Introduction to Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs are essential combinations of verbs and particles (adverbs or prepositions) that create new meanings, often completely different from the original verb. These multi-word verbs form the backbone of natural, fluent English communication and are absolutely crucial for understanding native speakers and expressing yourself authentically in both spoken and written English.
What makes phrasal verbs particularly challenging yet fascinating is their ability to transform simple verbs into sophisticated expressions with idiomatic meanings that cannot be guessed from the individual components. A single verb like "get" can combine with different particles to create dozens of distinct phrasal verbs, each with unique meanings and grammatical patterns that native speakers use instinctively.
Understanding phrasal verbs involves mastering not only their meanings but also their grammatical behaviour, including whether they are separable or inseparable, transitive or intransitive, and formal or informal in register. This knowledge enables you to use them correctly in appropriate contexts whilst avoiding the common mistakes that can confuse meaning or sound unnatural to native speakers.
Mastering phrasal verbs will dramatically improve your English fluency, enabling you to understand films, books, and conversations with native speakers, express complex ideas with precision and naturalness, and demonstrate sophisticated command of English that goes far beyond basic vocabulary to embrace the idiomatic richness that makes English communication truly effective and authentic.
What Are Phrasal Verbs?
Basic Structure
Verb + Particle = New Meaning
A phrasal verb combines a main verb with one or more particles to create a new meaning
Common particles:
- up - turn up, give up, put up
- down - break down, calm down, write down
- out - find out, work out, run out
- in - give in, drop in, fill in
- on - carry on, put on, get on
- off - take off, put off, set off
Examples in context:
- I need to look up this word. (search for)
- She turned down the job offer. (rejected)
- We ran into problems. (encountered)
- He gave up smoking. (stopped)
- The meeting was put off. (postponed)
- I can't figure out this puzzle. (understand)
Literal vs Idiomatic Meanings
Some phrasal verbs have literal meanings, whilst others are completely idiomatic
Literal meanings:
The meaning can be understood from the individual words
- sit down - physically sit in a downward position
- stand up - physically stand in an upward position
- walk in - physically walk into a place
- come back - physically return to a place
- pick up - physically lift something
Idiomatic meanings:
The meaning cannot be guessed from individual words
- give up - stop trying/quit (not physically giving upward)
- break down - stop functioning (not physically breaking)
- run into - meet by chance (not physically running)
- put up with - tolerate (not physically putting up)
- look after - care for (not physically looking behind)
Separable vs Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
Transitive phrasal verbs (those that take objects) can be separable or inseparable
Separable phrasal verbs:
Object can go between verb and particle or after particle
turn on (start/switch on)
Turn on the TV. / Turn the TV on.
look up (search for information)
Look up the word. / Look the word up.
put off (postpone)
Put off the meeting. / Put the meeting off.
Inseparable phrasal verbs:
Object must come after the particle
look after (care for)
Look after the children. ✓
Look the children after. ✗
run into (meet unexpectedly)
Run into problems. ✓
Run problems into. ✗
get over (recover from)
Get over the illness. ✓
Get the illness over. ✗
Transitive vs Intransitive Phrasal Verbs
Some phrasal verbs need objects (transitive), others don't (intransitive)
Transitive (need objects):
- turn on something - Turn on the lights.
- look for something - Look for your keys.
- give up something - Give up smoking.
- put off something - Put off the appointment.
- take care of someone - Take care of the baby.
Intransitive (no objects needed):
- break down - My car broke down.
- give in - He finally gave in.
- grow up - Children grow up quickly.
- show up - She didn't show up.
- turn up - Something will turn up.
Three-Word Phrasal Verbs
Verb + Adverb + Preposition
These are always inseparable and transitive
Common patterns:
- put up with - tolerate
- look forward to - anticipate with pleasure
- get on with - have a good relationship
- run out of - have no more left
- look down on - consider inferior
- catch up with - reach the same level
Examples in use:
- I can't put up with the noise.
- We're looking forward to the holiday.
- She gets on with everyone.
- We've run out of milk.
- Don't look down on others.
- I need to catch up with my work.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
✗ "I need to look it up." Wait, that's correct!
✗ "I need to look up it."
✓ "I need to look it up."
Pronouns must separate separable phrasal verbs
✗ "She looks the children after."
✓ "She looks after the children."
"Look after" is inseparable - object must follow particle
✗ "I depend of you."
✓ "I depend on you."
Particles are fixed - you cannot substitute different prepositions
✗ "The car broke."
✓ "The car broke down."
Don't omit particles - they're essential for meaning
✗ "I'm looking forward for the weekend."
✓ "I'm looking forward to the weekend."
Three-word phrasal verbs have fixed prepositions
Formality Levels of Phrasal Verbs
Very Informal:
Avoid in professional contexts
- mess up, screw up
- freak out, flip out
- chill out, hang out
- pig out, zone out
- goof around, fool around
Neutral/Professional:
Suitable for most contexts
- set up, work out
- carry out, find out
- follow up, back up
- break down, sum up
- point out, rule out
Formal/Academic:
Appropriate in formal writing
- bring about, set forth
- account for, put forward
- carry forward, phase out
- set out, bring up (mention)
- rule out, point out
50 Essential Phrasal Verbs for Daily Use
Everyday Essential:
Communication & Relationships:
Common Particle Patterns and Meanings
Direction & Movement:
- up: get up, stand up, wake up (upward movement)
- down: sit down, lie down, fall down (downward movement)
- in: come in, go in, get in (inward movement)
- out: go out, come out, get out (outward movement)
- away: go away, run away, put away (movement from)
- back: come back, go back, get back (return movement)
Completion & Results:
- up: clean up, finish up, use up (completion)
- out: work out, sort out, figure out (solving)
- off: finish off, round off, top off (completion)
- through: get through, see through (completion/understanding)
- over: think over, look over, go over (thorough examination)
- down: write down, note down, break down (recording/analysis)
Effective Learning Strategies
1. Learn by Base Verb Groups
Focus on high-frequency verbs like GET, TAKE, PUT, MAKE - each forms 10+ common phrasal verbs
Example: GET - get up, get on, get over, get through, get back, get along...
2. Context-Based Learning
Learn phrasal verbs in meaningful situations rather than isolated definitions
Example: "break down" with cars, emotions, systems, negotiations - different contexts, same phrasal verb
3. Replacement Practice
Replace formal single verbs with phrasal verb equivalents in conversation
Example: "continue" → "carry on", "tolerate" → "put up with"
4. Media Exposure
Watch British/American TV shows and films - phrasal verbs are everywhere in natural speech
Keep a phrasal verb notebook for new ones you hear
Key Grammar Rules Summary
Separable Rules:
- With nouns: Both positions work
Turn on the light / Turn the light on - With pronouns: Must separate
Turn it on (not "turn on it") - Long noun phrases: Usually after particle
Turn on the expensive new LED light
Inseparable Rules:
- Never separate: Object always follows
Look after the children (never "look the children after") - Three-word phrasal verbs: Always inseparable
Put up with the noise (never separate) - Intransitive: No object at all
My car broke down (no object needed)
Quick Reference Guide
Key Points to Remember:
- Structure: Verb + Particle(s) = New meaning
- Types: Literal (sit down) vs Idiomatic (give up)
- Separability: Test with pronoun - if it sounds wrong, it's inseparable
- Three-word: Always inseparable (put up with, look forward to)
- Register: Many are informal - choose appropriately for context
- Learning tip: Focus on high-frequency base verbs first
- Particles: Often carry consistent meaning patterns
- Grammar: Function exactly like regular verbs in all tenses
- Pronunciation: Stress usually on particle, not base verb