Phrasal verbs are an essential component of natural English communication. These combinations of verbs and particles (prepositions or adverbs) often create meanings that cannot be deduced from their individual parts, making them challenging but crucial for English learners. This comprehensive guide explores 50 of the most common and useful English phrasal verbs, providing clear explanations, example sentences, and practical usage tips to help you incorporate them naturally into your everyday English.
Understanding Phrasal Verbs in English
Before diving into specific expressions, it's helpful to understand what phrasal verbs are and why they matter in language learning.
What Are Phrasal Verbs?
Phrasal verbs consist of a base verb combined with one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs). For example, "look up" (search for information), "break down" (stop functioning), or "get along with" (have a good relationship).
Key characteristics of phrasal verbs include:
- New meaning: The combination creates a meaning different from the original verb
- Separability: Some phrasal verbs can be separated by objects (e.g., "turn on the light" or "turn the light on")
- Formality level: Many phrasal verbs are informal alternatives to more formal single-word verbs
- Idiomaticity: The meaning often cannot be guessed from the individual words
Why Learning Phrasal Verbs Matters
Mastering phrasal verbs is valuable for several reasons:
- Natural communication: Native speakers use phrasal verbs extensively in everyday conversation
- Comprehension improvement: Understanding phrasal verbs prevents confusion when listening or reading
- Expression enhancement: Using appropriate phrasal verbs makes your English sound more natural and fluent
- Cultural integration: Many phrasal verbs reflect cultural concepts and ways of thinking
- Testing success: Many English proficiency exams include phrasal verbs in their vocabulary sections
Essential Phrasal Verbs for Everyday Communication
These common expressions are frequently used in daily conversations and situations.
1. Break down
Meaning 1: (of a machine or vehicle) to stop working - Example: "My car broke down on the highway, and I had to call for help." - Usage tip: Often used for mechanical or electronic failures.
Meaning 2: To analyze something by dividing it into smaller parts - Example: "Let's break down the project into manageable tasks." - Usage tip: Useful in business or academic contexts.
Meaning 3: To lose emotional control - Example: "She broke down in tears when she heard the news." - Usage tip: Describes an emotional reaction, often crying.
2. Bring up
Meaning 1: To mention or introduce a topic - Example: "I didn't want to bring up the problem during the celebration." - Usage tip: Often used for potentially sensitive or difficult topics.
Meaning 2: To raise a child - Example: "She was brought up by her grandparents." - Usage tip: Used when talking about childhood and upbringing.
3. Call off
Meaning: To cancel something planned - Example: "The outdoor concert was called off due to bad weather." - Usage tip: Separable phrasal verb (e.g., "call the meeting off" or "call off the meeting").
4. Carry on
Meaning 1: To continue doing something - Example: "Despite the interruption, we carried on with the meeting." - Usage tip: Expresses persistence or continuation.
Meaning 2: To behave in an emotional or exaggerated way - Example: "He carried on about the minor mistake as if it were a disaster." - Usage tip: Often has a slightly negative connotation in this sense.
5. Come across
Meaning 1: To find something by chance - Example: "I came across an old photo album while cleaning the attic." - Usage tip: Describes accidental discovery.
Meaning 2: To seem or appear to others - Example: "He comes across as confident in interviews." - Usage tip: Used to describe impressions or perceptions.
6. Drop by/in
Meaning: To visit informally or without an appointment - Example: "Feel free to drop by anytime you're in the neighborhood." - Usage tip: Suggests a casual, often brief visit.
7. Figure out
Meaning: To understand or solve something - Example: "I can't figure out how to use this new software." - Usage tip: Commonly used for problem-solving or comprehension.
8. Fill in
Meaning 1: To complete a form or document with information - Example: "Please fill in your details on the application form." - Usage tip: Often used with "form" or "details."
Meaning 2: To provide information to someone - Example: "Can you fill me in on what happened at the meeting?" - Usage tip: Commonly used as "fill someone in on something."
9. Get along (with)
Meaning: To have a good relationship with someone - Example: "I get along well with my colleagues." - Usage tip: Often followed by "with" when specifying the person.
10. Give up
Meaning 1: To stop trying to do something - Example: "Don't give up on your dreams just because of one setback." - Usage tip: Can imply either wise acceptance or disappointing surrender.
