Phrasal Verbs: Top 15 Key Points

Phrasal verbs are integral to mastering English, combining a verb with a preposition or adverb to create new meanings. This guide covers the top 15 key points about phrasal verbs, complete with examples.

No.	Key Point	Explanation	Examples
1	Definition of Phrasal Verbs	Phrasal verbs consist of a verb and one or more prepositions or adverbs, creating a meaning different from the original verb.	"Look up" means to search for information. "He looked up the address on the internet."
2	Transitive Phrasal Verbs	Require a direct object to complete their meaning.	"I turned off the television." "She set up the meeting for 9 AM."
3	Intransitive Phrasal Verbs	Do not require a direct object.	"He woke up at dawn." "Their car broke down on the highway."
4	Separable Phrasal Verbs	Can be separated by their object, either a noun or pronoun.	"She looked the word up in the dictionary." "He took his shoes off."
5	Non-separable Phrasal Verbs	Cannot be separated by their object.	"We ran into an old friend at the mall." "She gets along well with her colleagues."
6	Literal vs. Idiomatic Meaning	Some phrasal verbs can be understood literally, while others have an idiomatic meaning.	Literal: "The plane took off at noon." Idiomatic: "He made up a story about his childhood."
7	Phrasal Verbs with Multiple Meanings	Many phrasal verbs have more than one meaning, often depending on the context.	"Take off" can mean to remove something or for an airplane to start flying. "She took off her coat." "The flight takes off at 6 PM."
8	Common Phrasal Verbs	Frequently used in everyday language.	"I need to find out the truth." "Can you bring up the mail when you come?" "She looks after her younger siblings."
9	Phrasal Verbs in Context	Learning in context helps understand their meaning and usage.	"I’ll look into the problem and find a solution." "He came across an old diary in the attic."
10	Phrasal Verbs in Conversation	Often used in spoken English, making language more informal and natural.	"I bumped into Sarah at the grocery store." "We should hang out sometime."
11	Formal vs. Informal Phrasal Verbs	Some are suitable for formal contexts, while others are more casual.	Informal: "Let's put off the meeting." Formal: "We will postpone the meeting."
12	Avoiding Overuse in Formal Writing	In formal writing, single-word verbs are often preferred over phrasal verbs.	Informal: "She put off her homework." Formal: "She postponed her homework."
13	Using Pronouns with Phrasal Verbs	When a pronoun is the object, it often comes between the verb and the preposition or adverb.	"I looked it up in the dictionary." (Not: "I looked up it.")
14	Phrasal Verbs with 'Up' and 'Down'	'Up' and 'Down' in phrasal verbs can indicate completion, increase, or decrease.	"He finished up his work." "She slowed down the car at the intersection."
15	Learning Phrasal Verbs as Vocabulary	Memorizing and practicing phrasal verbs enhances vocabulary and conversation skills.	Practice using a new phrasal verb in sentences each day, like "She turned down the offer."