Phrasal verbs are an essential part of the English language. They are combinations of verbs with prepositions or adverbs that create unique meanings. Understanding phrasal verb with meanings can make your conversations more fluent and expressive. These versatile phrases often confuse learners, but once you grasp their meanings, they become invaluable tools in speaking and writing English naturally. This guide will help you understand some common phrasal verbs along with their meanings to enhance your vocabulary.
Most common phrasal verb with meanings
- ring about – to cause to happen
- Cut off – to disconnect or stop the supply of something
- Make up for – to compensate for a deficiency or loss
- Run out – to deplete the supply of something
- Look into – to investigate or examine
- Bring up – to mention or raise a topic
- Settle down – to establish a stable lifestyle
- Turn in – to go to bed or go home
- Break in – to enter forcibly
- Get off – to leave a vehicle or transportation
- Call up – to telephone someone
- Go after – to pursue or chase
- Turn out – to attend an event
- Check in – to register arrival at a hotel or airport
- Pick out – to choose or select
- Put on – to apply makeup or wear clothing
- Give away – to donate or distribute freely
- Come up with – to produce or invent something new
- Put down – to criticize or belittle
- Look down on – to view with disdain or contempt
- Turn over – to transfer control or responsibility
- Come across – to encounter unexpectedly
- Turn up – to increase in volume or intensity
- Bring in – to introduce or implement
- Run away – to escape from a place or situation
- Stand by – to support or remain loyal
- Go through – to experience or endure
- Cut back – to reduce in quantity or size
- Make out – to understand or perceive
- Take up – to begin or start doing something
- Bring along – to bring someone or something to accompany
- Turn around – to reverse direction or situation
- Carry out – to complete or fulfill a task or duty
- Come by – to obtain or acquire
- Set up – to arrange or organize
- Put off – to postpone or delay
- Look forward to – to anticipate with pleasure
- Take off – to remove or start flying
- Get away with – to escape punishment for something
- Run into – to encounter unexpectedly
- Point out – to draw attention to or highlight
- Look up to – to admire or respect
- Give in – to surrender or yield
- Hold on – to wait or pause
- Come over – to visit someone’s place
- Go ahead – to proceed or continue
- Get over – to recover from an illness or setback
- Look up – to search for information
- Run over – to collide with or drive over
- Turn down – to refuse or reject
Frequently Asked Questions about Phrasal Verbs with Meanings
What Are Phrasal Verbs?
Phrasal verbs are phrases made up of a verb combined with a preposition, adverb, or both. The combination changes the meaning of the verb completely. For example:
- Take off: To remove something or for an airplane to leave the ground.
- Give up: To stop trying or surrender.
Understanding the context is crucial to knowing their correct meaning.
Why Are Phrasal Verbs Important in English?
Phrasal verbs are commonly used by native speakers in everyday conversations. Knowing their meanings helps in understanding spoken and written English better. They add depth and precision to your language skills, making your communication more effective.
How Can I Learn Phrasal Verbs with Meanings?
Here are a few tips to learn phrasal verbs effectively:
- Contextual Learning: Read sentences where phrasal verbs are used. This helps in understanding their meanings naturally.
- Practice Regularly: Use them in your own sentences.
- Flashcards: Create flashcards with the phrasal verb on one side and its meaning on the other.
- Movies and Series: Watch English shows to hear how native speakers use them.
What Are Examples of Common Phrasal Verbs with Meanings?
Here are a few frequently used phrasal verbs:
- Break down: To stop working (machine) or to become very emotional.
- Example: My car broke down on the way to work.
- Look after: To take care of someone or something.
- Example: She looks after her younger brother when their parents are away.
- Run out of: To have no more of something left.
- Example: We ran out of sugar, so I couldn’t bake the cake.
- Turn up: To arrive or appear somewhere, often unexpectedly.
- Example: He turned up at the party without an invitation.
Are Phrasal Verbs Formal or Informal?
Most phrasal verbs are used in informal contexts, but some are also appropriate in formal writing or speech. For example:
- Informal: Hang out (spend time socially).
- Formal: Carry out (to perform or execute a task).
It’s important to know where and when to use them to communicate effectively.
How Many Phrasal Verbs Should I Learn?
There are hundreds of phrasal verbs in English, but you don’t need to learn them all at once. Start with the most common ones used in daily conversations. Gradually, you can expand your knowledge as you encounter new ones in books, movies, or conversations.
Can Phrasal Verbs Have Multiple Meanings?
Yes, many phrasal verbs have multiple meanings depending on the context. For example:
- Put up:
- To tolerate: I can’t put up with his behavior anymore.
- To raise: They put up a tent in the park.
This makes learning phrasal verbs both challenging and rewarding.
How Can I Practice Phrasal Verbs?
- Writing Sentences: Write sentences using new phrasal verbs.
- Interactive Quizzes: Take online quizzes to test your knowledge.
- Speaking Practice: Use them in conversations with friends or language partners.
By mastering phrasal verbs with meanings, you can significantly improve your English skills. These phrases allow you to express yourself more naturally and understand others better. Take your time to learn, practice, and incorporate them into your daily conversations, and you will see a noticeable improvement in your fluency.