Comprehensive Guide to Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs combine a verb with a preposition or adverb, creating new meanings often distinct from their individual words. They are crucial for natural English communication, enhancing fluency and comprehension. Mastering these idiomatic expressions allows for more nuanced and authentic language use in various contexts, from daily conversations to formal writing.
Key Takeaways
Phrasal verbs merge verbs with prepositions/adverbs, forming new meanings.
Understanding context is vital for correctly interpreting phrasal verb usage.
Many phrasal verbs are idiomatic, requiring memorization for mastery.
Regular practice with examples significantly improves fluency and comprehension.
They are essential for natural, everyday English communication and expression.
Phrasal Verbs: Abide?
Verbs from 'Abide' mean adherence.
- Abide by: Follow rules.
Phrasal Verbs: Account?
Verbs from 'Account' explain reasons.
- Account for: Explain reason.
Phrasal Verbs: Add?
Verbs from 'Add' mean sense or total.
- Add up: Make sense; total.
Phrasal Verbs: Advise?
Verbs from 'Advise' suggest actions.
- Advise against: Suggest not doing.
Phrasal Verbs: Agree?
Verbs from 'Agree' mean shared opinion.
- Agree with: Have same opinion.
Phrasal Verbs: Aim?
Verbs from 'Aim' mean targeting.
- Aim at: Point or target.
Phrasal Verbs: Allow?
Verbs from 'Allow' mean consideration.
- Allow for: Take into consideration.
Phrasal Verbs: Appeal?
Verbs from 'Appeal' mean earnest requests.
- Appeal to: Plead or request.
Phrasal Verbs: Apply?
Verbs from 'Apply' mean formal requests.
- Apply for: Make formal request.
Phrasal Verbs: Ask?
Verbs from 'Ask' involve inquiries.
- Ask around: Ask many people.
- Ask for: Request something.
- Ask out: Invite on date.
Phrasal Verbs: Back?
Verbs from 'Back' mean movement or support.
- Back away: Move backward.
- Back down: Withdraw.
- Back off: Stop bothering.
- Back up: Give support.
Phrasal Verbs: Bank?
Verbs from 'Bank' mean reliance.
- Bank on: Rely on.
Phrasal Verbs: Beat?
Verbs from 'Beat' mean physical attack.
- Beat up: Attack physically.
Phrasal Verbs: Beef?
Verbs from 'Beef' mean improvement.
- Beef up: Improve or strengthen.
Phrasal Verbs: Believe?
Verbs from 'Believe' mean trust or faith.
- Believe in: Trust or have faith.
Phrasal Verbs: Bite?
Verbs from 'Bite' mean cutting with teeth.
- Bite off: Cut with teeth.
Phrasal Verbs: Black?
Verbs from 'Black' mean fainting.
- Black out: To faint.
Phrasal Verbs: Block?
Verbs from 'Block' mean closing areas.
- Block off: Close an area.
Phrasal Verbs: Blow?
Verbs from 'Blow' mean wind, removal, explosion.
- Blow away: Wind moves something.
- Blow off: Wind removes something.
- Blow out: Extinguish a flame.
- Blow up: Explode or inflate.
Phrasal Verbs: Boil?
Verbs from 'Boil' mean main reason.
- Boil down to: Find main reason.
Phrasal Verbs: Boot?
Verbs from 'Boot' mean starting computers.
- Boot up: Start a computer.
Phrasal Verbs: Break?
Verbs from 'Break' mean separation, failure, entry.
- Break away: Separate from group.
- Break down: Stop working; divide.
- Break in: Enter forcefully.
- Break into: Enter forcefully.
- Break off: Remove forcefully.
- Break out: Start suddenly; escape.
- Break through: Force a way through.
- Break up: End relationship/meeting.
Phrasal Verbs: Bring?
Verbs from 'Bring' mean returning or mentioning.
- Bring back: Return something.
- Bring down: Make someone sad.
- Bring over: Bring from one place.
- Bring up: Raise child; mention topic.
Phrasal Verbs: Brush?
Verbs from 'Brush' mean ignoring or refreshing.
- Brush off: Ignore or reject.
- Brush up: Refresh knowledge/skills.
Phrasal Verbs: Build?
Verbs from 'Build' mean permanent additions.
- Build in/into: Add permanently.
Phrasal Verbs: Bump?
Verbs from 'Bump' mean unexpected meetings.
- Bump into: Meet unexpectedly.
Phrasal Verbs: Burn?
Verbs from 'Burn' mean fire destruction or exhaustion.
