Common Phrasal Verbs in English

Study Notes

Phrase verb is a term used to describe an idiomatic expression consisting of a verb combined with one or more other words. These expressions often have different meanings depending on whether they appear as a single word or as a phrase, which makes them particularly difficult to learn for non-native speakers. In this article, we will discuss some common phrasal verbs in English, including their meaning, usage, and examples.

Turn Up

To express the act of increasing volume or intensity, the phrasal verb "turn up" is commonly used. For example, if you want to listen to music louder, you can say, "Can you turn it up?" Similarly, when referring to people arriving late, you might say, "He always turns up late."

In terms of increasing speed, you could use this phrasal verb when driving a car. For instance, you may say, "I need to turn up the heat in my car," implying that you're accelerating your vehicle.

Carry On

The phrasal verb "carry on" has two distinct meanings. One refers to continuing with a task in progress, such as saying, "Let's carry on working after lunch." Another meaning implies behaving badly or acting irresponsibly, like stating, "Please stop carrying on - it's disturbing others."

Settle Down

When you use the phrasal verb "settle down," you are typically asking someone to calm themselves or find a place to rest. This can be expressed by saying, "I think we all need to settle down before class starts," indicating that everyone should get ready for learning by finding a seat and preparing mentally.

Carry Out

This phrasal verb is primarily associated with completing tasks. For instance, if you say, "We need to carry out these instructions carefully," you are emphasizing the importance of executing each step correctly. Additionally, "carry out" can also refer to implementing plans or strategies, as in, "Can we carry out our plan to organize a charity event?"

Grow Up

As children develop into adults, they "grow up." However, the phrasal verb "grow up" can also refer to maturing emotionally, allowing someone to understand complex situations better. Here's an example sentence using this meaning: "I wish he would grow up and start making his own decisions."

Make Up My Mind

A person who is having trouble deciding between alternatives may say, "I can't seem to make up my mind." When using this phrasal verb, they are essentially admitting that they are indecisive and need time to weigh the pros and cons before reaching a conclusion.

Set Off

If someone sets off on a trip or journey, they begin traveling from their starting point. Using this phrasal verb, you can say things like, "Are you ready to set off now? We should reach there within an hour."

Catch Up On

"Catch up on" refers to catching up with current events, engaging with past conversations, or resuming work missed due to absence. Examples of its usage include, "I need to catch up on the latest news," "What did I miss while I was away?" and "Come back soon so we can continue working together."

Put Off

If you "put off" something, you postpone or delay it until another time. This can be done intentionally or unintentionally. For instance, you might say, "I need to put off meeting her until next week" or "Let's put off the exam until Monday."

Come Across

Lastly, "come across" means discovering or encountering something unexpectedly. It can also imply expressing oneself clearly and effectively. Some examples of how to use this phrasal verb include, "I came across an interesting article today" and "She always comes across well when talking to clients."

Description

This article explores common phrasal verbs in English, including their meanings, usage, and examples. From expressions like 'turn up' to 'set off', learn how these idiomatic combinations of verbs and other words can convey different nuances in everyday language.