English is full of surprises, and phrasal verbs are definitely one of them. What are phrasal verbs, you ask? They’re those sneaky little verb phrases that change meaning when you add a preposition or adverb. For example, “give up” doesn’t mean to physically hand something to the sky—it means to stop trying! If you think that’s confusing, you’re not alone.
In this guide, we’ll tackle the most common two- and three-word phrasal verbs, show you how to use them without losing your mind, and give you some practical tips to make sense of it all. Ready to break down (get ready) and learn? Let’s do this!
1. What Are Phrasal Verbs?
A phrasal verb is made up of a verb and one or two particles (a preposition or adverb). The combination gives the verb a new meaning, which is often not obvious from the words themselves.
Two-Word Phrasal Verbs: Verb + Particle
- Give up (to stop trying)
- Look after (to take care of)
- Run into (to meet unexpectedly)
Three-Word Phrasal Verbs: Verb + Particle + Particle
- Look forward to (to be excited about)
- Get away with (to escape punishment for something)
- Put up with (to tolerate)
Practical Tip: Memorizing phrasal verbs may feel like a chore, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to use them naturally and confidently.
2. Common Two-Word Phrasal Verbs
Let’s start with some two-word phrasal verbs that you’ll hear all the time:
- Turn off: To stop a device from working.
- Please turn off the lights when you leave.
- Pick up: To lift or collect something or someone.
- Can you pick up some milk on your way home?
- Give up: To stop trying or surrender.
- Don’t give up! You’re almost there.
- Run out: To have no more of something.
- We’ve run out of coffee. This is an emergency!
- Look after: To take care of.
- I have to look after my neighbor’s cat this weekend.
Practical Tip: Some phrasal verbs are separable, meaning you can split the verb and the particle (e.g., “Turn the lights off”), while others are inseparable (e.g., “Look after” must stay together).
3. Common Three-Word Phrasal Verbs
Three-word phrasal verbs may seem intimidating, but they’re incredibly useful:
- Look forward to: To be excited about something in the future.
- I look forward to the weekend.
- Put up with: To tolerate or accept something unpleasant.
- I don’t know how she puts up with his bad jokes.
- Get along with: To have a good relationship with someone.
- Do you get along with your coworkers?
- Run out of: To have no more of something.
- We ran out of gas in the middle of nowhere.
- Keep up with: To stay at the same level or pace as someone or something.
- It’s hard to keep up with the latest trends.
Practical Tip: Practice these phrases by using them in your everyday conversations. It’s one thing to know them, but it’s another to use them fluently!
4. How to Use Phrasal Verbs Like a Native
a) Context Is Key
Phrasal verbs can have multiple meanings depending on the context. For example:
- Take off can mean removing clothing (He took off his jacket) or when a plane leaves the ground (The plane took off at 8 PM).
Practical Tip: Pay attention to the context and try to figure out the meaning from how it’s used.
b) Separable vs. Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
Some phrasal verbs can be separated, and some can’t.
- Separable: Turn off → Turn the TV off / Turn off the TV
- Inseparable: Look after → I have to look after the kids.
Practical Tip: If the object is a pronoun (e.g., him, it, them), it always comes between the verb and the particle: Turn it off, not Turn off it.
5. Common Mistakes with Phrasal Verbs
Mistake #1: Mixing Up Meanings
- Incorrect: I ran into a problem and looked forward to it. (Confusing! You probably didn’t enjoy the problem.)
- Correct: I ran into a problem and had to deal with it.
Tip: Make sure you’re using the right phrasal verb for the situation.
Mistake #2: Incorrect Word Order
- Incorrect: Turn off it.
- Correct: Turn it off.
Tip: Remember the rule about pronouns: They go between the verb and the particle.
Mistake #3: Overusing Phrasal Verbs in Formal Writing
- Incorrect: The company will put up with new regulations.
- Correct: The company will comply with new regulations.
Tip: Phrasal verbs are great for casual conversations but can sound too informal for academic or professional writing. Use more formal alternatives when necessary.
6. Quick Recap Table: Common Phrasal Verbs
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Give up | To stop trying | He gave up on his diet. |
| Run out of | To have no more of something | We ran out of milk. |
| Look forward to | To be excited about something | I look forward to meeting you. |
| Put up with | To tolerate | I can’t put up with this noise anymore. |
| Take off | To remove clothing / when a plane leaves | She took off her shoes. / The plane took off. |
| Keep up with | To stay at the same level | It’s hard to keep up with him. |
Conclusion: Practice Makes Perfect!
Congratulations! You’ve just unlocked the secret to using two- and three-word phrasal verbs. These tricky little phrases might seem overwhelming at first, but with practice, they’ll become second nature. Start by learning a few at a time, use them in conversations, and pay attention to context.
Remember: Phrasal verbs can make your English sound natural, but don’t overuse them in formal situations. Now, go ahead and brush up on your phrasal verbs—you’ve got this!