Phrasal Verbs

Learning phrasal Verbs in English is tricky and often frustrating. It is essential; however, that you try and learn as many possible meanings and their uses, as English natives will rarely use anything else.

I hope the following lists and audio commentaries will help you to understand better. If you have any further doubts, please ask your teacher to explain to you.

Important: Phrasal Verbs are separable with a direct object BUT NOT a single object pronoun. Example: him, her, us, them, etc.

I picked the TV up and put it on the shelf OR I picked up the TV and put it on the shelf. BUT I picked him up from school NEVER I picked up him from school.

The object pronoun must always go in the middle of the verb and preposition.

1.    Look at: Mirar
2.    Look for: Buscar
3.    Look after: Cuidar
4.    Take care of: Cuidar
5.    Pick up: Recoger
6.    Try on: Probar
7.    Put on: Ponerse
8.    Look into: Investigar
9.    Take out (rubbish / garbage): Sacar
10.    Call up: Llamar
11.    Make up: *Recuperar / Compensar
12.    Turn out: Salir
13.    Work out: Salir
14.    Get on a bus: Subir
15.    Get off a bus: Bajar
16.    Speak up: Hablar más alto
17.    Give away: Regalar
18.    Look out / watch out: ¡Ojo! ¡Cuidado!
19.    Look up a word: Buscar
20.    Look back: Mirar atrás

Examples:

1.    I’m looking at the holidays photos. They’re great! We all look so happy.
2.    I need to look for other accommodation next September. Do you know if anyone has a spare room?
3.    I’ve decided I have to look after myself better by eating more fruit and going to the gym twice a week.
4.    Could you take care of the kids for 5 minutes while I go and get some milk?
5.    I went to pick up my dry cleaning and trousers and then the books I had ordered.
6.    Can I try these shirts on, please?
7.    Make sure you put on a thick jacket! It`s cold and windy outside.
8.    Police will be looking into the background of Mr. Anderson to determine if he could be a suspect.
9.    It’s your turn to take the rubbish out. Can you do it now, please?
10.    Call him up and tell him to come over and watch the match with us!
11.    *I’m sorry I missed your class. Can we possible make it up next week? (Recover)
I know I wasn’t there for your 30th birthday, but I don’t worry I’ll make it up to you! (Compensate)
12.    After all the stress of organizing the wedding it turned out really well and all the guests said they had a wonderful day.
13.    They’ve had a lot of problems recently but I’m sure they’ll work it out.
14.    There were so many people trying to get on the bus this morning. It was so cramped and dangerous.
15.    I could barely get off the bus trying to struggle through the passengers.
16.    Sorry, could you speak up a bit. I can hardly hear you!
17.    Super jets were giving away free flights to try and attract new customers.
18.    Watch out for the kids playing in the road. They always plays football round here!
19.    I can never remember the meaning of ‘sympathetic’ in English. I’m going to look it up now.
20.    When you have made your decision don´t look back. Keep thinking of new future and be positive.

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