Phrasal Verbs

  

A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and preposition, a verb and an adverb, or a verb with both an adverb and a preposition. A phrasal verb has a meaning which is different from the original verb. That's what makes them confusing. A few Phrasal Verbs are mentioned here for your understanding and usage.

1. Go on – continue; stop saying those things; not so; I don’t believe you. (Also literal).

I wish class would finish, but my professor’s lecture just keeps going on and on and on!

Jenny: I saw Seung-min steal 40,000 won! Tim: Go on! I’ve known Seung-min for 5  years and I know he wouldn’t do such a thing.

2. Carry out – to perform a task; to perform an assignment. (Also literal.)

The next step involves staff learning complex commands to tell the machine to carry out a sequence of tasks.

 Grandma, let me help you carry out the boxes to the car.

3. Set up – to establish someone as something; to help establish; to provide something  for someone to start up something

After the dictator lost control of the country a new government needed to be set up.

My father gave me some money to help me start up my new business.

4. Pick up – to clean; to learn/obtain; to get busy; to go faster

The truck picked up momentum as it rolled down the mountain.

I picked up the toys from the floor and returned them to the toy box.

It took me 3 months to learn to play that song, but my brother picked it up in 2 days!

5. Go back – to return to one’s origin/previous location; to break a promise

He was an artist and his only dream was one day to go back home and paint.

I'd rather die than go back out the way I was.

My friend really hurt my feelings when he went back on his promise and told everyone my  secret.

6. Come back –to (have) return(ed) to one’s origin/previous location; to retort; a return success

I'll wait until you come back, and then we can do it together.

Whenever someone says something rude to me I can never come back with a good comeback.

7. Go out – to try out for something (usually sports); to go out of fashion; to go out with someone for entertainment; to date someone. (Also literal.)

When couples start dating they usually go out on the town and have dinner, watch a movie, or other such activities.

When I was in 10th grade I wanted to play for the school soccer team so I went out for it and made the team.

I hated the mullet hair style. I am so glad that it has gone out of fashion!

8. Point out – to select or indicate someone or something (from a group).

Most of these rules, I should point out, were created to protect you.

The victim pointed out the criminal from a police lineup.

9. Find out - discover; learn of; to discover facts about someone or something; to learn a fact

She will find out whether or not Geoffrey has accepted her as a student.

One of the best ways to learn is to find out how other people do things.

10. Come up – to happen unexpectedly. (Also literal.)

I planned on visiting you last night, but something came up and I was unable to visit.

When snorkeling I can only stay underwater for 1 minute and then I must come up for air.