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Phrasal Verbs

Elementary (A2)en
Common phrasal verbs (get up, turn on, look after, etc.)

 Phrasal Verbs

 
1. What Are Phrasal Verbs?
A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and one or two small words (prepositions or adverbs) that together have a special meaning. Often, the meaning is different from the original verb alone.

For example, look after does not mean “look + after,” but take care of.
 
Other examples:
  • Turn off → stop something from working (like a light or TV)
  • Get up → rise from bed


2. Types of Phrasal Verbs 
Phrasal verbs are verbs combined with one or two particles (prepositions or adverbs) that often change the meaning of the original verb. Understanding their types helps you use them correctly.  

2.1. Separable and Inseparable Phrasal Verbs 
A. Separable Phrasal Verbs 
  • Definition: These phrasal verbs can have an object placed between the verb and the particle.
  • Sentence structure:
    1. Verb + object + particle → Turn the TV off.
    2. Verb + particle + object → Turn off the TV.

Notes:
If the object is a pronoun (it, him, them, etc.), it must go between the verb and particle:
x Turn off it.
✓Turn it off.

Examples:
  • She turned off the lights before leaving.
  • Please pick up the phone when it rings.
  • He put the book down on the table.
  • I turned it off quickly. (pronoun example)

 
B. Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
  • Definition: These phrasal verbs cannot be separated; the object must always come after the particle.
  • Sentence structure:
    1. Verb + particle + object → Look after the dog.

Examples:
  • I look after my little brother every day.
  • She ran into an old friend at the market.
  • They came across a beautiful painting in the gallery.

Tip: You cannot put the object between the verb and particle:

 
2.2. Transitive and Intransitive Phrasal Verbs
A. Transitive Phrasal Verbs
  • Definition: These verbs require an object (something or someone to receive the action).
  • Sentence structure:
    1. Verb + particle + object → Pick up the book.

Examples:
  • She picked up the pen from the floor.
  • Please turn off the lights before you leave.
  • I gave up smoking last year.

Tip: Without an object, the sentence is incomplete.
x I picked up.
✓ I picked up the bag.

B. Intransitive Phrasal Verbs
  • Definition: These verbs do not need an object. The action is complete by itself.
  • Sentence structure:
    1. Verb + particle → I woke up early.

Examples:
  • I woke up at 7 a.m.
  • He ran out quickly.
  • She showed up late to the party.

Tip: Adding an object after these verbs is incorrect.
x I woke up the bed.
✓ I woke up at 7 a.m.


3. Tips for Learning Phrasal Verbs
  • Learn them in small groups (5–10 at a time).
  • Make example sentences for each phrasal verb.
  • Try to use them in your daily English when writing or speaking. 

 
4. Lists of Common Phrasal Verbs for A2 Learners 
4.1. Intransitive Phrasal Verbs (Always inseparable, no object needed) 
  • Wake up → I wake up at 6 a.m.
  • Show up → He showed up late.
  • Run out → We ran out of sugar.
  • Break down → The car broke down yesterday.
  • Come in → Please come in.


4.2. Transitive Separable Phrasal Verbs (Object can go between verb and particle)
  • Turn off → Turn off the TV. / Turn it off.
  • Pick up → Pick up the book. / Pick it up.
  • Put down → Put down the pen. / Put it down.
  • Take off → Take off your shoes. / Take them off.
  • Call back → Call back your friend. / Call him back.


4.3. Transitive Inseparable Phrasal Verbs (Object comes after particle, cannot separate)
  • Look after → Look after the baby.
  • Run into → I ran into my teacher yesterday.
  • Come across → She came across an old letter.
  • Deal with → He deals with customer complaints.
  • Get over → It took her a long time to get over the illness.

Practice Exercises

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Common phrasal verbs (get up, turn on, look after, etc.)

A2
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Related Vocabulary

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Common phrasal verbs (get up, turn on, look after, etc.)

A2

Common A2 Phrasal verbs

28 words
get up

verb

A2

To rise from a lying or sitting position; to wake up.

I usually get up at 7 a.m.

turn on

verb

A2

To activate or switch on a device or light.

Please turn on the lights before the meeting.

look after

verb

A2

To take care of someone or something

Can you look after my dog while I'm away?

take off

verb

A2

To remove something, especially clothing or accessories

Please take off your shoes before entering the house.

put on

verb

A2

To place something onto a surface or to wear something.

I will put on my jacket because it's cold outside.

sit down

phrase

A2

To take a seat or to lower oneself into a sitting position.

Please sit down and make yourself comfortable.

wake up

verb

A2

To stop sleeping and become awake.

I usually wake up at 7 AM.

find out

verb

A2

To discover information about something.

I need to find out where the meeting is.

look for

verb

A2

To search or try to find something

I need to look for my keys before I leave.

check out

verb

A2

To examine or inspect something

You should check out that new restaurant; it's very good.

come back

verb

A2

To return to a place or situation

Please come back home safely.

go out

verb

A2

To leave one's home to participate in social activities or events.

We decided to go out for dinner last night.

call back

verb

A2

To return a phone call to someone who has called you.

I will call you back later.

write down

verb

A2

To record information on paper or another surface.

Please write down your name on the form.

pick up

verb

A2

To lift or take something from a surface

Can you pick up that book from the floor?

turn off

verb

A2

To stop the operation of a device or system.

Please turn off the lights when you leave the room.

look forward

phrase

A2

To feel excited about something that will happen.

I look forward to seeing you at the party.

hang out

phrase

A2

To spend time relaxing or socializing with friends or others.

I like to hang out with my friends at the park.

run away

verb

A2

To leave a place or person suddenly and secretly, often to avoid a situation or responsibility.

She decided to run away from home because she was unhappy.

drop off

verb

A2

To take someone or something to a place and leave them there.

I will drop off the kids at school.

make up

verb

A2

To create or invent something, often a story or an excuse.

She likes to make up stories for her little brother.

look in

verb

A2

To briefly visit someone or something, usually to check or see how things are.

I will look in on my friend while I am in town.

break down

verb

A2

To stop functioning or to fail, often suddenly

My car broke down on the way to work.

fill out

verb

A2

To complete a form or document by providing the required information.

Please fill out this application form carefully.

turn up

verb

A2

To appear or arrive, especially unexpectedly

She turned up late to the party.

take care

phrase

A2

To look after someone or something; to be cautious.

Please take care of your little sister while I'm out.

take out

verb

A2

To remove something from a place or to obtain food from a restaurant.

I will take out the trash before dinner.

put away

verb

A2

To place something in a designated location for storage or safekeeping.

Please put away your toys after playing.

Created: January 1, 2026