Phrasal Verbs |
Phrasal verbs are formed by combining a verb with a particle. The particle that is used
to form a phrasal verb can be either a preposition or an adverb. These combinations create an entirely
new meaning which is different than the meaning of either word used by itself.
Phrasal verbs can sometimes be separable. If a phrasal verb is separable and is used
with a noun then the noun
can either follow or come between the verb and the particle.
Put the book down.
Put down the book
If a separable phrasal verb is used with a pronoun,
the pronoun always comes between the verb and
the particle.
Correct: Put it down.
Incorrect: Put down it.
If the phrasal verb is nonseparable then the noun and pronoun always come after the
particle.
Correct: I ran into John at the supermarket.
Incorrect: I ran John into at the supermarket.
Below is a list of some common phrasal verbs along with an
explination of their meaning. You will also find many phrasal verbs
used in English idioms.
or a list of other common phrasal verbs go to our
Vocabulary Bank.
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back up
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There are many idiomatic meanings: in transportation, to reverse direction;
in computer or legal language, to create a second copy of an electronic file
or disk or create a second proof of a story.
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call back
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To call means to contact, usually orally. To call back means to return or repeat a call, usually a telephone call.
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call off
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To call off means to cancel something, such as a party, a or a meeting.
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drop by
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To drop means to let go, but to drop by means to pay an informal visit.
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get off
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To get means to obtain. But to get off usually means to exit a means of transportation-an elevator,
a bicycle, a bus, or the like. There are other slang meanings as well.
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pass away
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To pass usually means to go by. But to pass away means to die, and in some areas of the country the simple
word pass also means to die.
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pass out
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To pass out means to faint - frequently from exhaustion, drinking too much alcohol, or illness.
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