Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs

Phrasal verbs are made up of a verb and one or more prepositions. They are
called phrasal verbs because it takes two words or more (a phrase) to
complete their meaning. The verb and preposition work together to form a
new verb whose meaning is different from those of the individual words.

Many phrasal verbs are idiomatic, which means that you can't interpret them literally. The original
meanings of the verb and preposition are often changed. For example, if you tell someone to shut
up (which we know is rude), what ‘up’ are they supposed to shut?

Here are some examples of phrasal verbs:

• Please fill out these forms so I can find out more about you.
• If you fall behind in your homework, your parents will hear from your teacher.
• If you blow up at your friends, it makes it harder to get along with them.
Separable phrasal verbs
With some phrasal verbs, it's possible to separate the verb and the preposition without affecting the
meaning of the sentence, but with others, separation is not possible.

Separable phrasal verbs are always transitive, which means they always have a direct object. If the direct
object is a noun or a noun phrase, you can choose to put it after the preposition or between the verb and
the preposition. However, if the object is a pronoun, it must go between the verb and the preposition.

Example: Correct: You will need to work out the problem on your own.
Correct: You have worked the problem out. Note: Because it is a
Correct: You have worked it out. pronoun, you have to
Incorrect: You have worked out it. put it between the verb
and the preposition, not
Not all transitive phrasal verbs are separable. after the preposition.
Correct: Make sure you look after your little brother.

Incorrect: Make sure you look your little brother after.

Look after is transitive, but it is not separable.
Inseparable phrasal verbs
Inseparable phrasal verbs can be either transitive or intransitive.

• Transitive inseparable phrasal verbs: the direct object must always follow the preposition.

Correct: We went over the answers.

Incorrect: We went the answers over.

• Intransitive phrasal verbs: it's common to try to separate the verb and the preposition, but this is not
correct. Intransitive verbs don't have direct objects, so there's nothing you can put between the verb and
the preposition.

Correct: You will have to catch up on your homework.

Incorrect: You will have to catch your homework up.

Your homework is not the direct object of the verb catch up, so it can't go between the verb and the
preposition.
verb preposition meaning example
look up search for information; visit Look up new words; I’ll look you up next
someone you haven’t seen in a time I’m in London; things are looking up.
while; to improve
get through unable to get a connection I tried to call her but I couldn’t get
through.
make out unable to understand I can’t make out what Jack was saying.
something
bring back used with non-human objects, This photograph brings back happy
to remember something from memories.
the past.
verb preposition meaning example
turn up to be found; of an opportunity - I’m sure the ring will turn up soon.
to happen
come across to meet or find something by I came across an old man playing the
chance guitar beautifully.
break down a machine or car stops working The car broke down on the high way.
due to a fault
put off delay doing something; make I was put off by his arrogance.
someone not like something
Exercise 1: Underline the 12 phrasal verbs in these sentences

1.1 I sent off the order last week but the goods haven’t turned up yet.
1.2 I came across an interesting book in the library. I took down the title. Here it is.
1.3 We asked some friends around to watch a movie but the video was playing up and it eventually broke down.
1.4 I brought up this problem in our previous meeting. It’s really time to sort out the problem.
1.5 I wish he’d stop messing us around. He’s put the meeting off three times and now he wants to call it off
altogether.

Exercise 2: Answer these questions.

2.1. Have you ever lost something and hoped that it will turn up?
2.2 When was the last time you came across something unexpected?
2.3 What would you do if your car broke down next to the road?
2.4 Are you good at sorting out problems?
2.5 Have you ever put something off because you didn’t feel like doing it?