Phrasal verbs

Phrasal verbs are very important in English - especially for native speakers of the language. it might not be important for them to be able to use a lot of phrasal verbs if you use English with other non-native speakers. However, it is important that you have a passive knowledge of phrasal verbs, as you will need to understand more and more phrasal verbs as you become used to reading, listening, seeing and exploring authentic materials in English. Obviously, if you are going to use your English with native speakers, you will really need to buckle down and get used to using and understanding phrasal verbs.

T..

1. turn down (1.separable): decrease the volume or refuse.
Ex: "Your music is giving me a headache! Please turn it down or use your headphones!"
2. throw up (usually no object; with an object, separable): vomit.
Ex: "Paul was so nervous about his job interview what the threw up just before he left for it."

G..

1. get around (2. no object ): move from place to place or avoid having to do something.
Ex: " She doesn't have a car. She gets around by bicycle, bus, or taxi. "
2. get over (1. no object ): finish. ( Note: for individual activities, not ones that happen again and again. ) or recover from an illness or painful experience.
Ex: " What time do your classes get over? "

M...

1. mix up (separable): cause to become confused.
Ex: " I didn't complete the assignment because I didn't know how. The directions mixed me up. "
2. make fun of (inseparable): make jokes about (usually unkindly).
Ex: " I agree that Bob looks ridiculous since he shaved his head, but don't make fun of him. You'll hurt his feelings. "

P...

1. pass out (1. no object): faint; lose consciousness or distribute.
Ex: " When Ella heard that she'd won a million dollars, she was shocked that she passed out. "
2. pull over (no object): drive a vehicle to the side of the rode.
Ex: " When the policeman indicated that I should pull over, I knew he was going to give me a ticket. "

B...

1. bring / take back (separable): return something.
Ex: " Yes, you can borrow my pen, don't forget to bring it back when your finished. "
Ex: " This book is due tomorrow. I guess I should take it back to the library. "
2. bring up (1. separable):mention ( as a topic discussion ) or rear, raise
Ex: " We planned to discuss overtime pay in the meeting. Why didn't someone bring that topic up?


Adventures Growing Up

I was brought up in a small town in the countryside. Growing up in the countryside offered lots of advantages for young people. The only problem was that we often got into trouble as we made up stories that we acted out around town. I can remember one particular adventure in particular: One day as we were coming back from treasure. My best friend Tom said that he made an enemy ship in the distance. We all ran for cover and picked up a number of rocks to use for to set off on our attack, we slowly went along the path until we were face to face wit our enemy - the postman's truck! The postman was dropping off a package at Mrs. Brown's house, so we go into his truck. At the point, we really didn't have any idea about what we were going do next. the radio was playing so we turned down the volume to discuss what we would do next. Jack was all for switching on the motor and getting away with a truck was too much for us to believe. We all broke out in nervous laughter at the thought of us driving down the road in this stolen Postal Truck. Luckily for us, we got out of that truck as quickly as we could and took off down the road.

There are at least 7 other phrasal verbs in the text. Can you find them?
Phrasal Verbs

> to make out
> to make off with
> to drop off
> to set off
> to get out of
> to get into
> to get ready
> to be up

> to take off
> to grow up
> to make up
> to set off
> to turn down
> to get into
> to bring up
> to break out

Some Sentences
1. I got up at seven this morning. After I had breakfast, I put together tonight's lesson plan and
came to school. I got into the bus at X square and got off at Y square.

2. Sharon will be late for work today. Her car broke down on the freeway.

3. We planed to discuss overtime pay in the meeting. Why didn't someone bring that topic up ?

4. That medicine really knocked me out. I slept for 14 hours straight !

5. Don't even think about buying a car there. They'll rip you off.

knock out = unconscious
bring up = mention, discuss