Have you ever come across a phrasal verb while learning English and wondered why on earth we have such complicated verb forms? Why do we need to use “get up” instead of simply “rise” or “turn down” instead of just “lower”? In this article, we’ll dive into the fascinating world of phrasal verbs, exploring why we use them and why they are essential for mastering English. So, buckle up and get ready to unravel the mysteries of phrasal verbs!
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Definition
A phrasal verb is a group of words that acts as a verb and consists of a verb along with a preposition, an adverb, or both. They are important in the English language. Below are three phrasal verbs that you may already be familiar with:
Abide by:
Meaning: To respect or obey a decision, a law, or a rule
Sentence: If you wish to remain employed here, abide by our rules.
Back away:
Meaning: To move backward, in fear or dislike
Sentence: She backed away in fright when she saw the snake and called for help.
Come across:
Meaning 1: To find by chance
Meaning 2: To appear, seem, make an impression
Sentence 1: I came across an authentic Arabic restaurant on my way back from the office.
Sentence 2: The actor came across as a good entertainer during the award show.
Types of phrasal verbs
To gain a deeper grasp of phrasal verbs, it’s beneficial to categorize them into two pairs: transitive and intransitive, separable and inseparable. Each phrasal verb fits into one category within each pair (and every separable phrasal verb is transitive).
Transitive phrasal verbs
Transitive phrasal verbs use a direct object, just like standard transitive verbs.
Sam couldn’t put up with the noisy hawkers any longer.
Intransitive phrasal verbs
Intransitive phrasal verbs do not use an object.
The chief guest was late, so the Principal team went ahead without him.
Separable phrasal verbs
With transitive phrasal verbs, you can sometimes place the direct object between the verb and the particle, such as “check it out,” for example. However, there are a few rules to follow with separable phrasal verbs, so pay attention to our next section about word order.
Ahmed forgot to shut the lights off before he went outside.
Inseparable phrasal verbs
Inseparable phrasal verbs cannot be separated; the verb and the particle must remain together. All intransitive phrasal verbs are inseparable.
The diligent student carried on with his assignment.
Some transitive phrasal verbs are also inseparable.
The CEO went over the agreement with his team members.
More phrasal verb examples:
- Please calm down, and let’s talk about this calmly.
- The meeting was held off until next week due to scheduling conflicts.
- We must hurry to get on the plane.
- We should carry on with our plans despite the setback.
- We need to clean up the kitchen before the guests arrive.
- Do not put off till tomorrow what you can do today.
- Stand up while talking to the teacher.
- I want to find out more about the new project at work.
- Take off your dirty clothes and take a shower.
- My puppy likes to break out of his kennel to play with the cat.
Thank you for reading our article on “What Are Phrasal Verbs.” We hope you found it informative and helpful as you seek to understand this vital aspect of the English language. Stay tuned for more language tips and insights from our team. If you have any questions or suggestions for future topics, feel free to reach out to us. Keep learning and expanding your language skills!
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