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What are phrasal verbs?

1. A phrasal verb is a verb plus a preposition or adverb which creates a meaning different from the original verb.

Example: I ran into my teacher at the movies last night. run + into = meet He ran away when he was 15. run + away = leave home

2. Some phrasal verbs are intransitive. An intransitive verb cannot be followed by an object.

Example: He suddenly showed up. "show up" cannot take an object

3. Some phrasal verbs are transitive. A transitive verb can be followed by an object.

Example: I made up the story. "story" is the object of "make up"

4. Some transitive phrasal verbs are separable. The object is placed between the verb and the preposition. In this Phrasal Verb Dictionary, separable phrasal verbs are marked by placing a * between the verb and the preposition / adverb.

Example: I talked my mother into letting me borrow the car. She looked the phone number up.

5. Some transitive phrasal verbs are inseparable. The object is placed after the preposition. In this Phrasal Verb Dictionary, inseparable phrasal verbs are marked by placing a + after the preposition / adverb.

Example: I ran into an old friend yesterday. They are looking into the problem.

6. Some transitive phrasal verbs can take an object in both places. In this Phrasal Verb Dictionary, such phrasal verbs are marked with both * and + .

Example: I looked the number up in the phone book. I looked up the number in the phone book.

7. WARNING! Although many phrasal verbs can take an object in both places, you must put the object between the verb and the preposition if the object is a pronoun.

Example: I looked the number up in the phone book. I looked up the number in the phone book. I looked it up in the phone book. correct I looked up it in the phone book. incorrect

Phrasal Verb ( A )

Phrasal Verb Definition Example

act up behave or function improperly

I think I need to take my car to the mechanic because it's acting up again.

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add * up + calculate a sum I added up the receipts and it totaled $135.46.

add up to + equal an amount The total expenses added up to $325.00.

add up make sense Her story doesn't add up. I think she is lying.

ask * out + invite on a date I can't believe that Joe finally asked me out on a date!

ask * over + invite to one's home Why don't we ask the Johnsons over for dinner?

Phrasal Verb ( B )

Phrasal Verb Definition Example

back down stop defending your opinion in a debate Jane never backs down. She always wins arguments.

back out not keep (a promise, agreement,deal) Sam backed out at the last second.

back out of + not keep (a promise, agreement, deal) Sam backed out of the agreement at the last second.

back * up + give support You need examples to back up your opinion.

back up move backwards, reverse Could you back up a little so I can open this drawer.

bawl * out criticize, reprimand (inf.) She bawled him out for arriving late.

bear down on + bite

The soldier had to bear down on the leather strap while the doctor removed a bullet from the soldier's arm.

bear down on + take strong measures against The U.S.A. is bearing down on drug traffickers.

bear on + have to do with This information may bear on this case.

bear up withstand I didn't think he would bear up so well in that situation.

bear up under + withstand How did he bear up under such extreme pressure.

bear with + be patient Please bear with me while I fill out the paperwork.

blow in visit unexpectedly (inf.) My cousin blew in unexpectedly with his entire family.

blow over pass without creating a problem All this negative publicity will blow over in a couple of weeks.

blow * up + make explode;destroy using explosives The terrorists blew the bridge up.

blow up explode The bomb blew up before they could defuse it.

blow up suddenly become very angry When Joan heard the news, she blew up and rushed out of the room.

break * down + analyze in detail We need to break this problem down in order to …