Example of Phrasal Verbs in English (phrasal Verbs)

Phrasal verbs (phrasal verbs) or simply phrasals, are structures formed by a verb and a preposition or an adverb, which change the meaning of the action of the verb. These structures are considered as a unit.

Some of the most used complements in the phrasal are: in, out, on, off, up, down, at, to, by.

Ask = ask, ask

Ask in = ask someone to come in

Ask out = ask someone to come out

Turn = turn, turn

Turn on = turn on

Turn off = turn off

Pick = choose, take, collect

Pick up = lift, raise something

Pick down = download, download

Look = see, look

Look at = observe, search

Look out = be careful

Look for = search

Look forward = wait, be anxious

Conjugation. When conjugating the phrasals, the adverb or preposition does not undergo changes; the base verb is conjugated as it corresponds, either regular or irregular:

Mary will look for her keys again.

The bellboy picked up the baggage at our room.

When the lights was turned off, the show began.

When we solve the test Robert stood out with his answers from him.

I stay at home. Steve will wait around for me.

Gerunds are formed by adding the ending –ing to the verb:

Her speech by ella was touching off an angry discussion.

Dad is washing out my black shirts again.

I will be setting aside my fear and will talk her.

The gipsy was seeing into my future.

When the bull was running, all the people run standing aside.

On some occasions, part of the sentence can be placed between the verb and the preposition or the adverb, without altering the meaning of the phrasal.

At any moment the kids was sitting in their chairs up.

Margareth ran quickly away.

The girl walk hurry out the school.

Yesterday was setting a game up.

On Saturdays, Richard Sleeps Item off.

20 example of English verbs and some of their phrasal verbs

• Act = act, interpret
• Act on = follow the plan
• Act out = misbehave
• Act up = kick, throw a tantrum
• Act upon = act upon, influence

• Back = return, return
• Back away = to withdraw
• Back down = back down, back down, repent
• Back out = go back, ignore
• Back up = confirm; make a backup

• Carry = carry, bring, transport
• Carry back = to remember
• Carry off = to take away; Steal
• Carry on = continue, continue
• Carry up = upload

• Die = to die
• Die away = fade away, faint
• Die down = to go off, to diminish
• Die off = disappear (gradually), become extinct
• Die out = disappear, become extinct, get lost

• Eat = eat, chop, corrode
• Eat away = itch, corrode
• Eat in = have dinner or eat at home
• Eat out = have lunch or dinner out, in a restaurant
• Eat up = swallow, devour, finish a plate.

• Fill = fill, fill
• Fill in = complete, replace
• Fill out = complete, finish
• Fill up = fill, fill to the top

• Grow = grow, cultivate
• Grow apart = to move away, to separate
• Grow away = distance, forget
• Grow together = grow together, unite, be united
• Grow up = grow, mature, get older

• Hand = pass, handle, manipulate
• Hand back = return, return
• Hand down = inherit, bequeath
• Hand out = deal, distribute
• Hand over = deliver (as in a change of government or administration)

• Inquire = ask, investigate, find out
• Inquire about = search information
• Inquire after = ask about someone's health, happiness or luck
• Inquire into = investigate something, look for the causes

• Join = join, join
• Join in = join, sign up
• Join on = join, meet
• Join up = join, add, enlist (in the army)

• Kick = to kick
• Kick about = mistreat, wander
• Kick back = relax, get comfortable
• Kick off = serve, kick off, kick off
• Kick up = make a fuss, provoke

• Lie = lie; lie down; extend
• Lie about = to be thrown away, to be useless, to be decomposed
• Lie down = to lie down, lie down
• Lie in = to remain lying down
• Lie over = to be in suspense, to remain pending

• Mark = mark, point, scratch
• Mark down = downgrade, downgrade, score
• Mark off = demarcate, set limits, fence
• Mark out = delete, remove from a list
• Mark up = raise price, mark up, relabel

• Nip = cut, nibble, slurp
• Nip down = cut, cut off, follow a short cut
• Nip along = go by very fast
• Nip in = enter quickly
• Nip out = to go out for a while

• Pass = pass, go through, pass
• Pass along = spread the word, spread, spread
• Pass away = expire, die
• Pass by = ignore, ignore
• Pass out = fainting, losing consciousness; distribute

• Read = read, interpret
• Read off = read to yourself, read silently
• Read on = continue reading
• Read out = read aloud
• Read over = take a look, browse

• Show = show, teach, present
• Show in = guide, show the way
• Show off = show off, brag
• Show up = show up, be present
• Show out = show exit, guide to exit

• Think = believe, think
• Think back = remember, remember
• Think out = reason, reflect
• Think over = meditate, deliberate
• Think up = have a sudden idea, have a spark

• Wear = to dress, to wear, to wear
• Wear away = erode, erase
• Wear down = to wear (a garment), to raer
• Wear on = carry someone, despair
• Wear out = to get tired, tired, exhausted

• Yearn = to yearn, to desire
• Yearn after = yearning
• Yearn for = earnestly wish