A phrasal verb is a verb plus a small word like up, out, off or into. Together they often mean something new: figure out means understand, and run into means meet by chance. Americans use them constantly in everyday speech, so they're worth learning as whole phrases.
The pattern
I'll pick up the package. I'll pick the package up.
I'll pick it up.
I ran into Carlos at the gym.
01Verb + small word = new meaning
Learn each phrasal verb as one unit with its own meaning. Many have more than one meaning, so notice the context: pick up can mean collect someone, lift something, or answer the phone.
| Phrasal verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| pick up | collect, get | I'll pick you up at six. |
| drop off | take somewhere and leave | Can you drop off my laptop? |
| figure out | understand, solve | I can't figure out this bill. |
| fill out | complete (a form) | Please fill out this form. |
| set up | arrange, install | Let's set up a call. |
| put off | postpone | Don't put off your taxes. |
| turn down | say no to; make quieter | She turned down the job. |
| check out | look at; leave a hotel; borrow | Check out this video! |
02Separable: pick it up
With most phrasal verbs that take an object, a noun can go after the particle or in the middle: pick up the kids, pick the kids up. But a pronoun (it, them, him, her, me, us, you) must go in the middle. Never say pick up it.
- Can you turn the music down? Can you turn it down?
- I filled out the application. I filled it out last night.
- We put off the trip. We put it off until spring.
03Inseparable: run into her
Some phrasal verbs never split. The object always comes after the whole phrase, even when it's a pronoun: run into, look for, look after.
Look after means take care of. Americans understand it, but in everyday speech they more often say take care of or watch: can you watch my dog this weekend?
- I ran into my old boss at Target.
- I'm looking for my keys. Have you seen them?
- My neighbor looks after my cat when I travel.
04No object at all
Some phrasal verbs don't take an object: show up (arrive, often late or unexpected), work out (exercise), give up (stop trying). Some verbs have both uses: things work out means they end well, and you can give up sugar.
American note: Americans fill out a form. Fill in is more British.
- Only three people showed up to the meeting.
- I work out before work.
- Don't give up. You're almost there.
- Don't worry, it'll all work out.
05Common mistakes
Can you pick up me at six?
Can you pick me up at six?
A pronoun goes between the verb and the particle.
They offered her the job, but she turned down it.
They offered her the job, but she turned it down.
With separable verbs, it goes in the middle.
I ran my cousin into at the mall.
I ran into my cousin at the mall.
Run into never splits. The object goes after into.
I'm looking it for.
I'm looking for it.
Look for never splits, so the pronoun goes after for.