Phrasal verbs are an essential part of English, and they can be one of the biggest challenges for English learners. These verb phrases consist of a main verb combined with a preposition or adverb, which changes the meaning of the verb entirely.

For example, compare the verb “give” and the phrasal verbs “give up” (to quit) and “give in” (to surrender). Their meanings are completely different, even though they both contain the word “give”!

Understanding and using phrasal verbs correctly will help you sound more natural, improve your fluency, and better understand native speakers in conversations, movies, and books.

What Are Phrasal Verbs?

A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb + preposition or verb + adverb (or both) that creates a new meaning different from the original verb.

Examples of Phrasal Verbs

Turn up → He turned up late for the meeting. (arrived)
Look after → Can you look after my dog while I’m away? (take care of)
Run out of → We ran out of coffee this morning. (used all of something)

As you can see, the meaning of these phrases is not always obvious, which is why learning them takes practice!

Types of Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are generally divided into four categories:

1. Transitive Phrasal Verbs (Needs an Object)

These phrasal verbs must have a direct object (someone or something).

✅ Example Sentences:

She turned down the job offer. (rejected)
I need to fill out this form before the appointment. (complete a form)
They put off the meeting until next week. (postponed)

📝 Tip: In some cases, the object can go between the verb and the preposition.

She turned the job offer down. ✅

2. Intransitive Phrasal Verbs (No Object Needed)

These phrasal verbs do not need an object—the action is complete on its own.

✅ Example Sentences:

The car broke down on the highway. (stopped working)
I was talking to her, and suddenly she hung up. (ended the call)
We should leave now before the storm sets in. (starts)

📝 Tip: These verbs are often used in conversations and storytelling to describe actions.

3. Separable Phrasal Verbs (Object Can Be Split)

Some transitive phrasal verbs can be split, meaning the object can go between the verb and the preposition.

✅ Example Sentences:

Can you turn off the lights?
Can you turn the lights off?
I looked up the word in the dictionary.
I looked the word up in the dictionary.

📝 Tip: If the object is a pronoun (it, him, her, them, etc.), you must split the phrasal verb.
❌ I looked up it.
✅ I looked it up.

4. Inseparable Phrasal Verbs (Object Cannot Be Split)

Some phrasal verbs must stay together, meaning you cannot place the object between the verb and the preposition.

✅ Example Sentences:

I ran into my old teacher yesterday. (met by chance)
He takes after his father. (resembles in personality or appearance)
We came across an interesting article online. (found by chance)

❌ I ran my old teacher into. (Incorrect)

📝 Tip: Many three-word phrasal verbs (verb + preposition + preposition) are inseparable:

I get along with my coworkers.
We ran out of milk.

How to Learn and Use Phrasal Verbs Effectively

1. Learn Phrasal Verbs by Category

Instead of trying to memorize random phrasal verbs, group them by topic:

📌 Phrasal Verbs for Travel

Check in → Register at a hotel or airport. (We checked in at the hotel at 3 PM.)
Set off → Begin a journey. (We set off early to avoid traffic.)

📌 Phrasal Verbs for Work and Business

Follow up → Get more information. (I’ll follow up with an email.)
Take on → Accept responsibility. (She took on a new project at work.)

📌 Phrasal Verbs for Relationships

Break up → End a relationship. (They broke up last year.)
Get along with → Have a good relationship. (I get along with my boss.)

Grouping them this way will help you remember them better!

2. Pay Attention to Commonly Used Phrasal Verbs

Some phrasal verbs appear frequently in daily conversation, movies, and emails. Here are some of the most common:

Give up → Stop trying. (Don’t give up on your dreams!)
Put off → Delay something. (We put off the meeting until next week.)
Come up with → Think of an idea. (She came up with a great plan.)
Run out of → Have no more left. (We ran out of time.)

Focusing on these high-frequency phrasal verbs will improve your fluency quickly.

3. Practice Phrasal Verbs in Context

It’s important to practice using phrasal verbs in sentences rather than just memorizing lists.

📌 Example Practice Sentences:

I need to get rid of some old clothes.
He always shows up late for meetings.
They ran into an old friend at the café.
We turned down the offer because it was too low.

Try writing your own sentences to reinforce your learning!

4. Use Phrasal Verbs in Conversations

One of the best ways to remember phrasal verbs is to use them in real conversations.

👥 Example Dialogue:
🔹 A: Are you coming to the party?
🔹 B: I don’t know yet. Something came up at work.
🔹 A: Oh no! Can you get out of it?
🔹 B: Maybe, but I’ll have to check with my boss first.

Practicing dialogues like this will help you feel more confident using phrasal verbs naturally.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Match the Phrasal Verb to the Meaning

Match each phrasal verb with the correct meaning.

