English Phrasal Verbs In Use May 2026

A phrasal verb consists of a base verb combined with a particle—either an adverb, a preposition, or both. The resulting combination often creates a new meaning that cannot be easily deduced from the individual parts.

: Describes a literal physical action. For instance, "He looked up and saw a balloon". English Phrasal Verbs in Use

Phrasal verbs are generally more common in informal or neutral speech, while single-word equivalents are preferred in formal academic or business contexts. : Put off (e.g., a meeting). Formal : Postpone . Informal : Look into . Formal : Investigate . 5. Common High-Frequency Examples English Phrasal Verbs in Use Advanced PDF - Scribd A phrasal verb consists of a base verb

: The object must follow the particle. Example: "Can you look after the dog ?". 4. Register and Formal Synonyms For instance, "He looked up and saw a balloon"

: The object can go between the verb and particle. Example: "I'll ring you back ".

: The verb and particle cannot be separated. Example: "We decided to eat out ". Transitive (With object) :