Phrasal verbs are an essential part of the English language, adding color and nuance to everyday conversation and writing. They can be tricky for English language learners because their meaning isn’t always obvious from the individual words they comprise.
Understanding phrasal verbs and how to use them correctly is crucial for achieving fluency and comprehending native English speakers. This article provides a comprehensive guide to phrasal verbs, covering their definition, structure, types, usage rules, common mistakes, and practice exercises.
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this guide will help you master the art of using phrasal verbs effectively.
Table of Contents
- Definition of Phrasal Verbs
- Structural Breakdown of Phrasal Verbs
- Types and Categories of Phrasal Verbs
- Examples of Phrasal Verbs
- Usage Rules for Phrasal Verbs
- Common Mistakes with Phrasal Verbs
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics in Phrasal Verbs
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Conclusion
Definition of Phrasal Verbs
A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and one or two particles (prepositions or adverbs) that creates a new meaning different from the original verb. The particle changes or adds to the meaning of the verb, creating a unique expression.
Phrasal verbs are common in spoken and informal written English, making them essential for understanding and communicating effectively.
For example, consider the verb “look.” On its own, it means to direct your eyes in a particular direction. However, when combined with the particle “up” in the phrasal verb “look up,” it means to search for information in a reference book or online.
Similarly, “look after” means to take care of someone or something.
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 the object). Understanding these characteristics is important for using phrasal verbs correctly in sentences.
Structural Breakdown of Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs typically consist of two or three parts: a verb and one or two particles. These particles can be prepositions (e.g., on, at, in, to) or adverbs (e.g., up, down, away, out). The combination of these elements creates a new meaning that is often idiomatic.
The basic structure of a phrasal verb is:
Verb + Particle(s)
For example:
- Give up (verb: give, particle: up)
- Look after (verb: look, particle: after)
- Put up with (verb: put, particles: up, with)
The meaning of the phrasal verb is usually different from the meanings of the individual words. This is what makes them challenging for language learners.
It’s important to learn phrasal verbs as distinct vocabulary items.
Types and Categories of Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs can be categorized based on several factors, including transitivity and separability. Understanding these categories helps in using them correctly.
Transitivity: Transitive vs. Intransitive
Transitive phrasal verbs require a direct object. The action of the verb is performed on something or someone. For example, in the sentence “She turned down the offer,” “turned down” is a transitive phrasal verb, and “the offer” is the direct object.
Intransitive phrasal verbs do not require a direct object. The action of the verb is complete in itself. For example, in the sentence “The plane took off,” “took off” is an intransitive phrasal verb.
Separability: Separable vs. Inseparable
Separable phrasal verbs allow the object to be placed between the verb and the particle. This is especially common when the object is a pronoun. For example, “Turn off the light” can also be written as “Turn the light off” or “Turn it off.”
Inseparable phrasal verbs do not allow the object to be placed between the verb and the particle. The verb and particle must stay together. For example, you can say “Look after the children” but not “Look the children after.”
It’s important to note that some phrasal verbs can be both separable and inseparable, depending on the context and the specific phrasal verb.
Examples of Phrasal Verbs
This section provides extensive examples of phrasal verbs, categorized by separability and transitivity, to illustrate their usage in different contexts.
Separable Phrasal Verbs
Separable phrasal verbs allow the object to be placed between the verb and the particle. Here are some examples:
The following table provides examples of separable phrasal verbs, demonstrating how the object can be placed between the verb and the particle, especially when the object is a pronoun.
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example Sentence (Object at the End) | Example Sentence (Object in the Middle) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bring up | Raise a child | They brought up their children in the countryside. | They brought their children up in the countryside. |
| Call off | Cancel | They called off the meeting. | They called the meeting off. |
| Fill out | Complete a form | Please fill out this application form. | Please fill this application form out. |
| Look up | Find information | I need to look up his phone number. | I need to look his phone number up. |
| Pick up | Collect | Can you pick up the groceries? | Can you pick the groceries up? |
| Take off | Remove (clothing) | Please take off your shoes before entering. | Please take your shoes off before entering. |
| Turn on | Activate | Can you turn on the light? | Can you turn the light on? |
| Turn off | Deactivate | Please turn off the television before you leave. | Please turn the television off before you leave. |
| Throw away | Discard | I should throw away these old newspapers. | I should throw these old newspapers away. |
| Put on | Wear | She put on her coat and left. | She put her coat on and left. |
| Try on | Test clothing for fit | He tried on several shirts. | He tried several shirts on. |
| Hand in | Submit | You need to hand in your assignment tomorrow. | You need to hand your assignment in tomorrow. |
| Give back | Return something | Please give back my book when you’re finished. | Please give my book back when you’re finished. |
| Write down | Note | Could you write down the address for me? | Could you write the address down for me? |
| Take back | Withdraw a statement | I take back what I said earlier. | I take what I said earlier back. |
| Cut out | Remove with scissors | I cut out the article from the newspaper. | I cut the article out from the newspaper. |
| Cross out | Delete by drawing a line | Cross out the wrong answer. | Cross the wrong answer out. |
| Blow up | Inflate | Can you blow up the balloons? | Can you blow the balloons up? |
| Tear up | rip into pieces | She tore up the letter in anger. | She tore the letter up in anger. |
| Switch on | Activate, turn on | Please switch on the lights. | Please switch the lights on. |
| Switch off | Deactivate, turn off | Don’t forget to switch off the oven. | Don’t forget to switch the oven off. |
Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
Inseparable phrasal verbs do not allow the object to be placed between the verb and the particle. The verb and particle must remain together.
