Phrasal verbs are an essential and often challenging part of the English language. They consist of a main verb and one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs) that together create meanings different from the main verb alone. Understanding these verbs can make your language more expressive and dynamic. This guide will explain what phrasal verbs are, their types, examples, and how to use them effectively.
What Are Phrasal Verbs?
A phrasal verb is a combination of a main verb and one or more small words (particles) that changes the meaning of the main verb. These combinations are widely used in both informal and formal English and help express actions, states, and concepts in a more nuanced way.
- Turn on: “Turn” means to change direction or position, but “turn on” means to activate something.
- Give up: “Give” alone means to provide, but “give up” means to stop trying.
Phrasal verbs are categorized by their transitivity, separability, and idiomatic meanings.
Common Types of Phrasal Verbs
1. Transitive Phrasal Verbs (Require an Object)
These phrasal verbs need a direct object to complete their meaning. They can be separable or inseparable.
Separable Transitive Phrasal Verbs: The object can be placed between the verb and the particle.
- She turned off the lights or She turned the lights off.
Inseparable Transitive Phrasal Verbs: The object must follow the particle.
- He ran into a friend (cannot say “ran a friend into”).
2. Intransitive Phrasal Verbs (No Object Needed)
These phrasal verbs stand alone and do not require a direct object.
- She woke up early.
3. Phrasal Nouns
Some phrasal verbs can transform into nouns by adding an article, often used in formal writing.
- The takeoff was smooth (from “take off”).
4. Idiomatic Phrasal Verbs
These phrasal verbs have idiomatic meanings that aren’t always predictable from the words alone.
- Hold on: Can mean to wait (Please hold on for a moment) or to grip tightly (Hold on to the rail).
Phrasal Verbs with Multiple Meanings
Some phrasal verbs can have different meanings depending on context. For example:
Take off can mean:
- To remove something (She took off her coat).
- To depart (The plane took off on time).
Phrasal Verb Example Sentences
Here are examples of phrasal verbs in various contexts:
- Don’t forget to turn off the lights before leaving.
- I woke up at 7:00 a.m. today.
- Can you turn down the music, please?
- He tried to cheer her up with a joke.
- She had to put off her vacation because of work.
Common Particles and Their Meanings
The particle in a phrasal verb often affects the verb’s meaning. Understanding these patterns can help:
Up: Often implies an increase or completion.
- Wake up early tomorrow.
- Speed up the project.
Down: Often indicates a decrease or stopping.
- The rain started to die down.
Out: Can mean revealing or making something public.
- She came out with the truth.
In: Usually indicates inclusion or confinement.
- Bring the groceries in.
On: Implies continuation.
- Carry on with the meeting.
Off: Usually means deactivation or cessation.
- Turn the lights off.
50 Common Phrasal Verbs and Their Meanings
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Act up | Misbehave or malfunction |
| Ask around | Inquire from others |
| Back up | Support or make a copy |
| Blow up | Explode or become angry |
| Break down | Stop functioning or analyze in detail |
| Break up | End a relationship or separate into parts |
| Call off | Cancel something |
| Carry on | Continue |
| Check out | Investigate or leave a hotel |
| Come across | Find by chance |
| Cut down | Reduce |
| Drop off | Deliver or fall asleep quickly |
| Figure out | Solve or understand |
| Fill out | Complete a form |
| Find out | Discover |
| Get along | Have a good relationship |
| Give up | Quit or stop trying |
| Hang out | Spend time socially |
| Hold on | Wait or grip tightly |
| Keep up | Maintain or stay informed |
| Look for | Search for something |
| Pick up | Lift or acquire |
| Point out | Indicate |
| Put off | Postpone |
| Put on | Wear or organize |
| Set up | Arrange or establish |
| Show up | Arrive unexpectedly |
| Take off | Remove clothing or depart |
| Talk over | Discuss |
| Throw away | Discard |
| Turn down | Reject or lower volume |
| Turn off | Deactivate |
| Walk out | Leave or protest |
| Turn up | Arrive unexpectedly or increase |
| Wake up | Stop sleeping |
| Work out | Exercise or solve |
| Back out of | Withdraw from a commitment |
| Bring down | Lower or reduce |
| Call on | Visit or request help |
| Come along | Make progress |
| Cut out | Remove or stop |
| Do without | Manage without something |
| Get over | Recover from an illness or setback |
| Wipe out | Remove completely |
| Go over | Review |
| Hang up | End a phone call |
| Run into | Meet unexpectedly |
| Settle down | Establish a stable routine |
| Show off | Display proudly |
