Unit 6: Grammar Phrasal Verbs

 

Mastering Phrasal Verbs with Illustrations

Introduction

Phrasal verbs are a unique aspect of the English language, combining a verb with a preposition or another grammatical element to create an entirely new meaning¹². They are used frequently in both spoken and written English, making them an essential part of language learning¹².

What is a Phrasal Verb?

A phrasal verb combines a normal verb with an adverb or a preposition, referred to as the particle of the phrasal verb, to create an entirely new verbal phrase¹. The meaning of a phrasal verb is usually unrelated to the meanings of the words that compose it¹.

Examples of Phrasal Verbs

Here are some examples of phrasal verbs, along with their meanings and usage in sentences:

1. Pay back — To give someone back money that you owe²
   • Thanks for getting me lunch when I forgot my wallet at home! I’ll pay you back tomorrow.
2. Give out — To hand out or distribute something²
   • He has a lot of contacts because he gives out his business card to everyone he meets.
3. Look up — To check the meaning of something²
   • If you don’t know the meaning of a word, you should look it up in the dictionary.
4. Give up — To stop trying, surrender²
   • After two weeks of trying to build my own table, I gave up and just bought one.
5. Give away — To hand things out for free²
   • When Linda’s cat had kittens, she gave them all away to good homes.

How to Use Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs can be conjugated into every type of verb form, so you can use them anywhere you could use a normal verb¹. When a phrasal verb is used as the main verb of a sentence, you conjugate the verb part and leave the other word or words as they are¹.

Conclusion

Phrasal verbs are an integral part of English language learning. Understanding their structure and usage can greatly enhance your English proficiency. Remember, practice makes perfect!

References

¹: Grammarly Blog ²: FluentU English