Here are some examples:
The following table provides examples of inseparable phrasal verbs, illustrating that the object must always follow the particle.
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example Sentence | Incorrect Sentence (Object in the Middle) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Look after | Take care of | She looks after her younger brother. | She looks her younger brother after. (Incorrect) |
| Run into | Meet unexpectedly | I ran into an old friend at the store. | I ran an old friend into at the store. (Incorrect) |
| Get over | Recover from | It took me a while to get over the flu. | It took me a while to get the flu over. (Incorrect) |
| Look forward to | Anticipate with pleasure | I’m looking forward to the vacation. | I’m looking the vacation forward to. (Incorrect) |
| Get along with | Have a good relationship with | They get along with their neighbors. | They get their neighbors along with. (Incorrect) |
| Deal with | Tackle, handle | I need to deal with this problem immediately. | I need to deal this problem with immediately. (Incorrect) |
| Count on | Rely on | You can always count on me for support. | You can always count me on for support. (Incorrect) |
| Give in | Surrender, yield | The company finally gave in to the demands. | The company finally gave the demands in. (Incorrect) |
| Break into | Enter illegally | Someone broke into our house last night. | Someone broke our house into last night. (Incorrect) |
| Come across | Find unexpectedly | I came across an interesting article online. | I came an interesting article across online. (Incorrect) |
| Get through | Complete successfully | We finally got through the project. | We finally got the project through. (Incorrect) |
| Put up with | Tolerate | I can’t put up with his behavior any longer. | I can’t put his behavior up with any longer. (Incorrect) |
| Run out of | Have no more of | We’ve run out of milk. | We’ve run milk out of. (Incorrect) |
| Go through | Experience | She’s going through a difficult time. | She’s going a difficult time through. (Incorrect) |
| Look into | Investigate | The police are looking into the matter. | The police are looking the matter into. (Incorrect) |
| Get by | Manage to survive | It’s hard to get by on such a small salary. | It’s hard to get a small salary by on such. (Incorrect) |
| Hold on | Wait | Please hold on a moment while I check. | Please hold a moment on while I check. (Incorrect) |
| Turn into | Transform | The caterpillar turned into a butterfly. | The caterpillar turned the butterfly into. (Incorrect) |
| Drop in on | Visit informally | We might drop in on you later. | We might drop you in on later. (Incorrect) |
| Check in | Register at a hotel | We need to check in at the hotel. | We need to check the hotel in at. (Incorrect) |
Intransitive Phrasal Verbs
Intransitive phrasal verbs do not take a direct object. The action is complete without needing to act upon something else.
The following table provides examples of intransitive phrasal verbs, which do not require a direct object. These verbs describe actions that are complete in themselves.
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Take off | (of a plane) Ascend | The plane took off on time. |
| Show up | Arrive | He didn’t show up for the meeting. |
| Grow up | Mature | She grew up in a small town. |
| Pass away | Die (euphemism) | Her grandfather passed away last year. |
| Wake up | Stop sleeping | I wake up early every morning. |
| Calm down | Become less agitated | Please calm down and tell me what happened. |
| Come on | Hurry up | Come on, we’re going to be late! |
| Give up | Stop trying | Don’t give up, you’re almost there! |
| Log off | Disconnect from a computer system | Remember to log off when you’re finished. |
| Move on | Progress to another topic | Let’s move on to the next item on the agenda. |
| Set off | Begin a journey | We set off early in the morning. |
| Shut up | Stop talking | Just shut up and listen! |
| Catch on | Understand | It took me a while to catch on. |
| Drop off | Decrease | The number of attendees dropped off significantly. |
| Fall through | Fail to happen | Our plans fell through at the last minute. |
| Get up | Rise from bed | I get up at 6 am every day. |
| Go on | Continue | Please go on with your story. |
| Hang on | Wait briefly | Hang on a second, I’ll be right back. |
| Keep up | Maintain pace | It’s hard to keep up with the latest trends. |
| Pass out | Faint | He passed out from the heat. |
Usage Rules for Phrasal Verbs
Using phrasal verbs correctly involves understanding their transitivity, separability, and idiomatic meanings. Here are some key rules to keep in mind:
- Transitivity: Use transitive phrasal verbs with a direct object and intransitive phrasal verbs without one.
