Phrasal Verb Lesson - Definition, How to Use & Examples

Lesson Overview

• What Are Phrasal Verbs?
• List of Phrasal Verbs
• How to Use Phrasal Verbs in Sentences
• Examples of Phrasal Verbs in Sentences

Phrasal verbs are like secret codes in the English language, they change meaning when words come together. Without phrasal verbs, conversations would feel stiff and incomplete. In this lesson, we will learn how these word combinations work and how to use them correctly in sentences.

What Are Phrasal Verbs?

Phrasal verbs are combinations of verbs and one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs) that work together to take on a new meaning, different from the original verb. These combinations often create idiomatic expressions, where the meaning is not always obvious from the individual words.

For example:

• Look up – To search for information (e.g., "I need to look up the definition of that word.")
• Give up – To quit or stop trying (e.g., "She decided to give up after several attempts.")
• Turn on – To activate or start something (e.g., "Can you turn on the light?")
• Break down – To stop working or fail (e.g., "My car broke down on the way to work.")

In these examples, the meaning of the phrasal verb isn't directly related to the individual words ("look," "give," "turn," "break"). Instead, the combination creates a unique meaning that you need to understand in context.

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Phrasal Verb Practice Test: Quiz!

List of Phrasal Verbs

Here is a phrasal verbs list that includes commonly used examples:

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Phrasal Verb Vocabulary Quiz Questions and Answers

How to Use Phrasal Verbs in Sentences

Here's how to use phrasal verbs in sentences:

Step 1: Identify the Phrasal Verb

A phrasal verb consists of a verb and one or two particles (prepositions or adverbs).

Examples include "look up," "give up," and "break down." 

Start by identifying the verb and the particle(s) that form the phrasal verb.

• Example: In the phrase "give up," the verb is "give," and "up" is the particle.
  
  

Step 2: Understand the Meaning

Each phrasal verb has its own unique meaning that may differ from the literal meaning of the individual words. 

It's essential to understand the meaning of the phrasal verb in context before using it.

• Example: "Give up" means to stop trying or quit. It's different from the literal meaning of "give" and "up" separately.
  
  

Step 3: Choose the Appropriate Context

Phrasal verbs are often informal and used in everyday conversations or written English, especially in casual or spoken contexts. 

Choose a context where the use of a phrasal verb feels natural.

• Example: "I give up" sounds more conversational than "I quit."
  
  

Step 4: Conjugate the Phrasal Verb Correctly

Like regular verbs, phrasal verbs change forms based on the tense and subject. 

Make sure you conjugate the phrasal verb correctly, especially in present, past, and continuous forms.

• Example:
  
  • Present: "She gives up easily."
  • Past: "He gave up after a few tries."
  • Continuous: "They are giving up."
    
    

Step 5: Use in a Sentence

Once you understand the meaning and conjugate the phrasal verb, you can incorporate it into a sentence. 

Ensure that the sentence structure makes sense in context.

• Example:
  
  • Correct Use: "We should never give up on our dreams."
  • Incorrect Use: "We should never up give on our dreams." (This is incorrect because the particle "up" comes after the verb "give.")
    
    

Step 6: Consider Transitive vs. Intransitive Usage

Some phrasal verbs are transitive, meaning they require an object to complete the meaning, while others are intransitive, meaning they do not.

• Transitive Example: "She looked up the word in the dictionary." (Needs an object "word")
• Intransitive Example: "The plane took off at 9 AM." (No object needed)
  
  

Step 7: Be Aware of Separable and Inseparable Phrasal Verbs

Some phrasal verbs can be separated by their object (separable), while others cannot (inseparable).

• Separable Example:
  • "I turned off the lights."
  • "I turned the lights off." (Both are correct.)
• Inseparable Example:
  • "She ran into an old friend." (Cannot separate "ran" and "into.")
    
    

Step 8: Practice with Different Sentences

The more you practice using phrasal verbs in various contexts, the more natural they will become. 

Try different sentence types: statements, questions, and negative sentences.

• Question Example: "Did you look up the address?"
• Negative Example: "I don't want to give up yet."
  
  

Examples of Phrasal Verbs in Sentences

Here are more phrasal verbs examples used in sentences:

1. "Please look up the address online."

 (Here, "look up" means to search for information.)

2. "We need to pick up the kids from school." 

(This means to collect the kids.)

3. "The teacher called off the meeting due to the snowstorm." 

(This means the meeting was canceled.)

4. "We ran out of coffee, so we need to buy more." 

(This means there's no more coffee left.)

5. "The car broke down on the highway." 

(In this case, it means the car stopped working.)

These phrasal verbs in a sentence demonstrate how they help convey a more precise meaning beyond the individual words used.