Essential Phrasal Verbs: Explained

Phrasal verbs are verb + preposition combinations with special meanings. "Look up" doesn't mean "look upward"—it means "search for information." They're everywhere in English.

Top 20 Phrasal Verbs

Morning/Daily:

wake up = stop sleeping
get up = leave bed
turn on/off = start/stop a device
put on = wear clothes
take off = remove clothes

Movement:

pick up = lift OR collect someone/something
come back = return
show up = arrive
run out of = use all of something

Finding:

look for = search
look up = search for information
find out = discover

Communication:

call back = return a phone call
bring up = mention a topic
hang out = spend time casually

Problems:

figure out = understand/solve
give up = stop trying
take care of = handle
break down = stop working
go on = continue

Separable vs. Inseparable

Separable = You can split them:

✅ Turn the light on
✅ Turn on the light
✅ Turn it on (pronoun MUST go in middle)
❌ Turn on it

Inseparable = Keep together:

✅ Look after the kids
❌ Look the kids after

Practice Tips

Learn in context: Not just definitions—learn full sentences
Group by verb: Learn all "look" phrasal verbs together (look up, look for, look after)
Use them daily: Write 3 sentences using new phrasal verbs each day
Watch TV: Notice how native speakers use them naturally

Want to see phrasal verbs in context? The FreeTalk Dictionary shows real examples while you read online.

Examples by Level

A2: I get up at 7, put on my clothes, and turn on the coffee maker.
B1: I couldn't figure out why my computer kept breaking down, so I called back tech support.
B2: Rather than give up, we agreed to hang out informally and look for common ground.

Common Mistakes

❌ Using formal verbs in casual conversation
✅ "Look into" sounds better than "investigate" when talking to friends

❌ Translating word-by-word from your language
✅ "Look up" is one idea, not "look" + "up"

FAQs

Q: How many do I need to know?
A: The top 50 cover most conversations. Start with the 20 above.

Q: Why can't I separate some?
A: Grammar rules. Some are separable, some aren't. You learn through practice.

Q: Are they formal or casual?
A: Mostly casual. In formal writing, use single verbs instead: "investigate" not "look into."