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What Are Phrasal Verbs, And How Do I Use Them?
The secret ingredient to English fluency...
Ever heard of phrasal verbs and thought, "WHAT ARE THOSE!?"
Don’t worry; we’ve got your back! Today, we’re diving into these quirky little phrases that make English so expressive—and sometimes a bit confusing. Let’s break it all down!
Table of Contents
What Are Phrasal Verbs?
A phrasal verb occurs when a verb, such as "look" or "give," combines with one or more small words called particles, like "up," "out," or "away." Together, they form a new meaning that often differs significantly from the original verb.
For example:
Look up = to search for information.
I need to look up this word in the dictionary.
Give up = to stop trying or quit.
Don't give up on your dreams!
These tiny combos pack a punch (=have a big effect), but their meanings aren’t always obvious—so they’re like the secret sauce of English.
Filler words are the meaningless words we use in conversation to fill pauses.
Examples: urm, like, you know, well, etc.
Do you already know this? |
Why Do We Use Them?
Phrasal verbs make English more casual, dynamic, and fun. Native speakers use them all the time, so learning them will help you sound more natural and understand conversations better.
Examples You’ll Love
Here are five common phrasal verbs with examples to get you started:
Pick up – to collect or learn something.
Could you pick up some milk on your way home? (collect)
I picked up a few French phrases while I was in Paris. (learned)
Run out of – to have no more of something.
Oh no! We’ve run out of coffee!
Turn on / Turn off – to switch something on or off.
Can you turn on the lights? It’s so dark in here. (to switch on)
Don’t forget to turn off the oven! (to switch off)
Hang out – to spend time with someone casually.
Do you want to hang out at my place this weekend?
Break down – to stop working (machines) or become very emotional.
My car broke down on the way to work. (stop working)
She broke down in tears during the meeting. (become emotional)
Quick Usage Tips
Word order matters:
Some phrasal verbs can be separated (Turn off the TV / Turn the TV off).
Others can’t (We ran out of milk, not We ran milk out of).
Practice in context:
Learn them in full sentences, not just as lists. This will help you remember how they’re used.Don’t be afraid to ask:
If you hear a new phrasal verb and don’t understand it, ask what it means. Most native speakers will be happy to explain!
💡 Quick Quiz!
Which sentence uses the phrasal verb correctly?
1) I turned off the alarm before waking up.
2) I ran out bread yesterday.
3) Let’s hang up this weekend at the park.
Hint: Only one is right!
💡 QUICK QUIZ answers:
1) I turned off the alarm before waking up. ✅ Correct!
The phrasal verb turned off is used properly here, meaning the person switched off the alarm.
2) I ran out bread yesterday. ❌ Incorrect.
It should be: I ran out of bread yesterday. Phrasal verbs often need specific prepositions, so out of is required here.
3) Let’s hang up this weekend at the park. ❌ Incorrect.
It should be: Let’s hang out this weekend at the park. Hang up means to end a phone call, not spend time together.
Over To You!
That’s all for today!
Remember, learning phrasal verbs is like solving little puzzles—they take practice, but soon they’ll feel natural. Let us know your favourite phrasal verb, or leave a comment if you have any questions!
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