Phrasal verbs in English

Mastering phrasal verbs is one of the most important secrets to speaking English fluently and naturally like native speakers.

A phrasal verb consists of a main verb added to a preposition or an adverb, which completely changes its original meaning into a new expression.

Memorizing these verbs may seem like a great challenge for learners due to their multiple meanings and different uses in various daily contexts.

This comprehensive guide aims to simplify the rules of phrasal verbs and divide them into clear grammatical categories to facilitate understanding them logically.

By studying practical examples and practicing the rules of separating verbs or keeping them connected, you will be able to enrich your vocabulary and avoid common mistakes easily.

phrasal verbs by main verb

Example
We should get together again.
extinguish
choose
You won't get away with it.
attack
resemble
put clothes quickly
keep separated
explain step by step
remove
become ill
return
avoid touching
The machine started to get apart.
attack
mean
The message got across to people.
They got across the river.
require
reject / reduce

phrasal verbs by particle

Phrasal Verbs	English meaning	Example
allow for	to consider something when making a plan or calculation	We need to allow for traffic when deciding what time to leave.
drop off	to transport and leave someone/something, or to fall asleep	I need to drop off this package at the post office.
touch upon	to mention a subject briefly in speech or writing	The speaker only touched upon the issue of climate change.
call in	to request someone to come and help, or to phone a workplace	I had to call in sick to work today.
work on	to spend time repairing or improving something	He is in the garage working on his car engine.
head for	to move in a particular direction	It is getting late, we should head for home.
hover near	to wait close by, usually nervously or attentively	The waiter hovered near our table waiting for us to order.
mark down	to reduce the price of an item	The store will mark down all winter coats next week.
stick together	to support each other and remain loyal in a group	True friends stick together no matter how tough life gets.
keep under	to control or suppress something	The doctor gave me medicine to keep the pain under control.
cheer on	to encourage someone by cheering loudly	The whole crowd cheered on the home team.
pull back	to withdraw	The company decided to pull back its investments in that country.
call upon	to formally ask someone to do something or speak	The president called upon the citizens to unite.
cut in	to interrupt speaking, or to pull in front of a car suddenly	It is rude to cut in when someone else is talking.
run away	to escape from a place or situation	The scared cat ran away and hid behind the couch.
draw back	to move away, or to retreat	She drew back in horror when she saw the spider.
hint at	to suggest something indirectly	The director hinted at a possible sequel to the movie.
get near	to approach or move close to something	The wild horse will run away if you get near it.
go off	to explode, ring (alarm), or spoil (food)	My alarm clock is set to go off at 6 AM.
cling together	to hold each other tightly, usually out of fear or cold	The lost children clung together in the dark forest.

1. What are Phrasal Verbs and How Do They Work?

A phrasal verb is made of a Verb + a Particle. This extra part can be a preposition (like in, on, at, for) or an adverb (like up, down, away, back).
The biggest challenge is that the new meaning often has absolutely nothing to do with the original verb's meaning!

Example:
The verb Give alone means: To hand something to someone.
If we add "Up," it becomes Give up, which means: To quit or surrender.

The verb Look alone means: To direct one's eyes.
If we add "After," it becomes Look after, which means: To take care of someone or something.

2. Transitive vs. Intransitive Phrasal Verbs

Just like regular verbs, phrasal verbs are divided into two categories based on whether or not they need an object.

1. Intransitive Phrasal Verbs

These are verbs that do not need an object to complete their meaning. The action happens and ends with the subject.

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example
Wake up	To stop sleeping	I wake up at 7 AM.
Grow up	To become an adult	She grew up in London.
Break down	To stop working (machinery)	My car broke down yesterday.

2. Transitive Phrasal Verbs

These are verbs that must be followed by a direct object, otherwise the sentence makes no sense.

Example: If you say "Please turn on," the listener will ask: Turn on what? You must add an object.
Correct: Please turn on the TV.

3. Separable vs. Inseparable Phrasal Verbs

This is the most important and confusing rule for learners. Transitive verbs (the ones that take an object) are further divided into two groups:

1. Inseparable Phrasal Verbs

In this type, the verb and the particle stick together and can never be separated. The object must always come after them.

Look for (To search for something)
Correct: I am looking for my keys.
Incorrect: I am looking my keys for.

Run into (To meet someone by chance)
Correct: I ran into Ahmed at the mall.
Incorrect: I ran Ahmed into at the mall.

2. Separable Phrasal Verbs

Here, you can place the object (if it is a regular noun) either between the two parts of the verb, or after them. Both ways are completely correct.

Turn off (To stop a machine or light)
Correct 1 (After): Please turn off the light.
Correct 2 (Middle): Please turn the light off.

The Strict Pronoun Rule!

If the verb is separable, and the object is a pronoun (like it, them, him, her, me, us), it must mandatory go in the middle (between the verb and the particle). It can never be placed at the end.

Pick up (To collect someone/something)
Context: Talking about Ahmed (Him)
Correct: I will pick him up at 5 PM.
Incorrect: I will pick up him at 5 PM.

Try on (To test clothes for fit)
Context: Talking about a shirt (It)
Correct: You should try it on.
Incorrect: You should try on it.

4. Top Common Phrasal Verbs in Daily Conversations

Here is a list of essential phrasal verbs that you will hear constantly in everyday life:

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example	Separable?
Put off	To postpone	They put off the meeting until Friday.	Yes
Call off	To cancel	We had to call off the party.	Yes
Figure out	To solve or understand	I can't figure out this math problem.	Yes
Carry on	To continue	Please carry on with your work.	No
Take off	To remove clothes / To leave the ground (plane)	The plane will take off soon.	Yes (Clothes) / No (Planes)
Bring up	To mention a topic / To raise a child	Don't bring up that topic again.	Yes

5. Three-Part Phrasal Verbs

Some phrasal verbs consist of three parts (verb + particle/adverb + preposition). These verbs are always inseparable, meaning the object must always come at the very end.

Look forward to (To be excited about something in the future)
Example: I am looking forward to the weekend.

Run out of (To have none left)
Example: We have run out of sugar.

Get along with (To have a good relationship with someone)
Example: I get along with my boss very well.

Put up with (To tolerate or endure something annoying)
Example: I can't put up with this noise anymore!