Phraseological verbs of the English language. Phrasal verbs in English

Phrasal verbs ( phrasal verbs) in English, this is a large and very interesting topic that cannot be covered in one article. There are entire dictionaries devoted to these verbs, for example Longman phrasal verbs dictionary with over 3,000 phrasal verbs and examples of their use. A lot of attention is paid to this topic, because in colloquial English, phrasal verbs can be heard very often.

Three types of phrasal verbs:

1. Phrasal verbs without complement (intransitive):

You have to check in before 12:00. (You need to check in before 12:00)

2. Phrasal verbs that can be separated by an addition:

I tried the dress on , but it was too large.(I tried on the dress, but it was too big.)

Usually this object can follow both the main verb and the particle:

She wrote her name down = She wrote down her name(She wrote her name)

However, there are two rules:
- if the object is expressed by a pronoun, then it must be inserted between the verb and the particle:

She wrote it down(she wrote it)

- if the object is too long, then it is better to use it after the whole phrasal verb:

She wrote down everything she could remember about him (She wrote everything she could remember about him)

3. Phrasal verbs that cannot be separated by an object (transitive):

She looks after their daughter(She looks after their daughter)

There are also such phrasal verbs , which may or may not be shared. However, they can have different meanings:

take off- take off take something off- Take something out of your clothes.

Phrasal verbs in examples

Sometimes you can understand the meaning of a phrasal verb from the context, even if you did not know this verb before. But there is another hint - the particles added to the verb give it a certain meaning.

Particle on indicates the continuation of the action:

Be quiet and get on with your task(Be calm and do your task)
I carried on cooking during the conversation(I continued to cook during the conversation)
The traffic noise went on all night(Road noise continued all night)
She went on about her neighbors(She kept talking about her neighbors)

Particles off and around

Off can give the meaning of sending or sharing something.
Around (about) - can give the main verb the meaning of an action with an indefinite purpose.

I went off to do some shopping, and left my husband messing about with his motorbike while the boys lazed around in the garden. When I got back, there were tools lying around everywhere, and Mike and the boys had disappeared.(I went shopping and left my husband fiddling with his motorcycle while the boys were lounging in the garden. When I got back, there were tools everywhere and Mike and the boys were gone.)

The up particle emphasizes the idea of ​​completing an action:

Susan made her son eat up his breakfast and drink up his tea before went to school. Then, as soon as he had left, she put the dirty stuff in the dishwasher. Today, she was also going to wash the floor, but then she remembered she‘d used up the floor cleaner the previous day, so she tidied up the living room instead.(Susan made her son eat breakfast and drink tea before leaving for school. Then, as soon as he left, she put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher. Today she was still going to clean the floor, but then she remembered that she used a floor cleaner the day before, so she cleaned up in the living room.)

The through particle suggests going from the beginning to the end of something:

I'd like to go through the homework(I would like to do my homework)
His father has lived through two wars(His father survived two wars)
I flicked through his new book(I reviewed his new book)
I looked through your report yesterday(Yesterday I reviewed your report)
I managed to sleep through the storm(I managed to sleep during the storm)

The back particle suggests returning something to its place:

The radio was faulty so I took it back(The radio was defective so I returned it back)
If you borrow that brush, please bring it back(If you take this brush, please put it back)
The books were damaged so I sent them back(The books were damaged so I returned them)
He rang at 12.00. I said I'd call him back later(He called at 12. I said I would call him later)

English is the language of eccentrics and riddle lovers. Here, there are well-known English verbs get, look, take and give. And everything seems to be fine with them. But, the British did not think so, and they decided to diversify the vocabulary with additional elements. Thus, they turned the meaning of the words upside down: get off (go), look about (make inquiries), take apart (scold), and give up (surrender). They called them phrasal verbs. Actually, it's not all that confusing. Let's figure it out.

Under the phrasal verb ( phrasal verb) means an idiomatic phrase consisting of a familiar English verb , but with one exception, which is used with an additional element: with a particle ( particles) = stand to(to stick to) or adverb ( adverb) = live down(to make amends with your behavior); or with both = stick up to(resist). Why do English phrasal verbs cause so much difficulty? The answer lies in the fact that at first glance it is extremely problematic to determine the cumulative meaning of the parts of the verb.

Types of phrasal verbs

Speaking in the dry language of grammar, a phrasal verb can be roughly divided into 4 main categories.

