Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs are short multi-word verbs made of a verb plus one or more particles like prepositions or adverbs. They often have idiomatic meanings that differ from the verb alone.
Common Phrasal Verbs
Common phrasal verbs appear frequently in spoken and written English, so learning them improves everyday understanding and expression. Below are some typical examples.
Examples
Examples
Examples
| English Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🌱 The seedlings came up after a week. | The young plants appeared after a week. |
| 🏃 I need to run over the checklist before planting. | I need to quickly review the checklist before planting. |
| 🧑🌾 She looked after the herbs while I was away. | She took care of the herbs while I was away. |
| 🔪 I cut back the overgrown rose bushes. | I pruned the overgrown rose bushes. |
| 🔌 Don’t forget to plug in the grow lights. | Remember to connect the grow lights to power. |
Types of Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs fall into categories based on whether they take an object and whether the particle can be moved. Understanding these types helps you use them correctly in sentences.
Transitive Phrasal Verbs
Transitive phrasal verbs require an object. Some of these can split between the verb and particle when the object is a noun.
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Intransitive Phrasal Verbs
Intransitive phrasal verbs do not take an object, so the particle stays fixed. They often describe actions or changes in state.
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Separable and Inseparable
Separable phrasal verbs allow the object to come between the verb and particle, usually when the object is a noun. Inseparable ones must remain together.
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Learning Phrasal Verbs
Learning phrasal verbs by thematic groups or common verbs helps you remember them. Practice using them in sentences to grasp their meanings and patterns.
Summary
Phrasal verbs consist of a verb plus particle(s) and often have idiomatic meanings. They are categorized by whether they take objects and whether they are separable. Learning common ones improves natural English.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025