Do phrasal verbs confuse you? You're not alone! Many English learners struggle with them. But with the right approach, phrasal verbs can become easy and even fun to learn.
In this guide, we’ll explain what phrasal verbs are, show you some of the most common ones, and give you practical examples and memory tips to help you remember them long-term.
📘 What is a Phrasal Verb?
A phrasal verb is a verb followed by a preposition or adverb (or both), and together they create a new meaning.
✅ Examples:
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“give up” = to stop trying
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“look after” = to take care of
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“run into” = to meet someone unexpectedly
➡️ Notice how the meaning changes when the verb is combined with a preposition or adverb.
🎯 Why Are Phrasal Verbs Important?
Phrasal verbs are everywhere in daily English. Native speakers use them in casual conversation, emails, and even business meetings. Learning them will help you:
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Understand real-life English
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Sound more natural and fluent
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Build stronger vocabulary fast
🧠How to Learn Phrasal Verbs Effectively
Here’s the strategy we’ll use:
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Group by topic or verb
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Use short example sentences
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Include real-life situations
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Add a memory trick
Let’s jump into some practical lessons.
📦 Lesson 1: Phrasal Verbs with "Get"
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| get up | to rise from bed | I get up at 7 a.m. every day. |
| get along (with) | to have a good relationship | She gets along with her coworkers. |
| get over | to recover from something | It took him weeks to get over the flu. |
| get by | to manage with difficulty | We don’t earn much, but we get by. |
🧠Memory Tip: Imagine a day in your life. You get up, get along with others, get by at work, and get over problems. Visualize the actions to lock them in your memory.
🗣️ Lesson 2: Phrasal Verbs for Conversation
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| bring up | to start talking about a topic | Don’t bring up politics at dinner. |
| cut in | to interrupt | He cut in while I was speaking. |
| hang out | to spend time relaxing | Let’s hang out this weekend. |
| catch up | to update or get to the same level | I need to catch up on the news. |
“Let’s hang out.”
“Sure! But first, I need to catch up on work.”
“Oh, and don’t bring up politics again!”
This makes learning conversational and easy to remember.
🚗 Lesson 3: Phrasal Verbs for Travel
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| check in | to register at a hotel or airport | We checked in at the hotel at noon. |
| take off | to leave the ground (a plane) | The plane took off on time. |
| set off | to begin a journey | We set off early to avoid traffic. |
| get in | to arrive (by car/train/plane) | What time does your train get in? |
✏️ Quick Practice: Fill in the Blanks
Try to fill in the blanks using the phrasal verbs you just learned:
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I usually _______ at 6 a.m. on weekdays.
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We _______ to Paris at 3 p.m.
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Please don’t _______ while I’m talking.
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It took me a while to _______ my cold.
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We’re going to _______ at 9 a.m. for the airport.
🟩 Answers below!
🧩 Bonus Tip: Use Flashcards + Spaced Repetition
To remember phrasal verbs long-term, use tools like Anki or Quizlet to review them regularly. Make your own flashcards with:
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The phrasal verb
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A simple definition
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A personal example
⏰ Review them every few days to lock them in your memory.
✅ Review: What You Learned
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Phrasal verbs = verb + preposition/adverb with a new meaning
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They're essential for real, fluent English
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Group them by theme for faster learning
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Use short stories, visuals, and spaced repetition to remember better
🟢 Fill in the Blanks – Answers
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get up
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get in
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cut in
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get over
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set off
✨ Final Tip
Don't try to memorize 100 phrasal verbs at once. Learn 5–10 at a time, use them in your daily conversations or writing, and review regularly.
With this method, you’ll make phrasal verbs your friend—not your enemy!
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