Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are mainly used in spoken English and informal texts. (The more formal a conversation or text is , the less phrasal verbs are found.)

Phrasal verbs consist of a verb plus a particle (preposition, adverb). The particle can change the meaning of the verb completely, e.g.:

* look up – consult a reference book (look a word up in a dictionary)
* look for – seek (look for her ring)
* look forward – anticipate with pleasure (look forward to meeting someone)

There are no rules that might explain how phrasal verbs are formed correctly - all you can do is look them up in a good dictionary and study their meanings. In our lists, you will find some frequently used phrasal verbs and their meanings.

Position of the Particle

The particle is placed either after the verb or after the object.

Example:

Write down the word. / Write the word down.

If the object is a pronoun, however, the particle has to be placed after the pronoun (object).

Example:

Write it down

Frequently used Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal Verbs with: break, bring, call, carry, come, do, fall, get, go, keep, look, make, put, run, set, take, turn

break


1) break down :
*fail to function
*have a physical or mental collapse

2) break in :
*interrupt a discussion
*burgle
*soften with use (shoes)

3) break off :
*discontinue (therapy, relationship)

4) break out :
*escape from prison, begin suddenly

5) break up :
*end a relationship


bring

1) bring about :
*cause to happen

2) bring forth :
*give birth to

3) bring forward :
*draw attention to sth

4) bring on :
*cause to happen or appear

5) bring round :
*persuade
*cause to recover consciousness

6) bring up :
*rear, educate a child
*mention
*vomit


call


1) call back :
*return a phone call

2) call for :
*require

3) call in :
*communicate by phone
*consult a specialist

4) call off :
*cancel

5) call out :
*read names aloud
*order workers to strike

6) call on :
*request sb to do sth

7) call up :
*reach by phone
*summon for military services


carry


1) carry away :
*remove
*inspire, affect emotionally

2) carry off :
*take away (by force)
*win
*remove, degrade (earth)

3) carry on :
*continue

4) carry out :
*accomplish, make

5) carry through :
*complete
*bring out of difficulties


come


1) come about :
*happen, to be achieved

2) come across :
*find/meet by chance

3) come after :
*follow

4) come at :
*attack
*reach, discover

5) come back :
*return

6) come by :
*pass, go past, visit
*buy, get

7) come down :
*fall (price)

come down to :
*mean, signify

9) come down with :
*fall sick with

10) come in :
*enter, be received

11) come in for :
*receive, be object of (criticism)

12) come off :
*become detached

13)come out :
*become known, be published
*be removed (stain)

14) come over :
*come from a distance

15) come round :
*visit sb
*recover consciousness

16) come to :
*amount to
*arrive/reach a place

17) come up :
*be mentioned/discussed
*(problem) arise

18) come up against :
*be faced with (problems)

19) come upon :
*find/meet by chance

20) come up to :
*match (a standard)

21) come up with :
*produce an idea


do


1) do away with :
*abolish
*kill

2) do up :
*dress up
*fasten, secure (clothing)

3) do with :
*need

4) do without :
*not require


fall


1) fall apart :
*fall into pieces

2) fall behind :
*fail to keep up pace

3) fall for :
*be in love with
*be deceived by

4) fall in with :
*meet by chance
*coincide with

5) fall off :
*decrease
*drop from

6) fall out :
*quarrel

7) fall out with :
*quarrel with

fall through :
*fail, miscarry

9) fall to :
*start an activity eagerly


get


1) get across :
*communicate (an idea)

2) get along :
*be in good terms with somebody

3) get away :
*escape

4) get away with :
*escape (punishment)

5) get by :
*manage, cope

6) get down to :
*turn one's attention to sth

7) get in :
*enter (car, taxi)

get off :
*disembark (bus, train etc.)

9) get on :
*enter (bus, train etc.)

10) get out :
*disembark (car, taxi)

11) get over :
*recover (illness, upset)

12) get through :
*pass (an exam)
*be connected on the phone

13) get to :
*reach

14) get up :
*rise from bed after sleeping


go


1) go against :
*be contrary to (principles, rules)

2) go along with :
*take the same view

3) go away :
*depart

4) go down :
*become less
*decrease in price
*sink (ship)
*set (sun)

5) go for :
*pick up, go and get

6) go off :
*explode
*deteriorate (food)
*begin to sound (alarm)

7) go on :
*continue

go out :
*leave the house
*strike

9) go over :
*inspect the details of sth

10) go past :
*pass

11) go round :
*visit informally

12) go through :
*deal with
*discuss in detail
*experience sth (usually bad)

13) go up :
*increase in price
*explode

14) go with :
*match


keep


1) keep away :
*prevent from / avoid being near

2) keep back :
*withhold

3) keep down :
*not to increase

4) keep off :
*avoid (a topic)
*stay away

5) keep on :
*not stopping doing sth

6) keep up :
*continue, carry on

7) keep up with :
*not to fall behind sb


look


1) look after :
*take care of

2) look down on :
*regard with a feeling of superiority

3) look for :
*seek

4) look forward to :
*anticipate with pleasure

5) look into :
*investigate (a crime)

6) look on :
*be a spectator
*regard

7) look out :
*be careful

look over :
*inspect hastily

9) look through :
*pretend not to see
*examine the contents of sth

10) look up :
*consult a reference book

11) look up to :
*respect


make


1) make for :
*have/produce a particular effect

2) make off :
*run away

3) make out :
*recognise, distinguish

4) make up :
*constitute, form
*invent a lie
*put together, prepare
*apply cosmetics

5) make up for :
*compensate
*regain (time)


put


1) put across :
express in an understandable way

2) put back :
*put sth to its proper place
*lay money aside for the future
*move back the hands of a clock

3) put by :
*save for later use

4) put down :
*repress
*write down
*store (food)

5) put down to :
*give as a reason, attribute to

6) put forward :
*move forward the hands of a clock
*suggest, propose

7) put in for :
*be a candidate for an election

put on :
*dress oneself with
*tease
*gain (weight)

9) put off :
*postpone

10) put out :
*extinguish (a fire, light)

11) put through :
*connect sb by phone

12)put up :
*build
*raise (hand)
*provide accommodation for
*offer for sale

13) put up with :
*tolerate, accept


run


1) run after :
*chase

2) run away :
*escape, flee

3) run down :
*knock down, collide with
*feel weak due to overwork

4) run in :
*imprison
5) run into : *meet by chance

6) run off :
*escape, flee

7) run out :
*run outside
*become used up

run out of :
*exhaust one's stock

9) run over :
*overflow
*study quickly
*pass over, knock down

10) run up against :
*meet with difficulties


set


1) set aside :
*reserve for later use

2) set back :
*hinder, slow down a progress

3) set down :
*write down

4) set off :
*cause to explode
*start a journey

5) set up :
*start business


take

1) take after :
*follow sb as an example
*resemble in appearance

2) take down :
*write down

3) take in :

*understand (meaning)
*deceive

4) take off : *undress
*begin flight (plane)

5) take to :
*develop a habit

6) take up :
*continue, proceed
*become interested in

7) take up with :
*begin to associate with


turn


1) turn down :
*diminish the intensity
*reject

2) turn in :
*hand in

3) turn off :
*switch off

4) turn on :
*switch on

5) turn out :
*switch off

6) turn over :
*bring the reverse side up

7) turn up :
*increase the intensity
make an appearance

With my best wishes. Take good care of yourself