Phrasal verbs

There are many synonyms, or words that have almost the same meaning, in English (such as big and large). Often verbs will have synonyms that are phrasal verbs. Phrasal verbs are groups of words, usually a verb + a particle (a preposition or adverb or both).

Look at these formal verbs used in hospitals and in the video about Fire Safety. Notice the phrasal verbs that have almost the same meaning. 

list of some common phrasal verbs with their formal equivalents

There are several kinds of phrasal verbs:

1. separable

2. inseparable

3. intransitive

1. Separable Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs that are separable can have the object before or after the particle like this:

  • If you can, try to put the fire out. 
  • If you can, try to put out the fire. 

However, if you use a pronoun (me, you, him/her/it, us, them, that, this, etc) it can only go between the verb and the particle.

  • Fire is dangerous. If you can, try to put it out. 
  • Fire is dangerous. If you can, try to put out it. [non-standard]

2. Inseparable Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs that are inseparable must have the object after the particle like this:

  • To remember important information, you should go over the information regularly.  
  • To remember important information, you should go over it regularly.  
  • To remember important information, you should go it over regularly.  [non-standard]

Phrasal verbs with more than one particle after the verb are always inseparable.

  • I came down with a cold last weekend. 
  • I came down with it last weekend.  
  • I came a cold down with last weekend.  [non-standard]
  • I came down a cold with last weekend. [non-standard]

3. Intransitive Phrasal Verbs

Some phrasal verbs have no object.

  • When a fire breaks out, you must pull the alarm as soon as possible! 
  • When breaks out a fire, you must pull the alarm as soon as possible! [non-standard]

Understanding and using phrasal verbs will help you to understand everyday speech more easily. Here are some of the most common phrasal verbs for you to practice.

Learn and practice

Learn and practice some of the most common phrasal verbs by clicking on the flashcards below. Or click on "Choose a study mode" at the bottom to view this study set, learn, match, test, or practice spelling.

How was that?

Which phrasal verbs are easy for you to remember? Which are hard? How do you remember the hard ones?

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