English Phrasal Verbs With “Find”
Phrasal verbs are an essential part of English vocabulary, especially for learners aiming to sound more natural in conversation. The verb “find” combines with various prepositions or adverbs to form phrasal verbs with distinct meanings. Below is a comprehensive guide to phrasal verbs with “find,” including definitions, examples, and exercises.
1. Find out
Meaning: To discover or learn something, often after some effort.
- I need to find out what time the meeting starts.
- She found out that her friend was moving abroad.
- They finally found out the truth about the incident.
2. Find against
Meaning: (Legal context) To decide that someone is guilty or at fault.
- The judge found against the defendant due to lack of evidence.
- The court found against the company in the lawsuit.
- If the jury finds against him, he could face serious consequences.
3. Find for
Meaning: (Legal context) To decide in favor of someone in a court case.
- The jury found for the plaintiff and awarded damages.
- The judge found for the employee in the wrongful termination case.
- If the court finds for us, we will receive compensation.
4. Find oneself
Meaning: To realize one’s situation, often unexpectedly.
- After years of traveling, he found himself back in his hometown.
- She found herself in a difficult financial situation.
- They found themselves lost in the middle of the forest.
5. Find fault with
Meaning: To criticize or point out flaws in something or someone.
- He always finds fault with my work, no matter how hard I try.
- She found fault with every detail of the presentation.
- Instead of helping, they just found fault with our plan.
6. Find time
Meaning: To make time for something despite a busy schedule.
- I need to find time to visit my grandparents this weekend.
- She struggles to find time for exercise between work and studies.
- They finally found time to go on a vacation after years.
7. Find a way
Meaning: To discover or create a solution to a problem.
- We must find a way to reduce costs without sacrificing quality.
- He always finds a way to make things work, no matter how difficult.
- They found a way to finish the project ahead of schedule.
8. Find your feet
Meaning: To become comfortable or confident in a new situation.
- It took her a few months to find her feet in the new job.
- After moving abroad, he needed time to find his feet in the new culture.
- The freshmen are still trying to find their feet in college.
Exercises
Test your understanding of these phrasal verbs with the following exercises:
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct phrasal verb.
- She needs to _____ what caused the problem. (discover)
- The judge _____ the defendant, ordering him to pay a fine. (ruled against)
- After a long day, he _____ asleep on the couch. (realized he was)
- He always _____ my cooking, even when it tastes good. (criticizes)
- Despite being busy, she _____ to call her parents every week. (made time)
Exercise 2: Match the phrasal verb with its meaning.
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Find out | To discover something |
| Find against | To rule someone guilty |
| Find for | To rule in favor of someone |
| Find fault with | To criticize |
| Find your feet | To adjust to a new situation |
Exercise 3: Write sentences using the following phrasal verbs.
- Find out
- Find a way
- Find oneself
- Find time
- Find fault with
By practicing these phrasal verbs, you’ll improve your fluency and sound more like a native speaker. Keep reviewing and using them in daily conversations!