Phrasal Verbs
We use phrasal verbs every day in English. A Phrasal Verb is a verb which consists of a normal verb plus at least one adverb or preposition.
Phrasal Verbs
See also: Separable Phrasal Verbs
See also: Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
See also: Intransitive Phrasal Verbs
We use phrasal verbs every day in English. A Phrasal Verb is a verb which consists of a normal verb plus at least one adverb or preposition. Most phrasal verbs are formed from simple verbs, for example; get, go, come, put and set. The word after the verb, (the preposition or adverb), is called a Particle. Some phrasal verbs have obvious meanings (for example; 'sit down' or 'look for'), but normally the meaning is different from the meaning of the simple verb they are formed from. Phrasal verbs can be transitive, intransitive or (with different meanings) both.
Intransitive verbs do not take an object.
You're driving too fast - you should slow down. (The phrasal verb 'slow down' means 'drive more slowly')
It's Sunday today, so I don't have to get up.(The phrasal verb 'To get up' means 'leave my bed')
Transitive verbs take an object. There are two types of transitive verb; separable and inseparable.
With separable phrasal verbs, the object can be placed after the phrasal verb, or in the middle, between the verb and particle. However, if the object is a pronoun, it MUST be placed in the middle of the verb.
Turn on the TV, I want to watch the football. (The object is after the phrasal verb)
I want to watch the football. Turn the TV on. (The object is in the middle of the verb)
Turn it on, the football starts in 5 minutes. (The object is a pronoun, so is in the middle of the verb)
With inseparable phrasal verbs, the object must come after the phrasal verb. For example:
The baby takes after his mother.
I grew up in London.
Here is a random selection of basic phrasal verbs with their meanings.
to break down (machinery) - to stop working properly
to fill in/out (a form) - to compile, to complete
to set up (a company) - to create or establish a business
to bring up (in a conversation) - to introduce a topic of conversation, to mention something
to get up - to leave your bed
to get away - to escape
to look after - to take care of somebody or something
to speak up - to speak loudly
to speak down (to someone) - to be condescending toward someone
to speak for (someone) - to speak in someone's place
to put - to set down / to denigrate somebody
to put up with - to tolerate
to put away - to put something back where it belongs
to put down - to release one's grasp of something / to terminate the life of an animal
to put out - to place outside, or to take outside / to extinguish a fire or candle
to put on - to wear
to turn on - to make something function (a light, a motor)
to turn off - to remove the power to (a light, a motor)
to turn around - to turn to face the opposite direction
to turn up - to augment the sound, the light / to arrive unexpectedly
to turn down - to diminish the sound, the light / to decline an offer
to turn out - to become
to go out with - to accompany someone
to go off on (a digression, an adventure) - to begin, to start
to run away from - to flee
