Phrasal verbs are an essential part of English grammar. They are combinations of a verb and one or more particles – usually a preposition – that together take on a new meaning different from the original verb.
Learning phrasal verbs can greatly improve your fluency, understanding of spoken English, and everyday communication.
What Are Phrasal Verbs?
A phrasal verb combines a main verb with a particle (preposition or adverb) to create a new meaning. The meaning of a phrasal verb is often idiomatic, so it cannot always be understood by translating the individual words.
Examples:
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example Sentence |
| Look after | Take care of | I look after my little brother when my parents are busy. |
| Give up | Stop trying | I gave up learning guitar because it was too hard. |
| Turn on | Start a device | Can you turn on the lights, please? |
| Take off | Leave the ground / remove | The plane will take off at 9am. Please take off your shoes. |
| Run into | Meet unexpectedly | I ran into my old friend at the supermarket. |
Types of Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs can be divided into three main types:
1. Transitive Phrasal Verbs
These verbs require an object to make sense.
- Example: She turned off the computer.
- “The computer” is the object.
2. Intransitive Phrasal Verbs
These verbs do not need an object.
- Example: The plane took off on time.
3. Separable and Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
- Separable: The object can go between the verb and particle.
- Example: I looked up the word / I looked the word up.
- Inseparable: The object must follow the entire phrasal verb.
- Example: I ran into my friend yesterday. (Cannot say I ran my friend into)
Common Phrasal Verbs for Everyday Use
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example Sentence |
| Get up | Rise from bed | I get up at 7am every day. |
| Pick up | Collect / Learn | I picked up some Spanish while traveling. |
| Break down | Stop working | My car broke down on the way to work. |
| Put off | Delay / Postpone | We had to put off the meeting until next week. |
| Call off | Cancel | They called off the concert because of the rain. |
| Come across | Find unexpectedly | I came across an old diary in the attic. |
| Check out | Look at / Investigate | Check out this new café downtown. |
Tips for Learning Phrasal Verbs
- Learn in Context: Memorizing lists is hard; practice with sentences and stories.
- Group by Particle: Learn phrasal verbs with the same preposition (e.g., look after, look for, look into).
- Practice Speaking: Use phrasal verbs in daily conversation to internalize them.
- Watch & Listen: English TV shows, podcasts, and movies are full of phrasal verbs.
Practice Activity
Try creating sentences using these phrasal verbs:
- Look after
- Give up
- Take off
- Put off
- Run into
Example:
- I have to look after my cat while my neighbor is on vacation.
- I will never give up learning English.
Fun Fact About Phrasal Verbs
- Phrasal verbs are much more common in spoken English than in written English.
- Native speakers often prefer phrasal verbs over formal verbs. For example:
- “I ran into my teacher” (spoken) vs. “I met my teacher unexpectedly” (formal/written).
Final Thoughts
Phrasal verbs are a key part of mastering English. By practicing regularly, learning in context, and grouping them by particles, you can improve your comprehension and fluency in both speaking and writing.
Don’t forget to check the Grammar Page for more English grammar lessons and exercises.
