Phrasal Verbs for Love: A Comprehensive Guide for English Learners
Phrasal verbs are an essential part of English, especially when talking about emotions like love. They combine a verb with a preposition or adverb, creating a new meaning. In this article, we will explore common phrasal verbs related to love, their meanings, examples, and exercises to test your understanding.
1. Fall for
Meaning: To develop strong romantic feelings for someone.
- She fell for him the moment they met at the party.
- He never expected to fall for his best friend.
- They fell for each other during their trip to Paris.
2. Go out with
Meaning: To be in a romantic relationship with someone.
- She has been going out with Tom for two years.
- Are you going out with anyone right now?
- They started going out with each other after college.
3. Break up
Meaning: To end a romantic relationship.
- They broke up because of long-distance issues.
- She was heartbroken when he broke up with her.
- After five years together, they decided to break up.
4. Make up
Meaning: To reconcile after an argument or breakup.
- They fought yesterday but made up this morning.
- After weeks of silence, they finally made up.
- Do you think they will make up after their big fight?
5. Cheat on
Meaning: To be unfaithful to a partner by having a relationship with someone else.
- She found out he was cheating on her with his coworker.
- He regretted cheating on his girlfriend.
- Never cheat on someone you truly love.
6. Ask out
Meaning: To invite someone on a romantic date.
- He finally gathered the courage to ask her out.
- She was thrilled when he asked her out for dinner.
- Would you ask someone out if you liked them?
7. Split up
Meaning: To end a relationship (similar to “break up”).
- They split up after realizing they wanted different things.
- Many couples split up due to financial problems.
- Do you know why they split up?
8. Get over
Meaning: To recover emotionally from a breakup or loss.
- It took her months to get over her ex-boyfriend.
- He still hasn’t gotten over his first love.
- Time helps people get over heartbreak.
9. Hook up
Meaning: To engage in a casual romantic or physical encounter.
- They hooked up at the party but never dated.
- She didn’t want to hook up with someone she barely knew.
- Have you ever hooked up with a friend?
10. Move on
Meaning: To start a new relationship or life after a breakup.
- After the divorce, she decided to move on and focus on herself.
- He couldn’t move on until he forgave his ex.
- It’s healthy to move on after a failed relationship.
Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences with the correct phrasal verb from the list above.
- She was devastated when her boyfriend __________ with her.
- He finally __________ his childhood crush after years of hesitation.
- It’s hard to __________ someone you truly loved.
- They __________ after a huge argument but later reconciled.
- She __________ him at a concert, and they started dating.
Exercise 2: Match the Phrasal Verb with Its Meaning
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1. Fall for | A. To end a relationship |
| 2. Break up | B. To develop romantic feelings |
| 3. Make up | C. To reconcile |
| 4. Get over | D. To recover emotionally |
| 5. Move on | E. To start anew after a breakup |
Answer Key
Exercise 1 Answers:
- broke up
- asked out
- get over
- split up
- fell for
Exercise 2 Answers:
| Phrasal Verb | Correct Letter |
|---|---|
| 1. Fall for | B |
| 2. Break up | A |
| 3. Make up | C |
| 4. Get over | D |
| 5. Move on | E |