Meaning 2: To stop a habit or addiction - Example: "He gave up smoking last year." - Usage tip: Commonly used for breaking habits.
Phrasal Verbs for Work and Business
These expressions are particularly useful in professional environments.
11. Back up
Meaning 1: To make a copy of computer data for safety - Example: "Remember to back up your files regularly." - Usage tip: Essential computer terminology.
Meaning 2: To provide support or evidence for something - Example: "The research backs up our initial hypothesis." - Usage tip: Used when discussing evidence or support.
12. Bring in
Meaning: To earn or generate (money) - Example: "The new product line is bringing in substantial revenue." - Usage tip: Often used in business contexts regarding income or profit.
13. Cut back
Meaning: To reduce or decrease something - Example: "The company is cutting back on expenses due to the economic downturn." - Usage tip: Often followed by "on" when specifying what is being reduced.
14. Deal with
Meaning 1: To handle or manage a situation or problem - Example: "The manager is skilled at dealing with customer complaints." - Usage tip: Implies taking action to handle something challenging.
Meaning 2: To be about a particular subject - Example: "The report deals with recent market trends." - Usage tip: Used to describe content or subject matter.
15. Follow up
Meaning: To continue or pursue something further - Example: "I'll follow up with an email after our phone conversation." - Usage tip: Common in business communication for continued contact.
16. Go over
Meaning: To review or examine something carefully - Example: "Let's go over the contract one more time before signing." - Usage tip: Implies thorough examination or review.
17. Look into
Meaning: To investigate or examine something - Example: "We're looking into the cause of the technical issue." - Usage tip: Suggests a somewhat formal investigation.
18. Put off
Meaning: To postpone or delay something - Example: "We've put off the decision until next month." - Usage tip: Often implies reluctance or procrastination.
19. Set up
Meaning 1: To establish or start something - Example: "They set up a new branch office in Toronto." - Usage tip: Used for creating new organizations, businesses, or systems.
Meaning 2: To arrange or prepare something - Example: "Can you set up the conference room for tomorrow's meeting?" - Usage tip: Used for physical arrangement or preparation.
20. Take on
Meaning 1: To accept or assume a responsibility - Example: "She's taking on additional responsibilities in her new role." - Usage tip: Implies accepting a challenge or burden.
Meaning 2: To hire or employ someone - Example: "The company is taking on ten new employees this month." - Usage tip: Used in hiring contexts.
Phrasal Verbs for Social Interactions
These expressions describe relationships and communication with others.
21. Ask out
Meaning: To invite someone on a date - Example: "He finally asked her out after weeks of hesitation." - Usage tip: Specifically used for romantic invitations.
22. Catch up (with)
Meaning 1: To reach the same level or position as others - Example: "She missed a week of class but quickly caught up with her studies." - Usage tip: Implies effort to reach a standard or level.
Meaning 2: To talk with someone you haven't seen for a while - Example: "Let's meet for coffee and catch up." - Usage tip: Common for social reconnection.
23. Get back to
Meaning: To respond to someone later - Example: "I'll check the information and get back to you tomorrow." - Usage tip: Implies a promised future response.
24. Hang out
Meaning: To spend time relaxing or socializing - Example: "We often hang out at the local café after work." - Usage tip: Very informal, typically used among friends.
25. Keep in touch
Meaning: To maintain contact or communication - Example: "Let's keep in touch after you move to your new city." - Usage tip: Used when people want to maintain a connection despite distance or changes.
26. Look forward to
Meaning: To anticipate something with pleasure - Example: "I'm looking forward to seeing you this weekend." - Usage tip: Always followed by a noun or gerund (-ing form).
27. Make up
Meaning 1: To reconcile after an argument - Example: "They argued but made up before the end of the day." - Usage tip: Used for resolving conflicts in relationships.
Meaning 2: To invent a story or excuse - Example: "He made up an excuse for being late." - Usage tip: Implies fabrication, often with negative connotations.
28. Open up
Meaning: To reveal one's feelings or thoughts - Example: "He rarely opens up about his childhood." - Usage tip: Used for emotional disclosure, often in contexts of trust.
29. Stand up (for)
Meaning 1: To defend or support someone or something - Example: "She always stands up for her beliefs." - Usage tip: Used with "for" when defending principles or people.
