Master Essential Phrasal Verbs to Enhance Your English Communication Skills
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- What Are Phrasal Verbs?
- Why Learn Phrasal Verbs?
- 20 Common English Phrasal Verbs and How to Use Them
- Tips for Learning and Using Phrasal Verbs
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Conclusion
Introduction
Keywords: common English phrasal verbs, phrasal verbs usage, essential phrasal verbs
Phrasal verbs are an integral part of the English language, especially in everyday conversations. They consist of a verb combined with one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs) that modify the verb’s meaning. Mastering these expressions can significantly enhance your fluency and comprehension. In this article, we’ll explore 20 common English phrasal verbs and how to use them effectively. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this guide will help you navigate the nuances of phrasal verbs with ease.
What Are Phrasal Verbs?
Phrasal verbs are phrases that combine a verb with a preposition or adverb (or both), resulting in a new expression with a distinct meaning. For example, “look” is different from “look after,” where “look after” means to take care of someone or something.
Why Learn Phrasal Verbs?
- Enhance Communication: Phrasal verbs are widely used by native speakers.
- Improve Comprehension: Understanding them helps in grasping conversations, movies, and books.
- Sound Natural: Using phrasal verbs makes your speech more fluent and less formal.
- Expand Vocabulary: They offer new ways to express ideas.
20 Common English Phrasal Verbs and How to Use Them
Keywords: common phrasal verbs, phrasal verbs examples, how to use phrasal verbs
1. Bring up
Meaning: To mention a topic or to raise a child.
Examples:
- Mention a topic:
- “She decided to bring up the issue during the meeting.”
- “Don’t bring up politics at the dinner table.”
- Raise a child:
- “They brought up three children on their farm.”
- “He was brought up by his grandparents.”
- Additional usage:
- “I hate to bring this up, but we need to talk about your performance.”
2. Call off
Meaning: To cancel something.
Examples:
- “The concert was called off due to bad weather.”
- “They decided to call off the wedding.”
- “The search was called off after it got dark.”
- “We need to call off the meeting until further notice.”
- “He called off the trip because he was ill.”
3. Carry on
Meaning: To continue doing something.
Examples:
- “Please carry on with your work.”
- “They carried on talking despite the noise.”
- “She decided to carry on her mother’s tradition.”
- “After the interruption, he carried on as if nothing happened.”
- “Carry on practicing, and you’ll improve.”
4. Come across
Meaning: To find something or someone by chance; to appear or seem.
Examples:
- Find by chance:
- “I came across an old photo album in the attic.”
- “She came across a rare book at the store.”
- Appear or seem:
- “He comes across as a confident person.”
- “The proposal came across well in the meeting.”
- Additional usage:
- “They came across a great restaurant downtown.”
5. Find out
Meaning: To discover or learn information.
Examples:
- “I need to find out what time the movie starts.”
- “She found out that she got the job.”
- “They found out the truth about the incident.”
- “He found out how to fix the problem.”
- “We must find out who is responsible.”
6. Get along
Meaning: To have a good relationship; to deal with a situation.
Examples:
- Good relationship:
- “They get along well with their neighbors.”
- “Do you get along with your siblings?”
- Deal with a situation:
- “How are you getting along in your new job?”
- “She’s getting along fine despite the challenges.”
- Additional usage:
- “The two dogs didn’t get along at first.”
7. Give up
Meaning: To stop trying; to surrender.
Examples:
- “He gave up smoking last year.”
- “Don’t give up on your dreams.”
- “They gave up after several failed attempts.”
- “She never gives up, no matter how hard it gets.”
- “The team refused to give up despite the score.”
8. Look after
Meaning: To take care of someone or something.
Examples:
- “Can you look after my cat while I’m away?”
- “She looks after her elderly parents.”
- “It’s important to look after your health.”
- “They hired a nanny to look after the children.”
- “He looks after the garden during the summer.”
9. Look forward to
Meaning: To be excited about something that will happen in the future.
Examples:
- “I’m looking forward to our vacation.”
- “She looks forward to meeting you.”
- “They are looking forward to the concert.”
- “He looks forward to starting his new job.”
- “We look forward to your feedback.”
10. Make up
Meaning: To invent something; to reconcile after an argument.
Examples:
- Invent something:
- “She made up a story about why she was late.”
- “He likes to make up funny songs.”
- Reconcile:
- “They had a fight but later made up.”
- “Let’s make up and be friends again.”
- Additional usage:
- “Can you make up the lost time?”
11. Pick up
Meaning: To lift something; to collect someone or something; to learn.
Examples:
- Lift something:
- “Please pick up your clothes from the floor.”
