Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal Verbs are an important part of the English language, especially in spoken English and informal writing. It is important to start learning them gradually even from an elementary level. It could be useful for you to keep a list of phrasal verbs.

A phrasal verb is a verb combined with a particle (an adverb or preposition). Sometimes the meaning is clear from the verb and particle, for example, Sit down, come back.

Sometimes it is less obvious like Give Up (smettere) smoking = stop smoking, Carry On working = continue working.

Sometimes the phrasal verb has more than one meaning. The plane took off (decollare). She took off her coat.

There are three main groups of phrasal verbs:

1.  No Object. The verb cannot be separated from the particle.

Come on!

Hurry Up!

The plane took off two hours late. You cannot say, The plane took two hours late off

2.  With an Object. The verb cannot be separated from the particle.

I am looking for my book. You cannot say I am looking my book for.

He looked after the baby

3. With an Object. The verb can be separated from the particle.

He switched off his computer Or He switched his computer off.

Can you throw away (buttare) the rubbish please? Or Can you throw the rubbish away please?

Good luck! Practise makes perfect!