Phrasal verbs in English. Phrasal verbs in English

English is the language of eccentrics and riddle lovers. Here, there are well-known English get verbs, look, take and give. And everything seems to be fine with them. But, the British did not think so, and they decided to diversify the vocabulary with additional elements. Thus, they turned the meaning of the words upside down: get off (go), look about (make inquiries), take apart (scold), and give up (surrender). They called them phrasal verbs. Actually, it's not all that confusing. Let's figure it out.

Under the phrasal verb ( phrasal verb) means an idiomatic phrase consisting of a familiar English verb , but with one exception, which is used with an additional element: with a particle ( particles) = stand to(to stick to) or adverb ( adverb) = live down(to make amends with your behavior); or with both = stick up to(resist). Why do English phrasal verbs cause so much difficulty? The answer lies in the fact that at first glance it is extremely problematic to determine the cumulative meaning of the parts of the verb.

Types of phrasal verbs

Speaking in the dry language of grammar, a phrasal verb can be roughly divided into 4 main categories.

• transitional ( transitive): a verb that requires an object after itself. For example, there is a verb bump into(accidentally come across), after it should be a face that was just not expected to be seen. You can't just say: Last Friday I bumped into. Because There is a clear understatement in the proposal. Instead, the idea should be formulated as:

Last Friday I bumped into Bennett. “Last Friday, I stumbled upon Bennet by chance.

Subject + Verb + Particle + Object

• intransitive ( intransitive): a verb that stands on its own in a sentence and does not require additional explanations after itself in the form of an object. For example, the verb grow up(grow up):

Her children are growing up quickly.- Her children are growing up fast. Formula:

Subject + Verb + Particle

NOTA BENE: Some verbs, depending on the transmitted meaning, can be transitional: Tom wakes up Heather. - Tom will be Heather. AND intransitive: Tom wake up. - Tom wakes up.

• Detachable ( separable): the main verb can stand apart from the semantic element: Tom wake up Heather. = Tom wakes Heather up. However, some verbs prefer constant privacy, so they always keep a safe distance from particles:

Keep smth around(keep to yourself), but not "keep around smth".

Subject + Verb + Particle + Object = Subject + Verb + Object + Particle

NOTA BENE: If the role of the object is used personal pronoun, then the sentence formula will always look like this:

Subject + verb + personal pronoun + particle

• Inseparable ( inseparable): like lovers, the verb never and under no circumstances part with its soul mate. Eg, look up to smb(to admire someone), but not look up smb to / look smb up to:

William has never looked up to his uncle. William never admired his uncle.

Subject + Verb + Particle + Object

NOTA BENE: To determine whether a verb is transitive or not, look in the English dictionary: Macmillan, Merriam Webster or Collins. Studying the context and examples will allow you to find out whether the English phrasal verb will be separable or inseparable.

How to learn English phrasal verbs

Finding lists on the Internet or a dictionary of English phrasal verbs in grammar books is not difficult. However, this is not the most The best way their study. Let's talk about tricks for effective memorization of phrasal verbs.

• Firstly, context- the head of everything. A great way is to start with a list of phrasal verbs and a blank sheet of paper. Imagine watching a Formula 1 World Championship, there will probably be various idiomatic expressions used, including a verb related to traffic on the road, pull up (stop), etc. Now turn on your imagination. Imagine that you are at the airport of phrasal verbs, and there are no less of them than there are suitcases in the usual one. Choose one topic and write it in the center of the page. Now go through the list of phrasal verbs until you come across something that might be heard in this situation. Do not forget to immediately drop a couple of examples to understand the form of the phrasal verb. It is much easier to assimilate the material when all the nuances of use are taken into account.
• Secondly, once you have worked out the connection diagram of a particular situation, it is worth compiling easy-to-remember short stories where phrasal verbs are used. After all, everyone loves funny stories. Whether you consider yourself a verbal swordsman or not, there are several reasons for this. No one will read pen sketches unless they want to. It is not necessary to write them in a notebook, say them out loud or record the speech on a voice recorder.
• Third, learn phrasal verbs By English songs, because they help to quickly and easily memorize new words used in live colloquial speech. Type lyrics in the search box the name of the phrasal verb, enter the word, listen to groovy music and learn English.
• And finally, fourthly, check the modern meaning of phrasal verbs by reading news. Once you've had enough, go back to Google, but this time instead of looking for lyrics and videos, browse the news tab or go to sites: The Guardian, Flipboard, CNN, BBC, USA Today etc. Try to find phrasal verbs there. The news will allow you to parse authentic examples of English phrasal verbs.

