Phrasal verbs are a crucial part of the English language, adding depth and nuance to communication. Among these, phrasal verbs formed with “bring” are particularly versatile and frequently used.
Understanding these verbs is essential for both native and non-native English speakers who wish to improve their comprehension and fluency. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to phrasal verbs with “bring,” covering their meanings, usage, and common pitfalls.
By mastering these expressions, learners can significantly enhance their English proficiency and communicate more effectively in various contexts. This guide is designed for English language learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced speakers, and will be particularly helpful for those preparing for English proficiency exams.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of Phrasal Verbs
- Structural Breakdown
- Types and Categories of “Bring” Phrasal Verbs
- Examples of “Bring” Phrasal Verbs in Use
- Usage Rules for “Bring” Phrasal Verbs
- Common Mistakes with “Bring” 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 more particles (prepositions or adverbs) that creates a new meaning, often distinct from the original verb. These combinations act as single semantic units, and their meanings cannot always be predicted from the individual words.
Phrasal verbs are an integral part of everyday English, used in both spoken and written communication. They add color and informality to language, making it more expressive and dynamic.
Understanding phrasal verbs is crucial for achieving fluency and a deeper understanding of English.
Phrasal verbs can be classified into different types based on their transitivity and separability. Transitive phrasal verbs require a direct object, while intransitive phrasal verbs do not. Separable phrasal verbs allow the object to be placed between the verb and the particle, while inseparable phrasal verbs do not. The separability of a phrasal verb often depends on whether the object is a noun or a pronoun. For example, “bring up” can be separable (“bring the child up” or “bring up the child”), but with a pronoun, it must be separated (“bring him up”).
Structural Breakdown
The basic structure of a phrasal verb is Verb + Particle (Adverb or Preposition). The particle significantly alters the meaning of the verb. For example, “bring” means to carry or transport something, but “bring up” means to raise a child or introduce a topic. The particle provides crucial contextual information that changes the verb’s original sense.
The separability of a phrasal verb depends on its specific construction. Some phrasal verbs are always inseparable, meaning the object must always follow the particle.
Others are separable, allowing the object to be placed either between the verb and the particle or after the particle. When the object is a pronoun (e.g., him, her, it, them), it almost always goes between the verb and the particle.
Understanding these rules is essential for using phrasal verbs correctly and avoiding grammatical errors. Consider the examples: “bring it back” (correct) vs.
“bring back it” (incorrect).
Here’s a table summarizing the structural elements:
| Element | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | The main verb (e.g., bring) | Bring |
| Particle | Adverb or preposition that modifies the verb’s meaning (e.g., up, down, about) | Up, Down, About |
| Object (Optional) | The noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb | The book, Him |
Types and Categories of “Bring” Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs with “bring” encompass a wide range of meanings. Here are some of the most common and important ones, categorized for easier understanding:
Bring About
Meaning: To cause something to happen; to initiate or produce a result.
Example: The new policy brought about significant changes in the company.
Bring Along
Meaning: To take someone or something with you.
Example: Can I bring along a friend to the party?
Bring Around
Meaning 1: To persuade someone to agree with you; to convince.
Example: I managed to bring him around to my point of view.
Meaning 2: To help someone regain consciousness.
Example: The paramedics brought her around after she fainted.
Bring Back
Meaning 1: To return something.
Example: Please bring back the book when you’re finished reading it.
Meaning 2: To cause someone to remember something.
Example: That song brings back memories of my childhood.
Bring Down
Meaning 1: To cause someone to lose power or be defeated.
Example: The scandal brought down the government.
Meaning 2: To reduce something (e.g., price, temperature).
Example: The store is trying to bring down the price of milk.
Meaning 3: To make someone feel sad or depressed.
Example The bad news really brought me down.
Bring Forth
Meaning: To produce or generate something (often ideas, results, or offspring).
Example: The research brought forth new insights into the disease.
Bring In
Meaning 1: To introduce or involve someone in something.
Example: They decided to bring in a consultant to help with the project.
Meaning 2: To earn money.
Example: His business brings in a lot of revenue.
Bring Off
Meaning: To succeed in doing something difficult.
Example: She managed to bring off the deal despite the challenges.
Bring On
Meaning 1: To cause something to happen, usually something negative (e.g., illness).
Example: Stress can bring on a headache.
Meaning 2: To introduce something (e.g., a new product, a performer).
Example: They brought on a new singer to replace the old one.
Bring Out
Meaning 1: To highlight or emphasize a quality.
Example: That shirt brings out the color of your eyes.
Meaning 2: To launch or release a product.
