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Phrasal verbs are usually two-word phrases consisting of verb + adverb or verb
+ preposition. Think of them as you would any other English vocabulary. Study
them as you come across them, rather than trying to memorize many at once. Use
the list below as a reference guide when you find an expression that you don't
recognize. The example sentences will help you understand the meanings. If you
think of each phrasal verb as a separate verb with a specific meaning, you will be
able to remember it more easily. Like many other verbs, phrasal verbs often have
more than one meaning.
This list shows about 200 common phrasal verbs, with meanings and examples.
Only the most usual meanings are given. Some phrasal verbs may have additional
meanings.
As well as learning their meanings, you can study the grammar of phrasal verbs.
When the object of the following phrasal verbs is a pronoun, the two parts of the
phrasal verb must be separated:
fill out complete a form Fill out this application form and mail it in.
fill up fill to capacity She filled up the grocery cart with free food.
submit something
hand in The students handed in their papers and left the room.
(assignment)
put something on hook She hung up the phone before she hung up her
hang up
or receiver clothes.
You left out the part about the police chase down
leave out omit
Asylum Avenue.
lift something off The crane picked up the entire house. (Watch them
pick up
something else pick it up.)
put on put clothing on the I put on a sweater and a jacket. (I put them on
body quickly.)
take off remove clothing It was so hot that I had to take off my shirt.
throw
discard That's a lot of money! Don't just throw it away.
away
put clothing on to see if She tried on fifteen dresses before she found one she
try on
it fits liked.
turn
lower volume Your radio is driving me crazy! Please turn it down.
down
turn off switch off electricity We turned off the lights before anyone could see us.
turn off
repulse It was a disgusting movie. It really turned me off.
(2)
call on ask to recite in class The teacher called on students in the back row.
recover from sickness or I got over the flu, but I don't know if I'll ever get
get over
disappointment over my broken heart.
get along have a good I found it very hard to get along with my brother
with relationship with when we were young.
get away Janik cheated on the exam and then tried to get away
escape blame
with with it.
get rid of eliminate The citizens tried to get rid of their corrupt mayor in
the recent election.
get through
finish When will you ever get through with that program?
with
keep up It's hard to keep up with the Joneses when you lose
maintain pace with
with your job!
make sure Make sure of the student's identity before you let
verify
of him into the classroom.
regain He was hit on the head very hard, but after several
come to
consciousness minutes, he started to come to again.
visit without We used to just drop by, but they were never home,
drop by
appointment so we stopped doing that.
The cops heard all the noise and stopped to see what
go on (2) happen
was going on.
remain at a The judge warned the stalker to keep away from his
keep away
distance victim's home.
keep on (with continue with the He tried to keep on singing long after his voice was
gerund) same ruined.