  • transitional ( transitive): a verb that requires an object after itself. For example, there is a verb bump into(accidentally come across), after it should be a face that was just not expected to be seen. You can't just say: Last Friday I bumped into. Because There is a clear understatement in the proposal. Instead, the idea should be formulated as:

Last Friday I bumped into Bennett. “Last Friday, I stumbled upon Bennet by chance.

Subject + Verb + Particle + Object
  • intransitive ( intransitive): a verb that stands on its own in a sentence and does not require additional explanations after itself in the form of an object. For example, the verb grow up(grow up):

Her children are growing up quickly.- Her children are growing up fast. Formula:

Subject + Verb + Particle

NOTA BENE: Some verbs, depending on the transmitted meaning, can be transitional: Tom wakes up Heather. - Tom will be Heather. AND intransitive: Tom wake up. - Tom wakes up.

  • Detachable ( separable): the main verb can stand apart from the semantic element: Tom wake up Heather. = Tom wakes Heather up. However, some verbs prefer constant privacy, so they always keep a safe distance from particles:

Keep smth around(keep to yourself), but not "keep around smth".

Subject + Verb + Particle + Object = Subject + Verb + Object + Particle

NOTA BENE: If the role of the object is used personal pronoun, then the sentence formula will always look like this:

Subject + verb + personal pronoun + particle
  • Inseparable ( inseparable): like lovers, the verb never and under no circumstances part with its soul mate. Eg, look up to smb(to admire someone), but not look up smb to / look smb up to:

William has never looked up to his uncle. William never admired his uncle.

Subject + Verb + Particle + Object

NOTA BENE: To determine whether a verb is transitive or not, look in the English dictionary: Macmillan, Merriam Webster or Collins. Studying the context and examples will allow you to find out whether the English phrasal verb will be separable or inseparable.

Phrasal verbs of the English language with translation
BRING
ON [ɔn] stimulate
call
detachable transition
UP [ʌp] raise an issue detachable transition
CHEER
ON [ɔn] inspire detachable transition
UP [ʌp] support detachable transition
COME
UP [ʌp] appear (on screen) inseparable intransitive
IN [ɪn] enter inseparable intransitive
ACROSS [ə"krɔs] stumble across inseparable transition
GET
THROUGH withstand inseparable transition
UP [ʌp] to get up from bed inseparable intransitive
HAND
IN [ɪn] hand in (written work) detachable transition
HANG
UP [ʌp] hang up the phone detachable transition
KEEP
DOWN control detachable transition
UP WITH [ʌp wɪð] keep up with inseparable transition
KICK
OUT kick out detachable transition
LOOK
UP [ʌp] look in the dictionary detachable transition
OUT be careful detachable transition
MAKE
UP [ʌp] create / invent detachable transition
PASS
AWAY [ə"weɪ] die inseparable intransitive
PICK
UP [ʌp] lift up detachable transition
PUT
UP WITH [ʌp wɪð] put up with inseparable transition
SWITCH
OFF [ɔf] turn off detachable transition
ON [ɔn] include detachable transition
RUN
OUT OF run dry inseparable transition
TAKE
AFTER ["ɑ:ftə] be like inseparable transition
OVER ["əuvə] accept (position) detachable transition
RUN
OUT OF run dry inseparable transition
THROW
OUT OF Lose the chance
throw away
detachable transition
TURN
DOWN turn down the sound detachable transition
UP [ʌp] turn up the sound detachable transition
WORK
OUT train inseparable intransitive
THROUGH pave yourself
road through
inseparable transition

How to learn English phrasal verbs

Finding lists on the Internet or a dictionary of English phrasal verbs in grammar books is not difficult. However, this is not the best way to study them. Let's talk about tricks for effective memorization of phrasal verbs.

  • Firstly, context- the head of everything. A great way is to start with a list of phrasal verbs and a blank sheet of paper. Imagine watching a Formula 1 World Championship, there will probably be various idiomatic expressions used, including a verb related to traffic on the road, pull up (stop), etc. Now turn on your imagination. Imagine that you are at the airport of phrasal verbs, and there are no less of them than there are suitcases in the usual one. Choose one topic and write it in the center of the page. Now go through the list of phrasal verbs until you come across something that might be heard in this situation. Do not forget to immediately drop a couple of examples to understand the form of the phrasal verb. It is much easier to assimilate the material when all the nuances of use are taken into account.
  • Secondly, as soon as we worked out the link diagram specific situation, it is worth compiling easy-to-remember short stories where phrasal verbs are used. After all, everyone loves funny stories. Whether you consider yourself a verbal swordsman or not, there are several reasons for this. No one will read pen sketches unless they want to. It is not necessary to write them in a notebook, say them out loud or record the speech on a voice recorder.
  • Third, learn phrasal verbs By English songs, because they help to quickly and easily memorize new words used in live colloquial speech. Type lyrics in the search box the name of the phrasal verb, enter the word, listen to groovy music and learn English.
  • And finally, fourthly, check the modern meaning of phrasal verbs by reading news. Once you've had enough, go back to Google, but this time instead of looking for lyrics and videos, browse the news tab or go to sites: The Guardian, Flipboard, CNN, BBC, USA Today etc. Try to find phrasal verbs there. The news will allow you to parse authentic examples of English phrasal verbs.