Example: The company is bringing out a new phone next month.
Bring Over
Meaning: To take someone or something to a place, especially someone’s home.
Example: Bring over some snacks when you come to visit.
Bring Through
Meaning: To help someone survive a difficult situation or illness.
Example: The doctors brought him through a serious illness.
Bring Up
Meaning 1: To raise a child.
Example: She brought up her children single-handedly.
Meaning 2: To introduce a topic in conversation.
Example: Don’t bring up politics at the dinner table.
Examples of “Bring” Phrasal Verbs in Use
This section provides extensive examples of each “bring” phrasal verb in various contexts, helping you understand their usage and nuances. Each table contains at least 20 examples.
Bring About: To cause something to happen.
| Example | Context |
|---|---|
| The new management brought about significant improvements in efficiency. | Business |
| The revolution brought about a complete change in the country’s political system. | Politics |
| Her hard work brought about the success of the project. | Work |
| The new law brought about a reduction in crime rates. | Law |
| Technological advancements have brought about many changes in our lives. | Technology |
| The economic crisis brought about widespread unemployment. | Economics |
| His innovative ideas brought about a breakthrough in the research. | Science |
| The environmental regulations brought about cleaner air and water. | Environment |
| The peace talks brought about an end to the conflict. | International Relations |
| The educational reforms brought about higher literacy rates. | Education |
| The social media campaign brought about increased awareness of the issue. | Social Media |
| The company’s marketing strategy brought about increased sales. | Marketing |
| The new health initiative brought about improved public health. | Healthcare |
| His dedication brought about a positive outcome for the community. | Community |
| Implementing new safety measures brought about a decrease in accidents. | Safety |
| The artist’s unique style brought about a new era in art. | Art |
| The new diet brought about a significant weight loss. | Health |
| The merger brought about a stronger and more competitive company. | Business |
| The cultural exchange brought about a better understanding between the two countries. | Culture |
| The training program brought about improved skills among the employees. | Training |
| The new policy brought about stricter regulations. | Policy |
| The scientific discovery brought about a revolution in medicine. | Science |
| Her efforts brought about a successful fundraising campaign. | Fundraising |
Bring Along: To take someone or something with you.
| Example | Context |
|---|---|
| Remember to bring along your passport when you travel. | Travel |
| You can bring along a guest to the event. | Social Event |
| Don’t forget to bring along your umbrella in case it rains. | Weather |
| She decided to bring along her children to the picnic. | Family |
| He brought along his guitar to the party. | Social Gathering |
| Can I bring along my dog to the park? | Pets |
| She brought along a bottle of wine to the dinner. | Dining |
| Make sure to bring along a map if you’re hiking. | Hiking |
| He brought along his laptop to work on the project. | Work |
| They brought along snacks for the road trip. | Travel |
| Bring along your swimming suit if you want to swim. | Recreation |
| She brought along her camera to capture the scenery. | Photography |
| He brought along a book to read on the train. | Commuting |
| Remember to bring along your medication when you travel. | Health |
| They brought along their camping gear for the trip. | Camping |
| She brought along a friend for support. | Emotional Support |
| He brought along his tools to fix the car. | Automotive |
| Don’t forget to bring along the documents you need. | Business |
| They brought along their instruments for the jam session. | Music |
| She brought along her knitting needles for the long flight. | Hobbies |
| He asked if he could bring along his service dog. | Accessibility |
| We should bring along extra water for the hike. | Hiking |
| Did you bring along the charger for your phone? | Technology |
Bring Around: To persuade someone or to help someone regain consciousness.
| Example | Context |
|---|---|
| It took a while, but I finally brought him around to my way of thinking. | Persuasion |
| The smelling salts brought her around after she fainted. | Medical |
| She tried to bring her father around to the idea of moving. | Family |
| With enough evidence, we can bring the jury around. | Law |
| The doctor managed to bring the patient around after the surgery. | Medical |
| He used logic and reason to bring his opponent around. | Debate |
| The fresh air brought him around after he felt dizzy. | Health |
| She worked hard to bring her team around to her vision. | Teamwork |
| They used kindness to bring the stray dog around. | Animal Care |
| The cold water brought him around quickly. | Emergency |
| He hoped to bring his boss around to supporting the new project. | Business |
| The nurse tried to bring the unconscious patient around. | Healthcare |
| It was difficult, but she eventually brought her stubborn friend around. | Friendship |
| The aroma of coffee brought me around in the morning. | Daily Life |
| He used persuasive arguments to bring the investors around. | Finance |
| The loud noise brought the sleeping child around. | Parenting |
| She patiently tried to bring her skeptical colleagues around. | Workplace |
| The cool breeze brought her around after feeling faint. | Well-being |
| He used his charm to bring the potential client around. | Sales |
| A splash of water brought him around immediately. | First Aid |
| She had to bring herself around to the reality of the situation. | Personal Growth |
| The doctor used medication to bring the patient around. | Medicine |
| He was determined to bring his community around to support the initiative. | Community Development |
Usage Rules for “Bring” Phrasal Verbs
Using “bring” phrasal verbs correctly requires attention to several rules. One of the most important is understanding whether the phrasal verb is separable or inseparable.
