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What are phrasal verbs and how do you use them?

Phrasal verbs are a combination of a verb and one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs) that, when combined, change the meaning of the original verb.

For example, let’s use the verb break and the phrasal verb break in.

Break means to separate or damage something.

But if you add the word “in” after the verb “break,” it changes the verb’s meaning and (break in) means illegal entry into a home, a car, etc.

This rule might sound a little confusing right now, but once you see the list and the examples, using them will be a walk in the park.

How To Use Phrasal Verbs and Examples

Now that you understand what phrasal verbs are, here’s a list of 16 most common ones, what they mean, and how to use them:

Break In means to enter illegally.

• Example: The raccoons break in and steal my garbage.

Break Up means to disperse.

• Example: The security guards break up the flash mob.

Break Out means to escape.

• Example: The prisoners break out of the jail.

Break Down means to explain.

• Example: Can you break down this word problem for me?

Put Up with means to tolerate.

• Example: Jane had to put up with a rude customer yesterday.

Put Off means to postpone something.

• Example: The student put off the assignment until the last minute.

Put Down means to record something.

• Example: Ken will put down your phone number and will contact you next week.

Put Aside means to disregard.

• Example: Debra said she will put aside her feelings for this dinner.

Come About means to happen.

• Example: How did that job come about?

Come Up with a means to produce something.

• Example: Jennifer can come up with a solution later.

Come/Coming Along means to make progress.

• Example: The house project is coming along.

Come Forward means to volunteer oneself to give evidence.

• Example: The students come forward to tell the teacher what happened.

Make Off With means to steal something.

• Example: The thieves make off with the diamonds.

Make Up means to reconcile.

• Example: The friends make up after their fight.

Make Up For means to compensate.

• Example: The boys will make up for the time they missed.

Make/Made Out means to imply something about a person or thing.

• Example: The movie was not as they made it out to be.

Conclusion:

It’s important to understand phrasal verbs and know how to use them because they are part of everyday language. They’ll help you communicate clearly.

Therefore, study these phrasal verbs and apply them to your everyday speech.

Want to work on your grammar? Check out my grammar workbooks here.