Mastering Phrasal Verbs: Essential Rules and Useful Examples

Phrasal verbs are a fundamental part of the English language, often added to spoken and written English to add color and nuance. These combinations of verbs and prepositions or adverbs create new meanings that can be challenging for non-native speakers to grasp. In this article, we'll explore five of the most common and essential phrasal verbs, illustrating how they are used in context along with their grammatical rules.

Weekly Highlights of Phrasal Verbs

There are hundreds of phrasal verbs, but here are five of the most common and most useful ones to help you improve your language skills:

1. Deal with

Example:

Julie: Look at all this mess in the kitchen!

John: Don't worry - I’ll deal with it as soon as I finish my lunch.

Meaning: Take the necessary action.

Grammar:

Cant be separated - Incorrect: deal it with or deal the problem with. Needs an object - Correct: deal with it, deal with the problem.

2. Come across

Example:

Julie: Hi John how are you?

John: Great! I just came across ￡40 in my winter coat!

Meaning: Find something you weren't looking for.

Grammar:

Cant be separated - Incorrect: come it across or come the money across. Needs an object - Correct: came across it, came across the money.

3. Get on with

Example:

Julie: I really need a new job! This one is so boring and although I get on with my colleagues I don't get on very well with my boss.

Meaning: Have a friendly relationship with someone.

Grammar:

Cant be separated - Incorrect: I get on Julie with or I get on her with. Can include the word well - Example: I get on well with my brother. Needs an object - Correct: I get on with him, I get on with my brother.

4. Look after

Example:

Julie: Could you look after my suitcase for a second I just need to buy a bottle of water.

Li: Sure no problem.

Meaning: Be responsible for or take care of.

Grammar:

Cant be separated - Incorrect: look him after. Needs an object - Incorrect: look after. Correct: look after him, look after it, look after the umbrella.

5. Pick up

Example:

Julie: Hello Is that Lucy?

Lucy: Hi Julie where are you?

Julie: Im still on the train. We should arrive in about half an hour.

Lucy: No problem. Ill come and pick you up at the station.

Meaning: Go somewhere to get someone or something, to collect.

Grammar:

Can be separated - Correct: pick John up, pick up John, pick him up. Needs an object - Incorrect: pick up. Correct: pick him up, pick up John.

Conclusion

Understanding and using phrasal verbs effectively can enhance your communication skills and help you sound more natural when speaking English. By learning these five key phrasal verbs, you can expand your vocabulary and communicate more effectively in both written and spoken contexts.