- Burn down: Destroy with fire.
- Burn out: Become exhausted.
- Burn up: Destroyed by fire; hot.
Phrasal Verbs: Burst?
Verbs from 'Burst' mean sudden starts.
- Burst out: Suddenly start (crying/laughing).
Phrasal Verbs: Butt?
Verbs from 'Butt' mean interrupting.
- Butt in: To interrupt.
Phrasal Verbs: Call?
Verbs from 'Call' mean communication or requests.
- Call around: Phone different places.
- Call back: Return a call.
- Call in: Request help.
- Call off: To cancel.
- Call on: Ask for an answer.
- Call up: Summon for duty.
Phrasal Verbs: Calm?
Verbs from 'Calm' mean relaxing.
- Calm down: To relax.
Phrasal Verbs: Care?
Verbs from 'Care' mean looking after.
- Care for: Take care of.
Phrasal Verbs: Carry?
Verbs from 'Carry' mean continuation or execution.
- Carry away: Act unusually due to emotions.
- Carry on: To continue.
- Carry out: Do as planned.
Phrasal Verbs: Catch?
Verbs from 'Catch' mean understanding or reaching.
- Catch on: To understand.
- Catch up: Reach same level.
Phrasal Verbs: Cheat?
Verbs from 'Cheat' mean unfaithfulness.
- Cheat on: Be unfaithful.
Phrasal Verbs: Check?
Verbs from 'Check' mean registration or examination.
- Check in: Register at hotel.
- Check out: Pay/leave hotel; examine.
Phrasal Verbs: Cheer?
Verbs from 'Cheer' mean becoming happier.
- Cheer up: Become happier.
Phrasal Verbs: Chicken?
Verbs from 'Chicken' mean backing out due to fear.
- Chicken out: Back out due to fear.
Phrasal Verbs: Chip?
Verbs from 'Chip' mean contributing.
- Chip in: To contribute.
Phrasal Verbs: Chop?
Verbs from 'Chop' mean cutting into pieces.
- Chop up: Cut into small pieces.
Phrasal Verbs: Clam?
Verbs from 'Clam' mean stopping talking.
- Clam up: Stop talking.
Phrasal Verbs: Clamp?
Verbs from 'Clamp' mean strict actions.
- Clamp down on: Act strictly.
Phrasal Verbs: Clean?
Verbs from 'Clean' mean tidying or thorough cleaning.
- Clean out: Clean thoroughly.
- Clean up: To tidy.
Phrasal Verbs: Clear?
Verbs from 'Clear' mean removal or problem-solving.
- Clear out: Remove everything.
- Clear up: Solve a problem.
Phrasal Verbs: Clog?
Verbs from 'Clog' mean blocking.
- Clog up: To block.
Phrasal Verbs: Close?
Verbs from 'Close' mean shutting or blocking.
- Close down: Shut permanently.
- Close off: Block an entrance.
Phrasal Verbs: Come?
Verbs from 'Come' cover various actions, including arrival and discovery.
- Come about: To happen.
- Come across: Find unexpectedly.
- Come apart: To separate.
- Come back: To return.
- Come down: Move lower; become sick.
- Come forward: To volunteer.
- Come from: To originate.
- Come in: To enter.
- Come off: To be removed.
- Come on: Appear on TV/radio.
- Come out: To leave; become known.
- Come over: To visit.
- Come through: To arrive; to survive.
- Come up: Happen unexpectedly.
- Come up with: Think of solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a phrasal verb?
A phrasal verb combines a verb with a preposition or adverb, creating a new meaning often different from the individual words. They function as a single semantic unit, enriching English expression.
Why are phrasal verbs important for English learners?
They are crucial for natural, fluent English communication. Mastering them helps understand native speakers and express ideas more idiomatically, significantly enhancing vocabulary and overall comprehension in various contexts.
What is the best way to learn phrasal verbs effectively?
Learn them in context, not isolation. Group them by base verb or particle. Practice with examples, create your own sentences, and actively use them in speaking and writing to improve retention and fluency.
Do phrasal verbs always have literal meanings?
No, many phrasal verbs are idiomatic, meaning their sense cannot be deduced from their parts. For example, 'blow up' can mean 'explode' or 'inflate,' not literally 'blow upwards' in all cases.
Are phrasal verbs commonly used in everyday conversation?
Yes, phrasal verbs are very common in both informal and formal English, spoken and written. They are an integral part of everyday conversation and professional communication, making them essential for natural language use.