- Separability: For separable phrasal verbs, place the object between the verb and particle, especially when the object is a pronoun.
- Word Order: Pay attention to the correct word order, especially with separable phrasal verbs.
- Meaning: Always consider the specific meaning of the phrasal verb, as it may differ from the individual words.
- Context: Ensure the phrasal verb is appropriate for the context, as some are more formal or informal than others.
For separable phrasal verbs, remember that if the object is a pronoun (it, them, him, her, us), it must go between the verb and the particle. For example, “Turn it off” is correct, but “Turn off it” is incorrect.
Common Mistakes with Phrasal Verbs
One of the most common mistakes is separating inseparable phrasal verbs or not separating separable ones correctly. Here are some examples of common mistakes and their corrections:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| She looks her brother after. | She looks after her brother. | “Look after” is inseparable. |
| Turn off it. | Turn it off. | Pronouns must go between separable phrasal verbs. |
| I ran an old friend into. | I ran into an old friend. | “Run into” is inseparable. |
| I’m looking the vacation forward to. | I’m looking forward to the vacation. | “Look forward to” is inseparable. |
| He gave the task up. | He gave up the task. (or He gave it up.) | “Give up” is separable, but the pronoun must be in the middle. |
| We discussed about the problem. | We discussed the problem. | “Discuss” doesn’t need a preposition in this context. |
| I explained him the situation. | I explained the situation to him. | The structure requires “to” before the indirect object. |
| You must listen to me! | You must listen to what I say! | “Listen to” requires an object. |
| She waited him. | She waited for him. | “Wait” requires “for” when referring to a person. |
| He entered in the room. | He entered the room. | “Enter” doesn’t require “in”. |
Another common mistake is using the wrong preposition or adverb with a verb, creating a non-existent or incorrect phrasal verb. For example, saying “look at” instead of “look up” when searching for information.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of phrasal verbs with these exercises. Fill in the blanks with the correct phrasal verb from the list provided.
Here are some practice exercises to help you solidify your understanding of phrasal verbs. Each exercise focuses on different aspects of phrasal verb usage, including separability, transitivity, and meaning.
Answers are provided at the end of each exercise.
Exercise 1: Separable or Inseparable?
Decide whether the phrasal verb is separable or inseparable. If separable, rewrite the sentence with the object in the middle.
If inseparable, write “inseparable.”
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. Please turn off the lights. | Separable: Please turn the lights off. |
| 2. She looks after her sister. | Inseparable |
| 3. Can you pick up the kids? | Separable: Can you pick the kids up? |
| 4. I ran into an old friend. | Inseparable |
| 5. They called off the meeting. | Separable: They called the meeting off. |
| 6. We need to look after our planet. | Inseparable |
| 7. He took off his coat. | Separable: He took his coat off. |
| 8. She gave back the book. | Separable: She gave the book back. |
| 9. They are looking forward to their vacation. | Inseparable |
| 10. I threw away the old newspapers. | Separable: I threw the old newspapers away. |
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct phrasal verb from the list: look after, get over, put up with, run into, take off.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. She needs to ______ her illness before returning to work. | get over |
| 2. I can’t ______ his rude behavior any longer. | put up with |
| 3. The plane will ______ in a few minutes. | take off |
| 4. I ______ an old classmate at the grocery store. | ran into |
| 5. Can you ______ my dog while I’m on vacation? | look after |
| 6. He had to ______ his shoes before coming in. | take off |
| 7. It took her months to ______ the loss of her pet. | get over |
| 8. They couldn’t ______ the noise from the construction site. | put up with |
| 9. We decided to ______ the trip because of the weather. | call off |
| 10. The business is planning to ______ new products next year. | bring out |
Exercise 3: Choose the Correct Phrasal Verb
Choose the correct phrasal verb from the options given to complete the sentence.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. I need to ______ my keys. (a) look for (b) look at (c) look after | (a) look for |
| 2. The company decided to ______ a new product. (a) bring up (b) bring out (c) bring in | (b) bring out |
| 3. She ______ her children very well. (a) brings up (b) brings in (c) brings out | (a) brings up |
| 4. We need to ______ the problem quickly. (a) deal with (b) deal in (c) deal at | (a) deal with |
| 5. He ______ smoking last year. (a) gave in (b) gave up (c) gave on | (b) gave up |
| 6. The fire fighters managed to ______ the fire quickly. (a) put out (b) put on (c) put up | (a) put out |
| 7. Don’t forget to ______ the lights before you leave. (a) turn in (b) turn up (c) turn off | (c) turn off |
| 8. How do you ______ your free time? (a) fill out (b) fill in (c) fill up | (b) fill in |
| 9. It’s important to ______ with the latest news. (a) keep up (b) keep on (c) keep in | (a) keep up |
| 10. Can you ______ the music a little, please? (a) turn up (b) turn in (c) turn on | (a) turn up |
Advanced Topics in Phrasal Verbs
For advanced learners, it’s helpful to understand more nuanced aspects of phrasal verbs, such as their register (formal or informal), regional variations, and metaphorical extensions. Some phrasal verbs have multiple meanings, depending on the context.
