Phrasal verbs are everywhere in English, especially in everyday conversation. They combine a simple verb with a preposition or adverb to create a new meaning, often one that isn’t obvious from the words alone. For learners, this can be tricky. But once you understand how they work, you’ll start noticing them in everything from casual chats to emails and TV shows.
In this guide, you’ll learn what phrasal verbs are, how they’re formed, the different types, and how to use them naturally in sentences. With clear examples and helpful tips, this article will help you build confidence in using one of the most important features of English vocabulary.
What Is a Phrasal Verb in English Grammar?
Basic Definition
A phrasal verb is a combination of a main verb and one or more particles—typically a preposition or an adverb—that together create a meaning different from the verb on its own. For example, “give up” doesn’t mean the same as just “give.” The added word changes the meaning entirely.
These verbs are a key part of natural English and are used frequently by native speakers in both spoken and written language.
Why Phrasal Verbs Matter in English
Phrasal verbs appear in almost every conversation, making them essential for understanding real-life English. They’re especially common in informal communication—emails, conversations, social media—but also show up in workplace English and casual writing.
If you’re learning English, getting comfortable with phrasal verbs will help you speak more naturally and understand native speakers more easily.
Structure of a Phrasal Verb
Phrasal verbs are made by combining a verb with one or more particles. The structure affects the meaning and the way the verb is used in a sentence. Here are the three common forms:
Verb + Adverb (Particle Verbs)
In this type, the adverb (also called a particle) changes the meaning of the verb.
Examples:
- Run away – He ran away when he saw the dog.
- Give up – She gave up after two failed attempts.
Verb + Preposition (Prepositional Verbs)
These phrasal verbs include a preposition that connects the verb to a noun or pronoun. The preposition can’t be removed or replaced without changing the meaning.
Examples:
- Look after – He looks after his younger sister.
- Depend on – You can depend on her for help.
Verb + Adverb + Preposition (Phrasal-Prepositional Verbs)
This more complex form includes both an adverb and a preposition. Together with the verb, they form a fixed phrase with its meaning.
Examples:
- Put up with – I can’t put up with that noise any longer.
- Look forward to – We look forward to your visit.
Each structure creates a unique expression, and the meaning can’t always be guessed by translating the parts. That’s why learning them with examples is essential.
Types of Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs don’t all behave the same way. They can be grouped based on how they interact with objects and how the particles are placed. Understanding these types will help you use them correctly in both speech and writing.
Transitive Phrasal Verbs
A transitive phrasal verb requires a direct object—something or someone that receives the action. Without an object, the sentence feels incomplete.
Examples:
- She turned off the light. (The light = object)
- I gave up my seat for the elderly man.
You must include what is being acted on.
❌ She turned off. (What did she turn off? The sentence is unclear.)
Intransitive Phrasal Verbs
An intransitive phrasal verb does not take a direct object. The action stands alone and is complete without needing anything after it.
Examples:
- He woke up late.
- We broke down on the way to the airport.
You cannot follow these with a direct object.
❌ He woke up his phone. (Incorrect use—this verb doesn’t take an object.)
Separable Phrasal Verbs
A separable phrasal verb allows the object to be placed between the verb and the particle (when the object is a noun). If the object is a pronoun, it must go in the middle.
Examples:
- He put off the meeting.
- He put the meeting off.
- He put it off.
❌ He put off it. (Incorrect with pronoun placement)
This flexibility makes separable verbs useful but also tricky for learners.
Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
An inseparable phrasal verb must stay together—the verb and particle cannot be split. The object (if there is one) always follows the complete phrasal verb.
Examples:
- She looks after her brother.
- They ran into an old friend at the market.
You cannot separate these:
❌ She looks her brother after. (Incorrect order)
Common Examples of Phrasal Verbs in Sentences
Phrasal verbs are used all the time in everyday English. Below are some commonly used ones grouped by the verbs they start with. Seeing them in full sentences will help you understand how they function in real communication.
Phrasal Verbs with “Give”
- Give up – She finally gave up trying to fix the laptop.
- Give in – I didn’t want to go, but I gave in after they insisted.
- Give away – He gave away all his books before moving.
Phrasal Verbs with “Take”
- Take off – The plane took off on time.
- Take over – She will take over the project next week.
- Take up – He took up painting during the lockdown.
Phrasal Verbs with “Put”
- Put off – We had to put off the meeting due to the storm.
- Put on – She put on her shoes and left.
- Put up with – I can’t put up with this noise anymore.
Phrasal Verbs with “Look”
- Look after – He looks after his grandparents.