Meaning 2: To fail to keep an arrangement with someone - Example: "He stood me up on our first date." - Usage tip: Used informally to describe when someone doesn't show up for an appointment.
30. Turn down
Meaning: To reject or refuse an offer or invitation - Example: "She turned down the job offer because the salary was too low." - Usage tip: Separable phrasal verb (e.g., "turn the offer down" or "turn down the offer").
Phrasal Verbs for Daily Activities
These expressions describe common actions and routines.
31. Clean up
Meaning: To make a place tidy or neat - Example: "We need to clean up before the guests arrive." - Usage tip: Can refer to tidying a space or resolving a problematic situation.
32. Drop off
Meaning 1: To deliver someone or something - Example: "I'll drop off the package at your office tomorrow." - Usage tip: Separable phrasal verb (e.g., "drop the package off" or "drop off the package").
Meaning 2: To fall asleep - Example: "He dropped off while watching the movie." - Usage tip: Describes unintentionally falling asleep.
33. Get up
Meaning: To rise from bed or a seated position - Example: "I get up at 6:30 every morning." - Usage tip: One of the most common phrasal verbs, used daily.
34. Look for
Meaning: To try to find something - Example: "I'm looking for my keys. Have you seen them?" - Usage tip: Used when searching for something that is lost or needed.
35. Pick up
Meaning 1: To collect someone or something - Example: "I'll pick you up at the airport." - Usage tip: Separable phrasal verb with multiple meanings.
Meaning 2: To learn something without formal instruction - Example: "She picked up Spanish while traveling in South America." - Usage tip: Implies casual or natural acquisition.
Meaning 3: To tidy a place by putting things away - Example: "Please pick up your toys before dinner." - Usage tip: Common in household contexts.
36. Run out of
Meaning: To use up or exhaust a supply - Example: "We've run out of milk; I need to go to the store." - Usage tip: Always followed by the item that is depleted.
37. Take off
Meaning 1: To remove clothing - Example: "Take off your shoes before entering the house." - Usage tip: Separable phrasal verb (e.g., "take your shoes off" or "take off your shoes").
Meaning 2: (of an airplane) To leave the ground and begin to fly - Example: "The plane took off on time despite the bad weather." - Usage tip: Common in travel contexts.
Meaning 3: To become successful or popular quickly - Example: "Her career really took off after the award-winning performance." - Usage tip: Used to describe sudden success.
38. Throw away
Meaning: To discard or get rid of something - Example: "Don't throw away those documents; we might need them later." - Usage tip: Separable phrasal verb (e.g., "throw the trash away" or "throw away the trash").
39. Try on
Meaning: To put on clothing to see if it fits or looks good - Example: "I'd like to try on these shoes before buying them." - Usage tip: Separable phrasal verb used specifically for testing clothing or accessories.
40. Wake up
Meaning: To stop sleeping - Example: "I woke up early to catch the sunrise." - Usage tip: One of the most common phrasal verbs, used daily.
Miscellaneous Essential Phrasal Verbs
These additional expressions are frequently used in various contexts.
41. Break up
Meaning 1: To end a relationship - Example: "They broke up after dating for three years." - Usage tip: Commonly used for romantic relationships.
Meaning 2: To divide into smaller parts - Example: "The teacher broke the class up into small discussion groups." - Usage tip: Separable when used in this sense.
42. Come up with
Meaning: To produce an idea or solution - Example: "We need to come up with a new marketing strategy." - Usage tip: Used for creative thinking and problem-solving.
43. Find out
Meaning: To discover or learn information - Example: "I found out about the party through social media." - Usage tip: Used when information is discovered through effort or investigation.
44. Go ahead
Meaning 1: To proceed or continue - Example: "If everyone agrees with the plan, let's go ahead with it." - Usage tip: Used to indicate permission or decision to proceed.
Meaning 2: To give permission to someone - Example: "Go ahead, ask your question." - Usage tip: Used to encourage someone to speak or act.
45. Look up
Meaning 1: To search for information - Example: "I need to look up the meaning of this word in the dictionary." - Usage tip: Separable phrasal verb (e.g., "look the word up" or "look up the word").
Meaning 2: To visit someone you haven't seen for a while - Example: "If you're ever in Boston, look me up." - Usage tip: More informal, implies casual reconnection.