Video: TOP useful phrasal verbs

Conclusion

Phrasal verbs are everywhere and an important part of the English speaking world. The language, being a changeable structure and subject to metamorphoses, is replenished with new idiomatic expressions and bright words over time. But, don't worry. Start with a couple of English phrasal verbs with the translation in the table above, take your time and work on the specifics of their use in speech. Be sure that soon you will become an outstanding expert.

Stay focused and believe in yourself!

Big and friendly family EnglishDom

Definition

What's happened phrasal verb? It could be a combination:

  • Verb + preposition.
  • Verb + adverb.
  • Verb + adverb + preposition.

A phrasal verb is an integral semantic unit, which is one member of a sentence. Most often, the meaning of the phrasal verb differs significantly from the translation of the main verb.

Why is it so important to study these semantic units? Phrasal verbs are constantly used in colloquial speech, so without them it will be difficult for you to understand the interlocutor or to catch the meaning of what you read in the book. In addition, in any international test you will definitely meet phrasal verbs.

Classification of phrasal verbs

First of all, all phrasal verbs are divided into transitive and intransitive:

1. Transitional, or transitive phrasal verbs . These verbs require a direct object:

I have turned down his proposal.
I rejected his offer.

John decided to put off his plans.
John decided to postpone his plans.

2. Intransitive, or intransitive phrasal verbs . After such verbs, a direct object is not required:

He goes on foot, because his car has broken down.
He walks because his car has broken down.

Also, phrasal verbs can be separable and inseparable:

1. Inseparable, or inseparable phrasal verbs . These are all intransitive and some transitive verbs. For a better understanding, consider an example on a phrasal verb run into:

His car ran into the tree.
His car collided with a tree.

We cannot separate the two parts of a phrasal verb with other words. That is, the option His car ran the tree into is wrong.

2. Shared, either separable phrasal verbs. In the case of such phrasal verbs, the object can be placed either after the verb or between its parts:

You should turn off the music.
You should turn the music off.
You should turn off the music.

Both of these options are correct.

Attention! If the object is expressed by a pronoun, then the phrasal verb must be separated:

Mary took off her dress.
Mary took off her dress.

Mary took it off.
Mary took it off.

Mary took it off
this option is not allowed.

From this information, a certain conclusion can be drawn: the main difficulties in studying phrasal verbs are associated not only with the amount of material, but also with the inability to classify it independently. In order to avoid mistakes in use, regular practice is needed. It is also worth remembering that many phrasal verbs have multiple meanings. For example, get off translates as to shoot, go, get out, go, escape. Therefore, you need to be extremely careful.

Is it possible to learn all phrasal verbs?

No, and it's not necessary at all. Today at English language more than 5,000 phrasal verbs are presented, of which only a few hundred are constantly used. In order to learn the basic semantic units, you will need to familiarize yourself with the most common phrasal verbs. This can be done using tables from the Internet or special printed publications.

The meaning of many phrasal verbs can be understood intuitively. It really is much easier than memorizing Latin. In addition, when communicating with an American or reading a book in the original, you should definitely rely on the context. Most likely, you can guess what we are talking about.

Basic phrasal verbs

Here is a short list of the most commonly used semantic units:

  • Back away - retreat.
  • Be back - return.
  • Be over - come to an end.
  • Be up - wake up.
  • Break out - flare up / break out.
  • Calm down - calm down.
  • Carry on - continue some business.
  • Check in - register.
  • Come in - enter, arrive.
  • Cut off - cut off, interrupt.
  • Dream up - invent.
  • Eat out - eat outside the home.
  • Fall down - collapse.
  • Find out - find out, find out.
  • Get away - run away.
  • Give up - retreat.
  • Hold on - hold on!
  • Look for - look for.
  • Look forward to - wait.
  • Move on - continue moving, go further.
  • Pull on - put on.
  • Run away - run away.
  • Set up - install.
  • Stand up - rise to a standing position.
  • Switch off/on - disable/enable.
  • Take off - take off (clothes), serve.
  • Wake up - wake up.
  • Watch out - be careful, alert.
  • Work up - develop.
  • Write down - write down on paper.