As mentioned earlier, separable phrasal verbs allow the object to be placed between the verb and the particle, while inseparable phrasal verbs do not. Here are some key guidelines:
- Pronoun Objects: When the object is a pronoun (him, her, it, us, them), it almost always goes between the verb and the particle. For example: “Bring it back,” not “Bring back it.”
- Noun Objects: With noun objects, the object can often be placed either before or after the particle, depending on the phrasal verb and the context. Some phrasal verbs strongly prefer one order over the other. For example: “Bring the book back” or “Bring back the book” are both acceptable.
- Intransitive Phrasal Verbs: Some phrasal verbs with “bring” are intransitive, meaning they do not take an object. For example, “The crisis brought about changes.” In this case, there is no object to worry about separating.
- Meaning Variation: The meaning of a phrasal verb can change depending on the particle used. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the specific meaning of each phrasal verb and use it in the appropriate context.
Here’s a table summarizing separability:
| Phrasal Verb | Separable? | Example with Noun | Example with Pronoun |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bring back | Yes | Bring the book back / Bring back the book | Bring it back |
| Bring up (raise a child) | Yes | Bring the child up / Bring up the child | Bring him up |
| Bring down | Yes | Bring the price down / Bring down the price | Bring it down |
| Bring about | No | Bring about change (Correct) | Bring about it (Incorrect) |
| Bring along | Yes | Bring your friend along / Bring along your friend | Bring him along |
Common Mistakes with “Bring” Phrasal Verbs
One of the most common mistakes is incorrect word order, especially with separable phrasal verbs. Another frequent error is using the wrong particle, which changes the meaning of the verb entirely.
Here are some examples of common mistakes and their corrections:
- Incorrect: Bring back it. Correct: Bring it back. (Pronoun object)
- Incorrect: I brought up quickly the topic. Correct: I brought the topic up quickly. (Adverb placement)
- Incorrect: She brought on the party. Correct: She brought along the party. (Wrong particle)
Here are some more examples presented in a table:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Bring about it. | Bring about change. | “Bring about” is inseparable. |
| Bring the book back me. | Bring the book back to me. | Adding unnecessary preposition. |
| I will bring with me my friend. | I will bring my friend along. | Incorrect use of “with”. |
| She brought down of the shelf the book. | She brought the book down from the shelf. | Wrong preposition placement. |
| He brought on a cold because he didn’t wear a jacket. | He came down with a cold because he didn’t wear a jacket. | Misunderstanding of “bring on” meaning. |
| I need to bring back to you the money. | I need to bring the money back to you. | Better word order |
| She brought out her best qualities by working hard. | She brought her best qualities out by working hard. | Better word order |
| They brought the price down of the item. | They brought the price of the item down. | Incorrect preposition |
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of “bring” phrasal verbs with these exercises. Choose the correct phrasal verb to complete each sentence and provide your answers.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. The new policies will ______ significant changes to the company. | bring about |
| 2. Can I ______ a friend to the party? | bring along |
| 3. It took a while, but I finally ______ him ______ to my point of view. | brought, around |
| 4. Please ______ the book ______ when you’re finished reading it. | bring, back |
| 5. The scandal ______ the government ______. | brought, down |
| 6. The research ______ new insights into the disease. | brought forth |
| 7. They decided to ______ a consultant ______ to help with the project. | bring, in |
| 8. She managed to ______ the deal ______ despite the challenges. | bring, off |
| 9. Stress can ______ a headache ______. | bring, on |
| 10. That shirt ______ the color of your eyes ______. | brings, out |
Exercise 2: Sentence Completion
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. If you’re coming to the picnic, remember to ______. | bring along a blanket. |
| 2. The doctor used smelling salts to ______. | bring the patient around. |
| 3. The company is planning to ______. | bring out a new product line. |
| 4. She worked hard to ______ her children ______. | bring up her children well. |
| 5. The economic crisis is likely to ______. | bring about significant changes. |
| 6. When you visit, please ______. | bring over some snacks. |
| 7. The new coach helped to ______. | bring out the best in the team. |
| 8. The paramedics were able to ______. | bring him around after the accident. |
| 9. He didn’t want to ______ at the meeting. | bring up the sensitive topic. |
| 10. The new regulations are intended to ______. | bring down pollution levels. |
Exercise 3: Error Correction
| Question | Corrected Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. Bring back it after you’re done. | Bring it back after you’re done. |
| 2. She brought up quickly the topic. | She brought the topic up quickly. |
| 3. The changes brought about from the new policy. | The changes brought about by the new policy. |
| 4. He tried to bring around her to his idea. | He tried to bring her around to his idea. |
| 5. She will bring with her the documents. | She will bring the documents along. |
| 6. They brought down of the price. | They brought down the price. |
| 7. Don’t bring on me your problems. | Don’t bring your problems to me. |
| 8. The medicine brought through her illness. | The medicine brought her through the illness. |
| 9. He brought out his true colors in the argument. | He showed his true colors in the argument. |
| 10. Bring along it when you come. | Bring it along when you come. |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, understanding the nuances of “bring” phrasal verbs involves recognizing their idiomatic usage and subtle differences in meaning. For instance, the difference between “bring about” and “bring on” can be subtle but important.
