Phrasal Verbs

March 14, 2021

PHRASAL VERBS

Phrasal verbs are an integral part of the English language. They are something that we use everyday both in our writing and speaking.

A group of words that functions as a verb and is made up of a verb and a preposition, an adverb, or both.
A verb like stand up, turn off or break down etc. These verbs consists of a basic verb + another word or words.
A combination of a Verb and an Adverb, Verb and Preposition or both. This combination has a meaning different from the meaning of the words considered separately.
A combination of two or three words from different grammatical categories, mainly a Verb and a Particle, such as Adverb or a Preposition.
It functions as a simple verb, but its meaning is idiomatic.

TYPES OF PHRASAL VERBS

TRANSITIVE

Verbs which require an object in a sentence are called Transitive Phrasal Verbs.
e.g. He looks after his three children.
John looked at the newspaper.
Can you turn off the fan?

INTRANSITIVE

Verbs which do not require an object in a sentence are called Intransitive Phrasal Verbs.
e.g. The trees are growing up.
The bus broke down.
This is too fast. Can you slow down?

SEPARABLE

Verbs whose words are separated to use in different places.
e.g. George switched the light off.
My mother has to clean this mess up.
He paid the money back.

INSEPARABLE

Verbs whose words are not separated to use in different places.
e.g. Before the exam, let’s go over the English Grammar.
I’m looking forward to our vacation in UK.
Smith needs to take back the shirt he lent you.

Click here to study A to Z Phrasal Verbs List

also see

TENSES	AS SOON AS / NO SOONER…THAN
DIRECT-INDIRECT SPEECH	QUESTION TAG
MODAL AUXILIARIES	Types of NOUNS
SO…THAT / TOO…TO	Types of PRONOUNS
EXCLAMATORY / ASSERTIVE	Types of ADJECTIVES
TOO / ENOUGH	Types OF VERBS
UNLESS / IF…NOT	IN SPITE OF / DESPITE
SO / BECAUSE	USING ‘ALMOST’
COLLOCATIONS	MOOD