Phrasal Verbs for Writing: A Comprehensive Guide for English Learners
Phrasal verbs are an essential part of English writing and communication. They consist of a verb and one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs) that change the meaning of the original verb. Mastering phrasal verbs can make your writing more natural and expressive. Below is a detailed guide to common phrasal verbs used in writing, along with examples and exercises.
1. Break Down
Meaning: To analyze or divide something into smaller parts for better understanding.
- The teacher asked us to break down the essay into three main sections.
- She broke down the complex topic into simple terms for the audience.
- Let’s break down the problem step by step.
2. Point Out
Meaning: To highlight or mention something important.
- The editor pointed out several grammatical errors in my draft.
- He pointed out that the argument lacked supporting evidence.
- Can you point out the main idea in this paragraph?
3. Set Out
Meaning: To explain or describe something in a clear and organized way.
- The author set out his ideas in the introduction.
- She set out the rules for the writing competition.
- The report sets out the findings of the research.
4. Go Over
Meaning: To review or examine something carefully.
- Before submitting, go over your essay for mistakes.
- Let’s go over the main points of the presentation.
- The teacher went over the homework in class.
5. Fill In
Meaning: To add missing information or complete something.
- Please fill in the blanks with the correct words.
- He filled in the details of the story.
- Can you fill in this form before the meeting?
6. Cross Out
Meaning: To draw a line through text to show it should be removed.
- I crossed out the incorrect sentence and rewrote it.
- The editor crossed out unnecessary words.
- Don’t just cross out errors—explain why they’re wrong.
7. Look Up
Meaning: To search for information (e.g., in a dictionary or online).
- If you don’t know a word, look it up in the dictionary.
- She looked up the phrasal verb to understand its meaning.
- I had to look up the spelling of that difficult word.
8. Put Forward
Meaning: To suggest or propose an idea.
- The student put forward a new argument in his essay.
- She put forward a plan to improve writing skills.
- They put forward several solutions to the problem.
9. Sum Up
Meaning: To summarize or give a brief overview.
- In the conclusion, sum up your main points.
- He summed up the discussion in a few sentences.
- Can you sum up the article in one paragraph?
10. Turn In
Meaning: To submit or hand in something (e.g., an assignment).
- Don’t forget to turn in your essay by Friday.
- She turned in her report early.
- Have you turned in your application yet?
Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences with the correct phrasal verb from the list above.
- Before you submit your work, always ________ it for errors.
- The professor asked us to ________ the research into three sections.
- Please ________ the missing information in this form.
- She ________ a new idea during the meeting.
- Can you ________ the main points of the lecture?
Exercise 2: Rewrite the Sentences
Replace the underlined words with a suitable phrasal verb.
- The teacher explained the instructions clearly. → The teacher ________ the instructions clearly.
- He submitted his assignment late. → He ________ his assignment late.
- She highlighted the mistakes in red. → She ________ the mistakes in red.
- I need to search for this word in the dictionary. → I need to ________ this word in the dictionary.
- Let’s analyze the problem together. → Let’s ________ the problem together.
Answer Key
Exercise 1 Answers
- go over
- break down
- fill in
- put forward
- sum up
Exercise 2 Answers
- set out
- turned in
- pointed out / crossed out
- look up
- break down
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Break down | Analyze or divide into parts |
| Point out | Highlight or mention |
| Set out | Explain clearly |
| Go over | Review carefully |
| Fill in | Complete missing information |