What Are Phrasal Verbs? How To Use Phrasal Verbs In A Sentence?

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.

What Are Phrasal Verbs?

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.

What Are The Different Types Of Phrasal Verbs? How To Use Them?

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 Phrasal Verbs

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:

1. Hang up the jacket.
2. Mom hung up the phone.

Example: Turn off

In a Sentence:

1. Can you please turn off the fan?
2. Turn off the mobile phone before entering the exam hall.

Intransitive Phrasal Verbs

Intransitive phrasal verbs do not have an object in the sentence.

Example: Eat out

In A Sentence:

1. I don’t feel like cooking. Can we eat out tonight?
2. I didn’t bring my lunch, and I have to eat out

Example: Dress up

In A Sentence:

1. We all dressed up for Halloween.
2. I love dressing up in another era’s clothing.

Separable Phrasal Verbs

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:

1. Sarah turned the lights off before leaving the hall.

Turned = Verb
The lights = Object
Off = Adverb

2. It was so warm that I had to take my shirt off.

Take = Verb
My shirt = Object
Off = Adverb

Inseparable Phrasal Verbs

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

Can Phrasal Verbs Be Both Transitive & Intransitive?

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

1. To leave a place like hotels or lodges

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.

2. To borrow something, especially books from a library

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

1. To cause traffic and stop moving

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.

2. To support someone

I’m getting used to living on my own, but I always have my parents to back me up if anything happens. 

Three Words Phrasal Verbs

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.

Phrasal Verbs With More Than One Meaning

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!

10 Common Phrasal Verbs In A Sentence

1. He used to go out with Victoria frequently.
2. You should look up the meaning of any words in the dictionary.
3. If you don’t like to attend the wedding party, make up an excuse to avoid it.
4. Lucy asked his son to pick up some milk on his way home from work.
5. He did not have the time to find out what they were up to.
6. I’ve been working hard for the past month, and I have decided to take Friday off.
7. I think this furniture takes up too much space in our home.
8. I’m trying to focus on my studies. Can you please turn down the volume?
9. Jackson worked out every day at the gym.
10. Ali gave away his books to poor students after graduation.

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.