Phrasal Verbs and illustrations
 |
| http://www.oxfordhousebcn.com |
(on Youtube)
Watch this video illustration for better understanding of phrasal verbs.
Want to get the video explanation in pdf? click here to download.
or
Want to get a great ebook about phrasal verbs? click here to download.
What is a phrasal verb?
A Phrasal verb is a verb that is followed by one or two prepositions. A phrasal verb cannot be translated word by word, and it has a quite different meaning from the individual words. For instance, the phrasal verb ‘go off’à’did you hear something? Yes, my mobile went off’. This phrasal verb cannot be translated word by word, and it has a completely different meaning which means the phone rang.
Why do we use phrasal verbs instead of using a single word that has a literal meaning?
Not all the single word has a meaning that matches best to what you intend to say, so you use a phrasal verb when its meaning most closely matches what needs to be expressed.
Is all a verb + one or two preposition a phrasal verb?
No, it is not. This is quite tricky. One tip that we can use to differentiate them: a phrasal verb gives a new meaning, so it is not a phrasal verb if it does not give a new meaning e.g. ‘She runs out of the house’. This sentence is clearly literal, it does not idiomatic, thus, it is not a phrasal verb. Furthermore, a verb plus preposition(s) is also kind of collocation (verb plus preposition(s) that have to be used together instead of using another preposition). For instance, ‘depend on’. These two words should be together, so you cannot say ‘depend at’ or ‘depend to’, it is incorrect.
When to use phrasal verbs?
This answer is related to the question ‘why do we use phrasal verbs instead of literal word?’. If there is no single word which matches best to what you intend to say, it means you use phrasal verbs. But not all situations we use phrasal verbs, in academic writing, you need to avoid using exceeded phrasal verbs – if it does have a single word that can be expressed. Phrasal verbs are either informal and formal. It depends on what phrasal verbs you use. If you use daily phrasal verbs, you speak informally or casually and vice versa.
What for?
It is really useful if you want to speak like a native speaker of English. You will sound more natural. Phrasal verbs are a part of English language, so they cannot be omitted. Furthermore, if you know many phrasal verbs, you can understand what the natives say, and can translate or interpret them correctly.
Do phrasal verbs have rules?
Yes, they do. There are four types of phrasal verbs that lead to rules. First, intransitive. It means that the phrasal verb does not need an object e.g. ‘the plane took off’. Second, transitive separable. This type needs an object and can be separated e.g. ‘the teacher told the students off’ and ‘the teacher told off the students’. Next, transitive inseparable. this type needs an object and cannot be separated e.g. ‘my mother looks after my father’; it cannot be separated like ‘my mother looks my father after’. Lastly, a verb with two prepositions. This actually belongs to the third type ‘transitive inseparable’ but with two prepositions, for example ‘we have run out of apple’.
There is one more rule that you should pay attention to. A phrasal verb is always followed by a noun, so if you come across a verb after a phrasal verb, you have to change the verb into a noun by adding the suffix –ing at the end of the word. It is called a gerund or an –ing form verb that works as a noun. Let’s look at the most common example, ‘look forward to’à’I’m looking forward to meeting you soon’. Some learners might get confused about the word ‘to’. They might think it is a ‘to infinitive’, so they think it should be followed by a base verb. As we have known that a phrasal verb consists of a verb + one/two prepositions, and after preposition should be followed by a noun; therefore, we should put gerund instead. Then, how do we know whether it is a ‘to preposition’ or a ‘to infinitive’? one tip that can be followed: if the word that comes after the ‘to’ can be changed into ‘it’ the pronoun, and the meaning makes sense, it means, it is a ‘to’ preposition. The same example:
Sulhan: ‘hey, what are you going to do in this gap year?’
Syilvi: ‘I haven’t decided yet.’
Sulhan: ‘why don’t we travel across the UK using my car’
Syilvi: ‘that sounds great! So, when do we start the trip?’
Sulhan: ‘get yourself prepared next week!’
