What is a phrasal verb?
A phrasal verb is a verb followed by a preposition or an adverb; the combination creates a meaning different from the original verb alone.
Phrasal verbs are part of a large group of verbs called “multi-part” or "multi-word” verbs.
The preposition or adverb that follows the verb is sometimes called a particle.
| Example : | |
| To get = to obtain | I need to get a new battery for my camera. |
| To get together = to meet | Why don’t we all get together for lunch one day? |
Phrasal verbs are part of a large group of verbs called “multi-part” or "multi-word” verbs.
The preposition or adverb that follows the verb is sometimes called a particle.
Phrasal verbs and other multi-word verbs are an important part of the English language.
They are mainly used in spoken English and informal texts.
In academic writing it is preferable to use a formal verb such as, for example, “to postpone” rather than “to put off”.
However, the use of phrasal verbs in formal writing cannot be ruled out, as some of them would be difficult to avoid.
Here are some examples:
account for, bring about, carry out, consist of, dispense with, follow up, phase in, put forward...
They are mainly used in spoken English and informal texts.
In academic writing it is preferable to use a formal verb such as, for example, “to postpone” rather than “to put off”.
However, the use of phrasal verbs in formal writing cannot be ruled out, as some of them would be difficult to avoid.
Here are some examples:
account for, bring about, carry out, consist of, dispense with, follow up, phase in, put forward...
Transitive and intransitive phrasal verbs:
Some phrasal verbs are transitive. (A transitive verb always has an object.)
Example : I made up an excuse. ('Excuse' is the object of the verb.)
Example : I made up an excuse. ('Excuse' is the object of the verb.)
Some phrasal verbs are intransitive . (An intransitive verb does not have an object.)
Example : My car broke down.
Example : My car broke down.
Separable or inseparable phrasal verbs:
Some transitive phrasal verbs are separable. (Object between the verb and the preposition.)
Example : I looked the word up in the dictionary.
Example : I looked the word up in the dictionary.
Some transitive phrasal verbs are inseparable. (Object after the preposition.)
Example : I will look into the matter as soon as possible.
Example : I will look into the matter as soon as possible.
Some transitive phrasal verbscan take an object in both places.
Example : I picked up the book. / I picked the book up.
Example : I picked up the book. / I picked the book up.
However, if the object is a pronoun, it must be placed between the verb and the preposition.
Example : I picked it up.
Example : I picked it up.
Below you will find lists of the most commonly-used phrasal verbs in English.
The table below shows the first and last verb in each list.
The table below shows the first and last verb in each list.
Alphabetical lists of Phrasal Verbs
| Phrasal verbs A | abide by → average out at |
| Phrasal verbs B | back away → butt in (on) |
| Phrasal verbs C | call after → cut out |
| Phrasal verbs D | deal with → drown out |
| Phrasal verbs E-F | ease off → fuss over |
| Phrasal verbs G | get about/around → grow up |
| Phrasal verbs H | hand back → hurry up |
| Phrasal verbs I-J-K | idle away → know of |
| Phrasal verbs L | laugh off → lose out to |
| Phrasal verbs M-N | make for → note down |
| Phrasal verbs O-P-Q | opt out (of) → point out |
| Phrasal verbs R-S | reel off → stick with |
| Phrasal verbs T | take after → turn up |
| Phrasal verbs U-Z | use up → write down |
Lists of commonly-used phrasal verbs:
- Phrasal verbs with BACK
- Phrasal verbs with BE
- Phrasal verbs with BREAK
- Phrasal verbs with CALL
- Phrasal verbs with COME
- Phrasal verbs with GET
- Phrasal verbs with GO
- Phrasal verbs with LOOK
- Phrasal verbs with MAKE
- Phrasal Verbs with PUT
- Phrasal verbs with RUN
- Phrasal verbs with TAKE
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