Video: TOP useful phrasal verbs

Conclusion

Phrasal verbs are everywhere and an important part of the English speaking world. The language, being a changeable structure and subject to metamorphoses, is replenished with new idiomatic expressions and bright words over time. But, don't worry. Start with a couple of English phrasal verbs with the translation in the table above, take your time and work on the specifics of their use in speech. Be sure that soon you will become an outstanding expert.

Stay focused and believe in yourself!

Big and friendly family EnglishDom

1. ADD UP- to make sense, to converge, to correspond

Her story didn't add up, I think she was lying, it didn't make sense- Her story did not fit, I think she was deceiving, it does not make sense

2. BLOW UP- has three meanings: inflate, blow up and get angry

Please could you blow up those balloons?— Could you please inflate these balloons?

The building was blown up by a bomb- The building was blown up by a bomb

When I said I couldn't go to her party, she blew up— When I said that I couldn’t go to the party, she got angry.
.

3. BRING UP- has two main meanings: to educate and raise a question or any proposal in a conversation

Their grandparents brought them up because their parents were always traveling— Their grandparents raised them because their parents were constantly traveling.

Your suggestion will be brought up at the next meeting.- Your proposal will be considered at the next meeting.

4. CALL OFF- withdraw, withdraw

The game was called off.- The game has been postponed

Call off your dog, he's biting my leg!- Get your dog away from me, it's biting my leg!

5. CARRY ON- two meanings: to continue doing something and to behave rudely, ugly

We must try to carry on as if nothing had happened. We must try to act as if nothing happened.

The people upstairs were carrying on again last night, they had me quite worried.- My upstairs neighbors again swore all night, they really bothered me.

6. COME ACROSS- has several meanings, among which the main ones are: to be perceived by someone, to come across (accidentally meet) with someone or something

He comes across as someone who means what he says.- He seems to be one of those who say what he thinks.

I came across this old photograph in the back of the drawer.- I accidentally discovered this old photo at the bottom of the box.

7. COME UP WITH- come up with

She came up with a great proposal for the new advertising campaign.

8. FALL APART fall apart, literally and figuratively

This cup just fell apart in my hands.- This cup fell to pieces right in my hands.

We used to be good friends, but fell apart about a year ago.- We were very good friends, but about a year ago we broke up.

Their marriage seems to be falling apart.- Their marriage seems to be falling apart.

9. GET ALONG- has many meanings: get along with someone, succeed, leave, grow old

Does he get along with his mother-in-law? Does he get along with his mother-in-law?

How is your work getting along?- How is your work going?

I think I'll be getting along now, I want to be home quite early.- I think it's time for me to leave.
I want to get home early.

Grandfather is getting along and doesn't see too well any more. Grandpa is getting old and can't see well.

10. GET AWAY- to leave, to run away, to hide, to get away dry from the water

You can't get away with it.- You won't get away with it.

The thieves managed to get away in a stolen car— The thieves managed to escape using a stolen car

11. GET OVER— overcome (for example, an illness, or an unpleasant feeling)

It always takes some time to get over the shock of someone's death.- When someone dies, it always takes some time for the shock to wear off.

I can't get over your news, I would never have thought it possible!- I can not get used to what you said to me, I would never have thought that this is possible.

12. GIVE UP- throw (in the meaning of surrender), refuse

I did want a holiday abroad, but we had to give up the idea.- I really wanted to take a vacation abroad, but we had to abandon this idea.

He is given up by the doctors.- Doctors refused him.

We had to give up the castle to the enemy. We had to surrender the fortress to the enemy.

13. GO ON- continue, continue

We began work at 12 and went on till half-past one.- We started working at 12 and continued until half past one.

How is your work going on?- How is your work going?

There's a wedding going on at the church.- There is a wedding going on in the church now.

How long has this been going on?- How long has this been going on?

14. HOLD ON- hold on to something, wait by the phone, don't give up

If a branch is near you, hold on until we can get a rope.- If there is a branch nearby, hold on to it until we find a rope.

Hold on!- Hold on!

