Phrasal verbs are groups of words that combine a verb with an adverb or a preposition and create a new verbal phrase. As such, the meaning of a phrasal verb is unrelated to the meaning of separate words that create it, so we think of phrasal verbs as of entirely new, independent words.
Phrasal verbs act the same as other verbs and can function as the main verb in a sentence, and we can conjugate into every type of verb form.
Example
Explanation
Usually, I get up earlier in the summer.
Get up is a phrasal verb that consists of the verb get, which alone means to "acquire" and the preposition up, which alone describes the movement towards a higher place or position. When combined, these words create a phrasal verb get up that means "rise from bed after sleeping" in this context.
Separable Phrasal Verbs
Rule 1: Separable phrasal verbs always have a direct object, which we can put in the middle of a separable phrasal verb, in between the verb and the participle.
Example
Explanation
Pick up a book, please, and put it on a shelf.
Pick a book up, please, and put it on a shelf.
Pick up is a separable phrasal verb, and the noun book is the object, so both word orders are acceptable.
Note: If the object is a pronoun, we must place it in the middle of a separable phrasal verb.
Example
Explanation
Pick it up, please, and put it on a shelf.
Pick up is a phrasal verb, and the object it is a pronoun, so we must put it in the middle of a phrasal verb.
Here are some of the most commonly used separable phrasal verbs in English:
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| back up | support or defend someone | He always backs up his little sister. |
| call off | cancel | We should call the meeting off. |
| check out | verify a person or thing | Please check out the tickets before booking the hotel. |
| fill up | fill something completely | I need to fill my water bottle up before biking. |
| get back | have something returned | I would like to get my money back for this order. |
| give away | donate or give something for free | It's time to give your childhood toys away. |
| let know | tell someone something | Please let me know if you need anything. |
| set up | arrange or organize | Will you help me set up the party for this weekend? |
| turn down | reject | I will have to turn this offer down. |
| put on | wear or add something | You should put a raincoat on before going outside. |
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| back up | support or defend someone | He always backs up his little sister. |
| call off | cancel | We should call the meeting off. |
| check out | verify a person or thing | Please check out the tickets before booking the hotel. |
| fill up | fill something completely | I need to fill my water bottle up before biking. |
| get back | have something returned | I would like to get my money back for this order. |
| give away | donate or give something for free | It's time to give your childhood toys away. |
| let know | tell someone something | Please let me know if you need anything. |
| set up | arrange or organize | Will you help me set up the party for this weekend? |
| turn down | reject | I will have to turn this offer down. |
| put on | wear or add something | You should put a raincoat on before going outside. |
Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
Rule 2: Inseparable phrasal verbs must be used together and cannot be split up, meaning that the direct object always comes after them.
Example
Explanation
It is always difficult to get through the grammar units.
Get through is an inseparable phrasal verb, so the direct object grammar units comes after it.
Here are some of the most commonly used inseparable phrasal verbs in English:
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| calm down | begin to feel more relaxed | We need to calm down before continuing this conversation. |
| come around | change your opinion of something | She didn't like dark chocolate, but came around after trying this brand. |
| count on | rely or depend on | You can always count on me. |
| dive into | start doing something enthusiastically and suddenly | Can't wait to dive into Stephen King's new novel. |
| find out | learn or discover | I've found out a few nice coffee shops nearby I'd like to show you! |
| get over | overcome or recover | How did she get over her last breakup? |
| go ahead | proceed or move forward | You can go ahead with this topic for your research paper. |
| look after | take care of someone or something | He always looks after his little sister. |
| look for | attempt to find someone or something | She wants to start looking for a new job. |
| turn into | become | The caterpillar turned into a beautiful butterfly. |
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| calm down | begin to feel more relaxed | We need to calm down before continuing this conversation. |
| come around | change your opinion of something | She didn't like dark chocolate, but came around after trying this brand. |
| count on | rely or depend on | You can always count on me. |
| dive into | start doing something enthusiastically and suddenly | Can't wait to dive into Stephen King's new novel. |
| find out | learn or discover | I've found out a few nice coffee shops nearby I'd like to show you! |
| get over | overcome or recover | How did she get over her last breakup? |
| go ahead | proceed or move forward | You can go ahead with this topic for your research paper. |
| look after | take care of someone or something | He always looks after his little sister. |
| look for | attempt to find someone or something | She wants to start looking for a new job. |
| turn into | become | The caterpillar turned into a beautiful butterfly. |
Phrasal Verbs with Two Particles
Apart from separable and inseparable phrasal verbs, there are also phrasal verbs with two particles.
Example
Explanation
We've ran out of eggs, so I cannot make an omelette for breakfast.
The phrasal verb to run out of consists of the verb run and two particles: out and of, and means to "use something completely so that nothing is left."
Rule 3: Phrasal verbs with two particles are also inseparable, meaning that they cannot be split up. A direct object, even if it's a pronoun, always comes after the phrasal verb with two particles.
Example
Explanation
It's time to declutter and get rid of the stuff you no longer use.
Get rid of is a phrasal verb with two particles, so its direct object stuff comes after it.
Here are some of the most commonly used phrasal verbs with two particles in English:
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| come down with | become sick | She came down with a flu yesterday. |
| come up | develop or think of a plan or an idea | We need to come up with a new strategy for this client. |
| get around to | do something eventually | He refused to talk to his brother, but he'll get around to it. |
| get away with | avoid or escape punishment | Have you seen How to Get Away with a Murderer? |
| get along with | have a good relationship with | She used to never get along with her classmates. |
| get down to | begin or start | Since it's already 7pm, let's get down to cooking dinner. |
| get out of | avoid responsibility | He always gets out of any troubles. |
| keep up with | move or progress at the same rate as something or someone else | It's difficult to keep up with current trends. |
| let go of | release or free | It's time to let go of negative thoughts. |
| look forward to | to wait for something with excitement | He is looking forward to watching a new Batman movie. |
| look up to | admire or idolize someone | I looked up to my sister when I was younger. |
| make up for | compensate for | We will make up for being late next time. |
| put up with | tolerate something difficult or annoying | I cannot put up with your pessimistic attitude. |
| stand up for | defend | He always stands up for his little sister. |
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| come down with | become sick | She came down with a flu yesterday. |
| come up | develop or think of a plan or an idea | We need to come up with a new strategy for this client. |
| get around to | do something eventually | He refused to talk to his brother, but he'll get around to it. |
| get away with | avoid or escape punishment | Have you seen How to Get Away with a Murderer? |
| get along with | have a good relationship with | She used to never get along with her classmates. |
| get down to | begin or start | Since it's already 7pm, let's get down to cooking dinner. |
| get out of | avoid responsibility | He always gets out of any troubles. |
| keep up with | move or progress at the same rate as something or someone else | It's difficult to keep up with current trends. |
| let go of | release or free | It's time to let go of negative thoughts. |
| look forward to | to wait for something with excitement | He is looking forward to watching a new Batman movie. |
| look up to | admire or idolize someone | I looked up to my sister when I was younger. |
| make up for | compensate for | We will make up for being late next time. |
| put up with | tolerate something difficult or annoying | I cannot put up with your pessimistic attitude. |
| stand up for | defend | He always stands up for his little sister. |
Quiz
1/4
Complete the sentence. I was decluttering my wardrobe, so I ___ (give away, clothes) I no longer wear.
0
correct answers.