Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs are verbs combined with one or two particles (prepositions or adverbs) that create a new meaning different from the individual words. They are extremely common in spoken English and informal writing. Some phrasal verbs are separable (the object can go between the verb and particle), while others are inseparable.
WHEN TO USE
Use phrasal verbs in everyday spoken English and informal writing. They sound more natural than formal single-word equivalents (e.g., 'give up' sounds more natural than 'abandon' in conversation).
STRUCTURE
Separable: verb + object + particle OR verb + particle + objectTurn it off. / Turn off the light.
Inseparable: verb + particle + object (can't be split)She looks after her elderly parents. (NOT: looks her parents after)
Three-part phrasal verbs (always inseparable)I can't put up with this noise anymore.
SIGNAL WORDS
- give up
- look up
- call off
- turn on
- take off
- put up with
- look forward to
- run out of
EXAMPLES
She gave up smoking last year.
I need to look up this word in the dictionary.
They called off the meeting because of the storm.
Could you turn down the music? It's too loud.
I'm really looking forward to the holidays.
COMMON MISTAKES
Can you look it after while I'm away?
Can you look after it while I'm away?
'Look after' is inseparable — the object must come AFTER the full phrasal verb
She gave up it.
She gave it up. / She gave up smoking.
With separable phrasal verbs and pronouns, the pronoun MUST go between the verb and particle
Tip
The best way to learn phrasal verbs is in context — don't try to guess meanings from individual words. 'Give up' doesn't mean to give something upward! Learn them as vocabulary chunks with example sentences.