Phrasal Verbs

What is Phrasal Verb

Phrasal verbs is made when two or more words join together to form a complete new word. Phrasal verbs are often confusing because their definitions are not always clear. Phrasal verbs are the combination of verbs with an adverb or prepositions. Phrasal verbs change their respective conjugation when used in sentences. They can be divided into the following parts:

1. Separable phrasal verbs: The verb and particles may be put together or may be separated.

For eg: she turned the job down because she didn’t want to move to Delhi.

2. Inseparable phrasal verbs: The phrasal verbs that always work together and cannot be separated.

 For eg: I get up at 6 a.m.

3. Transitive phrasal verbs : They use direct objects.

For eg: Charlie couldn’t put up with the barking dogs any longer.

4. Intransitive phrasal verbs : They do not use an object.

For eg: The CEO was late, so the design team went ahead without him.

5. With Two particles: They are inseparable.

For example: why did you come up with that idea?

Phrasal Verbs: Meaning

Phrasal verbs are differentiated from other multi-word verbs and idioms as they act as a replacement for a single word verb. Prepositional verbs are very common in many languages but are not analysed as phrasal verbs. For better understanding, let’s take the example of “get over”.

“Get” is a verb that means to acquire, while “over” is a preposition with a meaning to go above something. But when we put these words together, their meaning will be to overcome or recover.

Phrasal Verbs Examples:

I had a bad break-up but got over it.

He got a job to get over his lazy routine.

How to Conjugate Phrasal Verbs

In a sentence, when a phrasal verb is used as the main verb, we conjugate the verb and leave the secondary part as it is.

For example, I get up in the morning during the winter.

However, this noon I got up at 12.

From the above phrasal verbs examples, it is clear that only the word gets changed, but the word up remains the same. Always remember an irregular verb uses different forms to fit into different tense in sentences. Thus, phrasal verbs should be used according to proper tenses. Conjugation of a phrasal verb is important for maintaining the verb tense consistency.

Word Order with Phrasal Verbs

The words in the phrasal verb stay together, but in the case of an intransitive and inseparable phrasal verb, the verb and particle will remain next to each other and cannot be separated. The separable phrasal verb is always transitive and thus uses a direct object. It is to be noted that a direct object can be placed between the separable phrasal verb.

For example:

Rahul would never let Riya down.

• In the case of noun phrases: you would never let any of the members down.

Pick the box up and carry it to the room.

• In the case of pronouns: if the object is a pronoun, it shall be placed between the phrasal verbs. For example: pick it up and carry it to the room.
• Always remember that the transitive phrasal verb can be separable and inseparable.

For example, Nothing comes between us.

Common Phrasal Verbs with Meanings and Examples

• back up (To support)

When Sheela threw me out of the room, only Rahul backed me up.

• break down (To stop working)

The steam press at our shop is constantly breaking down. 

• call around (contact multiple people)

Roy called around to find a nearby restaurant.

• calm down (To relax after an energetic exercise )

I need a few minutes to calm down after that exercise.

• call-off (To cancel)

They called off their engagement.

• check out (verify a person or thing)

We’ll check the contract out.

• clean up (be extremely successful in an attempt)

Our Cricket team cleaned up at the match and went home undefeated. 

• clean up (clean a general area)

My maid cleaned the living room up.

• cheer up (To make someone happy)

Dancing always cheers me up on a windy day. 

• come around  (To change an opinion)

I never liked ice cream, but it came around after trying Belgium chocolate.

• come between (To disturb a relationship)

After having a strong bond, nothing could come between them. 

• come down on (To attack or punish)

Ever since last month’s murder, police have been coming down on suspects. 

• come down with  (become sick)

After sitting in the rain for hours, Ram came down with a high fever. 

• come out of (happen as a consequence of another event)

We missed a day of the trip, so at least some good came out of our boring class trip. 

• come up (become the topic of discussion)

Everyone talked about how much they enjoyed the food, but the cost never came up in the conversation.

Conclusion

Phrasal verbs have a simple concept that two different words having different meanings come together to form a completely new meaning. Phrasal verbs with prepositions are prepositional phrasal verbs, while the phrasal verb with the particle is called particle phrasal verbs. A phrasal verb is often used while speaking to make communication easier and more meaningful.