Lessons
Vocabulary
📚
Phrasal Verbs: Top 30
Vocabulary
Intermediate
~4 min
Master 30 essential phrasal verbs with practical examples and context to boost your intermediate English fluency.
📖 Lesson
Understanding Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb and one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs) that create a meaning different from the individual words. They're essential for natural English communication, especially in informal contexts.
For example, "look" + "up" = "look up" (search for information), which is different from simply looking in an upward direction.
The 30 Most Important Phrasal Verbs
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| put up with | tolerate | I can't put up with this noise anymore. |
| run into | meet unexpectedly | I ran into my old friend at the supermarket. |
| turn down | reject/reduce volume | She turned down the job offer. |
| look forward to | anticipate eagerly | I'm looking forward to the weekend. |
| catch up with | reach someone ahead | Can you wait? I need to catch up with you. |
| give up | stop trying | Don't give up on your dreams. |
| break down | stop working/cry | The car broke down on the highway. |
| bring up | raise children/mention topic | How were you brought up? |
| cut off | disconnect/interrupt | The storm cut off the power supply. |
| deal with | handle/manage | I need to deal with this problem today. |
| figure out | understand/solve | I finally figured out the password. |
| get along with | have good relationship | Do you get along with your colleagues? |
| go through | experience/examine | We went through a difficult period. |
| hold on | wait/grip tightly | Hold on, I'm coming! |
| keep up with | stay at same pace | It's hard to keep up with technology changes. |
| look after | care for | Can you look after my cat this weekend? |
| make up | reconcile/invent | They made up after their argument. |
| point out | indicate/show | Let me point out the main issues. |
| put off | postpone/discourage | Don't put off studying until the last minute. |
| run out of | use up completely | We've run out of coffee. |
| set up | arrange/establish | I need to set up a meeting with the manager. |
| show up | appear/arrive | He showed up late to the presentation. |
| sort out | organize/resolve | Let's sort out these problems together. |
| stand up for | defend/support | Always stand up for what you believe in. |
| take off | depart/remove | The plane takes off at 3 PM. |
| take on | accept responsibility | She took on a new project at work. |
| take over | assume control | The new CEO will take over next month. |
| try out | test/experiment | Why don't you try out this new recipe? |
| turn out | result/produce | Everything turned out better than expected. |
| work out | exercise/solve | I work out at the gym three times a week. |
Key Characteristics
Separable vs. Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
- Separable: Object can go between the verb and particle. "Turn down" → "turn the job down" OR "turn down the job"
- Inseparable: Object always follows the particle. "Look after" → "look after the children" (NOT "look the children after")
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Mistake: "I'm looking forward for the vacation" → Correct: "I'm looking forward to the vacation"
- Mistake: "I need to deal to this problem" → Correct: "I need to deal with this problem"
- Mistake: "She put down with the situation" → Correct: "She put up with the situation"
- Mistake: Treating phrasal verbs as individual words → Use them as fixed expressions with their complete meanings
Practice Tips
- Learn in context: Don't memorize in isolation. Learn phrasal verbs within realistic sentences and situations.
- Use substitution: When learning, replace the object: "run out of milk" → "run out of money" → "run out of time"
- Active practice: Create 3-5 sentences with each phrasal verb, changing the object each time.
- Listen to native speakers: Watch English films, podcasts, and YouTube videos to hear natural usage.
- Group by category: Organize by themes (communication, movement, time) rather than alphabetically.
- Practice speaking: Record yourself using phrasal verbs in sentences. Pronunciation and fluency matter.
- Review regularly: Phrasal verbs require spaced repetition. Review new verbs after 1 day, 3 days, and 1 week.
Real-Life Applications
Workplace: "I need to catch up with the deadline," "Can we put off the meeting?"
Relationships: "We finally made up after the argument," "I really get along with my new team."
Personal: "I'm looking forward to the vacation," "Don't give up on your goals."
Problem-solving: "Help me figure out this issue," "I need to deal with this situation."
Mastering these 30 phrasal verbs will significantly improve your ability to communicate naturally in English and understand native speakers in real conversations.
Follow Along reads paragraph by paragraph with highlighting.
Hover underlined words for quick definitions.
🃏 Key Vocabulary — tap to flip
8 wordsphrasal verb
/ˈfreɪzəl vɜːrb/
Intermediate
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Definition
A verb combined with a preposition or adverb that has a meaning different from the individual words
"The phrasal verb 'put up with' means to tolerate something unpleasant."
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separable
/ˈsepərəbəl/
Intermediate
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Definition
Able to be divided or split, used to describe phrasal verbs where an object can go between the verb and particle
"In the phrasal verb 'turn down', the object is separable: 'turn the offer down'."
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inseparable
/ɪnˈsepərəbəl/
Intermediate
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Definition
Cannot be separated or divided, used to describe phrasal verbs where the particle cannot be separated from the verb
"The phrasal verb 'look after' is inseparable; you must say 'look after the children'."
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particle
/ˈpɑːrtɪkəl/
Intermediate
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Definition
A small word (preposition or adverb) that combines with a verb to form a phrasal verb
"In 'give up', the word 'up' is the particle that changes the meaning of 'give'."
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tolerate
/ˈtɑːləreɪt/
Intermediate
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Definition
To accept or allow something unpleasant without complaint
"I cannot tolerate loud noises while I'm trying to work."
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reconcile
/ˈrekənsaɪl/
Intermediate
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Definition
To settle a disagreement and restore friendly relations
"After weeks apart, the friends decided to reconcile and forgive each other."
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anticipate
/ænˈtɪsɪpeɪt/
Intermediate
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Definition
To expect something to happen; to look forward to
"I anticipate that the project will be completed by Friday."
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assume
/əˈsuːm/
Intermediate
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Definition
To take control or responsibility; to suppose something is true
"She will assume the role of manager starting next week."
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✏️ Fill in the Blank
Type the missing word to complete each sentence.
The ___ 'put up with' means to tolerate something unpleasant.
In the phrasal verb 'turn down', the object is ___: 'turn the offer down'.
The phrasal verb 'look after' is ___; you must say 'look after the children'.
In 'give up', the word 'up' is the ___ that changes the meaning of 'give'.
I cannot ___ loud noises while I'm trying to work.
✅ Check Your Understanding
🧠 Practice Quizzes
Phrasal Verbs Mastery Quiz
5 questions · 12 min
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