- “He picked up the book and began to read.”
- Collect someone/something:
- “I’ll pick you up at 7 pm.”
- “She picked up her order from the store.”
- Learn:
- “She picked up some Spanish while traveling.”
- “He quickly picked up the new software.”
12. Put off
Meaning: To delay or postpone something; to discourage someone.
Examples:
- Delay or postpone:
- “They put off the meeting until next week.”
- “Don’t put off your homework.”
- Discourage someone:
- “The bad weather put them off hiking.”
- “His attitude puts people off.”
- Additional usage:
- “She was put off by the high prices.”
13. Run into
Meaning: To meet someone by chance; to encounter a problem.
Examples:
- Meet by chance:
- “I ran into an old friend at the mall.”
- “She ran into her professor downtown.”
- Encounter a problem:
- “They ran into difficulties during the project.”
- “We ran into traffic on the way here.”
- Additional usage:
- “He ran into trouble with the law.”
14. Set up
Meaning: To arrange or establish something.
Examples:
- “They set up a new company last year.”
- “Can you set up the meeting for tomorrow?”
- “She set up the equipment before the presentation.”
- “He helped set up the charity event.”
- “We need to set up an appointment.”
15. Take off
Meaning: To remove something; for a plane to depart; to become successful.
Examples:
- Remove something:
- “Please take off your shoes at the door.”
- “He took off his jacket.”
- Plane departing:
- “The plane takes off at noon.”
- “We watched the aircraft take off.”
- Become successful:
- “Her career took off after the promotion.”
- “The new product really took off.”
16. Turn down
Meaning: To refuse or reject something; to reduce volume or intensity.
Examples:
- Refuse or reject:
- “She turned down the job offer.”
- “He turned down the invitation.”
- Reduce volume/intensity:
- “Please turn down the music.”
- “He turned down the heat.”
- Additional usage:
- “They turned down the proposal.”
17. Turn up
Meaning: To appear or arrive; to increase volume or intensity.
Examples:
- Appear or arrive:
- “He turned up late to the party.”
- “My missing keys turned up in the kitchen.”
- Increase volume/intensity:
- “Can you turn up the radio?”
- “She turned up the brightness on her screen.”
- Additional usage:
- “Opportunities often turn up when you least expect them.”
18. Work out
Meaning: To exercise; to find a solution.
Examples:
- Exercise:
- “She works out at the gym every morning.”
- “They worked out for an hour.”
- Find a solution:
- “We need to work out this problem.”
- “They worked out a plan together.”
- Additional usage:
- “Things will work out in the end.”
19. Break down
Meaning: To stop functioning; to become upset; to divide into parts.
Examples:
- Stop functioning:
- “The car broke down on the highway.”
- “Our washing machine has broken down.”
- Become upset:
- “She broke down in tears.”
- “He broke down after hearing the news.”
- Divide into parts:
- “Let’s break down the project into tasks.”
- “The data was broken down by category.”
20. Catch up
Meaning: To reach the same standard or level; to discuss the latest news.
Examples:
- Reach the same level:
- “I need to catch up on my studies.”
- “She ran fast to catch up with them.”
- Discuss the latest news:
- “Let’s meet for coffee and catch up.”
- “They caught up after years apart.”
- Additional usage:
- “He wants to catch up on sleep this weekend.”
Tips for Learning and Using Phrasal Verbs
- Contextual Learning: Learn phrasal verbs in context rather than in isolation.
- Group by Verb: Study phrasal verbs that share the same main verb.
- Use Flashcards: Create flashcards with the phrasal verb on one side and the meaning on the other.
- Practice Regularly: Incorporate phrasal verbs into your daily conversations and writing.
- Watch and Listen: Observe how native speakers use phrasal verbs in movies, shows, and podcasts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why are phrasal verbs important in English?
Answer: Phrasal verbs are commonly used in everyday English, especially in informal speech and writing. Understanding them is essential for effective communication and comprehension of native speakers.
2. How can I memorize phrasal verbs effectively?
Answer: Memorize them through context by reading and listening to examples. Practice using them in sentences, and group them by common verbs or themes to make learning easier.
3. Are phrasal verbs used in formal writing?
Answer: Phrasal verbs are more common in informal contexts. In formal writing, it’s often better to use a single-word verb or a more formal equivalent.
Conclusion
Mastering these 20 common English phrasal verbs will significantly enhance your fluency and confidence in using the English language. By understanding their meanings and practicing their usage, you’ll be better equipped to engage in conversations, comprehend native speakers, and express yourself more naturally. Start incorporating these phrasal verbs into your daily communication, and watch your language skills flourish!