buscar
Search Loading Spinner
Search Loading Spinner

Phrasal verbs

A phrasal verb is a two-word phrase consisting of:


Verb + Adverb

Is a dependent part of the verb. For example:
"I couldn't live down that incident."


Verb+ Preposition

It is linked with nouns or pronouns.
"He lives down the street."

There are four types of phrasal verbs:

  1. Intransitive, inseparable, and without an object.
    Come back.

  2. Transitive, separable, and with an object.
    Get it back.

  3. Transitive, inseparable, and with an object. 
    Pick up that dress.

  4. Transitive, with two inseparable particles. 
    Look it up.

Characteristics

  • This verb can be transitive or intransitive, depending on whether it has an object. It basically depends on the order of the sentence.
  • It creates a different meaning from the original verb. For example:

    Run
    : To move from one place to another quickly by a fast moving of the legs.

    Run over: To drive a vehicle over a person or object.

There are some phrasal verbs that you should learn:

Work out

  • To develop, to progress, or to make.
    "I hope everything works out well in the future."
  • To make exercise.
    "Jessica works out every morning."

Look back

  • To think about the past.
    "When I look back at my childhood, I feel happy."

Pay back

  • To give money back.
    "I'll pay back his money tomorrow."

Turn into

  • To convert or become something new.
    "He turns into a really good man."

Bring in

  • To incorporate, to earn.
    "They didn't bring in any profit from that sale."
  • To bring something.
    "Sorry, we didn't bring in anything."

Burn out

  • To consume something into the fire.
    "The entire building burned out!

Come in

  • To enter.
    "You cannot come in."

Fall down

  • To fall.
    "She ran so fast that she fell down immediately."

Get back

  • To recover something, to return.
    "I need to get back my guitar."

Cheer up

  • To encourage someone.
    "I hope she can cheer up again."

Find out

  • To discover something.
    "We find out all the truth!"

Hang on

  • To wait for a short period of time. It is used in informal contexts.
    "Hang on, I'll be there in a minute."

Look out

  • To be careful, to watch, or keep something in mind    
    "Look out for alligators in this area. They’re common here."

Pass away

  • To die.
    "The doctor said he passed away this morning."

Think back

  • To remember.
    "Now that I think back, I left my keys on the desk."


Search Loading Spinner