Dr. Grammar says:

“What’s wrong with this sentence? I found a wallet on the floor, so I picked up it.”

EXPLANATION:

Phrasal verbs are made up of a verb, and another word or words. The other word is either a preposition or an adverb. For example:

I have to look after my little brother at the weekend.

These verbs are very useful in English, especially for speaking and informal writing. (When we write something very formal, we use fewer phrasal verbs.)

How do we use phrasal verbs?

When using a phrasal verb, the object of the clause can go in two positions: between the verb and the other word, or after the phrasal verb. For example:

I often look up new words in my dictionary.

I often look new words up in my dictionary.

However, if the object is a pronoun, it has to go between the two words:

When I find a new word, I always look it up in the dictionary. √

When I find a new word, I always look up it in the dictionary. X

Also, some phrasal words cannot have the object placed in the middle:

I am really looking forward to my holiday. √

I am really looking my holiday forward to. X

How do we know the meaning of phrasal verbs?

Well, unfortunately there are no rules to guide you in the meaning of phrasal verbs. For example, “look up” and “look after” have very different meanings; just as “look up” and “think up” have different meanings.

So, how can we learn phrasal verbs?

1. Read extensively, and notice phrasal verbs when you are reading.

2. Make a note of them and look them up in a dictionary later.

3. Record the useful ones in a vocabulary journal, and use them in your speaking and writing.

What are some common phrasal verbs?

To start you off, here are a few phrasal verbs which are commonly used:

Look up – to find something, usually a meaning (for example: Look up a word in a dictionary).

Look into – to investigate something (for example: The police are looking into how the burglar managed to steal the diamond).

Take off – to remove something (for example: Take off your shirt) or to leave the ground (for example, the plane will take off in 5 minutes).

Work out – to do some exercise (for example: I work out at the gym three times a week) or to try to understand something, or solve a problem (for example: It took me ages to work out how to start my new computer).

Make up – to imagine something (for example, he made up a story to tell his children) or to become friends again after falling out (for example: We made up after our big argument).

Put off – to leave something to later, to postpone (for example: I can’t put off doing my homework any longer, I have to do it now).

Get along with – to have a good relationship with someone, or to like them (for example: I get along with my oldest brother really well, but not so well with my youngest brother).

Take care of – to be responsible for something/someone (for example: Taking care of a pet is a big responsibility).

So…

I found a wallet on the floor, so I picked up it. X

I found a wallet on the floor, so I picked it up. √

EXERCISE:

Use the verbs from the list above to fill the gaps in the following sentences:

1. I met a girl who I really ………………………. yesterday, and I can’t stop thinking about her. 2. I read a short story for homework, but it was not very interesting because I had to ………………………. so many new words.

3. When the plane………………………. I always have to ………………………. my little brother because he is scared of flying.

4. I had an argument with my best friend about something really silly. However, I think we can ………………………. the problem and then ………………………..

5. The detective was feeling lazy and had ………………………. his work for a long time. He wanted to start, but now he had to ………………………. who had stolen his sandwich.

Answers:

1. I met a girl who I really get along with yesterday, and I can’t stop thinking about her. 2. I read a short story for homework, but it was not very interesting because I had to look up so many new words.

3. When the plane takes off I always have to take care of my little brother because he is scared of flying.

4. I had an argument with my best friend about something really silly. However, I think we can work out the problem and then make up.

5. The detective was feeling lazy and had put off his work for a long time. He wanted to start, but now he had to look into who had stolen his sandwich.

FURTHER PRACTICE:

Now go to the article “The Harry Potter Phenomenon” and find as many phrasal verbs as you can. Using the context, try to guess the meaning, and then record the new ones in your vocabulary journal.

Finally, look out for next week’s lesson on phrasal verbs!

This material is provided by the Australian Centre for Education and Training (ACET).