Unit 3.2
Phrasal Verbs
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Introduction
A phrasal verb is a two-part verb formed by a verb and a particle. This particle usually gives verbs a whole new meaning.
Form
Phrasal verb structures consist of a verb followed by a preposition.
Some of the most used are:
- with break: break up, break out, break dow;
- with come: come back,come across,come up;
- with look: look after, look for, look up, look out, look forward;
- with put: put off, put down, put up with;
- with take: take off, take after, take back…
Example
- One prisoner broke out of jail.
- They came back very late yesterday.
- I came across my friend last week.
- She always looks up to her father.
- Look out! You’re going to fall down!
- We have to put the picnic off, it’s raining.
- Susie takes after her mother.
- He has to take his bike back.
Use
According to their meaning, phrasal verbs are used in different contexts.
Below you can see the meanings of some phrasal verbs:
- Break:
- break up: end a relationship;
- break out: escape;
- break down: stop working.
- Come:
- come back: return;
- come across: to meet someone/something by coincidence;
- come up: be mentioned.
- Look:
- look after: take care of something or somebody;
- look for: search for;
- look up: respect;
- look out: be careful;
- look forward: wait for something with excitement.
- Put:
- put off: postpone;
- put down: place something on the table/floor;
- put up with: tolerate.
- Take:
-
- take off: remove a piece of clothing;
- take after: to look like someone;
- take back: return.
Summary
Phrasal verbs are verbs formed by the combination of a verb and a particle. This particle usually gives verbs a whole new meaning.
The most common used phrasal verbs are:
- break: break up, break out, break down;
- come: come back, come across, come up;
- look: look after, look for, look up, look out, look forward;
- put: put off, put down, put up with;
- take: take off, take after, take back…
For example:
— “He told his girlfriend to come back.”
— “She should take her book back.”
Let’s revise this content within the {Form} section. Take a look at the {Example} section that shows its use within a context.
Exercises
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