- English Grammar B2 Level - https://open.books4languages.com/english-b2-grammar -

Phrasal Verbs

Introduction

A phrasal verb [1] is a two-part verb formed by a verb and a particle. This particle usually gives verbs a whole new meaning. {see Phrasal Verbs, A2 level [1] and B1 level [2]}

Form

{See Phrasal Verbs, A2 level [1] and B1 level [2]}

Some of the most used are:

  • With break: break up, break out, break dow;
  • With come: come back,come across,come up;
  • With look: look after, look for, look up, look out, look forward;
  • With put: put off, put down, put up with;
  • With take: take off, take after, take back…

Example

  • They broke up last week.
  • One prisoner broke out of jail.
  • Our car broke down in the middle of the road.
  • They came back very late yesterday.
  • I came across my friend last week.
  • How did this subject come up?
  • When we’re away, my cousin looks after our dog.
  • What are you looking for?
  • She always looks up to her father.
  • Look out! You’re going to fall down!
  • I’m looking forward to your reply!
  • We have to put the picnic off, it’s raining.
  • You can put your backpack down on the bed.
  • I can’t put up with the noise you’re making.
  • Take my coat off, it’s too hot.
  • Susie takes after her mother.
  • He has to take his bike back.

Use

Below you can see the meanings of some phrasal verbs:

    1. Break up: end a relationship;
    2. Break out: escape;
    3. Break down: stop working
    4. Come back: return;
    5. Come across: to meet someone/something by coincidence;
    6. Come up: be mentioned.
    7. Look after: take care of something or somebody;
    8. Look for: search for;
    9. Look up: respect;
    10. Look out: be careful;
    11. Look forward: wait for something with excitement.
    12. Put off: postpone;
    13. Put down: place something on the table/floor;
    14. Put up with: tolerate.
    15. Take off: remove a piece of clothing;
    16. Take after: to look like someone;
    17. Take back: return.

Summary

Phrasal verbs (A2 level [1], B1 level [2]) are verbs formed by the combination of a verb and a particle. This particle usually gives verbs a whole new meaning.

The most common used phrasal verbs are:

  • Break: break up, break out, break dow;
  • Come: come back, come across, come up;
  • Look: look after, look for, look up, look out, look forward;
  • Put: put off, put down, put up with;
  • Take: take off, take after, take back…

For example:
— “He told his girlfriend to come back.”
— “She should take her book back.”

Let’s revise this content within the {Form} section. Take a look at the {Example} section that shows its use within a context.