Phrasal verbs are word combinations that involve a verb and one or more small words, like “up,” “on,” or “off.” These little words completely change the meaning of the main verb.
For example, “wake up” means to stop sleeping, and “turn on” means to start something, like a light or music.
Phrasal verbs are like special phrases that have a verb and one or more words that go together.
For Example
- I turn off the TV
- I look for my keys.
- I put on my jacket
- I turn on the lights.
- I pick up the book
Here’s a simple table that explains the logic of phrasal verbs, focusing on how they work:
| Component | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | The action word in the phrasal verb. This is the main part of the phrase. | Turn |
| Particle | A small word that follows the verb. It can be a preposition or an adverb. | On |
| Phrasal Verb | The meaning of the phrasal verb is often different from the individual words. | Turn on = Start something |
Phrasal verbs are very common in everyday English and can be used in simple sentences to describe daily activities.
“A phrasal verb is a short phrase made of a verb and a small word like “on” or “up,” which together have a special meaning.”
Here are five of the most commonly used phrasal verbs explained in a simple, beginner-friendly way:
Turn off
“Turn off’ and ‘turn’ have different meanings. This is because ‘turn off’ is a phrasal verb. It means to stop the operation of something. For instance, if you turn off a light, you make it go dark by flipping the switch. How did it become a phrasal verb? By adding the ‘off’ suffix. For example: “I turn off the TV”
Look for
And again, “look for”‘ and ‘look’ have different meanings. This is because ‘look for’ is a phrasal verb. The phrasal verb “look for” means to search or seek something. For example: “I look for my keys.”
Turn on
It means to make something start working, like a light or a TV. For example: ‘Can you turn on the TV?’
Wake up
It means to stop sleeping and become awake. For example: ‘I wake up at 7 a.m. every day.’
Pick up
It mean to lift something from a lower place or to collect something. For example: ‘Please pick up the book from the floor.’
These explanations are designed to be easy to understand and help you learn how to use these phrasal verbs in everyday situations.
Summary
Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb and a small word (like “on,” “up,” or “off”) that create a new meaning different from the verb alone.
Grammar Exercises
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