- Look into – The manager will look into the issue.
- Look forward to – I look forward to your reply.
These examples show just how versatile and necessary phrasal verbs are in daily English.
How Do You Identify Separable and Inseparable Phrasal Verbs?
Test the placement of the object
A simple way to check if a phrasal verb is separable is by trying to place the object between the verb and the particle. If the sentence still sounds natural and grammatically correct, it’s likely a separable phrasal verb.
Separable:
- He turned off the alarm.
- He turned the alarm off.
- He turned it off. ✔
- ❌ He turned off it.
Inseparable:
- She looked after the child.
- ❌ She looked the child after. ✘
(You cannot split look after)
Pay attention to pronoun placement
With separable phrasal verbs, if the object is a pronoun (like it, him, them), it must go between the verb and the particle.
Correct:
- I put it off.
Incorrect: - I put off it.
If the verb doesn’t allow this pattern, it’s inseparable.
Learn them as fixed expressions
Unfortunately, there’s no universal rule to instantly identify whether a phrasal verb is separable or not—you often have to learn them through practice. Good dictionaries and grammar resources will usually note this information.
Creating your own examples and testing different object placements is a helpful way to build confidence with these patterns.
Tips for Learning and Using Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs can be tricky at first because their meanings often aren’t literal. But with the right strategies, you can learn them more easily and use them confidently in both speaking and writing.
1. Learn them in context, not in isolation
Instead of memorizing long lists, focus on how phrasal verbs appear in real sentences. This helps you understand not just the meaning but also the tone and usage.
Example:
Don’t just memorize: “give up = quit”
Learn it in context: “She gave up her seat to the elderly man.”
2. Group them by verb
Many phrasal verbs share the same base verb. Studying them in groups can help you notice patterns and remember their meanings.
Example:
- Take off, take over, take up
- Put off, put on, put up with
3. Practice with real materials
Read articles, listen to podcasts, or watch shows where phrasal verbs are naturally used. The more you hear them, the easier they become to recognize and use.
4. Review with active recall
Test yourself regularly. Cover the meanings and try to remember them, or write your own example sentences. This strengthens memory and helps you recall them in conversations.
5. Use them in writing and conversation
The best way to learn is by using them. Try including phrasal verbs in your writing or practice them while speaking. Even one or two per day adds up.
Phrasal Verbs vs. Prepositional Verbs: What’s the Difference?
Phrasal verbs and prepositional verbs may look similar, but they function differently in English grammar. Understanding the distinction can help you avoid confusion when learning or using them.
Phrasal Verbs: The meaning changes completely
In phrasal verbs, the verb and particle together create a new meaning, often unrelated to the verb on its own.
Examples:
- Give up – to stop trying (She gave up smoking.)
- Run into – to meet by chance (I ran into an old friend yesterday.)
The full meaning can’t be guessed just by looking at the verb and the preposition separately.
Prepositional Verbs: The meaning stays more literal
Prepositional verbs are verbs that are followed by a preposition and then an object. The preposition is part of a prepositional phrase, and the meaning is generally clearer or more literal.
Examples:
- Look at – to direct your eyes toward something (She looked at the painting.)
- Rely on – to depend on someone or something (You can rely on him.)
The object is necessary, and the meaning of the verb is more transparent than in phrasal verbs.
FAQs About Phrasal Verbs
What is a phrasal verb in simple words?
A phrasal verb is a verb combined with a preposition or adverb (or both) that creates a new meaning. For example, “give up” means to quit, not just “give” and “up” separately.
What are 5 common phrasal verbs used in everyday English?
Some of the most common include:
Get up – to rise from bed
Turn off – to stop a machine or device
Look after – to take care of
Give up – to quit
Put off – to delay
How do I know if a verb is phrasal or not?
If the verb is followed by a preposition or adverb and the meaning changes from the base verb, it’s a phrasal verb. For example, “take” means one thing, but “take off” (as in an airplane) has a different meaning.
Are phrasal verbs formal or informal?
Most phrasal verbs are informal and common in everyday conversation. In formal writing, they are often replaced with single-word equivalents (e.g., “postpone” instead of “put off”).
Can phrasal verbs be separated?
Some can, and some cannot. Separable phrasal verbs allow the object to come between the verb and particle (“turn the lights off”), while inseparable ones do not (“look after the baby”).
What’s the difference between phrasal verbs and idioms?
Phrasal verbs are verb-based expressions where the meaning is not always literal. Idioms are broader expressions with meanings that often can’t be understood by the words alone (e.g., “kick the bucket” means to die).