46. Point out
Meaning: To draw attention to something - Example: "The teacher pointed out several errors in my essay." - Usage tip: Separable phrasal verb (e.g., "point the mistake out" or "point out the mistake").
47. Put together
Meaning 1: To assemble or construct something - Example: "It took hours to put together the furniture from the kit." - Usage tip: Separable phrasal verb used for assembly or creation.
Meaning 2: To organize or arrange something - Example: "She put together an impressive presentation in just one day." - Usage tip: Used for organizing events, documents, or groups.
48. Show up
Meaning: To arrive or appear at a place - Example: "He didn't show up for the meeting." - Usage tip: Often used when discussing attendance or appearance at events.
49. Turn into
Meaning: To become or develop into something different - Example: "What started as a small gathering turned into a big party." - Usage tip: Describes transformation or change.
50. Work out
Meaning 1: To exercise - Example: "She works out at the gym three times a week." - Usage tip: Common in fitness contexts.
Meaning 2: To solve or resolve a problem - Example: "I'm sure we can work out a solution that benefits everyone." - Usage tip: Used for problem-solving or reaching agreements.
Meaning 3: To end with a particular result - Example: "Everything worked out well in the end." - Usage tip: Used to describe outcomes or results.
Tips for Learning and Using Phrasal Verbs Effectively
Mastering phrasal verbs requires more than memorization. Here are strategies to incorporate them naturally into your English.
Understanding Phrasal Verb Types
Recognizing the different structural patterns:
- Intransitive phrasal verbs: Don't take an object (e.g., "The plane took off")
- Transitive inseparable phrasal verbs: Require an object that cannot come between the verb and particle (e.g., "She looked after her sister")
- Transitive separable phrasal verbs: Allow the object to come between the verb and particle (e.g., "Turn on the light" or "Turn the light on")
- Three-part phrasal verbs: Include two particles (e.g., "I'm looking forward to the weekend")
Context-Based Learning
Understanding when and where to use phrasal verbs appropriately:
- Observe native usage: Pay attention to when native speakers use specific phrasal verbs
- Note the register: Some phrasal verbs are informal alternatives to more formal single-word verbs
- Consider relationships: Certain phrasal verbs are appropriate with friends but not in formal writing
- Study collocations: Learn which nouns commonly appear with specific phrasal verbs
Practice Strategies
Effective approaches to incorporate phrasal verbs into your language:
- Thematic grouping: Learn phrasal verbs related to specific topics (e.g., business, relationships)
- Verb families: Study multiple phrasal verbs with the same base verb (e.g., look up, look for, look after)
- Particle focus: Examine how the same particle affects different verbs (e.g., up in wake up, give up, make up)
- Replacement exercises: Practice replacing formal verbs with equivalent phrasal verbs
- Contextual practice: Use new phrasal verbs in sentences relevant to your life
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Pitfalls when using phrasal verbs:
- Incorrect particles: Using the wrong particle (e.g., "look at" instead of "look for")
- Separation errors: Not knowing when phrasal verbs can be separated
- Literal interpretation: Trying to understand the meaning from individual components
- Formality confusion: Using casual phrasal verbs in formal contexts
- Preposition problems: Confusing phrasal verb particles with prepositions that follow
Conclusion: Incorporating Phrasal Verbs Into Your English
Mastering these 50 essential phrasal verbs will significantly enhance your English fluency and comprehension. Native speakers use these expressions constantly in conversation, writing, media, and business communication. By understanding and appropriately using phrasal verbs, you'll sound more natural and connect more effectively with English speakers.
Remember that learning phrasal verbs is a gradual process. Start by focusing on recognizing these expressions when you hear or read them. Then begin incorporating them into your own English, starting with the ones most relevant to your common conversation topics.
With practice and exposure, you'll find yourself naturally using these versatile expressions, adding depth and authenticity to your English communication. As you become more comfortable with these 50 essential phrasal verbs, you'll discover many more, continuing to enrich your English expression and understanding.
Additional Resources
- Phrasal Verb Demon - Interactive exercises and explanations
- Cambridge Dictionary Phrasal Verbs - Comprehensive reference with examples
- English Club Phrasal Verbs - Categorized lists with definitions
- Using English Phrasal Verbs - Extensive collection with usage notes
- Phrasal Verb Dictionary - Detailed explanations with audio pronunciation (Example: Macmillan)