Study strategy

Your task is not just to memorize phrasal verbs, but to learn how to study them consciously, with understanding. To do this, you will have to devote to this lesson at least 5 days a week. If you can memorize at least 7-15 phrasal verbs every day, this can be considered a success. You should not try to learn as many semantic units as possible in one sitting: most likely, after a couple of days you will completely forget at least half of them. It is better to study little by little, but regularly.

How exactly to learn phrasal verbs? Many people try to achieve their desired goal solely with the help of special tables or dictionaries. However, you can greatly simplify your task by using various tutorials. Give preference to British and American authors.

What books to choose?

Let's look at a few benefits that can be useful when learning phrasal verbs:

1. Really learn 100 phrasal verbs (Oxford University Press). It is with this textbook that you should start learning phrasal verbs. A structured manual will allow you to slowly but surely learn the most common semantic units. Approximately 1 printed page is devoted to each of the verbs. First, you will be asked to guess the meaning of the verb based on a couple of examples, then you can check your guesses. You will find out detailed information about the meaning of the verb and will be able to practice. A special section is devoted to the development of knowledge throughout the material of the textbook. Tip: learn verbs randomly, not in order.

2. Longman Phrasal Verbs Dictionary. This is an advanced dictionary that includes approximately 5,000 modern English phrasal verbs. The author gives all the meanings of phrasal verbs. Dictionary entries are accompanied by the most accessible explanations. Also in the book there are many useful and fairly simple tables.

3. English Phrasal Verbs in Use. This is a great book for advanced students. The book is an excellent theoretical guide, equipped with a huge number of diverse exercises to develop the acquired knowledge. In total, the textbook offers 70 different topics. At the end of the book is a mini-dictionary of phrasal verbs.

4. Phrasal Verbs Plus (Macmillan). This is one of the new dictionaries, which describes in detail the grammatical and semantic aspects of the use of phrasal verbs. At the same time, the author constantly accompanies the explanations with examples. The book was created taking into account the modern lifestyle: verbs that are used in business, economics, the Internet, etc. are given. Funny comics illustrating common phrases make learning new verbs more positive.

Since unclaimed information is quickly forgotten, you should reconsider your life a little. First, try to find time to read books or magazines in English. This will help you not only consolidate knowledge, but also learn to understand the meaning of phrasal verbs in context. Secondly, take every opportunity to communicate with people in English. Ideally, you should sign up for English courses or study via Skype. You can also find a group of interests. The main thing is that studying is not a tedious hard labor for you: strive for diversity.

Third, be organized. Plan your own self-study in advance and stick to the schedule. Many decide to give up learning phrasal verbs when faced with the first problems. But everything is not as scary as it might seem at first glance. Don't forget about motivation!

Phrasal verbs have become very popular in modern English speech. If you want to understand modern English, then you can't get away from this topic. Native speakers use phrasal verbs very actively, and if you do not know them, it will be problematic to understand English speech.

Phrasal verbs. Introduction

Verb → preposition

So

Verbs of motion → preposition

Go out/go in/come back

Very often a phrasal verb can look like a combination of a verb of motion and a preposition. In this case, the preposition will indicate the direction of movement. This combination is very easy to understand and remember.

Accordingly, we can say:

geton,lookout,runaway,takeoff etc. These are all phrasal verbs.

Let's break down these links:

Get on- get into transport (one of the many options for translating this bundle). I got on the bus. - I got on the bus.

look out- look from somewhere look- to look, but it is not clear where, preposition out indicates that we are looking from somewhere). For example, you look out the window - you are looking out of the window.

run away- run away ( run- run, away- walk away) run away with me - run away with me.

take off- take something off, take off your clothes take- take, off- leave the space take off- remove yourself) take off the socks - take off your socks.

Looking at these examples, you can intuitively guess how the link is translated. We see that we have before us verbs that denote direction, and prepositions associated with this direction.

Consider more examples (in these examples we will also use the verb of movement + preposition):

get out - you walk → We get out of the car. - We got out of the car;

go in - for walk , V walk → Go in one ear and out the other. It went in one ear, went out the other. The English say so too.

Come onCome on! He is waiting for you. - Quicker! He is waiting for you.

grow up→ What do you want to do when you grow up? - What will you do when you grow up?