Syilvi: ‘I’m really looking forward to it!’à’I’m looking forward to starting the trip’
Can a phrasal verb have multiple meanings?
Yes, it can. Look at the phrasal verb ‘get on’. It has several meanings:
- Get on (entering the bus)
- Get on (continuing to a particular activity)
- Get on (when you’re together with someone, you do not hate each other)
How can we learn phrasal verbs easily?
You need to get used to listening to and reading English. Listening to English podcast or reading English newspapers will help. There are also two mobile apps that can be used to learn phrasal verbs easily. That apps give video illustrations, definitions, and examples for the phrasal verbs. They are ‘phrasalstein’ and ‘the phrasal verb machine’. You can download at http://www.englizier.cf/2016/12/top-10-apps-for-learning-english.html. That website gives the mirror apps because the apps are not available to some country (include Indonesia).
More examples of phrasal verbs:
- Come across: ‘I came across a beautiful ring in the drawer’
- Deal with: ‘I’ve got lots to do, but I’ll deal with it later because I’m knackered’
- Come up with: ‘can you come up with a great plan for our weekend?’
- Take on: ‘she takes on two jobs at the moment’
- Point out: ‘Can you point out some photographs of your mum?’
List of common phrasal verbs:
1. GO ON
1. Happen, take place (64.5%)
There is a debate going on right now between the two parties.
2. (+ To) Proceed to do or tackle STH after doing STH else (13%)
Does anyone have any questions before I go on to the next chapter?
2. PICK UP
1. Get or take SB/STH from a place (70.5%)
Can you pick up some food on the way home from work, please?
3. COME BACK
1. Return to a place or a conversation topic (96.5%)
She came back to the kitchen with a bottle of fancy wine.
4. COME UP
1. (+ with) Bring forth or produce (34%)
She instantly came up with a solution to the problem.
2. (Be coming up) Be happening soon (esp. be broadcast soon) (27.5%)
Coming up after the news, our cooking program will feature cheese.
5. GO BACK
1. Return to a place, time, situation, activity, conversation topic (90%)
He washed the dishes and went back to his room.
6. FIND OUT
1. Discover STH; obtain knowledge of STH (100%)
We need to find out who did this to her.
7. COME OUT
1. Leave a place (room, building, container) or appear from it (38%)
She went into the bank and came out with some money.
2. Become known or revealed after being kept secret (13.5%)
The news came out that he was leaving the team.
3. (Come out and do STH) Make public knowledge a privately held position (11.5%)
People need to come out and say what they think about it.
4. Become available or released to the public (film, record, book) (10%)
Their new album is coming out next month.
8. GO OUT
1. Leave a room, building, car, or one’s home to go to a social event (56.5%)
We should go out for dinner sometime.
2. (Go out and do STH) Used as an intensifier, to highlight the active nature of what is being done (19.5%)
Do you think he’ll go out and buy the whole company?
9. POINT OUT
1. Direct attention toward STH (fact, idea, information) (89%)
Experts have pointed out that eating too much sugar is extremely unhealthy.
10. GROW UP
1. Gradually advance in age and maturity (98%)
Seeing my kids growing up is such a lovely thing.
11. SET UP
1. Establish or create STH; arrange for STH to happen or exist (64.5%)
An advisory committee is being set up.
2. Place STH in a particular spot or position (16.5%)
We need to set up a few more chairs so everyone can sit down.
12. TURN OUT
1. Prove or be discovered to happen or be (91%)
Her suspicion turned out to be justified.
13. GET OUT
1. Leave a container (vehicle, room, building) or make SB/STH leave a container (75.5%)
These prisoners have no hope of ever getting out of jail.
14. COME IN
1. Enter a place or area (room, building) (65%)
She opened the door and he came in.
2. Become involved in a situation (14%)
We need experts to come in and give us advice.
15. TAKE ON
1. Undertake or handle (role, task, responsibility, problem, issue) (42%)
Nobody was willing to take on such an awful job.
2. Acquire or assume as one’s own (quality, meaning, colour, shape) (41.5%)
The story takes on a whole new meaning when you read it again.
