Phrasal verbs are an essential part of the English language and are commonly used in everyday conversation. These verbs are formed by combining a base verb with one or more particles to create a new meaning. The challenge with phrasal verbs is that their meaning can be difficult to understand, especially for non-native English speakers. However, mastering these commonly used phrasal verbs can greatly improve your ability to communicate effectively in English. In this blog post, we will explore some of the most frequently used phrasal verbs in English, their meanings, and how to use them in context. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced English learner, this post will provide you with the tools you need to improve your language skills and better understand the nuances of phrasal verbs in English.
Run into:
This phrasal verb means to unexpectedly meet someone, or to come across something by chance.
For example, “I ran into my old friend from college at the grocery store yesterday.”
Bump into:
This phrasal verb is similar in meaning to “run into”, and also means to meet someone unexpectedly or by chance. However, “bump into” often implies physical contact or collision, as in “I wasn’t looking where I was going and accidentally bumped into someone on the street.”
Go on:
This phrasal verb has a few different meanings depending on the context. It can mean to continue doing something, as in “I can’t go on working this late every night.” It can also mean to happen or take place, as in “What’s going on in the news today?” Finally, it can be used as a command to encourage someone to start or continue speaking, as in “Go on, tell me more about your trip.”
Ramble on:
This phrasal verb means to talk at length or in a wandering, unfocused manner. It often implies that the speaker is going off topic or not getting to the point, as in “She started rambling on about her childhood memories and I couldn’t figure out how it related to the topic at hand.”
Put up with:
This phrasal verb means to tolerate or endure something unpleasant or difficult, often reluctantly. For example, “I don’t know how she puts up with her noisy neighbors every night.”
Get over:
This phrasal verb means to recover from something difficult or unpleasant, such as an illness, a breakup, or a setback. For example, “It took me a long time to get over my fear of public speaking.”
Set up:
This phrasal verb has a few different meanings depending on the context. It can mean to arrange or organize something, as in “I need to set up a meeting with my boss.” It can also mean to establish or create something, as in “She set up her own business last year.” Finally, it can mean to trick or deceive someone, as in “I think he set me up to take the blame for the mistake.”
Fill in:
This phrasal verb means to provide information or details that are missing or incomplete, or to temporarily take over someone’s job or responsibilities. For example, “Can you fill in the missing dates on this form?” or “I’ll be out of the office next week, can you fill in for me?”
Break down:
This phrasal verb means to stop working or functioning properly, or to lose control of one’s emotions. For example, “My car broke down on the highway and I had to call for a tow truck.” or “She broke down in tears when she heard the news.”
Come across:
This phrasal verb means to find or discover something by chance, or to make an impression on someone. For example, “I came across an old photo album while cleaning out my attic.” or “He came across as very confident and knowledgeable in the job interview.”
