Phrasal Verbs

Learn how to use phrasal verbs in English.
Sound Grammar

Phrasal Verbs

Watch four conversations using this grammar point on elllo.org.

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.
  1. She looked up the word in the dictionary.
  2. He ran into an old friend at the store.
  3. They turned off the lights before leaving.
  4. 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.
  1. He called off the meeting. (Canceled)
  2. The city tore down the old building. (Demolished)
  3. They bring up interesting topics. (Raise or introduce)
  4. 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

  1. She took her jacket off.
    1. She took off her jacket.
  2. They turned the TV off.
    1. They turned off the TV.
  3. She picked the toys up off the floor.
    1. She picked up the toys off the floor.
  4. I forgot to take the trash out.
    1. I forgot to take out the trash.

Inseparable

  1. I ran into Jason at the party.
  2. My teacher went off on me for being late.
  3. You should look around before you buy a car!
  4. 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.
  1. She took her jacket off. ✔️ Correct
  2. She took off her jacket. ✔️ Correct
  3. She took it off. ✔️ Correct
  4. 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.
  1. He broke up with his girlfriend. (Ended a relationship)
  2. My car is always breaking down at the worst time. (Not working)
  3. He broke into the house. (Illegally entered)
  4. 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.
  1. My car is always breaking down at the worst time. (Not working)
  2. My teacher is good at breaking down grammar. (Explaining)
  3. The police broke down the door. (Opened with force)
  4. He broke down and cried. (Became emotionally upset)