Edmonton English School

Phrasal Verbs - The Key to Everyday English

Why do I Need to Learn Phrasal Verbs?

Phrasal Verbs are the key to understanding and speaking everyday English. There are thousands of Phrasal Verbs. Spoken English is lled with them. You MUST learn Phrasal Verbs in order to understand spoken English. Many Phrasal Verbs have a similar meaning to a more formal word. The more formal word is typically used in writing or in formal speech. The denition of the formal word can easily be found in the dictionary. One of the difculties with Phrasal Verbs is that they are not easily found in a dictionary because they are comprised of two or three words.

Often English language students with top marks in their home country meet a native English-speaker, and discover they cannot communicate at all! This is discouraging, it can be embarrassing for the English learner.

You can avoid this problem by learning and practicing new Phrasal Verbs every day.

Learning Phrasal Verbs will make a big difference in your ability to understand spoken English.

What are Phrasal Verbs?

PHRASAL VERBS are sometimes called two-word or three-word verbs. A Phrasal Verb is a verb plus a particle. A particle is a small word. Usually, but not always, the particle is a preposition (e.g., in, out, up, etc.).

Let me explain. In the box above, I wrote the sentence, They are comprised of two or three words together. In speech, I would say, They are made up of two or three words together. You can easily nd comprise in the dictionary, but you cannot easily nd made up of.

Here is a basic overview of the rules forPhrasal Verbs.

There are two kinds ofPhrasal Verbs inseparable and separable. 1. InseparablePhrasal Verbs are easy. You use them the same way you would use any main verb. The verb and the particle stay together. e.g., Check out means to pay your bill and return your key card when you leave a hotel. "We should check out at 11:00 am."
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Another difculty with Phrasal Verbs is that very few English language schools focus on teaching them. This is unfortunate because they are extremely important. Phrasal Verbs are difcult to learn without the help of a native English teacher.

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Phrasal Verbs - The Key to Everyday English

2.Separable Phrasal Verbs can be kept together or separated.

How do I Learn Phrasal Verbs?

Some students spend hours memorizing lists of vocabulary word. In my opinion as a language teacher, this is mostly a waste of time for an Intermediate student. If it is possible to easily nd a word in the dictionary, do not make it a rst priority to memorize that word.

Remember that basic sentence structure is: SUBJECT + VERB + OBJECT With a Separable Phrasal Verb the OBJECT goes between the two parts of the Phrasal Verb (i.e., between the verb and the particle). Hand in means to give something to someone in authority. Because this Phrasal Verb is separable you can use it two ways. You can say, "Please hand in your tests," or you can say, Please hand your tests in."

Start by memorizing the things that you cannot easily access. Please dont misunderstand me. I am not saying that you should have conversations with your translation dictionary in your hand. What I am saying is that you need to prioritize your learning. Use your time wisely. Learn the most important things rst.

There is an important rule for using object pronouns with Phrasal Verbs. OBJECT PRONOUNS me you him her it them us e.g., X

Memorize Phrasal Verbs rst, because you cannot easily nd them in a dictionary. Later, memorize vocabulary that you can nd in a dictionary. If you want to improve your speaking and listening skills, then you MUST learn Phrasal Verbs. They need to be memorized. The best way to learn them is to use them over and over.

When you use a pronoun with a Separable Phrasal Verb, you must put the pronoun between the verb and the particle.

Your Phrasal Verb e-book has an outline explaining how to use each Phrasal Verb.

s.t. = something s.o. = someone

Please hand them in. Please hand in them.

We used the abbreviation s.t. for something and s.o. for someone.

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Edmonton English School

Phrasal Verbs - The Key to Everyday English

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Some Phrasal Verbs have many meanings. We included the Phrasal Verbs that we think you will hear and use the most. We focused on idiomatic meanings. When the meaning is not idiomatic, you can understand the Phrasal Verb based on the denitions of the two words. Try to use each Phrasal Verb in speech several times every day. Talk to anyone who will listen! Talk to yourself if no one else will listen!

Soon you will nd that your understanding of spoken English is improving. You will begin to understand conversations in movies and on T.V. thanks to your hard work learning Phrasal Verbs!

Get started today

Some educators say that we must be exposed to new language six times before we begin to understand it. Mastering new language takes even longer. Learn one page each week and you will soon have mastery over a complete e-book of Phrasal Verbs!

When you receive your weekly page of Phrasal Verbs, study and memorize them. Write several sentences for each one.

Imagine your world with English!

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