Come back→ He will come back to her - He will return to her.

turn round→He turned round and looked at me - He turned and looked at me.

We see that with verbs of motion, everything is much simpler. In this case, the English preposition plays the role of a Russian prefix. For example, in Russian we speak at go, and in English the role of the prefix " at" will play a suggestion off, and as a result we get - drive-offat drive.

Here are some examples to get you started note that we do not translate the verb separately from the preposition).

Get on we already know that one of the translations of this very popular bunch is to get into some kind of transport. Now let's take a look at another situation.

How are you getting on? = How did you do? – How are you doing? In this offer get on- cope with. This is far from the last meaning of this bundle.

look out- look out from somewhere. I look out of the room. - I look out of the room.

And here is another example where the same phrasal verb gives a completely different meaning.

look out= be careful! Watch out! Be careful!

Break down, break- break, down- move down. What can be broken down? Well, yes, it sounds strange. Let's see what it means in context. my skateboard broke down.- My skateboard is broken.

Break up- breake down.

They broke up yesterday. - They broke up yesterday.

Any phrasal verb only makes sense when it is used in context.

Phrasal verb → preposition

Sometimes a phrasal verb can be followed by another preposition, and then we get something like this: “Why did she run away from you. Why did she run away from you? And then we panic: “how to translate all this?”, “What does it mean, two prepositions after the verb?”. But here everything is not so complicated as it seems at first glance.

We just have to understand that, most likely, the first preposition refers to the verb, and the second to the object, that is, away → run, from → you.

Each phrasal verb often has a synonym.

For example:

You can give up

You can stop smoking - you can quit smoking.

The same combination can have different meanings and perform different functions, it all depends on the situation and context.

For example:

  • Some phrasal verbs are pointless to use without an object. For example, I put outI extinguished. What did I put out? It is completely unclear what is at stake. And now, in order to get a complete sentence with meaning, we must definitely add an object. I put out a fire. - I put out the fire. Well, now everything fell into place.
  • Based on whether the object is present in the sentence or absent, phrasal verbs can be divided into:
    • transitional ( phrasal verbs have an object );
    • intransitive ( phrasal verbs Not require object and are independent).

Iturned off the computer.- I turned off the computer. If just I turned off- I included, then the phrase itself does not make sense, and, of course, in relation to the action, the question suggests itself.

This table provides examples of transitive and intransitive phrasal verbs.

Since a sentence with a phrasal verb can have an object (we already know that such verbs are called transitive), it is logical that this object should find its place in the sentence. Hence the question. Can the object break the link and come between the verb and the preposition, or can it only come after the phrasal verb. Yes, such a division is possible.

Therefore, phrasal verbs can be:

  1. separable, most phrasal verbs can be separable object these include transitive verbs (phrasal verb + object);
  2. inseparable cannot be separated object → these include all intransitive (phrasal verb without object) and some transitive verbs (phrasal verb + object).

Consider an example with a separable phrasal verb:

"You should give up this job.“You must give up this job.”

"You should give this job up».

In both cases, the link is translated in the same way, but here's what's interesting: since we are performing an action on an object (the object is this job), then this object can stand between the main verb and its preposition or not break at all. Even though the preposition came after the object, they still denote one indivisible concept, it continues to be a phrasal verb.

As a rule, there are two options where the object will appear: after the phrasal verb or between the verb and the preposition. It depends on the speaker himself.

But if you replace an object pronoun (it / them / me / he, etc.), then they must necessarily place the pronoun between the two parts (between the verb and the preposition).

Let's consider the same example.

Should I give up this job? Yes, you should give itup.

Will we pick up t he children? → Yes, let's pickthemup.

The pronoun will always come between the verb and the preposition.

Examples with inseparable phrasal verbs:

I came across the book by chance. I stumbled upon this book by accident.(You can't say: I came the book across)

I stayed up all night. - I didn't sleep all night.(You can't say: I stayed all night up.)

  • Sometimes the same phrasal verb can be both transitive and intransitive.

Here is an example with a transitive phrasal verb.

my mother gave up smoking.- My mother quit smoking.

And here is the same phrasal verb, but in this example, it plays the role of an intransitive.

Don't give up!- Do not give up!

Why is it important to learn phrasal verbs? Since native English speakers always use such verbs in their speech, learning a language without these verbs does not make sense. And, of course, this has its advantages, we do not need to know a huge number of words in order to express our thoughts.

To conclude, let's revisit some phrasal verbs that will help you complete the next test.

