Sunday 12 December 2021

Phrasal Verbs

 Look at these examples to see how phrasal verbs are used.

This is the form. Please can you fill it in?
Why are you bringing that argument up now?
Police are looking into connections between the two crimes.
We need to come up with a solution.

Phrasal verbs are very common in English, especially in more informal contexts. They are made up of a verb and a particle or, sometimes, two particles. The particle often changes the meaning of the verb.

I called Jen to see how she was. (call = to telephone)
They've called off the meeting. (call off = to cancel)

In terms of word order, there are two main types of phrasal verb: separable and inseparable. 

Separable

With separable phrasal verbs, the verb and particle can be apart or together.

They've called the meeting off.
OR
They've called off the meeting.

However, separable phrasal verbs must be separated when you use a pronoun. 

The meeting? They've called it off.

Here are some common separable phrasal verbs:

I didn't want to bring the situation up at the meeting.
(bring up = start talking about a particular subject)

Please can you fill this form in?
(fill in = write information in a form or document)

I'll pick you up from the station at 8 p.m.
(pick up = collect someone in a car or other vehicle to take them somewhere)

She turned the job down because she didn't want to move to Glasgow.
(turn down = to not accept an offer)

Non-separable

Some phrasal verbs cannot be separated. 

Who looks after the baby when you're at work?

Even when there is a pronoun, the verb and particle remain together.

Who looks after her when you're at work?

Here are some common non-separable phrasal verbs:

came across your email when I was clearing my inbox. 
(come across = to find something by chance)

The caterpillar turned into a beautiful butterfly. 
(turn into = become)

It was quite a major operation. It took months to get over it and feel normal again. 
(get over = recover from something)

We are aware of the problem and we are looking into it. 
(look into = investigate)

Some multi-word verbs are inseparable simply because they don't take an object.

get up at 7 a.m.

With two particles

Phrasal verbs with two particles are also inseparable. Even if you use a pronoun, you put it after the particles.

Who came up with that idea? 
(come up with = think of an idea or plan)

Let's get rid of these old magazines to make more space. 
(get rid of = remove or become free of something that you don't want)

I didn't really get on with my stepbrother when I was a teenager.
(get on with = like and be friendly towards someone)

Can you hear that noise all the time? I don't know how you put up with it. 
(put up with = tolerate something difficult or annoying)

The concert's on Friday. I'm really looking forward to it. 
(look forward to = be happy and excited about something that is going to happen)

Read the explanation and make up 5 sentences with phrasal verbs.

5 comments:

  1. 1 - I don’t know which english school is better. I am going to ask around.
    2 - Diana asked us over for a dinner on Sunday
    3 - I blew out the candle
    4 - They can’t afford just to blow his claims off
    5 - The teacher called over the students of the class
    6 - The festival was called off because of the rain
    7 - You can count on me
    8 - This weather is getting me down
    9 - Can you look after my baby, please?
    10 - Look out! The car is coming!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I’m sorry but we have to break up.
    Call off the meeting.
    We must carry on with this tempo to finish the construction in time.
    Come on, what’s on your mind?
    I will not be able to visit you tonight if something else comes up.
    I tried to come up with a good excuse.
    I will deal with the problem later.
    We ended up visiting our friend after shopping last night.
    Please try to fill in this form without corrections.
    I am always happy to get back to my work after my holiday.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Separable

    1)They called off this afternoon's meeting.
    2)Do this homework over.
    3)Fill out this application form and mail it in.
    4)She filled up the grocery cart with free food.
    5)My sister found out that her husband had been planning a surprise party for her.


    Non-separable

    1)The teacher called on students in the back row.
    2)The old minister continued to call on his sick parishioners.
    3)I got over the flu, but I don't know if I'll ever get over my broken heart.
    4)The students went over the material before the exam. They should have gone over it twice
    5)They country went through most of its coal reserves in one year. Did he go through all his money already

    With two particles

    1)I have to get rid of this to feel good
    2)She really doesn’t want to get on with this guy , I see it
    3) I was talking to Mom on the phone when the operator broke in on our call.
    4)After our month-long trip, it was time to catch up with the neighbors and the news around town.
    5)I was talking to Mom on the phone when the operator broke in on our call.

    ReplyDelete

  4. 1. To fill something to the top.
    2. Please take out the garbage before you leave.
    3. Ann takes after his father. 
    4. I’ll see to watering the plants.
    5. Maria ran out of paper towels and had to go to the store.

    ReplyDelete
  5. 1.It was so tired this morning that I couldn't get up
    2.We're not looking forward to it
    3.The problem turned into an advantage
    4.The game was called off because of bad weather
    5.She was brought up by his brother

    ReplyDelete

Angelina Jolie receives the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the 2013 Governors Awards

  Watch the interview and answer the question: What problem does Angelina raise in her acceptance speech?