Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are multi-word verbs. They are made up of two or three words; the combination of words takes on a completely different meaning to the verb part.

Examples:

• TO GET= to obtain

• To get together= to meet someone

• To get by=to manage financially

Phrasal verbs are used mainly in informal situations such as spoken English and emails to friends or colleagues. 

Common phrasal verbs:

• Call back=to return a phone call to someone

• Could I CALL you BACK in 5 minutes?

• Call back=to ask someone to return

• We will be CALLING BACK our sales representative in Paris

Deal with= to take action about something or someone

• How do you DEAL WITH aggressive bosses?

• Don’t worry, I will DEAL WITH the broken down photocopier.

FILL IN:

• Fill in=to add something or to complete something

• I can only deal with your request once you have FILLED IN this P3 form.

• Fill in = to act as a replacement for someone.

• Suzy sent Jack to FILL IN for her at the marketing meeting.

• Fill in= to supply information to someone

• I’ll FILL you IN on the meeting as soon as I get back to the office.

Find out= to discover ( something)

• The teacher was very angry when she FOUND OUT that her students had been cheating.

• Could you please help me? I am trying to FIND OUT which bus to take for the airport?

GO OUT

• Go out= to leave

• Please close the door when you GO OUT.

• Go out= to have a romantic relationship with someone

• How long have you been GOING OUT with Julie?

SPEAK UP

• Speak up= to speak loudly

• Could you please SPEAK UP, we cannot hear you.

• Speak up = to express one’s opinion

• If you thought that was unfair, why didn’t you SPEAK UP at the meeting?