VerbTranslation
take offtake off
act outto have a dialog)
wake upwake up
be backcome back
carry oncontinue
get upget up
get offget out of the car)
get onget into transport
turn offturn off
turn oninclude
look outwatch from somewhere
run awayrun away
go income in
grow upgrow up
turn roundturn
break uppart
check incheck in (at the hotel)
check outto check out, to leave (from a hotel)
go awayleave
put downput

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  1. Task 1 of 10

    1 .
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    Mike […] his T-shirt. Mike took off his shirt.

  2. Task 2 of 10

    2 .
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    We should […] the train. We must get on the train.

  3. Task 3 of 10

    3 .
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    When I finished working on the computer, I […]. When I finished working on the computer, I turned it off.

  4. Task 4 of 10

    4 .
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    […] and don't come back. - Leave and don't come back.

Phrasal verbs are peculiar combinations of "simple" verbs and prepositions (one, maximum two) or adverbs. The main property of phrasal verbs is semantic and syntactic indivisibility.

Features of phrasal verbs

Many English learners find it difficult to translate English phrasal verbs because they are often idioms. In this case, they cannot be translated verbatim. However, sometimes such a decoding of the elements that formed the phrasal verb helps to approximately understand the essence of the words. Some phrasal verbs can have different, sometimes even idiomatic translations, while others, on the contrary, are easily translated word for word.

Almost all phrasal verbs in one way or another have a more formal counterpart used in formal speeches and correspondence.

Frequently used phrasal verbs

In this article, you are given the opportunity to review all the main phrasal verbs of the English language. Now the most used phrasal verbs containing the following words are considered to be English: look, take and come. So let's talk about them separately.

Look and its forms

With the help of a verb look - look the following phrasal verbs can be formed:

    look after - take care of somebody

Your mom has been looking after since you were born.

Your mother has taken care of you since you were born.

    look ahead - think about the future (look ahead)

Stop being a child! please, look ahead .

Stop being a kid (stop fooling around)! Maybe it's time to think about the future.

    look down on - look down on someone

my friend never looks down on somebody who gets bad marks at school.

My friend never looks down on someone who gets bad grades in school.

  • look on - watch, watch

Liza didn't take part in the play. She just looked on .

Liza is not involved (does not take part) in the play. She only looks.

  • look for - look for something

What is Matt doing? He's looking for a newspaper.

What is Matt doing? He is looking for a newspaper.

  • look forward to - look forward to something

I look forward to hearing from you.

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

  • look up to - admire

Your new hairstyle is marvelous. Everybody looks up to it.

yours new hairstyle just beautiful. There is no one who does not admire her.

Combinations with take

Also, popular English phrasal verbs include all sorts of variations in the use of the verb take - take :

    take after - to be like someone; take some traits (in character, appearance, behavior)

you absolutely take after your mom.

You are very similar to your mother.

  • take care of = look after

He will take care of your parrot whilst you are off.

He will take care of your parrot while you are away.

  • take off - take off, take off from the ground

The plane to Canada takes off at 7.15 p.m.

The flight to Canada will take off at 19:15.

  • take on - hire employees

I have been taken on by a leading company.

A very promising company is hiring me as an employee.

  • take out - move, remove

He took out his laptop to search for information.

He took out his laptop to search for the information he needed.

Come and the troubles that come with it

An incredible amount of difficulty in learning causes both beginners and those who continue at least one of the phrasal verbs based on come-come :

    come across - accidentally stumble; seem to impress

I usually come across some photos of my childhood.

I often stumble upon my own photographs from my childhood.

I hope I came across as an enthusiastic person.

I hope I came across as an interested person.

  • come forward - introduce yourself, introduce yourself

The teacher asked me to come forward .

The teacher asked me to introduce myself.

  • come up against - face problems

The film is going to come up plenty of criticism.

The film will have to face a lot of criticism.

About dictionaries

If you have a lot of time and space for books, you can try to carry out the study procedure using a dictionary of English phrasal verbs.

Such collections are very often published and republished by such famous companies as Cambridge University Press, Longman and Pearson.

However, in the age of technology, paper editions are losing their former popularity, and on the Internet you can already find many different online dictionaries, as well as courses, methods for learning and memorizing words.

Another advantage of online learning is the ease with which everyone will be able to find the necessary list of English phrasal verbs, which is mandatory to ensure the possibility of fluent and easy communication. After all, as we already know, phrasal verbs are practically not used in formal speech, official letters and other business messages.

But how do you learn all the necessary phrasal verbs in English? The table will help us.