Hold on, I shan't be a minute.- Don't hang up, wait a minute.

15. LOOK AFTER- look after someone

Who will look after the children while you go out to work?- Who will look after the children while you are at work?

16. LOOK FORWARD TO- to look forward to, to be in anticipation

I'm looking forward to some warmer weather after this bitter winter.- I hope it will be warmer now, the winter was so severe.

Every year the children look forward to the holidays coming. Every year children look forward to the holidays.

17. LOOK UP- look for something in a book / directory, improve (about business)

If you don't know the meaning of a word, look it up in a good dictionary. If you don't know what a word means, look it up in a good dictionary.

things are looking up.- The situation is improving.

18. MAKE OUT- disassemble/distinguish, understand, kiss passionately

You can just make out the farm in the distance.- You can see a farm in the distance.

I can't make out the meaning of this poem. I cannot understand the meaning of this poem.

The park was full of lovers making out on the grass.- The park was full of couples licking on the grass.

19. PASS OUT- to lose consciousness, give out / distribute (usually for free)

When he heard the news, he passed out with the shock.- When he found out about this, he lost his senses.

The protesters passed out leaflets to the growing crowd.— Protesters handed out leaflets to the growing crowd

20. PULL OVER- pull over, stop

We pulled over to take some pictures of clouds and lightning.- We stopped on the side of the road to photograph flashes of lightning against the background of clouds.

21. PUT DOWN- has several meanings: disembark passengers, postpone work, write something down, put it on the account, pacify

Can you put me down at the next corner, please?- Drop me off at the next corner, please.

Put down whatever you're doing and join the party!- Put your affairs aside and join the company!

Put down every word she says.- Write down every word for her.

I'll take three boxes; would you put them down (to my account)?- I'll take three boxes; would you put it on my account?

22. PUT OFF- postpone

Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.- Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.

23. PUT UP WITH- put up

I can't put up with my neighbor's noise any longer; it's driving me mad. I can't put up with the noise from the neighbors anymore, it's driving me crazy

24. TURN UP- suddenly show up, arrive / arrive / appear, increase the volume / temperature, etc.

He turned up missing at roll call.- He was not at the roll call.

As always, John turned up late John was late as usual.

Please turn the music up, I love this song!— Please turn it up, I love this song!

25. Watch out- be careful. Often used when suddenly shouting to the interlocutor "Caution!"

Watch out in the mountain, there are bears there“Look carefully, there are bears in the mountains.

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Phrasal verbs ( phrasal verbs) in English it is big and very interesting topic which cannot be covered in one article. There are entire dictionaries devoted to these verbs, for example Longman phrasal verbs dictionary with over 3,000 phrasal verbs and examples of their use. A lot of attention is paid to this topic, because in colloquial English, phrasal verbs can be heard very often.

Three types of phrasal verbs:

1. Phrasal verbs without complement (intransitive):

You have to check in before 12:00. (You need to check in before 12:00)

2. Phrasal verbs that can be separated by an addition:

I tried the dress on , but it was too large.(I tried on the dress, but it was too big.)

Usually this object can follow both the main verb and the particle:

She wrote her name down = She wrote down her name(She wrote her name)

However, there are two rules:
- if the object is expressed by a pronoun, then it must be inserted between the verb and the particle:

She wrote it down(she wrote it)

- if the object is too long, then it is better to use it after the whole phrasal verb:

She wrote down everything she could remember about him (She wrote everything she could remember about him)

3. Phrasal verbs that cannot be separated by an object (transitive):

She looks after their daughter(She looks after their daughter)

There are also such phrasal verbs , which may or may not be shared. However, they can have different meanings:

take off- take off take something off- Take something out of your clothes.

Phrasal verbs in examples

Sometimes you can understand the meaning of a phrasal verb from the context, even if you did not know this verb before. But there is another hint - the particles added to the verb give it a certain meaning.

Particle on indicates the continuation of the action:

Be quiet and get on with your task(Be calm and do your task)
I carried on cooking during the conversation(I continued to cook during the conversation)
The traffic noise went on all night(Road noise continued all night)
She went on about her neighbors(She kept talking about her neighbors)

Particles off and around

Off can give the meaning of sending or sharing something.
Around (about) - can give the main verb the meaning of an action with an indefinite purpose.

