1) What is a phrasal verb?
A phrasal verb combines a verb with a preposition, an adverb or both.
Examples:
You should fill in this form to join our club.
Our car broke down on the freeway.
She looks down on people who haven’t been to college.
2) Types of phrasal verbs
❖ Separable phrasal verbs
With separable phrasal verbs, the preposition / adverb can come after the verb or the noun object, but they always come after the pronoun object.
Examples:
Did you look up that word? (An adverb after the verb)
Did you look that word up? (An adverb after the noun object)
Did you look it up? (An adverb after the pronoun object)
❖ Inseparable phrasal verbs
With inseparable phrasal verbs, the verb and its preposition / adverb always remain together.
Examples:
I’m looking after the baby when you are at work.
I’m looking after him when you are at work.
I’m looking forward to the weekend.
3) Common phrasal verbs with their meanings
❖ Many phrasal verbs have the same meaning as another verb (e.g. call off = to cancel). Here are some common phrasal verbs with their meanings.
- Call off = to cancel
Example:
We called off the party.
We cancelled the party.
- Put on = to wear something
Example:
I put on my coat.
I wear my coat.
- Pass away = to die
Example:
His mother passed away last year.
His mother died last year.
- Take off = to remove a piece of clothing
Example:
She takes off her blouse.
She removes her blouse.
- Put up with = to tolerate
Example:
I don’t know how you put up with that noise!
I don’t know how you tolerate that noise!