noun

phrasal verbs

FRAY-zuhl VURBZ

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Phrasal verbs (noun) means Verbs made up of a main verb plus one or two small words such as up, off, out or with, where the combination carries a meaning you could not work out from the parts alone — for example give up, look after, put up with. Example: “Phrasal verbs are the hardest part of English for many learners.”

noun

Verbs made up of a main verb plus one or two small words such as up, off, out or with, where the combination carries a meaning you could not work out from the parts alone — for example give up, look after, put up with.

"Phrasal verbs are the hardest part of English for many learners."

"'Take off' is a phrasal verb with at least four different meanings."

How to use phrasal verbs

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTwo- or three-word verbs like 'give up' whose meaning is not the sum of the words.

When to use it

Grammar terminology; the singular is 'a phrasal verb'.

Memory tip

Learn each phrasal verb with an example sentence rather than a translation, because the same verb often has several unrelated meanings.

Easily confused with

phrasal verbs → idioms prepositional verbs collocations

Common pairings

separable phrasal verbs common phrasal verbs phrasal verb list learn phrasal verbs

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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_____ are the hardest part of English for many learners.

Synonyms

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multi-word verbs particle verbs

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a phrasal verb and a prepositional verb?

A phrasal verb combines a verb with an adverb particle, which can often move to the other side of the object: 'turn the light off'. A prepositional verb combines a verb with a preposition that must stay before its object: 'look after the baby', never 'look the baby after'.

Are phrasal verbs informal?

Most are neutral in speech and writing, but many have a more formal one-word equivalent — put off / postpone, find out / discover. Academic writing tends to prefer the single verb.

Can you always split a phrasal verb?

No. Separable ones allow the object between verb and particle, and require it when the object is a pronoun: 'turn it off'. Inseparable ones, such as 'run into', never split.

What is the meaning of phrasal verbs?

"phrasal verbs" (noun) means verbs made up of a main verb plus one or two small words such as up, off, out or with, where the combination carries a meaning you could not work out from the parts alone — for example give up, look after, put up with.