16. GIVE UP
1. Stop doing or having STH; abandon (activity, belief, possession) (80.5%)
She had to give up smoking when she got pregnant.
17. MAKE UP
1. Form the whole of an amount or entity (42.5%)
Hispanics make up more than 15% of the U.S. population.
2. (+ for) Compensate for STH lacking, lost or missed (18.5%)
Some solution has to be found to make up for such losses.
3. (Make up one’s mind) Make a decision (15.5%)
You should make up your mind about who you will vote for.
18. END UP
1. Finally do STH or be in a particular place, state, or situation after doing STH or as a consequence of it, esp. unexpectedly (100%)
She ended up having to sell her car after her accident.
19. GET BACK
1. Return to a place, position, state, activity, conversation topic (78.5%)
She got back to London last Monday.
20. LOOK UP
1. Raise one’s eyes (88%)
He looked up from his book and shook his head.
21. FIGURE OUT
1. Come to understand or determine STH (100%)
Despite her efforts, she couldn’t figure out what had happened.
22. SIT DOWN
1. Move from a standing position to a sitting position (100%)
Please sit down and have a drink.
23. GET UP
1. Rise or cause to rise after lying in bed or sitting/kneeling (92%)
She got up out of her chair and put on her shoes.
24. TAKE OUT
1. Remove STH/SB from somewhere (container or abstract whole) (50.5%)
He tore open the envelope and took out a few bills.
2. Invite to a recreational place or social event (13.5%)
You should take her out to this new Chinese restaurant.
3. Obtain an official document or service from an authority (12.5%)
I had to take out a loan to cover all my expenses.
25. COME ON
1. Said to encourage SB to try harder, or do or say STH (50%)
Come on, don’t be shy and tell us your story.
2. Said to show SB disbelief, disagreement, or anger (19.5%)
Oh come on, you're just lying to me!
26. GO DOWN
1. Move down to a lower level or position (29%)
After hitting the iceberg, the ship began to go down.
2. Decrease in value or amount (27%)
I don’t think prices will go down.
3. Go from one place to another, esp. one that is further south or underneath (18%)
We went down to Australia last year.
27. SHOW UP
1. Make an appearance at a social or professional gathering (81%)
She didn’t show up at the meeting.
28. TAKE OFF
1. Remove STH (esp. piece of clothing or jewellery from one’s body) (41%)
I took off my shirt and went to bed.
2. Leave a place, especially suddenly (28.5%)
They jumped into the car and took off.
3. Leave the ground and rise into the air (14%)
The plane took off at 7am.
29.WORK OUT
1. Plan, devise or think about STH carefully or in detail (33%)
We still need to work out the details of the procedure.
2. Exercise in order to improve health or strength (23%)
He works out at the gym five times a week.
3. (+ well/badly) Happen or develop in a particular way (15%)
Everything worked out well in the end.
4. Prove to be successful (12.5%)
Despite our efforts, it just didn’t work out.
30. STAND UP
1. Rise to a standing position after sitting or lying down (67.5%)
He pushed away from the table and stood up.
2. (Stand up and say STH) Make public knowledge a privately held position (11%)
Somebody’s got to stand up and say what’s wrong with this country.
31. COME DOWN
1. Move from a higher spatial location to a lower one; fall/land onto the ground (32.5%)
Come down from the roof or you will hurt yourself.
2. (+ to) Reduce itself to one particular thing that is the most important or essential matter (20.5%)
What it all comes down to is that the rules have not been respected.
3. Become lower in amount or value (11%)
Interest rates are currently coming down.
32. GO AHEAD
1. Proceed with a course of action without further hesitation (99%)
Go ahead and ask me your question!
33. GO UP
1. Become higher in value; increase (47.5%)
Oil prices have gone up last year.
2. Move upward, or from a lower spatial location to a higher one (20.5%)
He could see a few hands go up in the audience.
34. LOOK BACK
1. Think of STH again; reconsider STH past (49.5%)
Looking back on those days, we had a very happy life.
