Phrasal Verbs 1

Understanding Phrasal Verbs (Part 1)

What They Are: Phrasal verbs are verbs combined with prepositions or adverbs. Examples include turn off, look up, and get along. Why They're Important: They're commonly used in everyday speech and change the meaning of the original verb.

Using Phrasal Verbs in Everyday Language

1. Turn off the TV. (Stop it from working)
2. We need to look up the word in a dictionary. (Find information)
3. They get along well. (Have a good relationship)

Common Mistakes with Phrasal Verbs

1. Using the Wrong Preposition:
   • ❌ Incorrect: Turn up the TV.
   • ✅ Correct: Turn down the TV. (Reduce volume)
2. Separating the Verb and Preposition When It Shouldn’t Be:
   • ❌ Incorrect: She looked the word up.
   • ✅ Correct: She looked up the word. (Some phrasal verbs can’t be separated.)
3. Not Separating the Verb and Preposition When It Should Be:
   • ❌ Incorrect: I ran into my friend. (When you mean physically colliding)
   • ✅ Correct: I ran into my friend at the store. (Met by chance)
4. Confusing Similar Phrasal Verbs:
   • ❌ Incorrect: Please, put out your clothes for tomorrow.
   • ✅ Correct: Please, put away your clothes. (Put away means to tidy up)
5. Using the Literal Meaning Instead of the Idiomatic Meaning:
   • ❌ Incorrect: I can’t stand up with him. (Meaning tolerate)
   • ✅ Correct: I can’t stand him. (Cannot tolerate)
6. Misusing Intransitive Phrasal Verbs:
   • ❌ Incorrect: The meeting went off the plan.
   • ✅ Correct: The meeting went off without a hitch. (Went off means occurred)
7. Choosing the Wrong Phrasal Verb for the Context:
   • ❌ Incorrect: We came up with the train.
   • ✅ Correct: We came by train. (Come by means to travel)