In English, phrasal verbs are the verbs joined to prepositions or adverbs which constitute additional meaning. They are difficult because the meaning of the phrasal verb cannot be derived from the meaning of the original verb. For non-native speakers of English, these can be a complex thing to get used to, however they account for a big part of colloquial English. Once you have mastered how these verbs function, your ability to speak English more fluidly and naturally will improve drastically.
At this point, let's examine a few standard phrases, which phrasal verbs are predominantly used in what practices.
1. Break Down
"Break" is a generalized concept of "make, cause" or "lead an action/event," and cannot stand alone in the phrase thanks to the preposition "down.". What happens when these two words are used together? The phrase "break down" is not just a technical term for a malfunctioning device. It can also pertain to individuals in contact with machines. To "break down" can mean losing control, wherein that control could be that of a device or even yourself.
The preposition "down" also leads the viewer to interpret how the meaning of the phrasal verb works. The term "down" then indicates a malfunctioning aspect: it is rather a failure that has to function and, together with the term, most likely is expected to do so. This is a perfect illustration of how a minor word can totally alter the emphasis of a verb.
2. Turn Up
In shifting loud parties, one hears the phrase, 'turn up' quite frequently. However, people may not realize that the meaning does not wholly relate to the speaker's direct intentions. In its most basic sense, "turn" indicates to change position in a 3D space. It sounds basic, right? But when one adds "up" to the word, the implications change for sure. Well, "turn up" is more than simply going up; it means a rise or emergence.
The word 'up' in English, more often than not, conveys the idea of growth or expectations. To some extent, a sacrifice is also made. Therefore, although the expected end result concerning time appears to be represented as surprising, these events are rather commonplace. The act of combining both parts physically combines their concepts into a sensation that is far more interesting than most of us picture.
3. Give In
"Give" as a verb describes let go of or offering. More often than not by one's command. However, this changes when you add "in;" it then becomes giving up the chase, allowing someone to win. The middle part of "give in" signifies an event when one is forced to surrender. This is not simply giving an object, however; it is more accurately defined as a fight of emotions.
The prefix "in'' makes the phrase more intimate, precisely demonstrating someone who wilfully accepts the fight in vain and the other antagonist wins.
4. Get Over
The verb 'get' by itself means to have, obtain, or achieve something. When used with the preposition 'over' it indicates a traversal of an obstruction or a situation. 'Get over' is more than just getting past a physical barrier, it is also getting past an emotional, mental or even a relational barrier.
To be 'over' something means you are no longer affected by it. Baring the fact that you are 'over' something only refers to one side of the figurative barrier in the metaphorical sense, getting over also indicates the act of leaving something behind, and thus getting over something the process of moving on from anything unpleasant or challenging.
5. Look After
The word 'look' usually signifies that of sight. When used with 'after', it denotes elements of responsibility and care. 'Look after' indicates not only observation but care for somebody or something.
The preposition 'after' displays involvement indicating that there is an active engagement that is going on, and it displays the action of maintenance or care for the relevant object of attention. It showcases responsibility, "after" emphasizes the duty one has, words such as look but in context where one is handed a responsibility that appears to be so simple in nature.
6. Put Off
It is widely accepted that 'put' refers to the action of placing something in a location. The same can not be said for putting something off. Because 'off' can change the entire meaning to imply putting something on hold. Formally, 'put off' is not about placement. It is about postponing something.
In this context, off is nothing but a deflection of the action from the current time. In this case, what is altered is not the attention, but the time or the priority, and it illustrates how simple word combinations can build phrasal verbs in the manipulation of time-related aspects.
7. Run Out Of
'Run' commonly means head or move at speed. However, there is no movement in 'run out of.' Here it simply means resource depletion. It is indicative that something is used up or finished.
Here, 'out of' indicates a state of things at the present moment, the absence of something that was available in the past. This phrasal verb denotes a sense of emptiness or an end of something, which expands the definition of run to include more than just physical exhaustion.
8. Take Over
There is the word 'take', which could be interpreted as to have or keep something in possession. When used with 'over', it carries the notion of assuming responsibility or control. To overpower or to take over is used in reference to taking over the administration's autonomy over tasks, an organization, a group, or another authority.
In this particular case, the usage of "over" shows a transfer of authority from one person to the other. The intransitive verb phrase encompasses action in the context of moving like "take," and leadership or control such as "over," both of which are pertinent to the context of organizational or business settings.
9. Bring Up
"Bring" by itself means to hold or transport something but the phrase "bring up" changes the context to mean the act of bringing forth something in a conversation. Here, the word "up" actually implies something more. This word connotes the intention to promote the subject for discussion.
There is again the imaginative usage of the word "up" as contributing to the elevation of the image being referred to so that it can be examined. In this way, it effuses some amount of depth and notch to the very idea which is being spoken about.
10. Call Off
"Call" can also be used in respect to the act of inviting or naming something. In the combining words "call off," this word assumes a different dimension, that is of stopping or cancellation. Essentially the phrase is used when there is a change of mind regarding the direction of certain plans.
The words "call off" inform us that they do not want to engage in whatever it is they had been planning to expect. The word "off" represents something that was intended or scheduled to occur but has been /will be removed and there will no longer be the activity or event.
11. Hold On
What do you want to say when you use the verb 'hold'? It means to seize or bear or even grip an object in your hands but when used with the word 'on', often denotes the adrenaline filled expectation or a requirement to stick to one place. If someone tells you to persevere, it indicates that one should endure, especially in hardship.
"On" as a preposition in this instance indicates direction and support in action which further strengthens the concept of the urge to endure in time. The meaning of the phrase "hold" in this case goes beyond holding an object, rather it means keeping the object in mind and not giving in.
12. Set Up
When someone uses the word 'set', it implies to place an object in a specific order, but 'set up' compounds this and takes it further by showing the focus of work in coordination and planner of a complex event. It has the implication of some initiation of activity or risk of creation.
In this instance, 'up' goes beyond motion as one would understand, and focuses on creation and suggests that something has been brought to existence. It signifies an acknowledgment of achieving the positions such as entire components of event, object or framework.
Learning phrasal verbs isn't as simple as learning what each of them means. It includes learning how a single new word, a preposition or an adverb, can change and expand the meaning of the verb completely. Every phrasal verb has its own flavor and makes English even more intricate so mastering them could extremely enhance your fluency. If you concentrate on the new meanings given by the word combinations, you will understand their usage better in oral communication.
