum of its parts can lead to errors. Always learn the specific meaning of the phrasal verb.
- Using the Wrong Particle: Substituting one particle for another can completely change the meaning of the phrasal verb.
- Overusing Phrasal Verbs in Formal Writing: While phrasal verbs are common in spoken English, they can sound too informal in formal writing. Choose single-word verbs instead.
- Incorrectly Separating Inseparable Phrasal Verbs: Trying to separate an inseparable phrasal verb is a common mistake. Always check whether a phrasal verb is separable or inseparable.
Examples of Common Mistakes:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| I will pick up it. | I will pick it up. | Pronoun objects must go between the verb and particle in separable phrasal verbs. |
| She looks her sister after. | She looks after her sister. | “Look after” is an inseparable phrasal verb; the object cannot go between the verb and particle. |
| He put off the fire. | He put out the fire. | “Put out” means to extinguish a fire, while “put off” means to postpone. |
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding of phrasal verbs, complete the following exercises. These exercises cover various aspects of phrasal verb usage, including filling in the blanks, identifying separable and inseparable phrasal verbs, and transforming sentences.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the following sentences with the correct particle to form a phrasal verb.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. The plane took ____ on time. | off |
| 2. She needs to get ____ her cold before the trip. | over |
| 3. We had to put ____ the meeting until next week. | off |
| 4. He takes ____ his father in appearance. | after |
| 5. I need to look ____ the meaning of this word. | up |
| 6. Please turn ____ the lights when you leave. | off |
| 7. They broke ____ the engagement last week. | off |
| 8. She gave ____ smoking last year. | up |
| 9. He ran ____ his old friend at the store. | into |
| 10. The car broke ____ on the highway. | down |
Exercise 2: Separable vs. Inseparable
Rewrite the following sentences, placing the object between the verb and the particle if the phrasal verb is separable. If it is inseparable, indicate “inseparable.”
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. She turned down the offer. | She turned the offer down. |
| 2. He looks after his sister. | Inseparable |
| 3. Please pick up the toys. | Please pick the toys up. |
| 4. They called off the meeting. | They called the meeting off. |
| 5. She ran into her friend. | Inseparable |
| 6. He put on his coat. | He put his coat on. |
| 7. They look up to their teacher. | Inseparable |
| 8. She takes after her mother. | Inseparable |
| 9. He filled out the form. | He filled the form out. |
| 10. They came across an old photo. | Inseparable |
Exercise 3: Sentence Transformation
Rewrite the following sentences using a phrasal verb that has a similar meaning to the underlined word or phrase.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. The meeting was postponed until next week. | The meeting was put off until next week. |
| 2. She resembles her mother. | She takes after her mother. |
| 3. He needs to find his keys. | He needs to look for his keys. |
| 4. The fire was extinguished quickly. | The fire was put out quickly. |
| 5. They ended their relationship. | They broke up their relationship. |
| 6. She is recovering from her illness. | She is getting over her illness. |
| 7. He invented an excuse for being late. | He made up an excuse for being late. |
| 8. The bomb exploded. | The bomb went off. |
| 9. She rejected his proposal. | She turned down his proposal. |
| 10. They continued working despite the difficulties. | They carried on working despite the difficulties. |
Advanced Topics
Once you have a solid grasp of the basics, you can delve into more advanced aspects of phrasal verbs. These include:
- Regional Variations: Phrasal verb usage can vary by region. Some phrasal verbs may be more common in British English than in American English, and vice versa.
- Idiomatic Expressions: Many phrasal verbs are part of larger idiomatic expressions that add color and nuance to the language.
- Multiple Meanings: Some phrasal verbs have multiple meanings, depending on the context. Understanding these different meanings requires careful attention to the surrounding words and phrases.
- The Evolution of Phrasal Verbs: The English language is constantly evolving, and new phrasal verbs are being created all the time. Staying up-to-date with current usage requires ongoing exposure to the language.
For example, the phrasal verb “chip in” can mean both “contribute money” and “interrupt a conversation.” Understanding which meaning is intended requires careful attention to the context.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are phrasal verbs so difficult to learn?
Phrasal verbs can be difficult because their meanings are often idiomatic and not easily predictable from the individual words. Additionally, the rules regarding separability and transitivity can be confusing for learners.
Are phrasal verbs formal or informal?
Phrasal verbs are generally more common in spoken and informal English. In formal writing, it’s often better to use a single-word verb with a similar meaning.
How can I improve my understanding of phrasal verbs?
The best way to improve your understanding of phrasal verbs is through consistent exposure and practice. Read widely, listen to native speakers, and actively try to use phrasal verbs in your own writing and speaking.
Are phrasal verbs used in other languages?
While the exact structure of phrasal verbs may be unique to English, many languages have similar constructions where verbs combine with particles to create new meanings.
Is there a limit to how many particles a phrasal verb can have?
Generally, phrasal verbs have one or two particles. Phrasal-prepositional verbs have two particles: an adverb and a preposition.
How do I know if a phrasal verb is separable or inseparable?
Unfortunately, there’s no easy rule to determine whether a phrasal verb is separable or inseparable. The best approach is to learn each phrasal verb individually and note whether it is separable or inseparable.
Conclusion
Mastering phrasal verbs is a crucial step in achieving fluency in English. While they can be challenging to learn, understanding their structure, types, and usage rules will greatly enhance your ability to communicate effectively.
By studying examples, practicing regularly, and paying attention to common mistakes, you can develop a strong command of phrasal verbs and confidently use them in your everyday conversations and writing. Embrace the challenge, and you’ll find that phrasal verbs add depth, color, and precision to your English language skills.