Phrasal verbs are verbs that consist of a verb and a particle verbparticleexamplemeaning lookup You can look up any new words in your dictionary. You can find the meaning of any new words in your dictionary gettrough I tried to phone her but I couldnt get through. I tried to phone her but I couldnt get a connection. makeout I just cant make Jim out at all. I just cant understand Jims behavior.
about around (round) at away back down for in into off on out over through to up
songs Celine Dion My heart will go on newspaper headlines film titles
Try to think positively about them and try not just understand them Use them in your own speaking and writing
The basic meaning of the verb in A refer to concrete actions, but when they are part of phrasal verb, they often have abstract meaning too. Here are the most common verbs that form part of phrasal verbs: break, bring, call, come, cut, get, give, go, keep, knock, look, make, pass, pick, pull, run, set, take, turn verbConcrete meaningAbstract meaning giveI gave my essay in yesterday. (handed it to the teacher) Her parents finally gave in and let her go to the party. (agreed to something they had refused before)
A phrasal verb can often be replaced by a single verb with more or less the same meaning, as usual more formal. Phrasal verbSingle-verb synonym put offpostpone take offremove turn uparrive
It is sometimes possible to create a noun from a phrasal verb to rip off a rip-off to drop out a dropout to break in a break-in But, 1) 2) Verb + particle noun forms are sometimes written with a hyphen (break-in), and sometimes without (dropout). 3) In pronunciation stress is on the verb a BREAK-in at the office or a college DROPouts Singular (break-in) adding –s to the particle Plural (break- ins)
Some phrasal verbs have noun forms where the particle is first. The stress is usually on the particle. set out an outset look on an onlooker There are also adjectives which are based on phrasal verbs. a broken-down vehicle a blocked-up drains
A phrasal can have a number of different meanings. to get on One phrasal verb can have metaphorical meaning in addition its literal (basic) meaning. to get on Jim and Ian get on really well. (like each other and are friendly) to get on a bus (entered the bus) to get on with work (continue doing work) Literal (basic) meaning blow up a balloon (inflate or fill with air) blow up a building (make it explode) Metaphorical meaning someone blows up (suddenly becomes very angry)