Overview
Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb + particle (preposition or adverb) that create a new meaning: give up (stop trying), look after (take care of), turn down (refuse), put off (postpone). The combined meaning is often different from the individual words. They are common in everyday spoken English.
Common phrasal verbs
- give upgive up = stop doing: She gave up smoking.
- put offput off = postpone: He put off the meeting.
- look afterlook after = take care of: She looks after her parents.
- set upset up = establish: They set up a new company.
- come up withcome up with = invent: He came up with a great idea.
Separable vs. Inseparable
- Separable: Turn it off. / Turn off the lights. (object can split the verb)
- Inseparable: look after the children. (object CANNOT split the verb)
- With pronouns, always separate: Turn it off. ✅ / Turn off it. ❌
Common Mistakes
- ❌ She gave up to smoke. → ✅ She gave up smoking. (-ing)
- ❌ He came up a great idea. → ✅ He came up with a great idea.
- ❌ Turn off it. → ✅ Turn it off.
When to use
Natural speech
I've given up trying to persuade him.
Workplace
She set up the meeting for Monday.
Academic texts
The study looked into the long-term effects.
Informal writing
Can you look after this while I'm away?