A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding and Using Common Phrasal Verbs in English

 Phrasal verbs are an essential part of the English language, used in everyday conversations and texts. They consist of a verb followed by a preposition or an adverb, or both. The combination creates a new meaning that is different from the original verb. In this post, we will explore the different types of phrasal verbs, their usage, and examples.

Types of Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs can be classified into two types - transitive and intransitive. Transitive phrasal verbs are followed by an object, while intransitive phrasal verbs do not take an object.

Transitive Phrasal Verbs:

Transitive phrasal verbs are further classified into three categories - separable, inseparable, and both.

1. Separable phrasal verbs: These phrasal verbs have the object placed either before or after the preposition. For example:

• We kept our relationship from my friends for some time.
• We kept it from my friends for some time.

2. Inseparable phrasal verbs: These phrasal verbs have the object placed only after the preposition. For example:

• I always hand in my assignment in time.
• She is looking forward to mid-term break.

3. Phrasal verbs that are both separable and inseparable: These phrasal verbs can take an object at both places – before and after the preposition. For example:

• The brothers put out the fire before the firemen came.
• The brothers put the fire out before the firemen came.

Intransitive Phrasal Verbs:

Intransitive phrasal verbs cannot take an object. For example:

• Did he show up?

Commonly Used Phrasal Verbs: Phrasal verbs are widely used in spoken and written English. Here are some commonly used phrasal verbs with examples:

1. Ask (somebody) out – invite on a date

• He asked her out on a dinner date.

2. Ask around – ask several people the same question

• She asked around to find the best bakery in town.

3. Add up to (something) – equal

• The total bill adds up to $100.

4. Back (something) up – reverse

• He had to back up the car to get out of the tight spot.

5. Back (somebody) up – offer support

• He backed me up when I presented my ideas to the boss.

6. Blow (sth) up – explode

• The terrorists blew up the bridge.

7. Break down – stop working/functioning (of a machine, or a vehicle)

• The car broke down on the highway.

8. Break down – to be upset

• She broke down when she heard the sad news.

9. Break (sth) down – divide it into smaller parts

• We need to break down the project into manageable tasks.

10. Break in – enter a building forcibly

• Someone tried to break in through the window.

11. Break in – to interrupt

• I'm sorry to break in, but we need to discuss this issue.

12. Break into (sth) – enter forcibly (house, etc)

• The burglars broke into the house and stole valuables.

13. Break out – escape

• The prisoners broke out of jail.

14. Break out in (sth) – develop a condition (skin)

• She broke out in a rash after using a new lotion.

15. Break up – end a relationship

• They broke up after dating for six months.

16. Break up – start laughing

• We all broke up when he told us the funny story.

17. Bring (somebody) down – cause the person

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