Phrasal verbs A-D

LetterPhrasal verbMeaning (translation)Usage examples
A

abide by

obey; follow

If you want to study at university, you must abide by the appropriated rules.

You will have to obey certain rules if you want to study at the university.

account for

Explain; make excuses

I hope you are able to account for the money you spent.

I really hope that you can explain where you spent this money.

agree with

agree with someone

That's right. I agree with you.

This is right. I absolutely agree with you.

answer back

Rude answer; bicker

Do not answer back your teacher!

Don't you dare be so rude to the teacher!

applyfor

Apply (for a job, visa, etc.)

I applied for the job of customer assistant two weeks ago.

Two weeks ago I applied for a job as a salesperson.

B

back up

1) support

2) save (file, program, image)

1) Could you back me up, please?

Could you support me please?

2) You "d better back up all your files.

Improve; improve

I decided to beef up my presentation with images and graphics.

I decided to improve my presentation with images and graphs.

Explode

The terrorists made the car blow up.

The terrorists blew up the car.

break up

break up (about relationships)

Matt and Lindsey broke up yesterday.

Matt and Lindsey broke up yesterday.

bring up

To raise a child

You should stop your nightlife and start to bring up your child.

It's time for you to stop going to clubs and start raising your child.

C

call back

call back (by phone)

You have to call me back after a while.

You will have to call me back after a while.

call off

Cancel

The end-year-party has been called off by the headmaster.

The end-of-year party was canceled by the headmaster.

calm down

Calm down; relax

Calm down, please. That's just a little problem.

Please calm down. This is just a minor difficulty.

carry on

Continue

Carry on, Garry. You are going to be the winner!

Harry, keep up the good work. You must be the winner.

cut down on

Reduce (spending on something; size)

We need to cut down on chocolate.

You need to stop eating so much chocolate.

D

deal with

Solve problems; deal with something

You need to know how to deal with girls.

It's time for you to learn how to deal with girls.

do without

to live without anything

You have to do without choclate for two days.

You'll have to go without chocolate for a couple of days.

To sign; write down

We used to draw up such good things.

We used to record such beautiful things.

dress up

1) Dress nicely, elegantly

2) Dress up (for a holiday)

1) How often does he dress up?

Does he often dress like this?

2) Halloween is a right time to dress up.

Halloween - best time a year to dress up in unusual costumes.

visit regularly; visit

I always drop in to see my dad on my way from university.

I stop by my dad's all the time on my way home from university.

Phrasal verbs E-J

Letter

Phrasal verb

Meaning (translation)Usage examples
E Finish something a certain way

He has had troubles since his childhood. So he ended up in prison.

He had problems since childhood. As a result, he ended up in prison.

F

fill out

Fill out (form, application)

You also need to fill out this form.

You also need to complete this form.

find out

Learn

I will find out the time train leaves.

I'll find out when the train leaves.

G Climb (on board, on the bus)

I hope you will get on board without problems.

Hope you get on board without any problems.

get out of

avoid anything

I "m sure my son tries to get out of doing his homework.

I am absolutely sure that my son is trying to avoid the process of doing homework.

Give up; throw

Never give up! You will achieve great results.

Never give up! And you will get great results.

H Hang up; end a phone call

Please do not hang out. We will be back to you after a minute.

Hold the line, please. We'll get back to talking to you in a minute.

hurry up

hurry up; hurry

If you are not hurry up, we will miss the train.

We'll miss the train if you don't hurry.

J Join; participate

Come on, Suzie! Join in our team.

Come on Susie! Join our team.

jot down

Record quickly; take notes

I had to jot down his email.

I had to quickly write down his e-mail.

K keep doing something

Please, make him keep on silence.

Please make sure that he remains silent.

keep up with

Succeed for someone

I don't want to keep up with her.

I don't want to keep trying to keep up with her.

L

let down

let down; disappoint

I have never let anyone down.

I have never let anyone down.

leave out

not announced; not mentioned

Nobody knows the prince name because it is not left out.

Nobody knows the prince's name because it hasn't been announced yet.

Phrasal verbs M-Z

Letter

Phrasal

Meaning (translation)Usage examples
M Confused (about names)

I "ve been introduced to too many people. So I still mixing up their names.

I was introduced to too many people. I still confuse their names.

move in (to a new house)

I"ve just bought a new apartment but I still haven"t move in.

I just bought a new apartment. But I haven't settled into it yet.

move out

Move out (from home)

My friend got a job in the UK. She moves out next week.

My friend got a job in the UK. She will move out of the apartment next week.