For example, “run into” can mean “meet unexpectedly” or “collide with.”
Furthermore, understanding the etymology (origin) of some phrasal verbs can aid in comprehension. Many phrasal verbs have historical roots that shed light on their current meanings.
Exploring the use of phrasal verbs in idioms and figurative language can also enhance your understanding and fluency. For instance, “kick the bucket” is an idiom that means “to die.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some frequently asked questions about phrasal verbs:
- What is the difference between a phrasal verb and a prepositional verb?A phrasal verb is a verb combined with an adverb or preposition that creates a new meaning. A prepositional verb is a verb followed by a preposition that modifies the verb but doesn’t necessarily create a new meaning. The preposition in a prepositional verb always governs a noun or pronoun. For example, “look at” is a prepositional verb because “at” is followed by a noun or pronoun, while “look up” (meaning to research) is a phrasal verb.
- How can I memorize phrasal verbs more easily?Memorizing phrasal verbs can be challenging, but using flashcards, reading extensively, and practicing them in context can help. Try to learn them in groups based on their meaning or the verb they use. For example, learn all the phrasal verbs with “get” or “look” together. Also, create example sentences that are relevant to your life to make them more memorable.
- Are there any rules to determine if a phrasal verb is separable or inseparable?Unfortunately, there is no foolproof rule to determine whether a phrasal verb is separable or inseparable. However, a general guideline is that if the particle is closely linked to the verb to create a new meaning, it’s more likely to be inseparable. Also, phrasal verbs with three parts (verb + two particles) are always inseparable. The best way to learn is through exposure and practice.
- Can I use phrasal verbs in formal writing?Generally, phrasal verbs are more common in spoken and informal written English. In formal writing, it’s often better to use a single-word verb with a similar meaning. For example, instead of “find out,” use “discover.” However, some phrasal verbs are acceptable in formal writing, especially if there is no clear alternative.
- What should I do if I don’t understand a phrasal verb?If you encounter an unfamiliar phrasal verb, try to guess its meaning from the context. If that doesn’t work, look it up in a dictionary specifically designed for phrasal verbs. Online resources and language learning apps can also be helpful. Don’t be afraid to ask native speakers for clarification.
- How can I practice using phrasal verbs in my daily conversations?Make a conscious effort to incorporate phrasal verbs into your everyday speech. Start by using one or two new phrasal verbs each day. Listen to native speakers and pay attention to how they use phrasal verbs. You can also practice with a language partner or tutor.
- Are there regional differences in the use of phrasal verbs?Yes, there can be regional differences in the use of phrasal verbs. Some phrasal verbs may be more common in certain English-speaking countries or regions. Be aware of these variations and try to adapt your language accordingly when communicating with people from different regions.
- How do I know which particle to use with a particular verb to create a phrasal verb?The combination of a verb and a particle to form a phrasal verb is often idiomatic, meaning it’s not always predictable. It’s best to learn common combinations through exposure and practice. Dictionaries and language resources can provide lists of phrasal verbs with specific verbs and their corresponding particles.
Conclusion
Phrasal verbs are a vital component of the English language, enriching both spoken and written communication. While they can be challenging to master, understanding their structure, types, and usage rules is key to achieving fluency.
By studying examples, practicing regularly, and paying attention to context, you can confidently incorporate phrasal verbs into your vocabulary.
Remember that consistent practice and exposure are essential for mastering phrasal verbs. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – they are a natural part of the learning process.
Embrace the challenge and enjoy the journey of expanding your English language skills. Keep learning, keep practicing, and you’ll soon find yourself using phrasal verbs with ease and confidence.