Phrasal Verbs
Grammar 6: Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb + preposition or adverb (e.g., give up, look after, turn off). They’re very common in spoken and written English—and often appear in your Bac listening, reading, and writing tasks!
Types of Phrasal Verbs
- Intransitive (no object):
→ The plane took off on time. - Transitive separable (object can go between or after):
→ She turned off the light. / She turned the light off. - Transitive inseparable (object must come after):
→ He looks after his little sister. (NOT: looks his sister after)
Common Phrasal Verbs for Bac Students
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Give up | Quit | Don’t give up studying! |
| Look forward to | Be excited about | I look forward to hearing from you. |
| Run out of | Have none left | We ran out of ink. |
| Put off | Postpone | They put off the meeting. |
| Get along with | Have a good relationship | She gets along with her classmates. |
Important Tips
- Many phrasal verbs have multiple meanings—learn them in context!
- In formal writing (like essays), prefer single-word verbs when possible:
→ Use “postpone” instead of “put off” in formal letters. - Always check if the phrasal verb is separable or not—especially with pronouns:
✅ Turn it off. ❌ Turn off it.
Quick Practice
Complete with the correct phrasal verb:
- I can’t wait—I’m really ______ ______ ______ the trip! (look forward to)
- He ______ ______ smoking last year. (give up)
- We ______ ______ ______ milk—can you buy some? (run out of)
✅ Answers: 1. looking forward to 2. gave up 3. have run out of
Final Advice
Keep a notebook of phrasal verbs you see in readings or past exams. Review them weekly—they’re key to understanding real English!