Phrasal verbs are two or more words that together act as a completely new word, with a meaning separate from the original words. For example, pick up means to “grab” or “lift,” very different from the definitions of pick and up alone. Popular in spoken English, phrasal verbs can be quite confusing because their definitions aren’t always easy to guess—and there are thousands of them. In fact, many phrasal verbs are distinct variations on the same base verb, which can add to the confusion.
Definition
A phrasal verb combines a normal verb with an adverb or a preposition to create an entirely new verbal phrase—the phrasal verb. The meaning of a phrasal verb is usually unrelated to the meanings of the words that comprise it, so think of a phrasal verb as an entirely new and independent word.
When used in a sentence, phrasal verbs act the same as other verbs for conjugation and placement, although they do have special grammatical rules about word order, which we talk about below. Phrasal verbs can be conjugated into every type of verb form, so you can use them anywhere you could use a normal verb.
Let’s look at the phrasal verb get over as an example. The verb get alone means to “acquire,” and the preposition over alone usually refers to being higher or going above something. However, put them together and the phrasal verb get over means to “recover” or “overcome,” a completely new definition that’s separate from the definitions of get and over.
You can use get over just like a normal verb, in any form or tense. Here are some quick examples:
Simple past tense:
I had the flu last week but got over it.
Infinitive
He wrote a song to get over his grandmother’s death.
Gerund
Getting over prejudice at work is never easy.
Particle
Having finally gotten over the breakup, they were ready to return their partner’s things.
Conjugate Pharasal
When a phrasal verb is used as the main verb of a sentence, you conjugate the verb part and leave the other words as they are. Simply use whatever form of the verb you would use if it were alone.
I get up at noon during the summer.
However, this morning I got up at sunrise.
I have gotten up early too many times this month.
Notice how only the word get changes, but the word up remains the same. Also notice how get, an irregular verb, uses its irregular forms to fit whichever tense it needs.
Types of Phrasal Verb
To better understand phrasal verbs, it helps to organize them into two pairs: transitive and intransitive; separable and inseparable. A phrasal verb can belong to only one of each pair (although all separable phrasal verbs are transitive).
1. Transitive Pharasal verb
Transitive phrasal verbs use a direct object, just like normal transitive verbs.
Charlie couldn’t put up with the meowing cats any longer.
2. Intransitive phrasal verbs
Likewise, intransitive phrasal verbs do not use an object.
The regional director was late, so the sales team went ahead without her.
3. Separable phrasal verbs
With transitive phrasal verbs, you can sometimes put the direct object in between the words, for example, “pick you up.” There are, however, a few rules to follow with separable phrasal verbs, so pay attention to our next section about word order.
He forgot to shut the lights off before he left.
4. Inseparable phrasal verbs
Inseparable phrasal verbs cannot be split up and must be used together.
The wayward son carried on without his father.
Example
10 Common Pharasal Verb
1. Back Up
Support or defend someone
When the class was making fun of me, only the teacher backed me up.
2. Break Down
Stop working, especially when referring to machines
The ice cream machine at McDonald’s is always breaking down.
3. Call around
Contact multiple people
Roy called around to find a nearby mechanic.
4. Calm down
Relax after an energetic or irritated state
I need a few minutes to calm down after that match.
5. Call off
Cancel
We called the party off. / We called off the party.
6. Check out
Verify a person or thing (can sometimes be flirtatious when used in reference to a person)
I’ll check the contract out. / I’ll check out the contract.
7. Clean up
Be extremely successful in an endeavor, such as business, sports, or gambling
Our hockey team cleaned up at the tournament and went home undefeated.
Stop questionable behavior, such as consuming drugs or alcohol
Her boss said she had to either clean up or find a new job.
8. Cheer up
Make someone happy, especially if they were previously sad
>Reading always cheers me up on a rainy day.
9. Come around
Change an opinion or see a new point of view
I never liked seafood, but came around after trying fried calamari.
10. Come out of
Happen as a consequence of another event
We missed a day of school, so at least some good came out of our boring class trip.