Give up
Run out of
Put off
Look after
Get along with

a) Take care of
b) Stop trying
c) Delay or postpone
d) Have no more left
e) Have a good relationship

(Answer Key: 1-b, 2-d, 3-c, 4-a, 5-e)

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences with the correct phrasal verb.

I didn’t have time to do my homework, so I had to ________ it.
We ________ sugar, so I need to buy more.
Can you ________ my dog while I’m away?
She finally ________ smoking last year.
They don’t ________ well. They argue all the time.

(Answer Key: 1. Put off, 2. Ran out of, 3. Look after, 4. Gave up, 5. Get along with)

Conclusion

Phrasal verbs are a key part of English fluency. By learning them in groups, practicing in context, and using them in conversations, you’ll improve your understanding and speaking skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are phrasal verbs and why are they important for ESL learners?

Phrasal verbs are combinations of a main verb with a preposition or an adverb (or both), which together function as a single unit of meaning. They are a crucial component of the English language because they appear frequently in both spoken and written English. These can dramatically alter the basic meaning of the original verb. For instance, the simple verb “look” can be transformed with different prepositions into “look up,” “look after,” or “look forward to,” each with distinct meanings like searching for information, caring for something, or eagerly awaiting something, respectively. For ESL learners, mastering phrasal verbs is vital because they enrich vocabulary, enhance fluency, and help in understanding real-life English conversations. It can be daunting initially due to the non-literal nature of many phrasal verbs, but with consistent practice, learning them can vastly improve your command of the language.

2. Why do phrasal verbs often pose a challenge for English learners?

Phrasal verbs can be particularly perplexing for ESL learners due to several reasons. The primary reason is that they are idiomatic; their meanings often cannot be inferred from the meanings of the individual words. For example, “take off” could mean to remove clothing or for an airplane to leave the ground. This lack of transparency can be confusing. Additionally, the same main verb can pair with different particles to create numerous phrasal verbs, each with a unique meaning, such as “make up” (to reconcile) and “make out” (to discern something). The inconsistency in their use across different contexts adds another layer of complexity. Moreover, phrasal verbs often feature in informal speech, which is typically less structured and where colloquial expressions are common, making them essential yet somewhat tricky to grasp for learners who are more accustomed to textbook English.

3. How can ESL learners effectively practice and remember phrasal verbs?

Practicing and remembering phrasal verbs can be a fun and rewarding challenge with the right approach. To start, focus on frequently used phrasal verbs to maximize their practical application. Engage with English media, such as movies, music, and books, where they are widely used. Note them down and try to understand their contextual usage. Creating flashcards with the phrasal verb on one side and its meaning and a sample sentence on the other can help reinforce memory. Moreover, grouping verbs by theme or main verb can make them easier to remember (e.g., all “take” phrasal verbs). Regular practice through conversation, writing, and quizzes can solidify understanding, while interactive exercises like matching games or fill-in-the-blank activities can make learning enjoyable. Additionally, using apps and online resources specifically designed to teach phrasal verbs can provide interactive and adaptive learning experiences.

4. Are there any rules that can help with understanding phrasal verbs?

While phrasal verbs can seem unpredictable, there are some patterns and rules that might help with understanding them. For instance, many phrasal verbs follow the verb + preposition or verb + adverb combination. The position of the particle (preposition/adverb) relative to the verb can sometimes change the phrasal verb’s meaning slightly. For example, “turn over” as in to flip something over, versus “turn over” as in to ponder something. Generally, phrasal verbs that are separable (meaning they can have a noun in between the verb and preposition) tend to be more about a physical action, like “turn the radio up” where “up” can be separated. However, one must remember the substantial number that don’t follow these rules uniformly. Practice and exposure remain the best teachers in identifying these subtle nuances. Lastly, learning phrasal verbs in context rather than in isolation helps form a clearer understanding and memory of their meanings and uses.

5. How can a quiz help in learning phrasal verbs, and what should it include?

Quizzes are an excellent tool for reinforcing the learning of phrasal verbs because they provide a structured way to test knowledge and identify both strengths and areas in need of improvement. A good quiz should include a variety of question types to engage different aspects of the brain. Fill-in-the-blank questions can test recall of phrasal verbs in context, while multiple-choice questions can assess recognition and understanding of meanings. Matching exercises, where learners pair verbs with their correct particles, can help in grasping their correct formations. Sentence transformation tasks, where learners reformulate sentences using phrasal verbs, can enhance critical thinking skills and deepen understanding. Scenarios that require the use of insights gained from phrasal verbs to solve problems are also beneficial. A quiz that provides immediate feedback allows learners to correct mistakes and provides explanations for why certain answers are correct, further solidifying comprehension and retention. Including examples taken from everyday language contexts, such as extracts from conversations or excerpts from stories, ensures that learners develop skills transferable to real-life usage.