Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb with one or two particles (prepositions or adverbs) that create a new meaning different from the original verb. They are commonly used in everyday English and can be challenging for learners due to their idiomatic nature.

Structure

• Verb + Preposition: The particle following the verb is a preposition.
  • Example: "look after" (to take care of)
• Verb + Adverb: The particle following the verb is an adverb.
  • Example: "give up" (to stop trying)
• Verb + Adverb + Preposition: A combination of both an adverb and a preposition.
  • Example: "look forward to" (to anticipate with pleasure)

Types of Phrasal Verbs

• Transitive Phrasal Verbs: These verbs require an object to complete their meaning.
  • Example: "She looked up the word in the dictionary."
• Intransitive Phrasal Verbs: These verbs do not require an object.
  • Example: "He gave up."

Meaning Categories

• Literal Meaning: The meaning of the phrasal verb can be deduced from the individual words.
  • Example: "She sat down on the chair." (She moved to a sitting position.)
• Idiomatic Meaning: The meaning of the phrasal verb cannot be deduced from the individual words.
  • Example: "He gave up smoking." (He stopped smoking.)

Common Phrasal Verbs and Their Meanings

• Bring up: To raise a topic; to care for a child until adulthood.
  • Example: "She brought up an interesting point during the meeting."
  • Example: "They brought up their children to be polite."
• Call off: To cancel.
  • Example: "They called off the event due to bad weather."
• Carry on: To continue.
  • Example: "Despite the interruptions, he carried on with his work."
• Come across: To find by chance.
  • Example: "I came across an old friend while shopping."
• Find out: To discover.
  • Example: "He found out the truth about the incident."
• Get along: To have a good relationship.
  • Example: "The siblings get along very well."
• Give up: To stop trying or quit a habit.
  • Example: "She gave up smoking last year."
• Look after: To take care of.
  • Example: "She looks after her younger brother."
• Look forward to: To anticipate with pleasure.
  • Example: "I look forward to our next meeting."
• Put off: To postpone.
  • Example: "They put off the meeting until next week."
• Run out of: To have no more of something.
  • Example: "We've run out of milk."
• Take off: To remove (clothing); to ascend (an airplane).
  • Example: "Please take off your shoes before entering."
  • Example: "The plane took off at 7 PM."
• Turn down: To reject.
  • Example: "She turned down the job offer."

Teaching Tips

• Contextual Learning: Teach phrasal verbs in the context of sentences and stories.
  • Example: "He ran out of time during the exam" (illustrating the idiomatic use).
• Practice Exercises: Use fill-in-the-blank exercises, matching exercises, and sentence creation.
  • Fill-in-the-blank: "She decided to _____ up her smoking habit." (Answer: give up)
• Visual Aids: Use images or acting out to illustrate meanings.
  • Show a picture of someone "taking off" their shoes.
• Grouping by Theme: Group phrasal verbs by common themes (e.g., travel, emotions).
  • Travel: "set off," "take off," "check in"
• Games and Activities: Use games like charades, flashcards, and bingo to make learning fun.
  • Charades: Act out "give up" (pretending to quit something).

Examples in Sentences

• Bring up:
  • "She brought up an interesting point during the meeting."
  • "They brought up their children to be respectful."
• Call off:
  • "They called off the concert due to the storm."
• Carry on:
  • "Despite the interruptions, he carried on with his presentation."
• Come across:
  • "I came across an old photograph in the attic."