What is a phrasal verb?
A phrasal verb is a verb followed by a preposition or an adverb; the combination creates a meaning different from the original verb alone.
| Example : | |
| To get = to obtain | I need to get a new battery for my camera. |
| To get together = to meet | Why don’t we all get together for lunch one day? |
Phrasal verbs are part of a large group of verbs called “multi-part” or "multi-word” verbs.
The preposition or adverb that follows the verb is sometimes called a particle.
The preposition or adverb that follows the verb is sometimes called a particle.
Phrasal verbs and other multi-word verbs are an important part of the English language.
However, they are mainly used in spoken English and informal texts. They should be
avoided in academic writing where it is preferable to use a formal verb such as “to postpone”
rather than “to put off”.
However, they are mainly used in spoken English and informal texts. They should be
avoided in academic writing where it is preferable to use a formal verb such as “to postpone”
rather than “to put off”.
Transitive and intransitive phrasal verbs :
Some phrasal verbs are transitive. (A transitive verb always has an object.)
Example : I made up an excuse. ('Excuse' is the object of the verb.)
Example : I made up an excuse. ('Excuse' is the object of the verb.)
Some phrasal verbs are intransitive . (An intransitive verb does not have an object.)
Example : My car broke down.
Example : My car broke down.
Separable or inseparable phrasal verbs :
Some transitive phrasal verbs are separable. (The object is between the verb and the preposition.)
Example : I looked the word up in the dictionary.
Example : I looked the word up in the dictionary.
Some transitive phrasal verbs are inseparable. (The object is placed after the preposition.)
Example : I will look into the matter as soon as possible.
Example : I will look into the matter as soon as possible.
Some transitive phrasal verbs can take an object in both places.
Example : I picked up the book.
I picked the book up.
Example : I picked up the book.
I picked the book up.
However, if the object is a pronoun, it must be placed between the verb and the preposition.
Example : I picked it up.
Example : I picked it up.
Below you will find lists of the most commonly-used phrasal verbs in English.
The table below shows the first and last verb in each list.
The table below shows the first and last verb in each list.
Alphabetical lists of Phrasal Verbs
| Phrasal verbs A | abide by → avail (oneself) of |
| Phrasal verbs B | back away → butt in (on) |
| Phrasal verbs C | call back → cut out |
| Phrasal verbs D | deal with → drown out |
| Phrasal verbs E-F | ease off → focus on |
| Phrasal verbs G | get along (with) → grow up |
| Phrasal verbs H | hand back → hurry up |
| Phrasal verbs I-J-K | iron out → knock out |
| Phrasal verbs L | lay off → look up to |
| Phrasal verbs M-N | make fun of → note down |
| Phrasal verbs O-P-Q | opt out → point out |
| Phrasal verbs R-S | reel off → stick up for |
| Phrasal verbs T | take after → turn down |
| Phrasal verbs U-Z | use up → wipe off |
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