Phrasal Verbs

A phrasal verb is a verb plus a preposition or adverb which creates a meaning different from the original verb. Phrasal verbs, like regular verbs, are used to describe an action, but in this case such an action might be different from what we assume.

For example:

This morning I was late for work. I usually get up at 6:00, but today I was lazy. In this sentence the phrase get up means to awaken from sleep.

You students are talking too loudly and being rude, everyone get up! In this sentence the phrase get up means to stand.

As you can see, depending on the context, phrasal verbs can have more than one meaning. The preposition in a phrasal verb can be sometimes moved to the end of the sentence. Examples: He called his friend up. Ill have to find it out.

Match the Phrasal Verbs and Meanings On the left of the page is a list of phrasal verbs. Match the correct meaning by drawing a line to the corresponding phrasal verb.

Phrasal Verb

Meaning

1) Shop around 2) Look around 3) Pick up 4) Punch in 5) Call up 6) Turn on 7) Type in 8) Check out 9) Look up 10) Catch up 11) Hanging out 12) Put away 13) Shut down 14) Get off 15) Go out

Telephone someone Explore or investigate Bring up to date Take something by hand Reconnect with someone Look for bargains or deals Search for and find Stop the operation Have a look Finish task or journey/exit Cause to begin Press a key to enter data Go outdoors Remove / Stop using Enter into a keyboard

Verbs and Definitions Read the verbs and their definitions.

Sign To write ones name on a letter, card, or similar item. Show To cause to be visible. Wrap To cover or enclose someone or something in paper or a soft material. Open To release from a closed or fixed position. Bring To carry or lead something or someone from one place to another. Break To cause to separate or divide into pieces. Keep To retain possession of something. Catch To seize or capture something. Clean To free from dirt, stain, or impurities. Give To deliver or make a present of something. Line To place in a row or a series. Look To use ones sight, especially in a certain direction or on a given object. Take To get or seize into ones possession. Act To do or perform something. Throw To propel something through the air by motion of the hand or arm. Grow To increase in size or stature by a natural process.

Choose three verbs that you are comfortable with and write them in the spaces below. After you have written them down, think of a preposition that you could place after the verb in order to create a phrasal verb. Write down what you think the phrasal verb means and use the phrasal verb in an example sentence.

Example 1: Verb: _____Break____ Preposition: ____up_________ Phrasal Verb: ___Break up______ Meaning of the phrasal verb: ___To end a relationship with someone ___________ Example sentence: __My girlfriend likes someone else. We are going to break up.__

Example 2:

Verb: _____Throw____ Preposition: _____up________ Phrasal Verb: ___Throw up_____ Meaning of the phrasal verb: ____To be sick to your stomach, vomit_____________ Example sentence: ____I ate too much food, I am going to throw up._____________

1) Verb: _______________ Preposition: _______________ Phrasal Verb: ____________________ Meaning of the phrasal verb: ____________________________________________ Example sentence: ____________________________________________________

2) Verb: _______________ Preposition: _______________ Phrasal Verb: ______________ Meaning of the phrasal verb: ____________________________________________ Example sentence: ____________________________________________________

3) Verb: _______________ Preposition: _______________ Phrasal Verb: ______________ Meaning of the phrasal verb: ____________________________________________ Example sentence: ___________________________________________________

Answer key 1. Shop around - Look for bargains or deals 2. Look around - Explore or investigate 3. Pick up - Take something by hand 4. Punch in - Press a key to enter data 5. Call up - Telephone someone 6. Turn on - Cause to begin 7. Type in - Enter into a keyboard 8. Check out - Have a look 9. Look up - Search for and find 10. Catch up - Bring up to date 11. Hanging out - Reconnect with someone 12. Put away - Remove / Stop using 13. Shut down - Stop the operation 14. Get off - Finish task or journey / exit 15. Go out - Go outdoors