Mastering Phrasal Verbs with Prepositions
Phrasal verbs with prepositions are a key part of English communication, combining a verb with one or more prepositions to create new meanings. Understanding these phrases can be challenging, but they are essential for natural and fluent English. Let's break them down!
What are Phrasal Verbs with Prepositions?
A phrasal verb with a preposition consists of a main verb (e.g., look, put, get) and a preposition (e.g., up, out, into) that changes the original meaning of the verb.
- Look → Look up (search for information).
- Put → Put off (postpone).
- Get → Get into (become involved in).
Common Phrasal Verbs and Their Meanings
- 1. Look Up (To search for information):
- I need to look up the word in the dictionary.
- Can you look up the directions online? - 2. Put Off (To postpone or delay):
- We decided to put off the meeting until next week.
- Don’t put off studying for the exam. - 3. Get Into (To become involved in something):
- She got into trouble at school.
- How did you get into photography? - 4. Run Out Of (To have no more of something):
- We ran out of milk, so I need to go to the store.
- They ran out of time before finishing the project. - 5. Take Care Of (To look after or manage something or someone):
- I’ll take care of the children while you’re away.
- He took care of all the details for the event.
Why are they Important?
Phrasal verbs are used in casual and formal contexts, making them vital for everyday conversations, professional communication, and understanding idiomatic expressions in English.
Tips for Learning
- Group by Preposition: Organize phrases to notice patterns. (Up: Look up, pick up, bring up. Out: Run out of, figure out, drop out).
- Practice in Context: Use them in sentences to reinforce their meanings.
- Learn in Pairs: Study similar phrasal verbs together to remember them more effectively.
Time to Practice! ✍️
1. Match the Phrasal Verb:
Look up: a) Postpone, b) Search for information, c) Run out of something.
Put Off: a) Take care of, b) Delay, c) Get involved in.
2. Write Sentences: Write one original sentence for Run out of, Take care of, and Get into.
3. Conversation Practice: Use Look up, Put off, and Get into in a short dialogue.
🚀 A Quick Challenge
Write a paragraph about your daily routine using at least five phrasal verbs with prepositions.
Example: "I usually run out of time in the morning because I put off my tasks. However, I always take care of my responsibilities and try to look up solutions when needed."
By mastering phrasal verbs with prepositions, you’ll enhance your ability to communicate naturally and fluently. Keep practising!
