Phrasal verb facts for kids
A phrasal verb is a special kind of English verb. It's made up of two or sometimes three words. You take a verb and add a preposition (like on, in, or under) or an adverb (like up, down, or away).
Sometimes, the meaning of a phrasal verb is completely different from the words it's made of! For example, "look up" doesn't mean to physically look upwards. Some books call these verbs multi-word verbs. People use phrasal verbs a lot in everyday talk, more than in very formal writing or speaking.
Here are some examples to help you understand:
- Maria didn't know the word, so she looked it up in the dictionary. (This means she found the word's meaning.)
- Oh no, we've run out of milk! I'll have to buy some more. (This means they have no milk left.)
- Farmers have to get up early in the morning. (This means they have to wake up and leave their bed.)
- The rocket took off with a loud roar. (This means the rocket left the ground and started flying.)
Often, other languages have just one word for what English expresses with a phrasal verb. For example, in Spanish, to get up can be levantarse. In French, it's se lever.
Many students learning English might feel worried when they hear about "phrasal verbs." But don't worry! Phrasal verbs are just like any other vocabulary words you learn. They are not a secret grammatical rule. In fact, many native speakers of English use phrasal verbs all the time without even knowing the term "phrasal verb"!
Discovering Types of Phrasal Verbs
There are four main types of phrasal verbs. Knowing these types can help you use them correctly.
- Phrasal verbs that take objects and can be separated: These verbs need an object (something or someone the action happens to). You can often put the object between the verb and the other word.
- Phrasal verbs that take objects but cannot be separated: These also need an object, but you must keep the verb and its partner word together. You cannot put the object in the middle.
- Phrasal verbs that do not take objects: These verbs don't need an object. They are always inseparable.
- Three-word phrasal verbs: These verbs are made of three words instead of two. They usually include a verb, an adverb, and a preposition.
Some textbooks might use words like "split" or "splittable" instead of "separate" or "separable."
Here's a helpful tip if you are not sure about a phrasal verb: If you don't know if a phrasal verb can be separated or not, always use a noun or a noun phrase as the object. Do not try to put the object in the middle of the verb.
See also
In Spanish: Verbo preposicional (inglés) para niños
