➢ A phrasal verb is a verb like pick up, turn on or get on with.

➢ These verbs consist of a basic verb + another word or words.

➢ The two or three words that make up a phrasal verb form a short "phrase" -
which is why we call them "phrasal verbs".
➢ A phrasal verb is still a verb.
• Look is a verb.
• Look up is also a verb - a different one.
➢ They do not have the same meaning, and they behave differently
grammatically.
➢ There are three types of phrasal verbs:
 VERB DEFINITION EXAMPLE

direct your eyes in a You must look before you

single-word verb look
certain direction leap.

search for and find

You can look up the word
verb + adverb look up information in a reference
in a dictionary.
book

phrasal verb Who is looking after the

verb + preposition look after take care of
baby?

verb + adverb + I look forward to meeting

look forward to anticipate with pleasure
preposition you.
 UP
VERB DEFINITION EXAMPLE

He may blow up when he finds out how

BLOW UP To become suddenly very angry
much I spent.

Let's go for a coffee I need to catch up o

CATCH UP To learn or discuss the latest news
n all the gossip.

To put on formal clothes for You don't need to dress up to go to the

DRESS UP
a special occasion mall - jeans and a T-shirt are fine.

The whole audience got up and started c

GET UP To stand up
lapping.

SPEAK UP To express your opinion If you disagree, please speak up.

 ON
VERB DEFINITION EXAMPLE

To ask someone in a formal way to do I now call on everyone to raise a glass to

CALL ON
something the happy couple.

To behave in an excited or anxious way

CARRY ON The kids have been carrying on all day.
that is not controlled

To be confident that you can depend on

COUNT ON You can always count on me in a crisis.
someone

GO ON To happen This was has been going on for years.

Used to tell someone to wait for

HOLD ON Hold on, I will check my phone.
a short time
 OFF
VERB DEFINITION EXAMPLE

To decide that something that has They called off the party because it was
CALL OFF
already been planned will not happen raining.

They cleared off and let me do my

CLEAR OFF To leave a place quickly
homework.

If a warning device goes off, it starts to Didn't you hear your alarm going off this
GO OFF
ring loudly or make a loud noise morning?

We should be able to pay off the credit

PAY OFF To pay back money that you owe
card within two years.

If an aircraft, bird, or insect takes off,

TAKE OFF The plane took off at 8.30 am.
it leaves the ground and begins to fly