English Phrasal Verbs With “Hang”
Phrasal verbs are an essential part of English vocabulary, and mastering them can significantly improve fluency. The verb “hang” combines with various prepositions to form phrasal verbs with distinct meanings. Below is a detailed guide to common phrasal verbs with “hang,” including definitions, examples, and exercises.
1. Hang On
Meaning: To wait briefly or hold tightly.
- “Hang on a minute, I’ll be right back.” (Wait a moment)
- “She hung on to the railing to avoid falling.” (Hold tightly)
- “Hang on, let me check my notes first.” (Wait)
2. Hang Out
Meaning: To spend time casually with someone or relax.
- “We used to hang out at the park after school.” (Spend time)
- “Do you want to hang out this weekend?” (Socialize)
- “He hangs out with his friends every Friday.” (Relax together)
3. Hang Up
Meaning: To end a phone call or suspend something.
- “She hung up the phone angrily.” (Ended the call)
- “Don’t hang up, I need to ask you something!” (Don’t disconnect)
- “He hung up his coat before entering.” (Put something on a hook)
4. Hang Around
Meaning: To stay in a place without a clear purpose.
- “Teenagers often hang around the mall.” (Loiter)
- “Why are you hanging around here? Go home!” (Stay idly)
- “He hung around after the meeting to chat.” (Remained)
5. Hang Back
Meaning: To hesitate or stay behind others.
- “She hung back because she was shy.” (Hesitated)
- “Don’t hang back—join the conversation!” (Don’t hesitate)
- “He hung back while others rushed forward.” (Stayed behind)
6. Hang Over
Meaning: To remain as a lingering problem or threat.
- “The issue of debt still hangs over the company.” (Remains unresolved)
- “A dark cloud hung over the town.” (Loomed)
- “The fear of failure hangs over him.” (Weighs on)
7. Hang Together
Meaning: To stay united or be consistent.
- “If we hang together, we can overcome this.” (Stay united)
- “His story doesn’t hang together.” (Isn’t consistent)
- “The team hung together despite the challenges.” (Remained united)
8. Hang On To
Meaning: To keep or retain something.
- “Hang on to your ticket—you’ll need it later.” (Keep)
- “She hung on to her childhood memories.” (Retained)
- “He hung on to his job despite the difficulties.” (Kept)
Exercises
Fill in the Blanks
Choose the correct phrasal verb from the list above to complete the sentences.
- “Please ___ while I check the schedule.” (Hang on)
- “They love to ___ at the beach on weekends.” (Hang out)
- “The storm clouds ___ the city all day.” (Hung over)
- “She ___ her keys and couldn’t find them.” (Hung up)
- “We need to ___ if we want to succeed.” (Hang together)
Matching Exercise
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hang back | Hesitate or stay behind |
| Hang around | Stay without purpose |
| Hang on to | Keep something |
Writing Practice
Write a short paragraph (5-6 sentences) using at least three phrasal verbs from the list above.
Example: “Last weekend, my friends and I decided to hang out at the café. We hung around for hours, chatting and laughing. Before leaving, I hung on to my receipt in case I needed it later.”