Introduction to Phrasal Verbs in English Grammar:- Phrasal verbs are a very important part of the English language. They are commonly used in everyday speech and writing. As an English language learner, it is important to learn about phrasal verbs and how to use them effectively. In this blog post, we will explore phrasal verbs in English grammar in depth, including their definition, how they are formed, and how they are used.
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What are Phrasal Verbs?
Phrasal verbs are a combination of a verb and one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs). These particles change the meaning of the verb in various ways. Phrasal verbs can be separable or inseparable. A separable phrasal verb is a phrasal verb that can be separated into two parts, and an inseparable phrasal verb is a phrasal verb that cannot be separated.
Separable and Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
As mentioned above, phrasal verbs can be separable or inseparable. A separable phrasal verb is a phrasal verb that can be separated into two parts. For example, “turn on” is a separable phrasal verb. You can say “I turned on the light” or “I turned the light on.” In the first sentence, the phrasal verb is not separated, while in the second sentence, the phrasal verb is separated.
An inseparable phrasal verb is a phrasal verb that cannot be separated. For example, “look after” is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot say “I looked the child after” but must say “I looked after the child.”
Common Phrasal Verbs
There are many phrasal verbs in English grammar. Some of the most common phrasal verbs are with the verbs “get,” “put,” “take,” “make,” “go,” “come,” “give,” “look,” “bring,” “set,” “run,” “turn,” “keep,” “hold,” and “break.”
Common Phrasal Verbs with “Get”
The verb “get” has many phrasal verbs in English grammar. Some of the most common phrasal verbs with “get” are:
- Get up: To get out of bed in the morning.
- Get over: To recover from an illness or a bad experience.
- Get through: To successfully complete a task or a project.
- Get on: To enter a vehicle, like a bus or a train.
- Get by: To survive with limited resources.
- Get off: To leave a vehicle, like a bus or a train.
- Get along: To have a good relationship with someone.
Common Phrasal Verbs with “Put”
The verb “put” also has many phrasal verbs in English grammar. Some of the most common phrasal verbs with “put” are:
- Put on: To wear something, like clothes or jewelry.
- Put off: To delay doing something.
- Put up with: To tolerate something that is unpleasant.
- Put out: To extinguish a fire or a cigarette.
- Put away: To store something in a specific place.
- Put down: To write something down, like notes or information.
Common Phrasal Verbs with “Take”
The verb “take” also has many phrasal verbs in English grammar. Some of the most common phrasal verbs with “take” are:
- Take off: To remove something, like clothes or jewelry.
- Take up: To start doing a new activity or hobby.
- Take in: To understand or absorb information
- Take over: To assume control of something.
- Take out: To remove something from a specific place.
- Take on: To accept a new responsibility.
Common Phrasal Verbs with “Make”
The verb “make” also has many phrasal verbs in English grammar. Some of the most common phrasal verbs with “make” are:
- Make up: To invent a story or an excuse.
- Make out: To see, hear or understand something unclear.
- Make over: To change or improve something or someone.
- Make for: To head towards a destination.
- Make do: To manage with limited resources.
- Make up for: To compensate for something.
Common Phrasal Verbs with “Go”
The verb “go” has many phrasal verbs in English grammar. Some of the most common phrasal verbs with “go” are:
- Go over: To review or examine something.
- Go through: To experience something, like a difficult time or a challenge.
- Go on: To continue doing something.
- Go out: To leave your home to socialize or to attend an event.
- Go with: To choose something to match something else.
- Go after: To pursue someone or something.
Common Phrasal Verbs with “Come”
The verb “come” has many phrasal verbs in English grammar. Some of the most common phrasal verbs with “come” are:
- Come up with: To think of an idea or a plan.
- Come along: To accompany someone.
- Come across: To find something unexpectedly.
- Come out: To become known to the public.
- Come to: To regain consciousness after fainting or sleeping.
