Summary of Phrasal Verbs for English Learners

Master Phrasal Verbs for English Learners: Your Complete Guide

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Introduction

Phrasal verbs are an important part of everyday English. They combine a verb + preposition (or adverb) and often have a meaning different from the original verb. This guide explains common phrasal verbs, simple present/present perfect forms, and how to use them in sentences. It is written for students who are studying on their own.

A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and a particle (preposition or adverb); its meaning is usually different from the meaning of the verb alone.

What is a phrasal verb?

Structure: Verb + Preposition or Verb + Adverb
Important: The combined meaning is often idiomatic and cannot be guessed just from the verb.

Examples with meanings

Phrasal verb	Meaning	Example sentence
to put up with	to tolerate	She has to put up with noisy neighbors.
to put off	to postpone	We put off the meeting until Friday.
to drop by	to visit informally	I might drop by your house later.
to come across	to meet or find by chance	I came across an old photo in the drawer.
to cheer up	to make somebody feel happier	A funny movie cheered him up.
to turn out	to result	It turned out that she was right.
to ask out	to invite someone on a date	He asked her out last weekend.
to break up	to end a relationship	They decided to break up last month.
to make up	to invent something; also to reconcile	He made up an excuse. / They made up after the argument.
to figure out	to find an answer	Can you figure out this puzzle?
to pass out	to lose consciousness	He fainted and passed out.
to show up	to appear or come	She didn't show up for class.
to get along with	to have a friendly relationship	I get along with my classmates.
to look forward to	to expect something pleasant	I look forward to the holidays.
to find out	to discover information	I found out the truth yesterday.

Note: Some phrasal verbs are separable (you can put the object between verb and particle) and some are inseparable. Check each verb in a dictionary if unsure.

Simple grammar review: Present perfect and short forms

Present perfect forms

Affirmative: I have been / He has visited
Negative: I haven't been / They haven't visited
Question: Have you visited London? — No, I haven't.

The present perfect connects past actions to the present (e.g., experiences, recent events, or states that continue).

Examples

I have been at home today. (state continuing to now)
Have you visited London? No, I haven't. (experience)
She has written three letters this morning. (completed actions with present relevance)

Common verbs in past participle form (useful with present perfect)

loved, studied, visited, made, written

Practice activities

Write 5 sentences using phrasal verbs from the list above. Use present simple or present perfect where appropriate.
Join these sentences using the correct phrasal verb (choose from context).

Matching activity (example answers below)

Match phrasal verbs with meanings:

to bring about — 1 to make things happen
to bring up — 2 to mention
to come by — 3 to visit informally
to doze off — 4 to fall asleep
to get by — 5 to survive or manage
to give up — 6 to stop, quit or abandon
to hang around — 7 to spend time
to let down — 8 to disappoint
to look into — 9 to investigate

Sentence completion (use one of the given phrasal verbs)

Use: let down, ask out, come along, get over, tip off, take over, talk into

Veronica wants to take over the family company.
Paul asked Linda out again, but she refused.
Rose always jots down a few notes as the teachers speak. (jot down = write quickly)
Ian couldn't tip off the police about a bank robbery. (note: avoid details about crime report in other materials)
Jenny finally got over that nasty cold.
Their business did not come along as they expected l

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Phrasal Verbs & Basic Grammar

Klíčové pojmy: A phrasal verb = verb + preposition/adverb with an often idiomatic meaning, Learn phrasal verbs in context and make sentences about daily life, Some phrasal verbs are separable; check a dictionary when unsure, Use present perfect (I have/has) for experiences and recent past with present relevance, Common phrasal verbs: put up with, put off, drop by, come across, cheer up, Use "ask out" for dating invitations and "break up" to end relationships, Match phrasal verbs to meanings to avoid confusion (practice activity), Write five sentences using phrasal verbs to reinforce memory, Remember multiple meanings: "make up" can mean invent or reconcile, Use quick notes (jot down) and collocations to remember usage

## Introduction Phrasal verbs are an important part of everyday English. They combine a **verb + preposition (or adverb)** and often have a meaning different from the original verb. This guide explains common phrasal verbs, simple present/present perfect forms, and how to use them in sentences. It is written for students who are studying on their own. > A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and a particle (preposition or adverb); its meaning is usually different from the meaning of the verb alone. ## What is a phrasal verb? - Structure: **Verb + Preposition** or **Verb + Adverb** - Important: The combined meaning is often idiomatic and cannot be guessed just from the verb. ### Examples with meanings | Phrasal verb | Meaning | Example sentence | | --- | --- | --- | | to put up with | to tolerate | She has to put up with noisy neighbors. | | to put off | to postpone | We put off the meeting until Friday. | | to drop by | to visit informally | I might drop by your house later. | | to come across | to meet or find by chance | I came across an old photo in the drawer. | | to cheer up | to make somebody feel happier | A funny movie cheered him up. | | to turn out | to result | It turned out that she was right. | | to ask out | to invite someone on a date | He asked her out last weekend. | | to break up | to end a relationship | They decided to break up last month. | | to make up | to invent something; also to reconcile | He made up an excuse. / They made up after the argument. | | to figure out | to find an answer | Can you figure out this puzzle? | | to pass out | to lose consciousness | He fainted and passed out. | | to show up | to appear or come | She didn't show up for class. | | to get along with | to have a friendly relationship | I get along with my classmates. | | to look forward to | to expect something pleasant | I look forward to the holidays. | | to find out | to discover information | I found out the truth yesterday. | > Note: Some phrasal verbs are separable (you can put the object between verb and particle) and some are inseparable. Check each verb in a dictionary if unsure. ## Simple grammar review: Present perfect and short forms ### Present perfect forms - Affirmative: **I have been** / **He has visited** - Negative: **I haven't been** / **They haven't visited** - Question: **Have you visited London?** — **No, I haven't.** > The present perfect connects past actions to the present (e.g., experiences, recent events, or states that continue). ### Examples - I have been at home today. (state continuing to now) - Have you visited London? No, I haven't. (experience) - She has written three letters this morning. (completed actions with present relevance) ## Common verbs in past participle form (useful with present perfect) - loved, studied, visited, made, written ## Practice activities 1. Write 5 sentences using phrasal verbs from the list above. Use present simple or present perfect where appropriate. 2. Join these sentences using the correct phrasal verb (choose from context). ### Matching activity (example answers below) Match phrasal verbs with meanings: 1. to bring about — 1 to make things happen 2. to bring up — 2 to mention 3. to come by — 3 to visit informally 4. to doze off — 4 to fall asleep 5. to get by — 5 to survive or manage 6. to give up — 6 to stop, quit or abandon 7. to hang around — 7 to spend time 8. to let down — 8 to disappoint 9. to look into — 9 to investigate ### Sentence completion (use one of the given phrasal verbs) Use: let down, ask out, come along, get over, tip off, take over, talk into - Veronica wants to take over the family company. - Paul asked Linda out again, but she refused. - Rose always jots down a few notes as the teachers speak. (jot down = write quickly) - Ian couldn't tip off the police about a bank robbery. (note: avoid details about crime report in other materials) - Jenny finally got over that nasty cold. - Their business did not come along as they expected l