What is Phrasal Verb? Definition and Example Sentences with Phrasal Verbs

What is Phrasal Verb? Definition and Example Sentences with Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal Verbs

It is generally used with a verb, an adverb, or a preposition. An adverb or preposition added to the main verb changes the meaning of the actual verb, giving it a different meaning. Since it has a different meaning, it becomes an idiomatic verb. For example, if the preposition “up” is added to the verb “give”, we get the idiomatic verb “Give up” and it gains a new meaning regardless of the meaning of the two words that make it up.

Phrasal Verbs are divided into two as “separable” and “inseparable”.

Separable Phrasal Verbs

If a phrasal verb is separable, we can place the object between the main verb and the preposition or add it to the end of the phrasal verb phrase without separating it at all.

Inseparable Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verb type that cannot be placed in the middle of the phrasal verb phrase of the object of the sentence, therefore, must be used side by side and cannot be divided, is called “Inseparable phrasal verbs”. As an example, let’s use the phrasal verb “come across”, which is a combination of the words “come” and “across”, in a few sentences.

Phrasal Verbs

It is generally used with a verb, an adverb, or a preposition. An adverb or preposition added to the main verb changes the meaning of the actual verb, giving it a different meaning. Since it has a different meaning, it becomes an idiomatic verb. For example, if the preposition “up” is added to the verb “give”, we get the idiomatic verb “Give up” and it gains a new meaning regardless of the meaning of the two words that make it up.

Phrasal Verbs are divided into two as “separable” and “inseparable”.

Separable Phrasal Verbs

If a phrasal verb is separable, we can place the object between the main verb and the preposition or add it to the end of the phrasal verb phrase without separating it at all.

Examples

call-off

chop up

cheer up

figure out

give out

let down

Write down

Example sentences

My son was upset that he didn’t get the toy car he wanted, so I took him to the playground to cheer him up.

There was an earthquake five minutes before the final, they called off this exam.

Instead of adding salt while cooking, I accidentally added sugar. I will have to do it over.

She let me down when she said she forgot my birthday.

If the object of the sentence is a certain entity or a person, the object can be used both at the end of the sentence and in the middle. However, if the object is a pronoun such as “me, you, us, them, him, her and it”, it should definitely be in the middle of the phrasal verb phrase.

Inseparable Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verb type that cannot be placed in the middle of the phrasal verb phrase of the object of the sentence, therefore, must be used side by side and cannot be divided, is called “Inseparable phrasal verbs”. As an example, let’s use the phrasal verb “come across”, which is a combination of the words “come” and “across”, in a few sentences.

While shopping at the market with my aunt, we found my favorite dress by chance.

While helping my grandmother tidy the house, I accidentally found my diary that was lost years ago.

While going swimming to the beach with my sister, I accidentally found my lost earphones last night.

Some Examples of Inseparable Phrasal Verbs

Back out of (something)

Come across (something)

Count on (someone / something)

Get rid of (something)

Go over (something)

Look after (something / someone)

Look into (something)

Run into (someone)

Settle on (something)

Take after (someone)

Touch on (something)

Turn into (something)

Example Sentences

I ran into a big problem when I least expected it.

Lisa is very friendly and also hardworking – she takes after her father.

My mom told me I had to keep an eye on my younger siblings right before I went shopping.

Before we take the math exam, let’s talk about trigonometry.

I trust you to send me information as soon as all your work is done.