Phrasal Verbs in English.pdf (rules and examples)

Phrasal Verbs in English (rules and examples)

There are two-part verbs in English, one is phrasal verb and the other one is prepositional verb. This chapter will focus on phrasal verb.

What is a phrasal verb?

 In English, a phrasal verb is a form of a verb which is made up of a main verb combining with a preposition or an adverb particle (e.g. on, off, up, away).

“a phrase that consists of a verb with a preposition or adverb or both, the meaning of which is different from the meaning of its separate parts” (dictionary.cambridge.org).

Note: Adverb particle, which is a short adverb e.g. up, out, off and they are used as part of a phrasal verb (e.g. pop up, look out, turn off).

Some essential usages of phrasal verb list below.

a. Idiomatic meaning of a phrasal verb

The meaning of a two-word verb is often different from the individual word. For example, War broke out in 1913. Broke out is not the same meaning as broke + out. Benjamin always looks down on me. It does not mean that he looks down from a higher place at me and I am below.  It means that he thinks he is better than me. 

b. Phrasal verb can be used in two different ways.

i. Phrasal verb with object (transitive): Could you switch the light off?

ii. Phrasal verb without object ( intransitive): Ana got up at 6:00 today.

Note:

→Transitive verb: a verb that is used with an object.

→Intransitive verb:  a verb that does not require an object.

c. Position of adverb particles with object:

Adverb particles can be used either before or after noun object in a sentence. For example, He turned off the light or he turned the light off.

Incorrect: Give back  me my pen.

Correct: Give me back my pen or Give me my pen back.

On the other hand, they can only be used after pronoun object instead of proceeding before it, such as,

 Incorrect: He turned off it.

 Correct: He turned it off.

Common and Essential Phrasal Verbs

Some important phrasal verbs with examples list below which are mostly used in informal and formal conversation and in academic writing as well.  

→ask around: to ask the same question to many people: He asked around, but nobody could give him the directions to the library.

→ask out: to invite someone out: He asks her out sometime.

→break in: to interrupt: The ZDF TV station broke in to report the news of the bus accident in Madeira.

→break up: to end a relationship: Tom and Jerry have broken up.

→brush up (on) sth: to improve knowledge: I will brush up my Portuguese before  my trip to Braga.

→call back: to return a call: I am busy right now. I will call you back later.

→calm down: to stop feeling angry or upset: Calm down, we can figure it out.

→carry on: to continue doing something: I will carry on writing some contents for my Site.

→check in: (German: einchecken): to arrive and register at a hotel/airport: You will get the key for your room when you check in.

→check out: (German: auschecken): to leave: We checked out of/from the hotel at 11 a.m.

→check out: to prove or investigate to be true/correct: The police checked the lady out.

→chill out: to relax: I am just chilling out right now in front of my laptop.

→come up: to move forwards or appear: When we went to supermarket , a young girl came up to us and asked for money.

→dress up: to wear formal or nice clothes: I do not need to dress up to go the supermarket.

→drop out: to quit an activity ( e.g. school, class etc.): He dropped out of the python class because it was too difficult for him.

→fill in: to complete a blank form writing information it: Please fill in the form with your name and address.

→figure out: to solve something (sth) or understand: Have you figured out how much the trip will cost to Braga.

→fit in:  to be socially compatible with other people: He joined the club last year but he never fitted in.

→get up: to wake up or stand up:  Ana always gets up early.

→give up: to stop trying or guessing: After twenty minutes trying to solve the math he gave up.

→help out: to help someone (specially in a difficult situation): He promised that he would help out.

→keep on doing sth: to continue doing sth: He kept on  learning German. 

→lie down: to rest briefly, usually on or in a bed: I need to lie down before I pop out tonight.

→look down on somebody (sb): to consider as inferior or unimportant: He thinks I look  down on him because he does not have a job.

→look forward to: to hope or wait: I am looking forward to the weekend or I am looking forward to seeing you.

→pick up: to receive a phone call: He called me but I could not pick up.

→pick up: to go somewhere and collect someone in a car: He picked me up at 10 a.m.

→plug in: (German: einstecken: to connectct an electronic equipment: Can you see whether the printer is plugged in?

→pop in: to visit for a short time: I can pop in later for a cup of Caro if you like.

→pop up: to appear: I will pop up in the conference at 10 a.am.

→pop out: to go outside or come out: I will pop out for a walk.

→pop back: to return, to come back: Today Ana popped back home afternoon at about 5.00.

→read out: to read sth aloud: Can you read the last few sentences  out to me, please.

→set up: to start sth new (e.g. business): He plans to set up an online business.

→stand up: to rise to an upright position from a sitting or lying position: A student at the back stood up and asked a question.

→take away: to buy food at a cafe, shop or restaurant and eat somewhere else: Ana ordered a sandwich to take away.

→take off: to fly (aircraft): The plane took off at 10 a.m.

→take sth off: to remove sth ( e.g. a piece of clothing): She took off her socks and shoes and sat at the lake.

→turn off: to switch off: Do not forget to turn the light off when you pop out.

→turn on: to switch on: Ana turned the light on when she popped back home.

→wake up: to stop sleeping or become awake: Sometimes I wake up late in the morning.

→wrap up: to fold or cover sth in paper, clothes etc.: I have not wrapped up  the  gift card yet.

To get the PDF file for free, just click on  "Phrasal Verbs in English.pdf..Download" option below.

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References

PHRASAL VERB: meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/phrasal-verb

Swan, M. (2016). Practical English usage. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Vorderman, C. (2013). Help your kids with English: A unique step-by-step visual guide. London: Dorling Kindersley.