There are hundreds of phrasal verbs in English. Phrasal verbs are often difficult to learn because they are idiomatic. This means that they cannot be translated literally – “look up” does not literally mean to look up to the sky. Also, phrasal verbs can look very similar, but have completely different definitions – “put on”, “put away”, “put down”, etc. all have different meanings. But! Phrasal verbs like “fill out” and “fill in” mean the same thing.
If you would like to learn 100 common phrasal verbs, you can watch my YouTube lesson here:
VIDEO LESSON 100 PHRASAL VERBS
Here are 10 tips to help make them learn easier.
#1 Organize your phrasal verbs
Make your notes clear.
Write your phrasal verb with its definition and at least two example sentences.
Highlight the phrasal verb.
Create a specific place in your notebook/phone/app for phrasal verbs.
#2 Print off the list of the 100 Phrasal Verbs my from video lesson
If you can physically check off each phrasal verb you learn and write example sentences for, you might feel a greater sense of achievement. Scroll down to the bottom of this blog to find a list of the 100 phrasal verbs.
Use TIP #1 to help you organize your notes.
#3 Include these four words in your notes:
1) transitive: a phrasal verb needs an object
I looked up a new word in the dictionary to help me with my homework.
2) intransitive: a phrasal verb does not need an object
Taking deep breaths helps me to calm down.
3) separable: you can separate the phrasal verb
I looked a new word up in the dictionary to help me with my homework.
4) inseparable: you cannot separate the phrasal verb
My neighbor always uses my trash can for her garbage. I only put up with it because my neighbor is in her 80s.
I only put it up with because …
A good dictionary will tell you if a phrasal verb is transitive or intransitive.
#4 Write personal example sentences
Your example sentences should be ✅personal and ✅have context.
X: You can scroll down a computer screen.
This sentence is not personal and there is no context. This sentence doesn’t give you information about the phrasal verb.
I can replace “scroll down” with lots of other verbs: look at, touch, clean, etc.
✅If I scroll down my screen too quickly, I start to feel dizzy.
This is your personal experience. This sentence gives you information about the phrasal verb. You can’t replace “scroll down” with many other verbs.
X: People should work out every day.
This sentence is not personal. This sentence doesn’t give you information about the phrasal verb. I can easily replace “work out” with other verbs: eat, drink, work, pray, shower, etc.
✅ I should work out at the gym more often because I want to lose weight.
This is your personal experience. You give context because you include the gym and losing weight. You cannot replace “work out” with other verbs: eat, drink, work, pray, shower, etc.
#5 Use images
Many of us are visual learners. Take pictures of actions or objects that represent the phrasal verb.
Edit the images on your phone and save them in a special gallery.
#6 Group phrasal verbs into one sentence or situation
Having more than one phrasal verb in a sentence can be helpful because one phrasal verb can help clarify the other phrasal verbs.
I bumped into Kelly at the mall yesterday and was so happy to catch up with her.
My two phrasal verbs here remind me of the entire situation. “Bump into” helps me remember “catch up with” and vice versa.
Personalization is so important. When you make example sentences connected to your own emotions and experiences, they become easier and more enjoyable to learn.
This can be for anything.
Imagine you had to remember this number: 199527
X: You don’t want to memorize it like this: 199,527 = one hundred and ninety-nine thousand, five hundred and twenty-seven
✅You want to do this: I was born in 1995 plus 27.
Much easier.
#7 Try to learn fewer phrasal verbs at one time
Everyone loves lists. Lists are great for organizing information, but not so good at helping you remember information.
Choose a couple of phrasal verbs to learn every day. After a few weeks, you’ll notice that learning two phrasal verbs a day is challenging enough.
Remember tips 1=6!
#8 Work with a study buddy
Studying together can be more enjoyable than studying by yourself.
You and a friend can test each other on phrasal verbs.
Example:
Kim: Complete this sentence: Everyone else is going on the ski trip and I’m disappointed that I’m going to miss ____.
You: Up?
Kim: Try again.
You: Out?
Kim: Yes!
#9 Surround yourself with English
Not everyone has the opportunity to practice English regularly in real-life situations. But, you can still expose yourself to English.
Ideas:
Watch something in English twice a week. Short episodes are OK too. Subtitles in your own language are fine if you need them.
Listen to a podcast while cleaning, driving, or during a break.
Follow English teaching pages on Instagram, Facebook or YouTube. The more English you see in your feed, the better.
Respond to questions or comments on the English teaching pages. Teachers love to see engagement!
#10 Don’t give up
Lastly, you need to be consistent. Find a study pattern that works for you. If you feel overwhelmed, take a break and get back to it. Always remember tips 1-10 and you’ll be a phrasal verb pro in no time.
Thank you very much for reading!
Don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel, Instagram and Facebook!
See you next time!
100 PHRASAL VERBS
All of the definitions and examples can be found in my YouTube lesson.
- Freak out
- Creep out
- wake up
- get up
- turn on
- turn off
- stress out
- come up with
- bring up
- stand out
- look up
- figure out
- run out of
- pop into
- pick up
- drop off
- Throw away
- Cut back on
- put up with
- bear with
- calm down
- get back to
- look forward to
- catch up on
- fill out
- get along
- turn up
- turn down
- get rid of
- go over
- hand in
- sleep in
- Work out
- Meet up
- Scroll down
- Scroll up
- Zoom in
- Zoom out
- Check off
- Write down
- Jot down
- Cross out
- Rip up
- End up
- Work toward
- Check in
- Check out
- Juggle around
- Miss out
- Go ahead
- Give away
- Give up
- Hang out
- Storm out
- Move in
- Move out
- Talk into
- Talk out of
- Sneak out
- Sneak in
- Stock up on
- Take out
- Put back
- Pig out
- Show up
- Spit out
- Throw up
- Run into
- Bump into
- Make up
- Put on
- Take off
- Dress up
- Dress down
- Hang out
- Hang up
- Pick out
- Try on
- Wear in
- Button up
- Zip up
- Do up
- Bundle up
- Fall apart
- Pull out of
- Run over
- Pull into
- put down
- pay off
- chip in
- pay back
- Save up
- Dip into
- squirrel away
- rip off
- cough up
- scrape by
- get by
- come into
- Squander away
