Dont fear the phrasals, three important tips

Dan
Hi guys! Dan for BBC Learning English here. This time we’re going to take a look at a very tricky area that many students find difficult: it’s phrasal verbs. But you don’t need to worry, we’re going to do the whole thing in 90 seconds, and everything’s going to be OK! Are you ready to kick off? Here we go.

So, phrasal verbs are a verb which is followed by a preposition. Prepositions are words like on, about or around. There can be one or two prepositions. But what’s difficult to understand about phrasal verbs is that the meaning of the phrasal verb when combined can be different from the meanings of the individual words. For example: turn up. I turned up, means, I arrived.

Now, when studying phrasal verbs it’s very important to remember three things.

First of all: transitive or intransitive?

An intransitive verb is one which does not require a direct object. Phrasal verbs can be intransitive, for example: I got up at 6. He really stands out. My car broke down. No problem.

Number 2: the object.

If a verb is transitive, it requires a direct object and many phrasal verbs are also transitive. But, some phrasal verbs are also separable. This means you can separate the verb and the preposition and put the object in between. Consider the following:

Please switch the TV off.

Please switch off the TV.

Both of these are correct. But, if we use the object which is a pronoun, for example ‘it’, then it must occupy the middle position.

Please switch it off.

Finally, context is so important when it comes to phrasal verbs. The same phrasal verbs in different contexts may have different meanings. For example… BEEP… Excuse me.

For example:

The plane took off.

I’m really tired. I need to take some time off. That means have a holiday.

I need to take off. It’s time. I’ve got to go.

And finally, Shall I take off my shirt?

Alright? Did you get it? Good. Now, for more information guys, you can log on to our website at bbclearningenglish.com for a full transcript, extra exercises and a full explanation of everything I’ve just said. I’ve been Dan, you’ve been great. I’m actually going to take off this time.