General rules of using phrasal verbs in English

In the process of learning, each of us sooner or later begins to encounter phrasal verbs in English. This is an important and interesting topic, but at the same time, it seems difficult to understand. In this article, we will thoroughly examine the general rules of using such verbs, understand why we need them, and how to use them.

Contents

1. The meaning of phrasal verbs and their role in learning English
2. Classification of phrasal verbs in English: definitions, types, and usage
    2.1. Separable and inseparable
    2.2. Transitive and intransitive
    2.3. Literal and idiomatic
3. How to form other parts of speech using phrasal verbs
4. The table of common phrasal verbs in English and their equivalents
5. Practice exercises
6. FAQ: popular questions and answers to them

The meaning of phrasal verbs and their role in learning English

Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb with a preposition or adverb that together acquire a different meaning, distinct from the individual meanings of the words.

Let’s check a couple of examples:

So, as we can see, by adding the preposition "into" to the verbs "run" and the adverb "out" to "work," we get completely different words that, in the context of sentences, have entirely different meanings.

Native speakers constantly use such verbs in everyday speech, which is why it is so important to understand them for effective communication. Such phrases also expand vocabulary and help to express ideas more precisely and emotionally. The difficulty of learning them lies in the large number of connotations, which can only be understood from the context of speech. This, in turn, leads to translation challenges, as understanding phrasal verbs does not mean understanding individual words.

Classification of phrasal verbs in English: definitions, types, and usage

In English, this group of verbs is divided into several main categories that help to understand their usage and meaning. These categories include separable and inseparable, transitive and intransitive, literal and idiomatic ones. Each of these categories has its own features, which we will explore below. This will help improve the use of phrasal verbs in English, both in writing and in spoken communication.

Separable and inseparable

Depending on the word order, there are two types:

• separable
• inseparable

The rule for using inseparable ones is quite simple: the preposition or adverb always comes directly after the verb:

• I look after my younger sister. 

If an inseparable phrasal verb consists of a verb and two parts, such as "run out of" or "come up with", they are also never separated:

• We have run out of coffee and tea. 
• Our team keeps up with the latest trends. 
• Do you get along with your colleagues? 

Other phrasal verbs in English can be separable. This means that other words can be placed between the verb and the preposition/adverb to indicate the object of the sentence:

• My friend called the meeting off, so I’m going to stay at home and read a book. 
  
  Or, as was shown in the table, the verb with the adverb can be kept together, so they are not separated. In such cases, we would say, “My friend called off the meeting”. 

Let’s look at more examples:

• Why did they give yoga classes up? 
• Why did they give up yoga classes?
   
• Can you pick up the phone? 
• Can you pick the phone up? 

As we can see, the translation of the sentence does not change depending on the placement of the preposition/adverb relative to the verb. However, if our object is a pronoun (you, he, she, they, etc.), it will always be placed between the verb and its particle:

• Could you pick me up after work? I’m rushing to my English classes. 
• Ann, are you near the TV? Can you turn it up a bit? I can’t hear it.  
• The company sent her an offer, but she turned it down. 

Both forms, separable and inseparable, are correct and commonly used. However, separable ones are pretty common in spoken English, where speakers emphasize important information with their intonation. You don’t need any special knowledge to determine which ones are separable and which are not. All you need is to practice as much as possible and memorize them.

Transitive and intransitive

There is one more classification:  

• transitive
• intransitive

Transitive ones in English require a direct object, so the action of the verb must affect someone or something. Here are some examples:

Intransitive ones do not require a direct object, so the verb does not direct its action toward someone or something:

Literal and idiomatic

According to their meanings, phrasal verbs are divided into:

• literal
• idiomatic

The meaning and translation of literal ones can be understood from their individual components.

• To sit down 
• To stand up 
• To walk out
• To put away 

In contrast, the meaning of idiomatic ones in English cannot be determined from their individual components. They have a figurative, or idiomatic, meaning that goes beyond the literal interpretation of their parts:

How to form other parts of speech using phrasal verbs

It's interesting to note that sometimes this type of verbs can be transformed into nouns or adjectives. In such cases, there are nuances in spelling. They may be written either as a single word or with a hyphen. Let's look at a few common examples in the table of phrasal verbs in English:

Let's check a few examples where these verbs can be used as different parts of speech in a sentence:

Pay attention when forming an adjective from a phrasal verb in English, you need to use the verb in its third form (Past Participle) (referring to the third column of the irregular verbs list or adding the -ed ending to regular verbs). For example:

• To break down → broken-down 
• To work out → worked-out 
• To take off → taken-off 

The table of common phrasal verbs in English and their equivalents

Practice exercises

Fill in the gaps using the appropriate phrasal verb. If necessary, refer to the table of phrasal verbs in English provided above. To see the correct answer, click on the sentence you are interested in.

You can complete more activities to understand the rules of phrasal verbs better on Smarte interactive platform for free! The activities are divided into English levels, so choose yours. Have fun with your practice!

On the Booyya website, you can find, view, and go through even more information on the topic. 

Additionally, watch videos on YouTube to systematize and review what you’ve learned using examples of phrasal verbs with “go.”

FAQ: popular questions and answers to them

1. What are phrasal verbs in English?

A phrasal verb is a combination of two or more words that together form a new verb. The meaning of this phrase differs from the meanings of its individual components, having its own unique translation and connotation.

2. How are they formed in English? 

They are formed by combining a verb with a preposition or adverb, or with both parts of speech simultaneously.

3. Can a regular verb be used instead of a phrasal verb, providing it has the same meaning? 

Yes, certainly. Often, there are several alternative synonyms, and using phrasal verbs is not always strictly necessary. However, the more different options you know, the more accurately and effectively you can express your thoughts.. 

4. What is the purpose of such verbs in English?

They are very common in spoken language, as they often sound more informal and intuitive, allowing the speaker to express their thoughts more naturally. Let’s compare two sentences:

• After hours of arguing, he finally gave in. 
• After hours of arguing, he finally surrendered. 

 "To surrender" is a synonym to the phrasal verb "to give in." But the first sentence sounds less formal and more natural compared to the second one, doesn’t it?

5. What method is the most effective for learning them?

The best way to learn phrasal verbs is to systematically read and listen to diverse materials. Find articles, books, or watch the news, listen to podcasts, explore song lyrics, or watch movies with subtitles. Over time, it will become easier to recognize phrasal verbs in speech and understand their usage.