“Bring about” generally implies a more deliberate or planned action that causes something to happen, while “bring on” often suggests an unintentional or negative consequence. Similarly, the connotations of “bring up” can vary depending on the context.
In addition to raising children, it can also mean to vomit or to introduce a sensitive topic, each requiring careful interpretation.
Furthermore, exploring the historical origins of these phrasal verbs can provide deeper insights into their meanings and usage. Many phrasal verbs have evolved over time, with their current meanings reflecting historical contexts and cultural influences.
Researching the etymology of these expressions can enhance your understanding and appreciation of the English language.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about phrasal verbs with “bring”:
- What is the difference between “bring up” and “raise”?
“Bring up” and “raise” are often used interchangeably to mean to care for and educate a child. However, “bring up” can also mean to introduce a topic in conversation, while “raise” primarily refers to the act of nurturing and educating.
- Is “bring about” separable?
No, “bring about” is an inseparable phrasal verb. The object must always follow the particle “about.” For example, “The changes brought about significant improvements,” not “The changes brought significant improvements about.”
- When should I use “bring along” instead of “take”?
“Bring along” implies taking someone or something with you to a place where you are going. “Take” is a more general term for carrying something or someone. For example, “Bring along your swimsuit” suggests you’re going to a place where swimming is possible, while “take your swimsuit” is more general.
- What does it mean to “bring someone around” to an idea?
To “bring someone around” to an idea means to persuade them to agree with or accept that idea. It implies a process of convincing or influencing someone’s opinion.
- How can I improve my understanding of phrasal verbs in general?
The best way to improve your understanding of phrasal verbs is through extensive reading and listening practice. Pay attention to how native speakers use phrasal verbs in different contexts, and make a note of any new phrasal verbs you encounter. Practice using these verbs in your own writing and speaking to solidify your understanding. Flashcards and online resources can also be helpful.
- Are there regional differences in the use of “bring” phrasal verbs?
While most “bring” phrasal verbs are widely understood, some may be more common in certain regions or dialects of English. However, the core meanings and usages are generally consistent across different regions.
- What is the difference between “bring in” and “take in”?
“Bring in” means to introduce or involve someone or something, or to earn money. “Take in” has multiple meanings, including to provide shelter, to deceive, or to make clothes smaller. The context will usually make the intended meaning clear.
- How can I avoid making mistakes with separable phrasal verbs?
Pay close attention to whether the object is a noun or a pronoun. Remember that pronouns almost always go between the verb and the particle. For noun objects, consider the natural flow of the sentence and whether separating the verb and particle sounds more natural.
Conclusion
Mastering phrasal verbs with “bring” is a significant step towards achieving fluency and a deeper understanding of the English language. These versatile expressions add nuance and color to communication, allowing you to express yourself more effectively in various contexts.
By understanding the meanings, usage rules, and common pitfalls associated with these phrasal verbs, you can avoid errors and communicate with greater confidence. Always pay attention to the context and separability of each phrasal verb to ensure accurate and appropriate usage.
Continue practicing and expanding your vocabulary to further enhance your English proficiency.
Remember, consistent practice and exposure to authentic English materials are key to mastering phrasal verbs. Don’t be afraid to experiment with these expressions in your own writing and speaking, and seek feedback from native speakers or language partners.
With dedication and effort, you can confidently use “bring” phrasal verbs and elevate your English language skills.