If you're an ESL student who happens to be more than puzzled about how phrasal verbs are used and what they mean, you'll find this guide will come in really handy.

1.A phrasal verb is a verb used with one or two particles or prepositions, such as up, down, in, on, out, off.

Jim put down the book.
I am looking forward to seeing you.

2.Some phrasal verbs do not take an object.

Tom stood up, came in, and said hello.
Come on, we're going to be late!
Look out!

3.Some phrasal verbs which take an object can separate: if the object is a noun we can put it before or after the particle.

Please bring back the books OR
Please bring the books back.

But if the object is a pronoun, we can only put it before the particle.

I want my book so bring it back.
(not: I want my book so bring back it.)

4.Some phrasal verbs take an object but cannot separate the verb from the particle.

The twins look after Archie.
(not: The twins look Archie after)

5.Some phrasal verbs have three parts. These must all stay together.

Children look forward to Christmas.

Mary held on to her mother's hand.

6.Sometimes we can understand a phrasal verb from the different parts.

They got down from the bus.
Please pick up those papers.

7.Sometimes the meaning is not clear from the different parts.

They put out the fire. (They extinguished it.)

I don't get on with my sister-in-law. (I don't have a good relationship with her.)

8.Some phrasal verbs have more than one meaning.

The bomb went off. (It exploded.)
The lights went off last night. (They stopped working.)
The milk went off last week. (It went bad.)

USE

We use phrasal verbs a great deal when we speak, instead of more formal-sounding words with the same meaning. We also use them in informal writing, like letters to friends. Phrasal verbs are seen and practiced in ESL classes because it is essential for students to become familiarized with them.

Here are some common phrasal verbs with their most usual meanings:

1.Phrasal verbs with an object that can be separated:

-Bring up: to raise a child. Her parents brought her up to be polite.
-Put out: to make something stop burning. Please put your cigarette out.
-Take off: to remove an item of clothing. Lucy took her clothes off and got into bed.

2.Phrasal verbs with an object that cannot be separated:

-Come across: find by chance. I came across an old photograph in my desk drawer.
-Give up: stop or quit doing something. My Dad has given up smoking.
-Keep on: continue doing something. Keep on reading for a while.

3-Phrasal verbs that do not take an object and so cannot be separated:

-Break down: to stop working. The old car broke down.
-Get together: to meet. We could get together tomorrow evening.
-Go off: to explode. The bomb went off and made a loud noise.

Make sure you practice these and other phrasal verbs to take advantage of your ESL lessons!

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Susan Thomason has written numerous articles for LCI English Center, an ESL school in Denver, Colorado. LCI offers the best English training through experienced teachers and high quality programs. Check out more ESL articles at www.englishlci.com/blog