Summary of Understanding and Using English Phrasal Verbs

## 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