N

note down

Record something

I need to note down a few numbers. Can you give me a paper?

I need to write down a couple of numbers. Give me a piece of paper, please.

P Include

Can you put on the TV?

Could you turn off the TV?

Pick up someone

Listen carefully. Jamie will pick you up at 7 o "clock. Don" t be late!

Listen to me carefully. Jamie will pick you up at 7. Don't be late!

R Rely on someone

Darling, you can always rely on me.

Honey, you can rely on me.

run away

run away

My dad ran away from his place at the age of eighteen.

My father ran away from home when he was 18 years old.

run out of

End; expire

Can you borrow me some coffee?

Sorry, I "m run out of it.

Can you lend me some coffee?

Sorry, but I don't have it.

S

show off

Show; boast

Maureen show off with her new bike.

Maureen wants to show off on her new motorcycle.

(Spoken) Shut up

I "ve had enough of it. Shut up now!

I'm over it. Shut up!

sit down

sit down

Hello. What's up? You can sit down if you want.

Hello. What's happened? You can sit down if you want.

T

think over

Discuss, ponder

I need to think over before I make up my mind.

I need to think things through before making a decision.

try sth on

try on

This T-shirt is XL-size. Do you want to try it on?

This T-shirt is XL. Would you like to try it on?

U run out to the end

My roommate always uses up my cereals.

My roommate constantly eats my cereal.

W

watch out

Be careful!

Watch out! It's hazardous to go there.

Be careful! It's dangerous to go there.

work out

1) exercise

2) Find a solution

3) Count something

Janine works out three times a week.

2) You need to find a solution. Come on, work it out!

You need to find a solution. Come on!

Practical tasks

When learning English, like any other language, practice plays a key role in achieving success. Those who wish to learn or recall any topic will require special exercises. English phrasal verbs are no exception. Only by trying to thoroughly understand this difficult topic and practicing the language daily and diligently, one can count on good results.

Specialized Editions

As exercises, you can purchase various specialized books for a detailed study of the topic "phrasal verbs of the English language." Examples of such publications are easy to find in bookstores.

Each of them has its pros and cons, but a textbook alone will not be enough. Anyone who wants to learn a language is strongly advised to purchase a workbook containing tests, tasks for paraphrasing, as well as oral tasks aimed at the final development of phrasal verbs. Give preference to publications whose content is diverse. This approach helps to work out the topic of the English language in its various aspects at a high level.

little surprise

The people viewing this article must be just learning or even going to learn today's topic - English phrasal verbs. The test offered to you does not aim to reveal in-depth knowledge of phrasal verbs. However, these 10 questions will get you started on today's topic. Such a simple test will be a good start to progressive learning.

Answers at the end of the article!

Test on the topic "Phrasal verbs"
NumberQuestionAnswer options
1

What time does he ____?

At 7.15 p.m. My flight back is at 9.45 p.m.

2 - Don't ___! You will take this exam again in July.
3 - I have to ___ every day to be ready for a tennis tournament.
4 - The match was ___ due to the rainy weather.
5

Do you bring my copybook with you?

Oops, sorry. I've forgotten to take it.

Oh God. You've __ me __ again.

3) calm … down

6

Hello. It's Matt and his telephone answering machine.

I'm not available now.

So you should __ me __ later or leave me a message.

2) call ... back

4) note … down

7 It's dark outside. Maybe you should __ the light __.
8 Jessica and Mike have ___ __.

1) answered back

9 If you want to ____ __ the UK visa you need at least the passport.
10 You are my only friend. Don't ____ __ from me now.

Summing up

With the help of the tips above in this article, as well as regular practice and skill-building exercises, you will achieve the desired result very quickly. Do not forget that regularity plays the main criterion in learning a language. Practice at least 15 minutes every day. And you will see that it is much more convenient and effective than torturing yourself with 2 hours of exercise, but only once a week. This approach loads the head with work, but, due to the peculiarities of the structure of the brain, a person cannot remember much.

According to the results of research, a step memorization system is best suited for memorizing phrasal verbs. Learn 5 verbs a day. It's a lot? Of course not. But now let's resort to simple arithmetic. 5 times 7 (days of the week) is 35 words per week. 35 times 4 (weeks in a month) is 140 phrasal verbs per month. Just think - 140!

Just one month is enough to get vocabulary, which will provide you with the prerequisites for a fluent level of spoken English.

Practice and remember: stable practice plays a leading role in learning English!

And now the promised answers: 2, 1, 4, 1, 4, 2, 2, 2, 3, 2.

Good luck learning English!