What are phrasal verbs and why do they matter?
If you have ever said something like Can you take out your shoes? meaning to ask someone to remove their shoes, but had the nagging feeling that it sounded odd, welcome to the wonderful world of phrasal verbs! The correct phrasing would be Can you take off your shoes? Although both sentences make sense, take out means “to remove something from somewhere” or “to bring outside”, so using it here would suggest taking the shoes out of somewhere (e.g. Can you take out your shoes from the closet? – “Can you get your shoes out of the wardrobe?”). Below we set out some keys to mastering them, plus a list of everyday phrasal verbs to help you build your vocabulary.
What we call Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb with a preposition or an adverb which, put together, take on a meaning quite different from the original verb. They are essential in everyday English, and mastering them helps you express yourself more naturally and fluently. Not only are they everywhere in native speakers’ daily lives, they are also key to sounding natural and speaking with ease. If your aim is to stop sounding as though you learned English from a grammar book and start speaking like someone on the ground, mastering them is essential. In this article we offer a small taste: a list of phrasal verbs that native speakers use all the time.
Why are they so difficult for learners?
Learners usually find phrasal verbs hard going because:
- They do not follow literal logic. The combination of verb and particle changes the meaning completely. For example, look up does not mean raising your eyes; it means looking information up.
- They have no exact equivalent in other languages. Many languages use a single verb where English uses a combination. For example, meet needs no particle at all, but English also has meet up when we mean getting together with someone.
- The same phrasal verb can have several meanings, depending on context. For example, take off can mean “to leave the ground” (a plane), “to remove” (an item of clothing) or “to become successful very quickly”.
How can you learn them without forced memorisation?
- Learn them in context. Read, watch series and listen to conversations where they are used.
- Group them by main verb. This helps you see patterns and connections between them.
- Use visual flashcards. Linking them to situations or images makes them far easier to remember.
- Practise with interactive exercises and tests.
Curious about your own level in the language? If you would like to know how ready you are to communicate in English fluently, why not take our online English level test. In just a few minutes you will get a clear picture of your level and see which areas you can improve.
A list of 20 phrasal verbs native speakers use every day
| Phrasal verb | Meaning in English | Plain-English equivalent | Example of use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hit | |||
| hit up | Contact someone (often for a favour) | Get in touch with someone | Hit me up when you’re in town. |
| Wrap | |||
| wrap up | Finish something | Bring something to an end | Let’s wrap up this meeting. |
| Come | |||
| come through | Successfully do something | Deliver on something | He always comes through in tough situations. |
| come down to | Be the most important aspect | Boil down to | It all comes down to trust. |
| Run | |||
| run by | Explain something for feedback | Check something with someone | Let me run this idea by you. |
| run out of | Have no more of something | Be left with none | We ran out of milk. |
| Go | |||
| go off | Explode; suddenly become angry | Blow up; lose your temper | He went off on the referee. |
| go about | Approach a task | Set about doing something | How do you go about learning a new language? |
| Pull | |||
| pull off | Succeed against the odds | Manage something difficult | They pulled off an incredible win. |
| pull through | Recover from an illness/difficult time | Come out of a hard patch | He pulled through after the accident. |
| Throw | |||
| throw in | Add something extra for free | Include something at no charge | They threw in free shipping. |
| throw off | Confuse or distract | Put someone off their stride | The question threw me off. |
| Put | |||
| put out | Inconvenience someone | Cause someone trouble | I don’t want to put you out. |
| put down | Insult or criticize | Belittle someone | Stop putting yourself down! |
| Turn | |||
| turn up | Arrive unexpectedly | Show up without warning | He turned up late to the party. |
| turn out | Happen in a certain way | End up a certain way | It turned out to be a great day. |
| Mess | |||
| mess around | Waste time; behave irresponsibly | Fool about | Stop messing around and get to work! |
| mess up | Make a mistake | Ruin something | I messed up my exam. |
Why learning them will make you sound more natural in English
Mastering phrasal verbs is essential if you want to speak English naturally. With a sound learning strategy, such as constant exposure and active practice, you can bring them into your vocabulary effortlessly. If you want to take your English to the next level, take a look at our English courses or put your knowledge to the test with our level test!
(FAQ) Frequently asked questions about phrasal verbs
There are thousands, but around 500 are thought to be the ones most widely used in everyday English.
Learn them in context, group them by base verb and practise them with real exercises.
Yes, because they are very common in everyday conversation and informal texts.
On learning platforms such as Duolingo or BBC Learning English, or with our online English courses.
Some phrasal verbs allow the object to sit in the middle (separable), as in “turn the music down”. Others must stay together (inseparable), as in “run into a friend”. It is important to learn each one in context.
Informal phrasal verbs, such as “hang out” (spend time together), are used in everyday conversation. More formal ones, such as “carry out” (perform, execute), are used in professional or academic contexts.