Phrasal verbs are combinations of verbs and one or more particles (prepositions, adverbs, or both) that together have a different meaning from the literal meanings of their individual parts.
Phrasal verbs are an essential element of English usage; a phrasal verb is a verb along with one or more particles (adverbs or prepositions), forming a new meaning. Here is a brief note on phrasal verbs in the English Language.
Types of phrasal Verbs
- Intransitive Phrasal Verbs: These do not take a direct object.
- Transitive Phrasal Verbs: These require a direct object.
- Separable Phrasal Verbs: The object can be placed between the verb and the particle.
- Inseparable Phrasal Verbs: The object does not separate the verb and the particle.
Uses of Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs are usually idiomatic, and their meanings may not be clear from a consideration of the words themselves. An example is “give up”—to quit, surrender.
These are really common in informal speech and writing and can help add texture and variety to communication. They can generally depict a vast range of emotions and actions much more tellingly.
Uses Difference
Certain phrasal verbs have a different meaning with respect to how they are used; this makes a difference in expression. For instance, ‘turn up’ could mean to increase in volume or to appear unexpectedly.
Importance of phrasal verbs
Understanding and using phrasal verbs is important if one wants to achieve fluency in English and sound more natural in conversations.
Fill-in-the-blank questions using phrasal verbs
1.She decided to ________ early to avoid traffic.
2.Can you ________ the TV? It’s too loud.
3.We need to ________ a new project manager.
4.They finally ________ their differences and made up.
5.Don’t forget to ________ your shoes before entering the house.
6.The concert was ________ due to bad weather.
7.Could you ________ this form for me, please?
8.She promised to ________ the report by Friday.
9.The teacher asked the students to ________ their homework on time.
10.He________his jacket and went outside.
Breaking it Down
- Verb + Preposition/adverb : Basic structure
- New Meaning : This combination has a meaning that not immediately obvious from the individual words
Examples of Phrasal Verbs
- Break down : To stop functioning – My car broke down on the way to work
- Call off : To cancel – We called off the meeting due to heavy rain fall
- Look forward to : To anticipate with pleasure – We are looking forward to th e weekend.
- Add up – to make sense or be reasonable.
- Ask out – to invite someone on a date.
- Back up – to support or reverse.
- Break down – to stop working or to become emotional.
- Break up – to end a relationship.
- Bring up – to mention or introduce a topic.
- Call off – to cancel something.
- Carry on – to continue doing something.
- Check in – to register or report one’s arrival.
- Check out – to examine or leave a place (like a hotel).
- Come across – to find unexpectedly.
- Come up with – to think of an idea or solution.
- Cut down on – to reduce the amount of something.
- Deal with – to manage or handle a situation.
- Dress up – to wear nice clothing for a special occasion.
- Drop by – to visit informally.
- Drop off – to deliver something or someone.
- End up – to eventually be in a certain place or situation.
- Figure out – to understand or solve something.
- Fill out – to complete a form.
- Find out – to discover information.
- Get along – to have a good relationship.
- Get away – to escape or go on vacation.
- Get back – to return to a place or situation.
- Get in – to enter a place (like a car or a building).
- Get out – to leave or escape from somewhere.
- Give up – to stop trying.
- Go ahead – to proceed with something.
- Go on – to continue.
- Grow up – to mature or become an adult.
- Hang out – to spend time with friends.
- Hold on – to wait or hold something tightly.
- Look after – to take care of.
- Look for – to search or seek something.
- Look forward to – to eagerly anticipate something.
- Make up – to invent a story or reconcile with someone.
- Move on – to proceed or leave a situation behind.
- Pass out – to lose consciousness or distribute something.
- Pick up – to collect or learn something.
- Put off – to delay or postpone something.
- Put up with – to tolerate something.
- Run into – to meet unexpectedly.
- Set up – to arrange or establish something.
- Show up – to arrive or appear at an event.
- Take after – to resemble someone in appearance or behavior.
- Take off – to ascend (like an airplane) or remove something (like clothes).
- Take over – to assume control of something.
- Turn up – to appear or arrive.
- Wake up – to stop sleeping.
- Work out – to exercise or resolve a problem.