Phrasal verbs are an important part of English. They are made up of a verb and one or two particles (prepositions or adverbs). Together, they create a meaning that may be different from the original verb. Learning them will help you sound more natural in conversations.
A: Hey, do you know what "pick up" means?
B: Yes, it can mean to lift something or to learn something quickly. For example, "I need to pick up my keys from the table" or "She picked up Spanish while living in Spain."
A: Oh, that makes sense! What about "give up"?
B: "Give up" means to stop trying. Like, "I won't give up on my dream!"
What is a phrasal verb?
A phrasal verb is a combination of:
Verb (e.g., "take," "put," "run")
Particle (e.g., "up," "off," "into")
The meaning of the phrasal verb is not always easy to guess from the individual words. For example:
Take off = to remove clothes or to leave quickly (e.g., "She took off her jacket." / "The plane took off at noon.")
Types of phrasal verbs
- Transitive phrasal verbs (need an object):
Example: "Turn off the lights."
("Lights" is the object.)
- Intransitive phrasal verbs (do not need an object):
Example: "The car broke down."
(No object is needed.)
- Separable phrasal verbs (the object can go between the verb and the particle):
Example: "Turn off the TV." or "Turn the TV off."
- Inseparable phrasal verbs (the object cannot go between the verb and the particle):
Example: "I will look after the kids."
(You cannot say "look the kids after.")
Common phrasal verbs and their meanings
Here are some common phrasal verbs you can start using today:
Get up = to rise from bed.
Example: "I get up at 7 a.m. every day."
Put on = to wear something.
Example: "She put on her jacket before going outside."
Run into = to meet someone by chance.
Example: "I ran into an old friend at the mall."
Look after = to take care of.
Example: "He looks after his younger brother."
Give up = to stop trying.
Example: "Don’t give up on your dreams."
Take out = to remove something.
Example: "Please take out the trash."
Tips for learning phrasal verbs
Group them by topic
Example: For travel, learn "set off," "check in," and "get on."
Learn them in context
Create sentences using the phrasal verbs so you remember how to use them naturally.
Practice with real-life examples
Use phrasal verbs in conversations or write short paragraphs with them.
Keep a list
Write down new phrasal verbs you hear or read and review them regularly.
Use apps or flashcards
Many apps can help you practice phrasal verbs with quizzes and games.
Phrasal verbs may seem tricky at first, but with practice, they will become easier to use. Start small, and soon you will feel more confident using them in everyday English!
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