20 Most Common English Phrasal Verbs for Beginners

Introduction

Phrasal verbs are everywhere in English. Native speakers use them in almost every conversation, from talking about getting up in the morning to giving up a bad habit. For B1–B2 learners, mastering the most common phrasal verbs will make your English sound much more natural and help you understand movies, songs, and everyday speech. In this post, we will explore the 20 most common English phrasal verbs for beginners, with clear definitions, rules, examples, and practice exercises.

What Are Phrasal Verbs?

A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and one or two particles (prepositions or adverbs) that together create a new meaning. For example, the verb look means to use your eyes. But look after means to take care of someone or something. The meaning changes completely. Phrasal verbs are very common in spoken English and informal writing, but some are also used in formal contexts.

Rules for Using Phrasal Verbs

1. Separable vs. Inseparable: Some phrasal verbs can be separated (e.g., turn off the light or turn the light off). Others cannot (e.g., look after the baby – not look the baby after).
2. Object Placement: If the object is a noun, you can usually put it between the verb and particle or after the particle (for separable verbs). If the object is a pronoun (it, him, her), it must go between the verb and particle (e.g., turn it off, not turn off it).
3. No Object with Intransitive Phrasal Verbs: Some phrasal verbs do not take an object (e.g., wake up, show up). You cannot say wake up the alarm – you just say I wake up.
4. Meaning Depends on Context: Many phrasal verbs have multiple meanings. For example, pick up can mean to lift something, to collect someone, or to learn something easily. Always check the context.
5. Stress and Pronunciation: In spoken English, the particle is usually stressed (e.g., turn OFF, look AFTER). This helps listeners understand the phrasal verb.

How to Use the 20 Most Common Phrasal Verbs

Here is a step-by-step guide to using these verbs naturally. First, learn the meaning. Second, practice with a noun object. Third, practice with a pronoun object. Fourth, use them in a full sentence. Let’s look at the list:

• Get up – to rise from bed. Example: I get up at 7 a.m.
• Wake up – to stop sleeping. Example: She wakes up early.
• Turn on/off – to start/stop a device. Example: Please turn on the light. (Or: turn the light on / turn it on.)
• Put on – to wear clothing. Example: He puts on his jacket. (Or: puts his jacket on / puts it on.)
• Take off – to remove clothing, or for a plane to leave the ground. Example: Take off your shoes. (Or: take your shoes off / take them off.)
• Look for – to search. Example: I am looking for my keys.
• Look after – to take care of. Example: She looks after her little brother.
• Pick up – to lift, collect, or learn. Example: Can you pick up the book? (Or: pick the book up / pick it up.)
• Drop off – to leave someone/something at a place. Example: I drop off my son at school.
• Give up – to stop trying, or to quit a habit. Example: He gave up smoking.
• Come back – to return. Example: She will come back tomorrow.
• Go out – to leave home for fun, or for a fire to stop burning. Example: Let’s go out tonight.
• Break down – for a machine to stop working, or to lose emotional control. Example: My car broke down on the highway.
• Find out – to discover information. Example: I need to find out the truth.
• Show up – to arrive or appear. Example: He showed up late to the meeting.
• Get along – to have a good relationship. Example: They get along well.
• Run out of – to use all of something. Example: We ran out of milk.
• Look forward to – to be excited about something in the future. Example: I look forward to the weekend.
• Call off – to cancel. Example: They called off the party.
• Bring up – to mention a topic, or to raise a child. Example: She brought up an interesting point.

Examples in Sentences

• Every morning, I get up at six o’clock and wake up my children.
• Please turn off the computer before you leave.
• She put on her coat because it was cold outside.
• He took off his hat when he entered the room.
• I am looking for my glasses; have you seen them?
• My grandmother looks after the garden every day.
• Can you pick up some milk from the store?
• I will drop off the package at the post office.
• Don’t give up on your dreams!
• When will you come back from your trip?
• Let’s go out for dinner tonight.
• My phone broke down yesterday, so I can’t call you.
• I need to find out the train schedule.
• He showed up at the party with a big smile.
• My sister and I get along very well.
• We ran out of bread, so I need to buy more.
• I look forward to meeting you next week.
• The school called off the class due to snow.
• She brought up the idea of moving to a new city.
• He picked up Spanish quickly when he lived in Mexico.

Common Mistakes

• Mistake 1: ❌ I need to pick up it.
  ✅ I need to pick it up. (Pronoun goes between verb and particle.)
• Mistake 2: ❌ She looks after him her brother.
  ✅ She looks after her brother. (Inseparable – do not split look after.)
• Mistake 3: ❌ He gave up smoking up.
  ✅ He gave up smoking. (Do not add the particle twice.)
• Mistake 4: ❌ I am looking forward to meet you.
  ✅ I am looking forward to meeting you. (After to, use the gerund form.)
• Mistake 5: ❌ The plane took off it.
  ✅ The plane took off. (Intransitive – no object needed.)

Quick Summary

• Phrasal verbs combine a verb + particle to create a new meaning.
• Some are separable; some are inseparable.
• Pronouns always go between the verb and particle in separable phrasal verbs.
• Learn the 20 most common ones to sound natural in English.
• Practice with both nouns and pronouns.
• Check context for multiple meanings.

Practice Exercises

Fill in the blank with the correct phrasal verb from the list below. Use the correct form (tense) if needed. (List: get up, turn off, look for, give up, find out)

1. Every morning, I ________ at 7 a.m. to go to work.
2. Please ________ the lights when you leave the room.
3. I have been ________ my phone all morning. Have you seen it?
4. Don’t ________! You can solve the problem.
5. I need to ________ what time the movie starts.

Answers:

1. get up
2. turn off
3. looking for
4. give up
5. find out

Conclusion

Learning the 20 most common English phrasal verbs is a fantastic step toward fluency. Start by memorizing the list, practice using them in sentences, and pay attention to separable and inseparable rules. With regular practice, you will use phrasal verbs naturally and confidently. Keep studying, and don’t give up!

FAQ

1. What is the easiest way to learn phrasal verbs?

The easiest way is to learn them in context. Instead of memorizing a list, read short stories, watch TV shows, or listen to songs. Write down the phrasal verb and the whole sentence. Then use it in your own speaking or writing.

2. Are all phrasal verbs informal?

No, not all. Some phrasal verbs are neutral or even formal. For example, carry out (to perform) and set up (to establish) are common in business English. However, many are informal. In formal writing, you might use a single verb like postpone instead of put off.

3. Can I separate every phrasal verb?

No. Only separable phrasal verbs can be split. Inseparable phrasal verbs (like look after, run into) must stay together. Always check a dictionary if you are unsure.

4. Why do English speakers use so many phrasal