Phrasal verbs
A phrasal verb is a verb combined with one or two particles (a preposition, an adverb, or both) that together create a meaning different from the original verb. For example, "give up" means "to stop trying", not simply "give" plus "up". Phrasal verbs are common in spoken and informal written English.
Types of phrasal verbs
Intransitive phrasal verbs
These do not take a direct object; the meaning is complete without one.
e.g. The plane took off., She grew up in Spain.
Transitive separable phrasal verbs
These take an object, and the object can go between the verb and particle or after it.
e.g. Turn the light off. / Turn off the light., She picked her keys up. / She picked up her keys.
Transitive inseparable phrasal verbs
These take an object, but the object must stay after the particle and cannot separate the verb and particle.
e.g. I ran into an old friend., They looked after the children.
Three-word (multi-word) phrasal verbs
These consist of a verb plus two particles, and the object always comes after both particles.
e.g. I'm looking forward to the trip., We ran out of milk.
Rules to remember
- A phrasal verb's meaning is often idiomatic, so it cannot always be guessed from the individual words.
- With separable transitive phrasal verbs, a pronoun object must go between the verb and particle, not after it (e.g. 'turn it off', not 'turn off it').
- With inseparable transitive phrasal verbs, the object always follows the particle and cannot be placed between the verb and particle.
- Three-word phrasal verbs are always inseparable; the object comes after both particles.
- Many phrasal verbs have a more formal single-word equivalent (e.g. 'postpone' for 'put off'), which is useful for adjusting register.
Examples in sentences
| Example | How it works |
|---|---|
| Could you turn down the music, please? | Separable transitive phrasal verb with the object placed after the particle. |
| Could you turn it down, please? | Pronoun object must go between the verb and particle. |
| I ran into my old teacher at the shop. | Inseparable transitive phrasal verb; the object follows the particle. |
| The meeting was called off at the last minute. | Separable phrasal verb used in the passive voice. |
| She looks up to her older sister. | Three-word phrasal verb; object comes after both particles. |
| The plane took off right on time. | Intransitive phrasal verb with no object needed. |
| He gave up smoking last year. | Transitive phrasal verb followed by a gerund object. |
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Turn off it.
Correct: Turn it off.
Incorrect: I look forward the meeting.
Correct: I look forward to the meeting.
Incorrect: They looked the children after.
Correct: They looked after the children.
Why this matters for IELTS
Using phrasal verbs naturally and accurately can raise your Grammatical Range and Accuracy score in IELTS Speaking and Writing, since examiners look for a mix of structures beyond simple verbs. However, in Writing Task 2, balance them with more formal single-word equivalents (e.g. 'investigate' instead of 'look into') to match academic register, while still showing flexibility by using them correctly in Speaking.
Frequently asked questions
What is a phrasal verb?
A phrasal verb is a verb combined with a particle (or two) that creates a meaning different from the individual words, such as 'give up' meaning 'to stop trying'.
How do I know if a phrasal verb is separable or inseparable?
There is no single rule; it depends on the specific verb. Learners usually need to check a dictionary or learn common phrasal verbs individually, since separability is not predictable from grammar alone.
Are phrasal verbs used in formal writing?
They are more common in spoken and informal English. In formal or academic writing, it is often better to use a single-word equivalent, such as 'discover' instead of 'find out'.
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