I went off to do some shopping, and left my husband messing about with his motorbike while the boys lazed around in the garden. When I got back, there were tools lying around everywhere, and Mike and the boys had disappeared.(I went shopping and left my husband fiddling with his motorcycle while the boys were lounging in the garden. When I got back, there were tools everywhere and Mike and the boys were gone.)

The up particle emphasizes the idea of ​​completing an action:

Susan made her son eat up his breakfast and drink up his tea before went to school. Then, as soon as he had left, she put the dirty stuff in the dishwasher. Today, she was also going to wash the floor, but then she remembered she‘d used up the floor cleaner the previous day, so she tidied up the living room instead.(Susan made her son eat breakfast and drink tea before leaving for school. Then, as soon as he left, she put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher. Today she was still going to clean the floor, but then she remembered that she used a floor cleaner the day before, so she cleaned up in the living room.)

The through particle suggests going from the beginning to the end of something:

I'd like to go through the homework(I would like to do my homework)
His father has lived through two wars(His father survived two wars)
I flicked through his new book(I reviewed his new book)
I looked through your report yesterday(Yesterday I reviewed your report)
I managed to sleep through the storm(I managed to sleep during the storm)

The back particle suggests returning something to its place:

The radio was faulty so I took it back(The radio was defective so I returned it back)
If you borrow that brush, please bring it back(If you take this brush, please put it back)
The books were damaged so I sent them back(The books were damaged so I returned them)
He rang at 12.00. I said I'd call him back later(He called at 12. I said I would call him later)

You may have already heard about the English language there are so-called “phrasal verbs” (this is how the term phrasal verbs is usually translated into Russian). Indeed, there is, moreover, phrasal verbs are very popular in colloquial speech. And even if you have no idea what they are - you probably used them in a speech - like the hero of Moliere, who did not know what he was saying in prose. For example “come on!” (“Kamon, come on!”) ​​- this is one of the phrasal verbs. However, let's start from the very beginning - what are phrasal verbs and what they are for.

What is a phrasal verb

A phrasal (not phraseological, pay attention, but a phrasal) verb is a verb combined with a preposition, particle or adverb. Do not try to remember the names of these additional parts of speech - the main thing is that some kind of appendage is added to the verb, as a rule, something simple, like up, on, with.

In this combination, the verb acquires some new meaning, which is far from always connected with the meanings of the verb and preposition included in it.

Let's take an example. Take three simple verbs, for example, to go, to get, to look- go, get, look. Let's add to each of them by preposition: to go on, to get up, to look for. We got phrasal verbs with new meanings - continue, get up, seek.

If you try to translate these combinations literally, you will most likely fail. Indeed, why is “looking for” is seeking and “getting up” is getting up? And that's why. Treat phrasal verbs like Chinese characters, where “the sun and thumb” is “time”, and “man and tree” is “rest”. Because gladiolus.

However, back to phrasal verbs. It turns out that by combining verbs with prepositions, you can get from one verb a whole set of phrasal verbs with the most different values. In total, there are a huge number of such combinations - there are thousands of phrasal verbs in the language.

The resulting phrasal verb is a new lexical unit, a new verb, which itself can, in turn, have several meanings. For example, bring up can mean both “mention, remember” and “grow, educate”.

Sometimes two words are attached to the verb at once - for example: get away with, look forward to, run out of. To save you a trip to the dictionary, here is the translation: get away with- get away with something look forward to- looking forward to something run out of- to use up completely, to spend something. Pay attention to the elegance of this construction - just three simple words put together mean something that cannot be translated in one word.

The meaning of phrasal verbs can be found in the dictionary - they are most often listed after the meaning of the main verb. And it is in the dictionary that you can see the variety of phrasal verbs - look, for example, the description in the online dictionary of phrasal verbs with the verb put is 7 times longer than the description of the verb itself.

I can imagine how upset those who planned to “learn all the words” and finally speak English are now upset - the amount of work has grown many times right before our eyes. In fact, do not be alarmed - the most common phrasal verbs are not so many. They occur so often in speech that with enough practice you will quickly memorize the most common ones. They consist, as a rule, of very simple components (diversity is achieved due to the number of possible combinations), and sometimes you can even guess about the meaning.

And most importantly, over time, when you get used to phrasal verbs, you will notice that it is in them, in phrasal verbs, that part of the indescribable charm of the English language lies.