Phrasal Verbs for Beginners: A Comprehensive Guide
Phrasal verbs are an essential part of English, especially in spoken language. They consist of a verb and one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs), and their meanings often differ from the original verb. For beginners, mastering phrasal verbs can be challenging, but with practice, they become easier to understand and use.
What Are Phrasal Verbs?
A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and a preposition or adverb (or both) that creates a new meaning. For example, “give up” means “to quit,” which is different from the verb “give” alone.
Common Phrasal Verbs for Beginners
1. Look Up
Meaning: To search for information (usually in a dictionary or online).
- I didn’t know the word, so I looked it up in the dictionary.
- Can you look up the nearest restaurant on your phone?
- She looked up the train schedule before leaving.
2. Turn On
Meaning: To activate or start a device (e.g., lights, TV, computer).
- Please turn on the lights; it’s too dark.
- He turned on the TV to watch the news.
- Don’t forget to turn on the heater before sleeping.
3. Put Off
Meaning: To postpone or delay something.
- They put off the meeting until next week.
- Don’t put off your homework until the last minute.
- She put off going to the dentist because she was scared.
4. Take Off
Meaning: To remove (clothing) or to depart (for airplanes).
- He took off his jacket when he entered the room.
- The plane takes off at 3 PM.
- She took off her shoes before stepping on the carpet.
5. Run Out Of
Meaning: To have no more of something left.
- We ran out of milk, so I need to buy more.
- He ran out of time and couldn’t finish the test.
- They ran out of money during their trip.
Exercises: Practice Using Phrasal Verbs
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Choose the correct phrasal verb from the list to complete the sentences.
- 1. I need to _____ (look up / turn on) the meaning of this word.
- 2. Can you _____ (put off / take off) your shoes before entering?
- 3. We _____ (ran out of / turned on) coffee, so let’s buy some more.
- 4. She _____ (looked up / put off) her appointment because she was busy.
- 5. The flight _____ (takes off / runs out of) at 9 AM.
Exercise 2: Match the Phrasal Verb with Its Meaning
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Look up | To search for information |
| Turn on | To activate a device |
| Put off | To postpone |
| Take off | To remove clothing or depart (airplane) |
| Run out of | To have no more left |
Answer Key
Exercise 1 Answers:
- look up
- take off
- ran out of
- put off
- takes off
Exercise 2 Answers:
The correct matches are already provided in the table.
By practicing these phrasal verbs regularly, you’ll become more comfortable using them in everyday conversations. Keep learning and expanding your vocabulary!