English Grammar Phrasal Verbs

Separable and Non-Separable Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb and a preposition or adverb that have a different meaning from the verb alone. Some phrasal verbs can be separated, while others cannot.

Separable Phrasal Verbs

Separable phrasal verbs can be separated by an object. The object can come between the verb and the preposition or adverb.

Examples:

  • Put on your coat.
  • Take off your shoes.
  • Turn on the light.
  • Turn off the TV.

Non-Separable Phrasal Verbs

Non-separable phrasal verbs cannot be separated by an object. The object must come after the preposition or adverb.

Examples:

  • Look after your children.
  • Come across an old friend.
  • Run out of money.
  • Get over a cold.

How to Tell if a Phrasal Verb is Separable or Non-Separable

There are a few ways to tell if a phrasal verb is separable or non-separable.

  • Look at the dictionary. The dictionary will usually tell you if a phrasal verb is separable or non-separable.
  • Try separating the verb and the preposition or adverb. If you can separate them without changing the meaning of the phrasal verb, then it is separable.
  • Look for an object. If there is an object, then the phrasal verb is probably separable.

Separable and non-separable phrasal verbs are an important part of English. By understanding the difference between them, you can use them correctly in your writing and speaking.

Tips to Use English Grammar Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are a combination of a verb and a preposition or adverb that together have a different meaning from the original verb. They are commonly used in spoken and informal English and can be tricky to master for non-native speakers. Here are some tips to help you use English grammar phrasal verbs correctly:

1. Learn the meaning of each phrasal verb

The first step to using phrasal verbs correctly is to learn their meanings. You can do this by looking them up in a dictionary or by reading examples of how they are used in context.

2. Pay attention to the preposition or adverb

The preposition or adverb in a phrasal verb can change the meaning of the verb. For example, the verb “put” can have different meanings when it is used with different prepositions or adverbs.

  • Put on: to wear or apply something
  • Put off: to delay or postpone something
  • Put away: to store or save something

3. Practice using phrasal verbs in context

The best way to learn how to use phrasal verbs correctly is to practice using them in context. You can do this by writing sentences or stories that use phrasal verbs, or by speaking with a native English speaker.

4. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes when they are learning a new language. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes when you are using phrasal verbs. The important thing is to keep practicing and you will eventually get better.

Here are some additional tips for using phrasal verbs:

  • Use phrasal verbs in informal settings. Phrasal verbs are more commonly used in spoken and informal English than in written and formal English.
  • Avoid using phrasal verbs in academic or professional settings. Phrasal verbs can be considered informal and may not be appropriate in academic or professional settings.
  • Be aware of the different meanings of phrasal verbs. Some phrasal verbs can have multiple meanings, so it is important to be aware of the different meanings before you use them.

Phrasal verbs are an important part of English grammar and can be used to add variety and interest to your speech and writing. By following these tips, you can learn how to use phrasal verbs correctly and effectively.

Frequently Asked English Grammar Phrasal Verbs in Competitive Exams

Phrasal verbs are a combination of a verb and a preposition or an adverb that, together, have a different meaning from the original verb. They are commonly used in both spoken and written English and are often considered informal. However, many phrasal verbs are also used in formal contexts, including competitive exams.

Here are some frequently asked English grammar phrasal verbs that you should be familiar with for competitive exams:

1. Look up:
  • Meaning: To search for or find information, especially in a book or on the internet.
  • Example: I had to look up the meaning of the word “phrasal verb” in the dictionary.
2. Put off:
  • Meaning: To delay or postpone something.
  • Example: I kept putting off studying for the exam until the last minute.
3. Take after:
  • Meaning: To resemble or be similar to someone, especially a parent or other relative.
  • Example: She takes after her mother in terms of her intelligence and creativity.
4. Turn down:
  • Meaning: To refuse or reject something.
  • Example: I had to turn down the job offer because it was too far from home.
5. Get along with:
  • Meaning: To have a good relationship with someone.
  • Example: I get along well with my colleagues at work.
6. Break down:
  • Meaning: To stop working or functioning properly.
  • Example: My car broke down on the way to the exam.
7. Come up with:
  • Meaning: To think of or produce an idea or solution.
  • Example: I couldn’t come up with a good answer to the question.
8. Fall behind:
  • Meaning: To be slower or less advanced than someone or something else.
  • Example: I fell behind in my studies because I missed a few classes.
9. Get over:
  • Meaning: To recover from an illness or a difficult situation.
  • Example: It took me a long time to get over my breakup.
10. Run out of:
  • Meaning: To have no more of something.
  • Example: I ran out of time to finish the exam.
11. Set up:
  • Meaning: To arrange or organize something.
  • Example: I set up a meeting with my boss to discuss my performance.
12. Take place:
  • Meaning: To happen or occur.
  • Example: The exam will take place next week.
13. Turn up:
  • Meaning: To arrive or appear.
  • Example: He turned up late for the exam.
14. Work out:
  • Meaning: To solve a problem or find a solution.
  • Example: I couldn’t work out how to solve the math problem.
15. Zero in on:
  • Meaning: To focus or concentrate on something.
  • Example: The police zeroed in on the suspect’s location.

These are just a few examples of frequently asked English grammar phrasal verbs that you should be familiar with for competitive exams. By understanding the meaning and usage of these phrasal verbs, you can improve your overall English language skills and increase your chances of success in competitive exams.

List of Phrasal Words with ‘Fall’
1. Fall apart

Meaning: To break into pieces or collapse.

Example: The old house was falling apart and needed to be repaired.

2. Fall back

Meaning: To retreat or move back.

Example: The soldiers fell back to regroup and prepare for another attack.

3. Fall behind

Meaning: To be slower or less advanced than someone or something else.

Example: The student fell behind in his studies and had to take extra classes to catch up.

4. Fall down

Meaning: To drop to the ground or collapse.

Example: The child fell down and scraped his knee.

5. Fall for

Meaning: To be deceived or tricked.

Example: She fell for his lies and ended up losing all her money.

6. Fall in

Meaning: To join or become a part of something.

Example: He fell in with a bad crowd and started getting into trouble.

7. Fall off

Meaning: To drop or become detached from something.

Example: The leaves fell off the trees in the autumn.

8. Fall out

Meaning: To quarrel or have a disagreement.

Example: The two friends fell out over a misunderstanding and stopped talking to each other.

9. Fall over

Meaning: To fall to the ground or collapse.

Example: The old man fell over and broke his hip.

10. Fall through

Meaning: To fail or not succeed.

Example: The plan fell through and we had to come up with a new one.

11. Fall under

Meaning: To be included or classified in a particular category or group.

Example: The new law falls under the category of civil rights.

12. Fall upon

Meaning: To attack or happen suddenly.

Example: The enemy fell upon the village and destroyed it.

List of Phrasal Words with ‘Get’
1. Get across
  • Meaning: To succeed in communicating or making something understood.
  • Example: She struggled to get her point across to the audience.
2. Get along
  • Meaning: To have a good relationship with someone.
  • Example: They got along well despite their differences.
3. Get around
  • Meaning: To travel or move from one place to another.
  • Example: We got around the city by bus.
4. Get away
  • Meaning: To leave a place, especially for a holiday or to escape from something unpleasant.
  • Example: We got away from the city for the weekend.
5. Get back
  • Meaning: To return to a place or person.
  • Example: She got back home late from work.
6. Get by
  • Meaning: To manage to survive or cope with a situation.
  • Example: They got by on a small income.
7. Get down
  • Meaning: To start doing something seriously or with enthusiasm.
  • Example: He got down to work as soon as he arrived.
8. Get in
  • Meaning: To enter a place or vehicle.
  • Example: She got in the car and drove away.
9. Get off
  • Meaning: To leave a place or vehicle.
  • Example: He got off the bus at the next stop.
10. Get on
  • Meaning: To start doing something or to continue doing something.
  • Example: She got on the phone and called her friend.
11. Get out
  • Meaning: To leave a place or vehicle.
  • Example: He got out of the car and walked away.
12. Get over
  • Meaning: To recover from an illness or a difficult situation.
  • Example: She is still getting over the flu.
13. Get through
  • Meaning: To succeed in doing something difficult or challenging.
  • Example: He got through the exam with flying colors.
14. Get up
  • Meaning: To stand up or rise from a sitting or lying position.
  • Example: She got up from her chair and walked over to the window.
15. Get used to
  • Meaning: To become accustomed to something.
  • Example: It took her a while to get used to the new job.
Differences between some common English Grammar Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb and a preposition or adverb that have a different meaning from the verb alone. They can be tricky to learn, but they are essential for fluent English.

