Phrasal Verbs: The Most Useful Ones, Explained
The most useful English phrasal verbs, grouped for everyday life and work, with meanings, examples and the word-order rule that trips learners up.
A phrasal verb is a verb plus a small word (a preposition or adverb) that together take on a new meaning, like give up or look after. They are everywhere in spoken English, and using them is one of the fastest ways to sound natural rather than textbook.
Everyday phrasal verbs
| Phrasal verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| get up | leave bed | I get up at 6 every day. |
| turn on / off | start / stop a device | Turn off the fan, please. |
| give up | stop trying | Do not give up so soon. |
| find out | discover | I found out the truth. |
| look after | take care of | She looks after her parents. |
| run out of | have none left | We ran out of milk. |
Phrasal verbs for work
| Phrasal verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| carry out | perform, complete | We carried out the plan. |
| put off | postpone | The meeting was put off. |
| follow up | check on progress | I will follow up with the client. |
| set up | arrange, start | Let us set up a call. |
| deal with | handle | I will deal with it today. |
One thing to watch: word order
Some phrasal verbs can be split by their object, some cannot.
- Separable: turn the light off or turn off the light, both fine. But with a pronoun it must split: turn it off, never
turn off it. - Inseparable: look after the baby, never
look the baby after.
Phrasal verbs come alive in conversation, which is why speaking practice is the best way to lock them in.
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Book a ₹299 Demo ClassFrequently Asked Questions
What is a phrasal verb?
It is a verb combined with a small word that changes its meaning, such as give up (stop trying) or look after (take care of). The meaning is often not obvious from the two words alone, so they are learned as whole units.
Why are phrasal verbs so important in spoken English?
Because native speakers use them constantly, often instead of formal single words: put off instead of postpone, find out instead of discover. Using common phrasal verbs makes your English sound natural rather than stiff.
How do I remember phrasal verbs?
Learn them in short example sentences and by topic, not as a long list, and then use them when you speak. A few used in real conversation will stick better than fifty memorised silently. A tutor helps you use them in context.
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