Phrasal Verbs
Learn how to use phrasal verbs in English.
Can you answer these grammar questions correctly?
Phrasal Verbs
Point 1: Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb and one or more particles (prepositions) that together create a new meaning.
Example: The meaning of the phrasal verb is different from the meaning of the words alone.
Example: The meaning of the phrasal verb is different from the meaning of the words alone.
- She looked up the word in the dictionary.
- He ran into an old friend at the store.
- They turned off the lights before leaving.
- I broke up with my girlfriend.
Point 2: The meaning of the phrasal verb may not be obvious from the individual words.
Phrasal verbs often replace more formal vocabulary.
Phrasal verbs often replace more formal vocabulary.
- He called off the meeting. (Canceled)
- The city tore down the old building. (Demolished)
- They bring up interesting topics. (Raise or introduce)
- They ran up a big phone bill. (Accumulated)
Point 3: Phrasal verbs can be separable or inseparable.
✔️ Separable: You can put the object or pronoun between the verb and particle.
✔️ Inseparable: The object cannot go between the verb and particle.
✔️ Separable: You can put the object or pronoun between the verb and particle.
✔️ Inseparable: The object cannot go between the verb and particle.
Separable
- She took her jacket off.
- She took off her jacket.
- They turned the TV off.
- They turned off the TV.
- She picked the toys up off the floor.
- She picked up the toys off the floor.
- I forgot to take the trash out.
- I forgot to take out the trash.
Inseparable
- I ran into Jason at the party.
- My teacher went off on me for being late.
- You should look around before you buy a car!
- The party really took off once Bon arrived.
Point 4: With separable phrasal verbs, pronouns must go between the verb and particle.
Pronouns cannot come after the particle.
Pronouns cannot come after the particle.
- She took her jacket off. ✔️ Correct
- She took off her jacket. ✔️ Correct
- She took it off. ✔️ Correct
- She took off it. ✗ Incorrect
Point 5: The particle can change the meaning of a phrasal verb.
Example: "Break up", "break down", and "break into" all have different meanings.
Example: "Break up", "break down", and "break into" all have different meanings.
- He broke up with his girlfriend. (Ended a relationship)
- My car is always breaking down at the worst time. (Not working)
- He broke into the house. (Illegally entered)
- After dating for a year, Bill and Sue broke up.
Point 6: Some phrasal verbs have more than one meaning even with the same particle.
- My car is always breaking down at the worst time. (Not working)
- My teacher is good at breaking down grammar. (Explaining)
- The police broke down the door. (Opened with force)
- He broke down and cried. (Became emotionally upset)