Phrasal Verbs in English with Examples | List of 50 Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are an essential part of the English language. They can be challenging to learn, but once you understand them, they can make your language more expressive. Phrasal verbs are verbs that consist of two or more words, the first being a basic verb, followed by a preposition or adverb. These combinations of verbs and prepositions or adverbs can have multiple meanings and can be used in a variety of contexts. In this article, we will explore what phrasal verbs are, their types with examples, and how to use them effectively. So let’s get started!

What Are Phrasal Verbs?

A phrasal verb is a multi-word expression in English that consists of a main verb combined with one or more small words (like prepositions or adverbs). These small words change the meaning of the main verb in a unique way. In other words, we can say a combination of words that includes a verb and a little word (or words) that together mean something different from what the main verb means on its own. Phrasal verbs are a distinctive feature of the English language and are used in both informal and formal communication. They play a crucial role in expressing various actions, states, and concepts. Phrasal verbs can be categorized based on factors such as transitivity (whether they take an object or not), separability (whether the object can be placed between the verb and the particle), and idiomatic meaning. For instance:

Turn on: In this phrasal verb, “turn” is the main verb, and “on” is the small word. “Turn” means to change direction or position, but when you “turn” something “on,” it means to make it start working or become active.

Example: Please turn on the TV; I want to watch a show.

Give up: Here “give” is the main verb, and “up” is the small word. “Give” alone means to provide something, but when you “give up,” it means to stop doing something, often because it’s too hard or not possible.

Example: Don’t give up on your dreams; keep trying.

Here, “wake” is the main verb, and “up” is the small word.

Wake up: Here, “wake” is the main verb, and “up” is the small word. When you “wake” and add “up,” it means to stop sleeping and become conscious in the morning.

Example: I woke up at 7:00 a.m. today.

Types of Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs can be categorized into several basic types based on their structure and usage. Here are four basic types of phrasal verbs:

Transitive Phrasal Verbs:

These are phrasal verbs that require an object after the verb and the particle. In other words, they “transfer” their action to an object. Transitive phrasal verbs can be separable or inseparable.

Transitive Phrasal Verbs (Separable):

These phrasal verbs take a direct object and are separable, meaning you can place the object between the main verb and the particle.

Example: She turned off the lights. (You can also say “She turned the lights off.”)

In this sentence, “picked up” is a transitive phrasal verb with a separable structure.

Transitive Phrasal Verbs (Inseparable):

These phrasal verbs also take a direct object, but the object must come after the particle and cannot be placed between the main verb and the particle.

Example: He ran into a friend.

In this sentence, “ran into” is a transitive phrasal verb with an inseparable structure.

Intransitive Phrasal Verbs:

These phrasal verbs do not require an object. They stand alone in a sentence and don’t transfer their action to an object.

Example: She woke up early.

In this sentence, “woke up” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn’t have a direct object.

Phrasal Nouns:

Phrasal verbs can be transformed into nouns by adding an article (usually “the”) before them, making them suitable for more formal contexts.

Example: The takeoff was smooth. (From the phrasal verb “take off.”)

In this sentence, “takeoff” is a phrasal noun derived from the phrasal verb “take off.”

Idiomatic Phrasal Verbs:

These phrasal verbs have meanings that are not always predictable from the individual words used. Their meanings are often idiomatic and context-dependent.

“Hold on”: To wait or hang on.

Example: Please hold on for a moment; I’ll be right back. (Literal meaning: physically hold onto something)

Example: I need to hold on to my hope. (Figurative meaning: maintain hope)

Phrasal Verbs with Multiple Meanings:

Many phrasal verbs have multiple meanings depending on the context. For example, “take off” can mean to remove something, like clothing or a plane taking off.

Example: She took off her coat. (Remove)

Example: The plane took off on time. (Depart)

Phrasal Verb Example Sentences

Don’t forget to turn off the lights before leaving.
Please turn on the lights; it’s getting dark.
I woke up at 7:00 a.m. today.
Please call off the meeting; I’m feeling unwell.
The storm forced us to stay in all day.
Don’t give up on your dreams; keep trying.
I ran out of coffee this morning.
I need to get up early tomorrow for work.
Can you turn down the music, please?
He tried to cheer her up with a joke.
Don’t forget to take out the trash.
I can’t wait to try out the new recipe I found.
Can you help me set up the new computer?
She had to put off her vacation because of work.
The car suddenly broke down on the highway.