2. Look at STH/SB again after having momentarily looked elsewhere (30%)
He closed the dictionary and looked back to his notes.
35. WAKE UP
1. Become (or make SB become) conscious again after being asleep (92%)
I was so tired that I woke up at 10 this morning.
36. CARRY OUT
1. Perform or complete (task, activity, study, experiment, attack, duties, etc) (63.5%)
The experiment was carried out by a well-known academic.
2. Put into execution; implement (plan, idea, wishes, orders, views, etc) (34%)
Economic reform will soon be carried out.
37. TAKE OVER
1. Gain control, management, or possession of STH/SB (task, job, political party, organisation) (96.5%)
After her father died, she took over the company.
38. HOLD UP
1. Hold STH in a high position (e.g. above one’s waist or head), so it can be seen or reached (54%)
The professor held up the picture so everyone could see it.
2. Remain strong or in a fairly good condition after a bad period or the wear of time (person, business, device) (14%)
These are really old shoes but they’re holding up quite well.
3. Delay or prevent the progression of STH/SB (11.5%)
We were held up by heavy traffic.
39. PULL OUT
1. Take STH/SB out of a container, thing or place (75%)
He reached in his pocket and pulled out a gun.
40. TURN AROUND
1. Move so as to face in the opposite direction (67.5%)
She turned around and walked out the door.
2. Make STH become better or more successful than it previously was (economy, business) (24.5%)
People have stopped believing the President could turn around the economy.
41. TAKE UP
1. Use a particular amount of space, time or effort (25.5%)
The rewriting of the document took up a whole afternoon.
2. Discuss or deal with (issue, idea, matter) (17.5%)
The Senate will take up the issue tomorrow.
3. Start doing a particular job or activity, esp. for pleasure (10.5%)
He took up gardening last year.
4. Grasp an object, often moving it from a lower to a higher position (10%)
I have to take up the carpet before I start hoovering.
42. LOOK DOWN
1. Lower one’s eyes to see what is below (92%)
She looked down at the ground to see what she stepped on.
43. PUT UP
1. Display or attach STH (e.g. to a wall) so it can be seen (23%)
They put up a few posters on the wall.
2. (+ with) Be willing to accept STH unpleasant or not desirable; tolerate (19%)
I won’t put up with your bad behaviour for much longer.
3. Build or place STH somewhere (18%)
They’re putting up a new fence after the previous one fell apart.
44. BRING BACK
1. Make STH/SB return to a place, state, situation, or conversation topic (52.5%)
This will bring back war into the country.
2. Bring STH one has taken from a place they come from (22.5%)
This is the hat he brought back from South America.
45. BRING UP
1. Raise for discussion or consideration (59.5%)
I didn’t think he would bring up the subject.
2. Care for/be responsible for a child until it becomes an adult (17.5%)
She brought up her children under very difficult circumstances.
46. LOOK OUT
1. Look outside, or at the horizon (50.5%)
She liked to go by the window and look out at the garden.
2. Take care of SB and make sure they are well; protect SB’s interests (25.5%)
We look out for each other as if we were family.
47. BRING IN
1. Bring STH to a place or situation (52%)
I brought in my laptop computer today because my office computer is broken.
2. Ask SB to do a particular job or task (30.5%)
He had been brought in to save the company.
48. OPEN UP
1. Make STH become available or possible, less limited (42.5%)
This opened up opportunities he would never have imagined.
2. Open STH (door, gate, book, bag) (27.5%)
She opened up the bag and grabbed some documents.
49. CHECK OUT
1. Have a look at; examine STH/SB (esp. to get more information or make a judgement) (97%)
Check out our website for more information.
50. MOVE ON
1. Start doing or discussing STH new (job, activity, conversation topic) (42%)
Let’s move on to our next topic.
2. Change physical location (spot, room, country) (28%)
She lived in New York, then London, and finally moved on to Rome.
3. Forget about a difficult experience and move forward mentally/emotionally (25%)
Do you still feel confused? Don't be hesitate to contact us.
0 comment