Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs consist of a main verb combined with one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs).
For example:
Turn + on = Turn on (activate)
Look + after = Look after (take care of)
Get + up = Get up (rise from bed)
Types of Phrasal Verbs:
- Intransitive Phrasal Verbs:
She woke up early. (No object follows the verb.)
- Transitive Phrasal Verbs:
He turned off the lights. (An object follows the verb.)
- Separable Phrasal Verbs:
She picked her brother up from school. (The object can come between the verb and the particle.)
- Inseparable Phrasal Verbs:
He looked after his little sister. (The object cannot separate the verb and the particle.)
Tips for Learning Phrasal Verbs:
- Context Matters: Understand the context in which a phrasal verb is used. It can alter its meaning.
- Practice with Examples: Use phrasal verbs in sentences to grasp their meanings better.
- Keep a Notebook: Write down new phrasal verbs and sentences to review later.
- Watch and Listen: Engage with English media—movies, songs, and conversations—to spot and understand phrasal verbs in use.
- Use Flashcards: Create flashcards with the verb on one side and its meanings and examples on the other.
Common Phrasal Verbs:
Daily Life:
- Wake up: to stop sleeping
- Get up: to rise from bed
- Turn on/Off: to activate/deactivate
- Go out: to leave home for entertainment
- Hang out: to spend time with friends
Relationships:
- Get along: to have a good relationship
- Break up: to end a relationship
- Make up: to reconcile after an argument
Learning:
- Pick up: to learn or acquire something
- Look up: to search for information
Challenges:
- Face up to: to accept and deal with a difficult situation
- Work out: to solve a problem or complete a task
Daily Activities:
- Put on: to wear clothes or accessories
- Take off: to remove clothes or accessories
Learning phrasal verbs might seem challenging, but with practice and exposure, you'll start using them naturally!
