🚀 Phrasal Verbs

Mastering Multi-Word Verbs for Natural English Communication

🎯 Learning Objectives

To understand and master phrasal verbs - essential multi-word verbs that combine a main verb with particles (prepositions or adverbs) to create new meanings that are often idiomatic and crucial for natural English communication.

📖 What are Phrasal Verbs?

Phrasal verbs are combinations of a main verb + particle(s) that function as a single semantic unit with meanings that are often different from the individual words. They are fundamental to natural English and appear frequently in both spoken and written communication.

Type Structure Example Meaning
Intransitive Verb + Particle break down, calm down No object needed
Transitive Separable Verb + Object + Particle back him up, blow it up Object can separate parts
Transitive Inseparable Verb + Particle + Object come down with flu Object cannot separate
Three-word Verb + Particle + Preposition put up with, come up with Complex combinations

📚 Comprehensive Guide: Understanding Phrasal Verbs

🔍 Why Are Phrasal Verbs Important?

Frequency: Native speakers use phrasal verbs constantly in everyday conversation

Natural Sound: Using them makes your English sound more natural and fluent

Idiomatic Meaning: Many have meanings you cannot guess from individual words

Register Variation: Essential for both formal and informal communication

Cultural Understanding: Key to understanding movies, songs, and native conversations

📍 When and Where to Use Phrasal Verbs

🗣️ Informal vs Formal Contexts

Informal (Spoken/Casual Writing): Use phrasal verbs freely

  • "I'll figure out the solution" (casual)
  • "She turned down the job offer" (conversational)
  • "We need to work out regularly" (everyday speech)

Formal (Academic/Business): Consider alternatives

  • "I'll determine the solution" (formal alternative)
  • "She declined the job offer" (formal alternative)
  • "We need to exercise regularly" (formal alternative)

🔧 How to Use Phrasal Verbs: Key Patterns

Pattern 1: Intransitive (No Object)

Structure: Subject + Verb + Particle

break down = stop functioning

"My car broke down on the highway."

calm down = become less agitated

"Please calm down and explain what happened."

turn up = arrive (often unexpectedly)

"He always turns up late to meetings."

Pattern 2: Transitive Separable

Structure: Verb + Object + Particle OR Verb + Particle + Object

Rule: With pronouns, separation is MANDATORY

back up = support someone

✅ "I'll back you up" (pronoun - must separate)

✅ "I'll back up your story" (noun - optional)

✅ "I'll back your story up" (noun - optional)

blow up = inflate / explode

✅ "Let's blow them up" (balloons - pronoun)

✅ "Let's blow up the balloons" (noun)

Pattern 3: Transitive Inseparable

Structure: Verb + Particle + Object (NEVER separated)

come down with = become ill with

✅ "She came down with the flu"

❌ "She came down the flu with"

break into = enter forcibly

✅ "Thieves broke into the house"

❌ "Thieves broke the house into"

💡 Common Meanings and Patterns

🔄 Direction/Movement Phrasal Verbs
  • back up = move in reverse
  • turn up/down = increase/decrease (volume, heat)
  • turn up = arrive
  • break down = stop functioning
🎭 Emotional/Social Phrasal Verbs
  • cheer up = make/become happier
  • calm down = become less angry/excited
  • bring up = raise a child / mention a topic
  • back up = support someone
🎯 Action/Process Phrasal Verbs
  • figure out = solve/understand
  • work out = exercise / solve
  • call off = cancel
  • put off = postpone
  • give up = quit/surrender

⚠️ Common Mistakes and Solutions

✅ Correct Usage:
  • "I'll back you up" (pronoun separated)
  • "She came down with flu" (inseparable)
  • "They called off the meeting" (separable)
  • "Please turn down the music" (separable)
❌ Common Errors:
  • "I'll back up you" (pronoun not separated)
  • "She came down flu with" (wrong word order)
  • "They called the meeting off always" (awkward separation)
  • "Please turn the music down it" (double object)

🧩 Quiz 1: Choose the Correct Phrasal Verb

Select the phrasal verb that best completes each sentence.

1. My computer _______ yesterday, so I couldn't finish my work.

2. The party was _______ because of bad weather.

3. I need to _______ this math problem before tomorrow.

4. She _______ the job offer because the salary was too low.

5. Everyone _______ money to buy a gift for the teacher.

📝 Quiz 2: Fill in the Blanks

Complete each sentence with the correct phrasal verb from the box.

Word Bank: go over, give up, come down with, blow up, tear down, work out, throw up, bring up

1. The old building was so damaged that they had to _______ it _______.

2. I _______ _______ the flu last week and had to stay home.

3. Don't _______ _______! Keep trying and you'll succeed.

4. She _______ _______ after eating the spoiled food.

5. Let's _______ _______ your essay before you submit it.

🔧 Quiz 3: Correct the Mistakes

Each sentence contains an error with phrasal verb usage. Identify and correct the mistake.

1. "I will back up you in the meeting tomorrow."

2. "She came down the flu with last month."

3. "They broke the house into while we were away."

4. "Please turn the music down it, it's too loud."

✅ Complete Answer Key & Explanations

Quiz 1: Multiple Choice Answers

1. b) broke down - "Broke down" means stopped functioning (machines, cars, computers)

2. b) called off - "Called off" means canceled (events, meetings, plans)

3. a) figure out - "Figure out" means solve or understand (problems, solutions)

4. b) turned down - "Turned down" means refused or rejected (offers, invitations)

5. c) chipped in - "Chipped in" means contributed money together

Quiz 2: Fill-in-the-Blanks Answers

1. tear down - "Tear down" means destroy or demolish completely

2. came down with - "Come down with" means become ill with (inseparable)

3. give up - "Give up" means quit or stop trying

4. threw up - "Throw up" means vomit

5. go over - "Go over" means review or examine carefully

Quiz 3: Sentence Corrections

1. Correct: "I will back you up in the meeting tomorrow."

Error: With pronouns, separable phrasal verbs MUST be separated

2. Correct: "She came down with the flu last month."

Error: "Come down with" is inseparable - cannot put object between parts

3. Correct: "They broke into the house while we were away."

Error: "Break into" is inseparable - object comes after both parts

4. Correct: "Please turn the music down, it's too loud." OR "Please turn down the music, it's too loud."

Error: Cannot have both object and pronoun - choose one form

🎯 Key Learning Points

  • Separable vs Inseparable: Know which phrasal verbs can be separated
  • Pronoun Rule: Pronouns MUST separate transitive separable phrasal verbs
  • Context Matters: Same phrasal verb can have different meanings in different contexts
  • Natural Usage: Phrasal verbs make English sound more natural and fluent
  • Register Awareness: Consider formality level when choosing phrasal verbs vs. single-word alternatives