Mastering Phrasal Verbs!

What's a 'Phrasal Verb' and how do I use them?

Phrasal verbs are very common in English, native speakers use them daily. If you not only want to master English, but you want to sound like more like a native and improve your fluency then we recommend adding a few of these to your vocabulary.

Phrasal verbs are short phrases made up of two or more words, these words include a verb, followed by a preposition, adverb or a combination of both.

For example: 'Made up of' - the verb 'to make' and the prepositions 'up and of'. Meaning - consist of or containing multiple elements.

Or, 'get together' - the verb 'get' and the adverb 'together'. Meaning - to gather or assemble.

Did you notice that we used the phrasal verb 'made up of' in our explanation?

So, what are some phrasal verbs that I can use everyday?

Phrasal verbs can be tricky to master, so it helps to just learn a few at a time. It can also be a useful trick to choose phrasal verbs that use the same verb and simply try adding different prepositions or adverbs.

So, Let's look at five phrasal verbs with the verb 'get'.

• Get up

• Get over

• Get out

• Get by

• Get away

Get up

Get is a verb, usually meaning 'to obtain'. Up is a preposition indicating an upwards direction. When it comes to the phrasal verb 'Get up', it means, to rise from your bed after sleeping.

For example:

1. I get up at six am everyday.

2. I got up and took a shower.

3. I hate getting up in the winter, it's too cold. I prefer to stay in my warm bed.

(See, we can also change the tense.)

Get over

So, we use the verb 'to get' again, but this time we add the word 'over', which is usually used as an adverb meaning, passage or movement, it is similar to above. The phrasal verb 'get over', has two meanings, the first usage is to recover from. We can also use it when we are trying to communicate something to someone.

For example:

1. It took me two weeks to get over my illness. (recover from)

2. I tried to get over my point, but he just didn't understand. (to communicate something)

Get out

This time, let's add the word 'out' to the verb 'get', which is usually used as an adverb. However, it can also be used as a noun, preposition or an adjective. As a phrasal verb, 'get out' has several meanings. To exit a vehicle, for something previously secret to become known or to succeed in publishing a book or music record.

For example:

1. She got out of the car when she arrived home. (To exit a vehicle)

2. News got out that he had been fired from his job. (for something previously secret to become known)

3. I would like to get my first record out this spring. I have been recording songs for two years. (to succeed in publishing a book or music record)

We can also separate some phrasal verbs, note in number three, instead of 'get out', we say 'get my first record out'. This is not true of all phrasal verbs, in fact phrasal verbs can be both separable, where the phrasal verb can be broken up by other words, or inseparable where the phrasal verbs can not be broken up by other words. Unfortunately it can be difficult to know which are separable and which are inseparable as there is no rule. However, keep learning with us and you'll start to understand which ones work and which do not.

Back to our phrasal verbs with 'Get'.

Get by

Now, let's add 'by' to the verb get. 'By' is an adverb meaning, to go past. When we use it as a phrasal verb. It becomes a little different. To 'get by' means to manage, usually financially or in a difficult situation. Getting by is managing a situation even though it is tough.

For example:

1. She doesn't earn a lot of money, but she gets by.

2. How do you get by on $200 a week?

3. It's been difficult since I broke up with my boyfriend, but I am getting by.

Get away

Finally, let's look at the phrasal verb 'get away'. This uses the verb 'get' once more and the word 'away'. Away is an adverb associated with distance to or from a place, person or thing. The phrasal verb 'get away' means to go on holiday/vacation or to escape a place, person or thing.

For example:

1. We are going to get away this weekend. We are going to London to see my parents. (To go on Holiday)

2. The criminal got away with the crime. Nobody saw him break into the building and the cameras weren't working. (escape)

3. He had to get away from the party, there were too many people there and he felt overwhelmed. (escape)

We hope that was helpful. What did you think?

Here you have it—five additional phrasal verbs to enhance your vocabulary. The English language contains numerous phrasal verbs, which we use for various purposes: travel, daily routines, everyday tasks, and general conversation. While there are often alternative words and phrases that might be easier for you, using phrasal verbs can help you sound more like a native speaker and understand the peculiar phrases your English-speaking friends use. Natives particularly enjoy phrasal verbs because they are fun, quick, and easy to say, often requiring fewer words or less effort than the typical expressions one might use.

Did you know we have more posts about phrasal verbs on out social media platforms? Check out out Tik Tok, Instagram or Youtube for more tips.