Here are some of the most common phrasal verbs and their meanings:

1. Look
  • Look at: to examine something or someone
  • Look for: to try to find something or someone
  • Look out: to be careful or aware of something
  • Look up: to search for information or someone in a book or online
  • Look over: to examine something quickly or casually
2. Take
  • Take after: to resemble someone in appearance or personality
  • Take away: to remove something
  • Take back: to return something or to withdraw a statement
  • Take down: to write something down or to remove something from a higher position
  • Take off: to remove clothing or to leave a place
3. Put
  • Put away: to store something
  • Put down: to place something on a surface or to write something down
  • Put off: to delay something or to make an excuse
  • Put on: to wear clothing or to apply something to the body
  • Put out: to extinguish a fire or to publish something
4. Get
  • Get away: to leave a place or to escape
  • Get back: to return to a place or to recover something
  • Get down: to move to a lower position or to become less angry
  • Get off: to leave a vehicle or to escape
  • Get on: to board a vehicle or to start doing something
5. Come
  • Come across: to find something unexpectedly
  • Come along: to join someone or to happen
  • Come back: to return to a place
  • Come down: to move to a lower position or to become less angry
  • Come up: to move to a higher position or to occur
6. Go
  • Go away: to leave a place
  • Go back: to return to a place
  • Go down: to move to a lower position or to fail
  • Go off: to explode or to start working
  • Go on: to continue doing something or to happen
7. Run
  • Run away: to leave a place quickly or to escape
  • Run back: to return to a place quickly
  • Run down: to chase someone or something or to become tired or weak
  • Run off: to leave a place quickly or to escape
  • Run out: to use up all of something
8. Turn
  • Turn away: to refuse to let someone enter or to reject something
  • Turn back: to return to a place or to change one’s mind
  • Turn down: to refuse something or to make something lower
  • Turn off: to stop a machine or to extinguish a light
  • Turn on: to start a machine or to light a light
9. Break
  • Break away: to escape or to separate from something
  • Break down: to stop working or to become emotional
  • Break in: to enter a place illegally or to train someone for a job
  • Break off: to end a relationship or to snap something
  • Break out: to escape or to start suddenly
10. Make
  • Make up: to invent a story or to apply cosmetics
  • Make out: to understand something or to kiss someone
  • Make over: to change someone’s appearance or to renovate a room
  • Make up for: to compensate for something
  • Make off with: to steal something

These are just a few of the many phrasal verbs in English. By learning these verbs, you can improve your fluency and understanding of the language.

English Grammar Phrasal Verbs FAQs
What is a phrasal verb?

A phrasal verb is a verb that is made up of a verb and a preposition or adverb. The preposition or adverb changes the meaning of the verb. For example, the verb “put” can be used with the preposition “on” to create the phrasal verb “put on,” which means “to wear.”

How do I use phrasal verbs?

Phrasal verbs are used in the same way as other verbs. They can be used in the present, past, and future tenses. They can also be used in the passive voice.

What are some common phrasal verbs?

There are many common phrasal verbs in English. Some of the most common include:

  • put on: to wear
  • take off: to remove
  • turn on: to start
  • turn off: to stop
  • look up: to search for
  • look after: to take care of
  • get up: to stand up
  • get down: to lie down
  • come in: to enter
  • go out: to leave
How can I learn phrasal verbs?

There are many ways to learn phrasal verbs. Some of the most effective methods include:

  • Reading: Reading books, articles, and newspapers can help you to learn new phrasal verbs.
  • Listening: Listening to music, podcasts, and movies can help you to learn new phrasal verbs.
  • Speaking: Practicing speaking English with native speakers can help you to learn new phrasal verbs.
  • Writing: Writing essays, stories, and emails can help you to practice using phrasal verbs.
Conclusion

Phrasal verbs are an important part of English grammar. They can be used to add variety and interest to your writing and speaking. By learning phrasal verbs, you can improve your English skills and communicate more effectively.