How to form Phrasal verbs in English

Phrasal verbs are a basic English knowledge in both conversational English and exams. Let's explore together the concept, formation formula, and some practice exercises on phrasal verbs in English!

I. What are verbs?

Verbs in English are words or phrases used to express an action or a state of the subject, and have the function of conveying the key information. For example: 

• I go to work from Monday to Friday. 

• My mother is beautiful. 

II. What are Phrasal verbs?

English phrasal verbs consist of a main verb combined with one or more additional elements such as: Prepositions, Adverbs, or Objects to create a new meaning different from the original meaning of the main verb. Here are some phrasal verbs examples: 

III. Formulas for forming Phrasal verbs in English

How Phrasal verbs formed? Let’s take a look at the table below

1. Verb + Adverb/Preposition

Phrasal verbs are formed from a verb and an adverb or preposition. For example:

2. Verb + Adverb + Object

In this form, the phrasal verb is formed from the main verb, an adverb, and an object. Note: With this formula, the verb and adverb can be separated. For example:

• Our leader wants to put off the meeting for another day. = Our leader wants to put the meeting off for another day. 

• Because of the heavy rain, the soccer match has to put off till tomorrow. 

3. Verb + Preposition + Object

Phrasal verbs include the main verb, a preposition, and an object, where the preposition cannot be separated from the verb. The object will always be placed after the preposition. For example:

• Jonathan takes after his father.➞ ĐÚNG

• Jonathan takes his father after. ➞ SAI

4. Verb + Adverb + Preposition + Object

In this case, the phrasal verb includes the verb + adverb + preposition + object. In a sentence, the adverb and preposition cannot be separated from the verb and they cannot switch positions with each other. For example:

• I can’t put up with Xavia’s behavior. 

• I need to come up with a title for my blog. 

IV. Phrasal verbs list

The list of common phrasal verbs includes:

V. Phrasal verbs exercises

To better understand phrasal verbs, let's complete the exercises below:

1. Exercise

Exercise 1: Fill in the correct phrasal verbs in the sentences.

1. If you don't know the meaning of a word, you can _______ in the dictionary.

2. The plane will _______ at 8:00 AM.

3. After several attempts, she decided to _______ trying to fix the old car.

4. I can't _______ his rudeness anymore.

5. I _______ an old friend at the supermarket yesterday.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

1. My car _______ on the way to work this morning.

   1. Broke down

   2. Broke up

   3. Broke into

2. They _______ a new company to sell their products online.

   1. Set down

   2. Set up

   3. Set off

3. He _______ the job offer because it didn't meet his salary expectations.

   1. Turn up

   2. Turn into

   3. Turn down

4. She _______ that she had passed the exam with excellent grades.

   1. Found out

   2. Found in

   3. Found up

5. Despite the difficulties, they decided to _______ with their project.

   1. Carry out

   2. Carry on

   3. Carry up

2. Answer

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