Phrasal verbs
A phrasal verb is a two-word phrase consisting of:
Verb + Adverb
Is a dependent part of the verb. For example:
"I couldn't live down that incident."
Verb+ Preposition
It is linked with nouns or pronouns.
"He lives down the street."
There are four types of phrasal verbs:
- Intransitive, inseparable, and without an object.
Come back. - Transitive, separable, and with an object.
Get it back. - Transitive, inseparable, and with an object.
Pick up that dress. - Transitive, with two inseparable particles.
Look it up.
Characteristics
- This verb can be transitive or intransitive, depending on whether it has an object. It basically depends on the order of the sentence.
- It creates a different meaning from the original verb. For example:
Run: To move from one place to another quickly by a fast moving of the legs.
Run over: To drive a vehicle over a person or object.
There are some phrasal verbs that you should learn:
Work out
- To develop, to progress, or to make.
"I hope everything works out well in the future." - To make exercise.
"Jessica works out every morning."
Look back
- To think about the past.
"When I look back at my childhood, I feel happy."
Pay back
- To give money back.
"I'll pay back his money tomorrow."
Turn into
- To convert or become something new.
"He turns into a really good man."
Bring in
- To incorporate, to earn.
"They didn't bring in any profit from that sale."
- To bring something.
"Sorry, we didn't bring in anything."
Burn out
- To consume something into the fire.
"The entire building burned out!"
Come in
- To enter.
"You cannot come in."
Fall down
- To fall.
"She ran so fast that she fell down immediately."
Get back
- To recover something, to return.
"I need to get back my guitar."
Cheer up
- To encourage someone.
"I hope she can cheer up again."
Find out
- To discover something.
"We find out all the truth!"
Hang on
- To wait for a short period of time. It is used in informal contexts.
"Hang on, I'll be there in a minute."
Look out
- To be careful, to watch, or keep something in mind
"Look out for alligators in this area. They’re common here."
Pass away
- To die.
"The doctor said he passed away this morning."
Think back
- To remember.
"Now that I think back, I left my keys on the desk."