Those of you who are currently studying English certainly hope to master it soon so you can communicate fluently, right? So, have you ever heard of and know about Phrasal Verbs before?
Phrasal verbs are an important part of English because they are often used in verbal or written conversations. Of course, you often come across when reading English novels or when watching English films, many sentences contain verbs with more than one word, such as “watch out”, “pull over”, “clean up”, and so on. Such verbs are called Phrasal Verbs .
If you are still not familiar with the term Phrasal Verb, don’t worry because through this article you will find out in detail and comprehensively what a phrasal verb is, the types and characteristics of phrasal verbs, examples of phrasal verbs and their use in a sentence, as well as questions and discussion.
1. Definition of Phrasal Verbs
According to traditional English grammar, the definition of a phrasal verb is:
a phrasal verb is a combination of two or three words from different grammatical categories – a verb and a particle, such as an adverb or a preposition – to form a single semantic unit on a lexical or syntactic level
So, the practical definition of a phrasal verb is a verb consisting of two words, namely a combination of a verb and a preposition or a combination of a verb and an adverb (adverb) which forms a unique meaning. If two words in a phrasal verb are separated, they will have a different meaning compared to when the two words are merged into one in a phrasal verb.
Well, very unique, isn’t it a phrasal verb? Therefore, it will be an advantage if you master phrasal verbs and apply them in everyday conversations to practice your English skills.
To be able to distinguish between the various existing tenses, Sinaumed’s can also read the book Tenses & Vocabulary That’s Easy which is below.
2. Examples of Phrasal Verbs
- to break in
(The main verb of the form above is ” to break “. ” in ” is a preposition. So a phrasal verb is formed, namely ” to break in “, which has a different meaning from ” to break ” which stands alone without the addition of ” in “)
- To turn up – increase the sound volume
- To turn down – lowers the volume
- To blow up – to blow up
- To put on – put on (clothes)
- To cut back – reduce
- To take off – take off
- To wake up – to wake up
- To drop off – to drop off
- To drop in – stop by
- To pick up – to pick up
- To give up
- To give in – give up
- To get on – to enter a vehicle or to express curiosity
- To go on with – continue
- To face up to – to face
- To look after – look after or care for
- To make up – to make or repair
- To find out – to find out
- To clear up – clean up
- To put off – put off
- To stand up for – to support or defend
- To turn (switch) on – to turn on an electric device
- To turn (switch) off – turns off an electrical appliance
- To look forward to – looking forward with enthusiasm
Indeed, most Phrasal Verbs that are often used consist of two words, but many phrasal verbs are composed of three words , as in the following example:
- To put up with – accept sincerely
- To check up on – check
- To cut down on – reduce
Examples of Phrasal Verbs in a Sentence
You need to know that Phrasal Verbs are also known as compound verbs. And in the example that will be presented, the verb which is a Phrasal Verb will be in bold.
- Damn your principles! Stick to your party.” (Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli)
- “When people find out you are an actress, they Google you.” (Actress Laverne Cox)
- “Do I exaggerate? Boy, do I, and I would do it more if I could get away with it.” (Comedian David Sedaries)
- “Meditation helps me to calm down .” (Singer Lady Gaga)
- “Madelaine car always breaks down at least twice a month. She really should buy a new one.”
- “ Put off your shoes when you enter the garage. I have already swept the floor.”
- “Here is the registration form. You have to fill it in .”
It should be remembered again that Phrasal Verb consists of a verb and the word that accompanies it. The accompanying word (or words) are classified as prepositions or adverbs. The following is an example of a Phrasal Verb with accompanying words in the form of prepositions or adverbs:
- “Did you walk along the street by yourself last night?”
(In the example above, “walk along” is a Phrasal Verb where “walk” is the main verb, while “along” is a preposition. )
- “Maria and I only went away to Philadelphia for two days. But, both of our parents got so mad at us.”
(In the example above, the word “away” does not represent a prepositional phrase. So “away” is an adverb )
- “Rebecca can stand in for me next month.”
