Can You Give Examples of Phrasal Verbs? Definition, Types, and 50+ Common Phrasal Verb Examples
Summary
Introduction
If you’ve ever asked, “Can you give examples of phrasal verbs?” you’re not alone.
Phrasal verbs are everywhere in everyday English, but their meanings are not always clear from the individual words. For language learners, understanding what a phrasal verb is, when to use a phrasal verb, and how to use a phrasal verb correctly is essential for natural-sounding speech and writing.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
● What a phrasal verb is
● The main types of phrasal verbs
● Structure and word order rules
● How to use phrasal verbs in context
● Common mistakes (and how to fix them)
● Clear comparisons with normal verbs
● Practice questions and FAQs
What Is a Phrasal Verb?
A phrasal verb is a verb + one or more short words (particles), usually a preposition or adverb, that together create a new meaning.
● Form: verb + particle (or verb + particle + particle)
● Example:
- take off (remove clothing, or when a plane leaves the ground)
- give up (stop trying)
- look after (take care of)
The meaning is often idiomatic. You cannot always guess it from the verb and preposition alone:
● pick up = lift something or learn something casually
● run into = meet someone by chance
● break down = stop working (for a machine) or become very upset (for a person)
Core Types of Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs can be grouped in several ways. Here are three useful classifications.
1. Separable vs. Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
Type | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
Separable | Object can go between verb and particle | I turned off the light. / I turned the light off. |
Inseparable | Object must come after the whole phrasal verb | We looked after the baby. (looked the baby after ×) |
Important:
With pronouns, separable phrasal verbs must be split:
● ✅ Turn it off.
● ❌ Turn off it.
2. Transitive vs. Intransitive Phrasal Verbs
Type | Needs an Object? | Example |
|---|---|---|
Transitive | Yes | She put off the meeting. (“the meeting” = object) |
Intransitive | No | The plane took off. (no object) |
3. Literal vs. Idiomatic Phrasal Verbs
Type | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
Literal | Verb + particle have a clear, physical meaning | She walked out of the room. |
Idiomatic | Meaning is not obvious from the individual words | He worked out the problem. (= solved) |
Structure Rules for Phrasal Verbs
To use phrasal verbs correctly, pay attention to word order and pronouns.
1. Position of the Object (Separable Verbs)
For separable phrasal verbs:
● Noun object:
- ✅ She looked up the word.
- ✅ She looked the word up.
● Pronoun object:
- ✅ She looked it up.
- ❌ She looked up it.
2. Inseparable Verbs: No Splitting
Some phrasal verbs cannot be separated:
● ✅ We ran into an old friend.
● ❌ We ran an old friend into.
Common inseparable phrasal verbs:
● look after
● run into
● get over
● look forward to
3. Stress and Emphasis (Speaking)
In spoken English, the particle (up, out, off, etc.) often carries stress:
● We need to give UP now.
● The plane TOOK OFF on time.
How and When to Use Phrasal Verbs (Functions + Examples)
Native speakers use phrasal verbs in many situations. Here are some common functions with examples.
Everyday Actions
● Get up – leave your bed
- I get up at 7 a.m. on weekdays.
● Put on – wear clothing
- She put on her jacket and left.
● Take off – remove clothing
- Please take off your shoes at the door.
Communication
● Bring up – start talking about a topic
- He brought up an interesting question in the meeting.
● Get across – make someone understand
- I tried to get my point across, but they disagreed.
● Talk over – discuss
- Let’s talk over the plan before we decide.
Emotions and Reactions
● Calm down – become less angry or excited
- She was upset, but she calmed down after a while.
● Cheer up – become happier
- The message really cheered him up.
● Break down – lose control of emotions
- He broke down when he heard the news.
Work and Study
● Hand in – submit
- You must hand in your assignment by Friday.
● Look over – review
- I’ll look over your essay tonight.
● Figure out – understand/solve
- We finally figured out the solution.
Common Mistakes with Phrasal Verbs
Mistake Type | Wrong Example | Correct Example |
|---|---|---|
Splitting an inseparable verb | We looked the kids after × | We looked after the kids. ✔ |
Wrong pronoun position | Turn off it. × | Turn it off. ✔ |
Using the wrong particle | He picked on a new skill. × | He picked up a new skill. ✔ |
Direct translation from L1 | I will open the TV. × | I will turn on the TV. ✔ |
Using phrasal verbs in formal writing | The company gave up on the plan. × | The company abandoned the plan. ✔ |
Phrasal Verbs vs. Single-Word Verbs
Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Single-Word Verb | Example (Neutral) | Example (More Formal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
find out | discover | discover | We found out the truth. | We discovered the truth. |
give up | stop trying | abandon | She gave up smoking. | She abandoned the attempt. |
put off | delay | postpone | Let's put off the meeting. | Let's postpone the meeting. |
look into | investigate | investigate | They will look into the problem. | They will investigate the problem. |
carry on | continue | continue | Please carry on with your work. | Please continue your work. |
Step-by-Step Example Breakdown
Sentence 1:
> She picked up a new language while living abroad.
● She → subject
● picked up → phrasal verb
● a new language → object
● Meaning: She learned a new language.
Sentence 2:
> They turned the TV off and went to bed.
● They → subject
● turned … off → phrasal verb (separable)
● the TV → object
● Meaning: They switched off the TV.
Sentence 3:
> I’m looking forward to the trip.
● I’m looking forward to → inseparable phrasal verb
● the trip → object
● Meaning: I feel excited about the trip.
Practice: Mini Quiz on Phrasal Verbs
1. Identify the phrasal verb
a) We ran into our teacher at the supermarket.
b) She turned off the lights before leaving.
c) He got over the flu quickly.
2. Separable or inseparable?
a) look after
b) turn down
c) run into
3. Choose the correct sentence
a) ❑ Please turn off it.
❑ Please turn it off.
b) ❑ We looked the baby after.
❑ We looked after the baby.
c) ❑ She put on her coat.
❑ She put her coat on.
4. Replace with a single-word verb
a) look into → ________
b) gave up → ________
c) found out → ________
Answers
1.
a) ran into
b) turned off
c) got over
2.
a) inseparable
b) separable
c) inseparable
3.
a) Turn it off.
b) We looked after the baby.
c) Both are correct.
4.
a) investigate
b) abandoned
c) discovered
FAQ
1. What is a phrasal verb in simple words?
A verb + short word (up, off, in, over) with a special meaning.
2. How do I know when to use a phrasal verb?
Use it in everyday, conversational English. Use single-word verbs in formal writing.
3. Are all phrasal verbs separable?
No. Some are separable, some inseparable.
4. How can I remember phrasal verbs better?
Study them in groups (topic or verb family) and always learn full sentences.
5. What’s the difference between phrasal verbs and prepositional verbs?
Many books treat them similarly; both create idiomatic meanings with a verb + particle.
6. How many phrasal verbs do I need to learn?
Start with 30–50 common ones and expand naturally over time.
Summary
A phrasal verb combines a verb with small words to create a new meaning.
You’ve learned:
● What a phrasal verb is
● Types and structure rules
● How to use them in real English
● Common mistakes
● Comparisons with single-word verbs
Understanding how to use phrasal verbs will help your English sound natural and confident.
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