- Come up: To arise or occur unexpectedly.
Common Phrasal Verbs with “Give”
The verb “give” has many phrasal verbs in English grammar. Some of the most common phrasal verbs with “give” are:
- Give up: To quit or stop doing something.
- Give in: To surrender or submit to something or someone.
- Give back: To return something to its owner.
- Give out: To distribute something to a group of people.
- Give away: To give something for free or as a gift.
- Give off: To emit or produce something, like a smell or a sound.
Common Phrasal Verbs with “Look”
The verb “look” has many phrasal verbs in English grammar. Some of the most common phrasal verbs with “look” are:
- Look after: To take care of someone or something.
- Look into: To investigate or research something.
- Look for: To search for something or someone.
- Look up: To search for information in a book or online.
- Look out: To be careful and cautious.
- Look forward to: To be excited about something in the future.
Common Phrasal Verbs with “Bring”
The verb “bring” has many phrasal verbs in English grammar. Some of the most common phrasal verbs with “bring” are:
- Bring up: To raise or mention a topic or a subject.
- Bring along: To bring something or someone with you.
- Bring out: To introduce or make something available to the public.
- Bring down: To lower or reduce something, like prices or costs.
- Bring in: To earn or receive money.
- Bring about: To cause or make something happen.
Common Phrasal Verbs with “Set”
The verb “set” has many phrasal verbs in English grammar. Some of the most common phrasal verbs with “set” are:
- Set up: To establish or start something.
- Set in: To become established or entrenched.
- Set off: To begin a journey or start a new activity.
- Set aside: To reserve or put aside for a specific purpose.
- Set out: To begin a journey or a project with a specific goal in mind.
- Settle down: To become comfortable or established in a new place.
Common Phrasal Verbs with “Turn”
The verb “turn” has many phrasal verbs in English grammar. Some of the most common phrasal verbs with “turn” are:
- Turn on: To switch on a machine or a device.
- Turn off: To switch off a machine or a device.
- Turn up: To appear or arrive unexpectedly.
- Turn down: To refuse an offer or a request.
- Turn out: To have a particular outcome or result.
- Turn into: To transform or change into something else.
Tips for Learning Phrasal Verbs
Learning phrasal verbs can be challenging for non-native English speakers. However, with consistent practice and exposure, you can gradually master these phrasal verbs in English grammar. Here are some tips to help you learn phrasal verbs effectively:
- Start with the most common phrasal verbs: It’s best to start with the most common phrasal verbs in English. This will help you build a strong foundation and allow you to use these phrasal verbs in your daily conversations.
- Understand the meaning: To learn phrasal verbs effectively, you need to understand the meaning of the individual words and the context in which they are used. You can use online dictionaries and reference books to help you understand the meaning of phrasal verbs.
- Practice using phrasal verbs in context: To get used to using phrasal verbs in English grammar, it’s essential to practice using them in context. You can do this by writing sentences, practicing conversations, or listening to English podcasts.
- Learn phrasal verbs with prepositions: Most phrasal verbs consist of a verb and a preposition. For instance, the phrasal verb “look for” is made up of the verb “look” and the preposition “for.” It’s important to learn phrasal verbs with prepositions to understand how they function in a sentence.
- Use flashcards: Flashcards can be an effective tool for learning phrasal verbs. You can write the phrasal verb on one side and the definition on the other side. Then, you can practice using the phrasal verbs in different contexts.
- Watch movies and TV shows: Watching movies and TV shows can be an excellent way to learn phrasal verbs in English grammar. You can pay attention to how the characters use phrasal verbs in different situations and try to use them in your daily conversations.
Conclusion
Phrasal verbs are an essential part of English grammar. They are commonly used in everyday conversations and are essential for non-native English speakers to learn. By understanding the meaning of individual words and the context in which they are used, you can gradually master phrasal verbs in English. With consistent practice and exposure, you can start using phrasal verbs effectively in your daily conversations.