(In the example above, the word ” in ” is an adverb while the word ” for ” is a preposition because it denotes a prepositional phrase “for me”)
3. Transitive and Intransitive Phrasal Verbs
Some Phrasal Verbs are Transitive ( ie have an object ) and some are Intransitive (ie do not have an object ). The following presents examples of Phrasal Verbs which include Transitive and Intransitive. In this example, those that are Phrasal Verbs will be in bold while those that are objects will be italicized .
Learn how to pronounce the various adverbs above to make it easier for you to read through the English Pocket Dictionary (2021), which is accompanied by thousands of entries, grammar, and much more.
Examples of transitive phrasal verbs
- “ Fill in this registration form thoroughly and correctly in order to pass the selection.”
- “I want to go over these plans with you again.”
- “I will look into your papers as fast as possible.”
- “Andre felt compelled to hand the wallet in .”
( Note: Some Phrasal Verbs are written by separating the two words)
Examples of Intransitive Phrasal Verbs
- “The tree could fall down because of the rain.”
- “Don’t give in .”
- “The car is starting to drop back .”
- “If you haven’t finished your homework yet, please stand up .”
Some Phrasal Verbs can have both Transitive and Intransitive properties depending on their meaning and significance, for example:
- Kania will show up soon – Intransitive Phrasal Verb
(“Show up” in the sentence above means “appear” or appear)
- Kania will show up her ex-boyfriend – Transitive Phrasal Verb
(“Show up” in the sentence above means “embarrass” or humiliate)
In using adverbs well, Sinaumed’s also has to practice English vocabulary well using the Smart Picture Dictionary of English.
4. Separable and Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
The meaning of Separable Phrasal Verb is that there is an object in the middle of the Phrasal Verb so that it separates the two words from the Phrasal Verb. Meanwhile, Inseparable Phrasal Verb means that the object of a sentence comes after the Phrasal Verb is written. In this example, those that are Phrasal Verbs will be in bold while those that are objects will be italicized .
Examples of Separable Phrasal Verbs
- “I will make you look like an actress tonight.”
- “The salesman in the new store talked us into buying the cooking equipment.”
- “I remember that I already handed the book over to you last night before the class was dismissed.”
- “You should send the letter over quickly before he moves to another city.”
Examples of Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
- “You must stick to the plan at all costs.”
- “USA stands for “United States of America” .”
- “Dania really looks up to her mother .”
There are also many Transitive Phrasal Verbs that can be used in Separable and Inseparable forms , for example:
- “Janice looked my address up on the high school’s yearbook.”
- “Janice looked up my address on the high school’s yearbook.”
Note: If the object in a sentence is a ” pronoun ” (such as ” it ” ) , then keep in mind that you cannot use the Inseparable Phrasal Verb form in the sentence. Here’s an example:
- “Janice looked it up in the high school’s yearbook.” – WRONG
- “Janice looked it up in the high school’s yearbook.” – RIGHT
Sinaumed’s can also hone your English writing grammar by reading the Excellent Grammar Book which provides various words, important terms, and how to use them.
Phrasal Verb Learning Book Recommendations
Comprehensive English Situational Speaking
In English, speaking is considered by some to be the most difficult compared to listening, reading, and writing. This difficulty increases if vocabulary mastery is still limited and you do not understand various kinds of expressions in the context of situational speaking. In fact, each conversation situation certainly provides a different context.
This book is very useful in guiding you to speak English fluently in the context of a wide variety of situations. By reading this book, for example, you will understand what to say when you are in the gift shop. Or, ask others to show you the way when you get lost in other people’s lands.
There are many examples of other conversations with the use of various expressions. This book is generally divided into the key to learning speaking as well as a variety of conversations both in simple contexts, based on places and situations. So, it is very appropriate if you make this book a medium for practicing speaking comprehensively!
5. Tips on Learning Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal Verb is a form of verb which is very important to learn because it is almost always used in verbal or written communication. However, the large number of phrasal verbs reaching hundreds makes it difficult for us to memorize everything. But don’t worry, because there are some tips to make it easier to learn Phrasal Verbs. Check out the explanation below:
- Pay close attention when you find or see a phrasal verb that you just read or heard, then try to record and understand it.
