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If you’re learning English speaking, you may come across the term ‘Phrasal Verbs’. What are phrasal verbs? How are they used in your spoken English? Phrasal Verbs are usually a combination of two words that become completely a new word, giving a new meaning when used together. Still don’t understand? Here is our step-by-step guide to understanding phrasal verbs in English.
Phrasal verb is an idiomatic phrase that consists of a verb and another one or two elements, usually an adverb, proposition or both. A phrasal verb is completely treated as an independent word unrelated to the meaning of the words used together.
Example: ‘Plan ahead’ is a phrasal verb which is a combination of verb + adverb.
In a sentence: Hotel bookings during holidays are very expensive at the last minute, but you can grab some great deals if you plan ahead.
The verb ‘plan’ and the adverb ‘ahead’ give a different meaning when used alone. But when they are combined (plan ahead), they produce a new word with a new meaning.
It can be confusing as the same phrasal verb can give different meaning when used in different sentences. Let’s discuss in detail the different types of phrasal verbs and how they can be used.
Transitive means to affect something. Transitive phrasal verb usually takes a direct object and transfers the action to it.
Example: Hang up
In A Sentence:
Example: Turn off
In a Sentence:
Intransitive phrasal verbs do not have an object in the sentence.
Example: Eat out
In A Sentence:
Example: Dress up
In A Sentence:
If you’re trying to be fluent in English, using phrasal verbs in different ways is a great way to learn spoken English. With transitive phrasal verbs, you can divide the two words by placing the object in the middle. The following examples will help you understand better.
Examples:
Turned = Verb
The lights = Object
Off = Adverb
Take = Verb
My shirt = Object
Off = Adverb
There are some phrasal verbs that can be divided, and they must always be used together in a sentence. Here are the examples.
Examples:
I picked up Williams – CORRECT
I picked Williams up – INCORRECT
I get along with Williams – CORRECT
I get James along – INCORRECT
Yes, some phrasal verbs can be both transitive and intransitive if they take different meanings. The following examples will help you understand better.
Example: Check out
We’ll need to check out before 12 pm to avoid extra fees.
In this sentence, check out is used as an intransitive phrasal verb where it does not take any object.
We need to check out some self-help books from the library before heading to the beach.
Here, check out is used as a transitive phrasal verb where book is the object.
Example: Back up
There was an accident, and cars are backed up for miles on the road.
This is an intransitive phrasal verb where there is no object.
I’m getting used to living on my own, but I always have my parents to back me up if anything happens.
Should the phrasal verbs contain only two words? The answer is ‘No’. They can also have three words, using a verb, adverb, and proposition. The following examples will help you understand better.
Example 1: Cut down on
Meaning: To reduce something
Sentence: My doctor advised me to cut down on eating junk food.
Example 2: drop out of
Meaning: To leave a school, college, or university without completing the course
Sentence: Steve Jobs dropped out of Reed College after six months.
Some phrasal verbs will have multiple meanings, and you can understand the meaning based on the context used. You can learn them better by practicing good English speaking. Here are examples of phrasal verbs with more than one meaning.
Example: Blow up
Meaning 1: To cause something to explode
Sentence: Terrorists blew up a car in the heart of the city.
Meaning 2: To show anger suddenly
Sentence: Johns tends to blow up when he is stressed out.
Meaning 3: To make something bigger
Sentence: Do you have a photo of your parents that we can blow up and display at their wedding anniversary?
Example: Cut off
Meaning 1: To remove something
Sentence: Rosy cut off the tag from her jeans.
Meaning 2: To stop something, especially power, water, etc.
Sentence: The electricity has been cut off in Samuel’s residence.
Meaning 3: To interrupt someone
Sentence: Listen to my arguments carefully and stop cutting me off!
Now, I’m sure you may have obtained a great knowledge of how to use phrasal verbs while learning to speak good English. Check out our other insightful blogs for more interesting English lessons.