Sometimes, learning English can be like walking through a thick maze.
All the different grammar rules, the strange vocabulary, the idioms that make no sense at all.
Then compare this with the fact that the English language is constantly evolving and changing as other words and phrases from around the world become attached to it.
No wonder English learners have such difficulty coming to terms with the language and how to learn it!
One area that often causes further confusion is the subject of phrasal verbs.
Phrasal verbs are a unique combination of verbs and particles that carry very specific meanings. Still, these meanings often cannot be found in the individual smaller parts of each phrasal verb itself.
In the following guide, I would like to unravel some of the mysteries behind common English phrasal verbs and help shed some light on how to use them and their meanings.
Come with me and let’s take a look at English phrasal verbs together!
What Are Phrasal Verbs?
Before we dive headfirst into the intricacies of phrasal verbs, I think we should try to establish a clear understanding of what they are.
A phrasal verb consists of a verb and one or more particles. These particles can be prepositions or adverbs.
When you combine all of these parts together, the particles can cause a significant change to the meaning of the main verb. This results in a completely new expression altogether.
Let’s look at two examples to make this clear.
Look at the following two English phrasal verbs.
Run Into
Give Up
Now with the first phrase, Run Into, the verb Run means to move swiftly on your feet.
But if we combine it with Into, the expression changes to encountering or meeting someone unexpectedly.
It doesn’t literally mean that you were running and collided with another person!
And with the second phrase, Give Up, the verb Give means to provide something. Or to pass to another person.
However, if we combine Give with Up, it now means to stop doing something or to quit a bad habit.
This is what makes learning phrasal verbs so difficult for English learners!
The verb often changes meaning and you can see where the confusion could start.
I want to show you how you can divide phrasal verbs into two distinct categories. This makes it somewhat easier to learn.
Let’s dive right in…
Separable vs. Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
As I just said, phrasal verbs can be divided into two types.
Separable
Inseparable
Once you understand this distinction, it will help you to use phrasal verbs correctly.
Ready? Let’s go!
1. Separable Phrasal Verbs:
In these kinds of phrasal verbs, the object of the sentence can separate the verb and the particle.
Let me show you an example.
If we look at the following sentence:
He turned the TV on
We can see that the separable phrasal verb is Turned On.
And you can place the object — the TV — in the middle between the verb and the particle.
Please bear in mind that we can also say
He turned on the TV
too.
You can use both forms!
Let me show you another example:
She put the meeting off.
Here, we can see that the phrasal verb is Put Off.
And we can put the object — the meeting — in the middle of the phrasal verb.
And, just as before, we can also say
She put off the meeting.
Both forms are perfectly acceptable!
2. Inseparable Phrasal Verbs:
Now, as the name clearly suggests, in these types of phrasal verbs, the verb and the particle cannot be separated.
Let me show you an example…
If we look at the sentence
They looked after their grandmother.
The phrasal verb here is Looked After. And you cannot put the subject — the grandmother — between the verb and the particle.
So, we cannot say:
They looked their grandmother after.
This is not right!
Let me show you another example to clarify this.
If we look at the following question:
Do you get along with your neighbours?
We can see that the phrasal verb here is Get Along With.
All of these parts — the verb and the two particles — must be together.
So we cannot say:
Do you get your neighbours along with?
Or
Do you get along your neighbours with?
Both are wrong!
Remember: with inseparable phrasal verbs, all parts of the phrasal verb must stay together.
Now let’s look at some common phrasal verbs that we can use in English.
Common Phrasal Verbs and Their Meanings
So now we understand the ground rules between separable and inseparable phrasal verbs, we should probably look at some commonly used phrasal verbs to understand their meanings and how to use them correctly.
Let’s get into it right now!
Separable Phrasal Verbs
First, let’s look at separable phrasal verbs.
I have included some examples below.
Remember: separable phrasal verbs can be separated, so I have provided both ways to express the example sentences.
Turn On
This means to start a device or light by pressing a switch or a button.
She turned on the radio to listen to some music while driving home.
She turned the radio on to listen to some music while driving home.
Turn Off
And this means to stop a device or light by also pressing a switch or a button.
He turned off all the lights before going to bed.
He turned all the lights off before going to bed.
Call Up
The meaning here is to make a telephone call to someone.
I’ll call up my friend to invite him to the party.
I’ll call my friend up to invite him to the party.
Look Up
This means to search for information using a source of reference.
I need to look up this word in the dictionary.
I need to look this word up in the dictionary.
Bring Up
And here the meaning is to mention or introduce a topic during a conversation.
She brought up the idea of a Christmas party during the meeting.
She brought the Christmas party up during the meeting.
Put Off
If you use this phrasal verb, it means to postpone or delay an event or activity.
They decided to put off the meeting until next week.
They decided to put the meeting off until next week.
Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
And here I have included some examples of inseparable phrasal verbs.
Only ONE way to use these phrasal verbs!
Run Into
This means to meet someone unexpectedly.
I ran into Sarah at the supermarket yesterday.
Not: I ran Sarah into…
Look After
The meaning here is to take care of someone or something.
Can you look after my cat while I’m on holiday?
Not: can you look my cat after…
Count On
This means to depend on or rely upon someone.
I’m counting on you to help me with this project.
Not: I’m counting you on…
Get Rid Of
When you use this phrasal verb, it means to throw away.
We need to get rid of these old clothes!
Not: We need to get these old clothes rid of…
Put Up With
This means to tolerate something unpleasant.
I can’t put up with his rude behaviour anymore!
Not: I can’t put his rude behaviour up with…
Take After
And this phrasal verb means to resemble in looks or personality.
She takes after her mother in her kind temperament.
Not: She takes her mother after….
Tips For Using Phrasal Verbs Effectively
You cannot just master phrasal verbs overnight.
It takes time and practice.
I want to add some tips here to help you learn and use phrasal verbs effectively.
Let’s dive right in…
1. Context Matters:
You must pay attention to the context in which the phrasal verb is being used.
The context can provide useful clues about the meanings.
2. Learn Phrasal Verbs in Context:
And try to learn phrasal verbs in context too.
What I mean by this is; do not learn long lists of phrasal verbs on their own.
Instead, learn them in sentences so you can see how and in which context they should be used.
This way you can fully understand how they function in real-life conversations.
3. Read Widely:
I am a big fan of reading! And reading can really help you learn all the different forms of phrasal verbs and how to use them correctly.
Read books, stories, articles… read everything. It will all help you with learning phrasal verbs.
4. Practice Regularly:
You must practice!
Try to include phrasal verbs in your writing and in your speaking. Start small with just one or two common phrasal verbs and add them to your range of spoken and written English.
5. Be Patient:
And please be patient!
Be kind to yourself and give yourself time to learn phrasal verbs.
It is a gradual process, and you cannot do this in one day.
You will encounter some difficult or confusing times, but persevere and you will get there in the end.
Conclusion
When you start to learn phrasal verbs, you might find the whole process daunting or even intimidating.
But phrasal verbs are an essential part of learning English.
With the right amount of dedication and practice, you should be able to conquer them easily.
Just start slow and small. Learn just one or two common phrasal verbs and build those into your everyday English.
Keep adding more phrasal verbs and you will soon become more comfortable in how to use them correctly.
Mastering phrasal verbs is a key step to help you become and sound more fluent in English. The more you learn how to use English phrasal verbs, the more natural you will sound when speaking English.
Make a start today and you are on your way!
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