- Make your own example sentences using the new phrasal verbs you find.
- Do exercises on Phrasal Verbs by working on questions online or in English textbooks.
- Write a diary in English so that indirectly you will find new phrasal verbs that you did not know before.
- Try to understand the context of sentences containing Phrasal Verbs. Look up a dictionary if you don’t know the meaning.
- Also find out about the synonyms of each Phrasal Verb that you find to make it easier to understand its meaning and meaning.
- Join a language community or club to have the right partner for learning English.
6. Exercise on Phrasal Verbs
- Would you _____ my son for me this weekend? I have to go to Arizona due to my work.
- Look
- Look into
- Look up
- Look after
- Kimmie _____ money yesterday when she wanted to buy some eggs.
- Ran
- Ran out of
- Ran into
- Ran away with
- Daniel _____ his leg at the football league.
- Broke
- Broke down
- Broke off
- Broke in on
- My boss _____ our meeting with clients until next Monday.
- Put
- Put off
- Put down
- Put into
- Could you please _____ the music while I am studying?
- turn
- turn off
- Turn around
- Turn into
- Mia doesn’t _____ my new boyfriend because she thinks he is a liar.
- Get by
- Get over
- get on with
- Get ahead of
- Kania and I _____ meeting my new English teacher.
- Look after
- Look up to
- Look down on
- look forward to
- My car _____ on the highway in the middle of the night yesterday.
- Broke down
- Broke off
- Brokeaway
- Broke in on
- It will be easier for us to study and read if you can _____ the lights.
- Switches
- switch on
- Switch over
- switch up
- I have to _____ to the finish line and back.
- run
- run out of
- Run into
- Run away with
- The new song by Billie Ellish has already _____ $9 million.
- Made out
- Made up
- Made up for
- Made over
- Denis, you can _____ words in the online dictionary if you can’t understand what the word’s mean.
- Look after
- Look up
- Look up to
- Look back on
- Sorry sir, I’m late. I have to stop by the gas station because my car _____ petrol.
- Ran out
- Ran out of
- Ran out on
- Ran away with
- That red dress and the yellow one really _____.
- Stand up for
- Stand down
- stand out
- Stand up to
- I suggest you take the stairs. I heard from the officers at the front that this building’s lift has _____ again.
- Broken in on
- Broken up
- Broken in
- Broken down
- Kania is really good at _____ babies.
- Looking after
- Looking back on
- Look down on
- Looking forward to
- The public transportation was nearly full this morning. So it was difficult to _____.
- get in
- get on
- Get ahead of
- Get through with
- If the radio isn’t loud enough, turn it _____ a little.
- off
- Oops
- Down
- into
- My plane _____ twenty-five minutes late. So, I have to reschedule my meeting.
- Take off
- Take-up
- Take out
- Took over
- Let’s _____ that old shoes. We don’t need it anymore.
- Throw ups
- Throw-in
- Throw away
- Throw over
- How are you _____ at a new campus?
- getting on
- getting up
- getting on with
- Getting in
Find various other English questions related to phrasal verbs along with other topics that can help you hone your English skills in the Super ITP TOEFL Tricks Score 600+ book below.
7. Answers to the Phrasal Verbs Exercise
- D. Look after (caring for or looking after)
- B. Ran out of
- A. Broke (break)
- B. Put off (put off)
- B. Turn off
- C. Get on with (declare a match)
- D. Look forward to
- A. Broke down (break down or damaged)
- B. Switch on (turn on)
- A. Run (run)
- C. Made (make or produce)
- B. Look Up (looking for)
- B. Ran out of
- C. Stand out (protrude or attract the eye)
- D. Broken down (strike or damaged)
- A. Looking after (caring for or looking after)
- B. Get on (get into a vehicle)
- B. Up (“turn up” in the question sentence means to increase the volume)
- A. Take off (take off)
- C. Throw away (throw away something that is not used or not used)
- A. Getting on (asking news)
Well, that’s an explanation of Phrasal Verbs along with their types, properties, examples and questions.