Understanding the Meanings

To gain a better grip on the meanings of phrasal verbs, it’s important to approach them systematically and practice regularly. Here are some steps and strategies to help you improve your understanding of phrasal verbs: It’s crucial to remember that the meaning of a phrasal verb often differs from the sum of its parts. Let’s delve into some common meanings and examples to simplify things:

Up: When “up” is used as a particle, it often indicates an increase in intensity or completion of an action. For example:

I need to wake up early tomorrow.
They decided to speed up the project.

Down: Conversely, “down” often implies a decrease in intensity or cessation of an action:

The rain started to die down.
He had to calm down after the argument.

Out: “Out” typically means revealing something or making it public:

She finally came out with the truth.
The news broke out last night.

In: When “in” is used, it often signifies inclusion or confinement:

Let’s bring the groceries in.
They locked themselves in the room.

On: “On” can indicate the continuation or progression of an action:

We need to carry on with the meeting.
He’s been working on the project for days.

Off: “Off” implies deactivation or cessation:

Please turn the lights off.
She called the wedding off.

List of 50 Common Phrasal Verbs with Meanings

Serial #	Phrasal Verb	Meaning
1.	Act up	Misbehave or not functioning correctly
2.	Ask around	Inquire or seek information from others
3.	Back up	Make a copy or support
4.	Blow up	To explode or become angry
5.	Break down	Stop functioning or to analyze in detail
6.	Break up	End a relationship or separate into parts
7.	Call off	Cancel an event or plan
8.	Carry on	To continue
9.	Check out	Examine, investigate, or leave a hotel.
10.	Come across	To find or meet by chance
11.	Cut down	To reduce or decrease
12.	Drop off	Deliver or fall asleep quickly
13.	Figure out	Understand or solve a problem
14.	Fill out	Complete a form or document
15.	Find out	Discover or learn something
16.	Get along	Have a good relationship
17.	Give up	Quit, stop trying, or surrender
18.	Hang out	Spend time with friends
19.	Hold on	Wait or grip tightly
20.	Keep up	Maintain or stay informed
21.	Look for	Search or seek something
22.	Pick up	Lift or acquire something
23.	Point out	Indicate or mention
24.	Put off	Postpone or delay
25.	Put on	Wear clothing or organize an event
26.	Set up	Establish or arrange
27.	Show up	Arrive or become visible
28.	Take off	Remove clothing or depart
29.	Talk over	Discuss or consider something
30.	Throw away	Discard or dispose of
31.	Turn down	Reject or reduce the volume
32.	Turn off	Deactivate or lose interest
33.	Walk out	Leave a place or protest
34.	Turn up	Arrive unexpectedly or increase in volume
35.	Wake up	Stop sleeping and become alert
36.	Turn on	Activate or become interested
37.	Work out	Exercise or find a solution
38.	Back out of	Withdraw from an agreement or commitment
39.	Bring down	Lower or reduce something
40.	Call on	Visit or ask someone for help
41.	Come along	Make progress or accompany someone
42.	Cut out	Remove or stop doing something
43.	Do without	Manage without something
44.	Get over	Recover from an illness or emotional trauma
45.	Wipe out	To erase or remove completely
46.	Go over	Review or examine thoroughly
47.	Hang up	End a telephone call
48.	Run into	To encounter unexpectedly
49.	Settle down	To establish a stable life or routine
50.	Show off	To display proudly

FAQs

Q1: What are phrasal verbs?

Phrasal verbs are combinations of verbs and one or more particles (typically adverbs or prepositions) that create unique meanings not necessarily tied to the individual words in the phrase.

Q2: What is the difference between a phrasal verb and a prepositional verb?

Phrasal verbs consist of a verb and a particle, while prepositional verbs have a verb followed by a preposition. Phrasal verbs often have idiomatic meanings, while prepositional verbs usually have more straightforward meanings.

Q3: Can phrasal verbs be separated?

Yes, phrasal verbs can sometimes be separated, especially when there is an object in the sentence. For example, “I picked the book up” or “I picked up the book.” However, some phrasal verbs must remain together, like “look forward to.”

Q4: Do all phrasal verbs have multiple meanings?

Not all phrasal verbs have multiple meanings, but many do. Some phrasal verbs have more specific meanings, while others are quite versatile and can be used in various contexts.

Q5: Give some examples of phrasal verbs.

Here are a few common phrasal verbs: