Welcome to our lesson on phrasal verbs! A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb plus an adverb or preposition that creates a new meaning. For example, look up means to search for information, which is quite different from just looking upward. These combinations are often idiomatic, meaning you cannot guess their meaning from the individual words.
There are three main types of phrasal verbs. First, verb plus adverb combinations like sit down or turn off. Second, verb plus preposition combinations such as look after or believe in. Third, three-part phrasal verbs with verb plus adverb plus preposition, like get along with or look forward to. Each type follows different grammatical rules.
Phrasal verbs can be separable or inseparable. Separable phrasal verbs allow the object to go either after the particle or between the verb and particle. For example, you can say turn off the light or turn the light off. However, with pronouns, you must separate them: turn it off, not turn off it. Inseparable phrasal verbs require the object to always come after the particle, like look after the children.
Let's see some common phrasal verbs in context. Get up means to wake up and rise from bed, as in I get up at seven AM every day. Run into means to meet someone unexpectedly, like I ran into my old friend yesterday. Give up means to stop trying or quit, as in don't give up on your dreams. Take off can mean to remove clothing or for something to depart, like the plane will take off soon.
To summarize what we have learned about phrasal verbs: They are combinations of verbs with particles that create new meanings. There are three main types based on their structure. Some allow object separation while others do not. The best way to master them is through context and gradual practice, starting with the most common ones first.