Introduction
Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb plus a preposition or adverb that create a new meaning. They are extremely common in spoken English and essential for natural communication. This guide covers the most frequently used phrasal verbs, organized by topic for easier learning.
Common Phrasal Verbs by Topic
Daily Life
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| get up | wake and rise from bed | I get up at 7 AM every day. |
| wake up | stop sleeping | She woke up late today. |
| turn on/off | start/stop a device | Please turn off the lights. |
| put on | wear clothing | He put on his jacket. |
| take off | remove clothing | She took off her shoes. |
| clean up | make clean and tidy | Let's clean up the kitchen. |
Work & Study
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| carry out | complete a task | We need to carry out the plan. |
| find out | discover information | I found out the answer. |
| point out | draw attention to | She pointed out the error. |
| work out | solve or exercise | Let's work out this problem. |
| set up | arrange or establish | They set up a new company. |
| follow up | check progress | I'll follow up on the email. |
Social & Communication
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| call off | cancel | They called off the meeting. |
| put off | postpone | Don't put off your homework. |
| bring up | mention a topic | She brought up an interesting point. |
| come across | find by chance | I came across this article online. |
| get along with | have a good relationship | I get along with my colleagues. |
| look forward to | anticipate with pleasure | I look forward to meeting you. |
Separable vs. Inseparable:Separable: Turn the light off = Turn off the light
Inseparable: Look after the children (NOT: Look the children after)
Inseparable: Look after the children (NOT: Look the children after)
Learning Tip: Learn phrasal verbs in context, not in isolation. Read the example sentences aloud and create your own sentences using the same structure. Try to use at least three new phrasal verbs in conversation each day.