Phrasal Verbs: A Key to Understanding Everyday English

 In English, a phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and a preposition or adverb that creates a meaning different from the original verb. For example, the verb "look" in the phrasal verb "look up" has a different meaning from its basic use. Phrasal verbs are widely used in everyday conversations, making them an essential part of learning English.

Separable Phrasal Verbs

One type of phrasal verb is called a separable phrasal verb. These are verbs that can be split up by placing the object (the noun or pronoun receiving the action) between the verb and the preposition or adverb. Let’s explore this with a few examples:

• He put the jacket on. (He wore the jacket.)
• He put on the jacket. (He wore the jacket.)

In both examples, the verb "put" combines with the preposition "on" to create the phrasal verb "put on." You can place the object "the jacket" in the middle, as in "He put the jacket on," or after the preposition, as in "He put on the jacket."

Another example is the phrasal verb take back:

• I need to take back the shirt I lent you.
• Where’s that shirt I lent you? I need to take it back.

In this case, the object "the shirt" can either come after the verb "take" and before the preposition "back" or after the preposition itself, as shown in the second sentence with the pronoun "it."

Using Separable Phrasal Verbs with Pronouns

Separable phrasal verbs can also include pronouns (like me, you, it, them), which are always placed between the verb and the preposition. Here are some examples:

• I put it up. (I placed it upwards.)
• She took them away. (She removed them.)

In these sentences, the object pronouns it and them are placed between the verb and the adverb/preposition.

Practical Examples of Separable Phrasal Verbs

Here are some common phrasal verbs and their meanings:

1. Bring up: To mention something.
   • He won’t talk about his job, so don’t bring it up.
2. Do over: To do something again.
   • I got a bad grade on this essay. I need to do it over.
3. Give away: To donate something.
   • I don’t need these books. I might give them away.
4. Give back: To return something.
   • This is Lynn’s camera. I need to give it back.
5. Pay back: To return money.
   • Paul lent me some money. I need to pay him back.

More Examples in Sentences

Here are some additional examples of how these phrasal verbs are used in context:

• I gave away most of my money to charity.
• He decided to give his new album away in a magazine.
• She insisted that everything be done over.
• We need to talk it over before making a decision.

Separable Phrasal Verbs in Conversation

Let’s take a look at how separable phrasal verbs can be used in a conversation. Here's an example:

Dana: I really like your camcorder.

Nell: Actually, it’s my friend Ben’s. I’m just trying it out this week. I need to give it back to him tomorrow.

Dana: It looks really expensive.

Nell: It is. I’m thinking about buying one, but I can’t right now.

Dana: Why not?

Nell: Well, I’m kind of broke. If I had more money, I’d buy it.

Dana: It would be nice to be rich, wouldn’t it?

Nell: Tell me about it. What would you do if you were rich?

Dana: Hmm... If I were rich, I’d travel. I’d give some money away, too.

Nell: That’s nice.

In this conversation, you can see phrasal verbs like try out and give back in use. Try out means to test something, while give back means to return something to its rightful owner.

Conclusion

Learning phrasal verbs is essential for mastering everyday English. They are commonly used in both written and spoken language, so understanding how they function will help you communicate more naturally and effectively. By practicing with examples and paying attention to how phrasal verbs are used in real conversations, you can become more comfortable with this important aspect of the English language.

References

• Murphy, R. (2019). English Grammar in Use (5th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
• Swan, M. (2020). Practical English Usage (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.