Understanding Phrasal Verbs 🚀

Phrasal verbs are essential in English and consist of a verb + particle (preposition or adverb). Their meaning often differs from the original verb.

Types of Phrasal Verbs 📚

Type	Structure	Definition	Example	Spanish
Intransitive	Verb + Particle	Does not require an object.	(quotes)She woke up early.(quotes)	Ella se despertó temprano.
Transitive (Separable)	Verb + Object + Particle	The particle can be separated from the verb.	(quotes)She put the book down.(quotes)	Ella dejó el libro.
Transitive (Inseparable)	Verb + Particle + Object	The particle must stay with the verb.	(quotes)He ran into an old friend.(quotes)	Se encontró con un viejo amigo.
Three-word Phrasal Verbs	Verb + Particle + Preposition	Requires both a particle and a preposition.	(quotes)I look forward to the holidays.(quotes)	Espero con ansias las vacaciones.

Common Phrasal Verbs 🏆

Phrasal Verb	Definitions	Example	Spanish
Break down	t To stop functioning (a machine, vehicle, etc.). t To lose control emotionally. t To separate into smaller parts.	t (quotes)My car broke down on the way home.(quotes) t (quotes)She broke down in tears after the news.(quotes) t (quotes)The teacher broke down the lesson into simple steps.(quotes)	Averiarse / Derrumbarse emocionalmente / Descomponer
Bring up	t To mention a topic in conversation. t To raise a child.	t (quotes)She brought up an interesting point during the meeting.(quotes) t (quotes)He was brought up by his grandparents.(quotes)	Mencionar / Criar
Call off	t To cancel an event or meeting. t To stop an activity that was planned.	t (quotes)They called off the wedding due to bad weather.(quotes) t (quotes)The police called off the search after two weeks.(quotes)	Cancelar / Suspender
Get over	t To recover from an illness or difficulty. t To move past an emotional event.	t (quotes)He got over the flu in just a few days.(quotes) t (quotes)It took her years to get over her breakup.(quotes)	Superar / Recuperarse
Look into	t To investigate a matter or situation.	(quotes)The police are looking into the case.(quotes)	Investigar
Put off	t To postpone something to a later time. t To discourage or repel someone.	t (quotes)They put off the meeting until next month.(quotes) t (quotes)The smell of the food really put me off eating.(quotes)	Posponer / Disuadir
Run out of	t To exhaust a supply of something.	(quotes)We ran out of sugar.(quotes)	Quedarse sin
Take after	t To resemble a family member. t To inherit behavior or characteristics.	t (quotes)She really takes after her mother in personality.(quotes) t (quotes)He takes after his father in his musical talent.(quotes)	Parecerse a
Tu down	t To reject an offer or invitation. t To reduce the volume or intensity.	t (quotes)She tu ed down the job offer.(quotes) t (quotes)Please tu down the music, it's too loud.(quotes)	Rechazar / Bajar el volumen
Work out	t To do physical exercise. t To find a solution to a problem. t To develop successfully.	t (quotes)He works out at the gym every mo ing.(quotes) t (quotes)We need to work out a plan to solve this issue.(quotes) t (quotes)Everything worked out in the end.(quotes)	Hacer ejercicio / Resolver / Funcionar
Give up	t To quit an activity or habit. t To stop trying.	t (quotes)He gave up smoking last year.(quotes) t (quotes)Don't give up, you're almost there!(quotes)	Rendirse / Dejar de hacer algo
Look up	t To search for information. t To improve (situation).	t (quotes)I looked up the word in the dictionary.(quotes) t (quotes)Things are finally looking up for him.(quotes)	Buscar / Mejorar
Pick up	t To collect someone or something. t To lea something new. t To improve (business, economy).	t (quotes)I'll pick up the kids from school.(quotes) t (quotes)She picked up French while living in Paris.(quotes) t (quotes)Sales picked up after the promotion.(quotes)	Recoger / Aprender / Mejorar
Catch up	t To reach the same level as others. t To talk with someone after a long time.	t (quotes)He caught up with his classmates.(quotes) t (quotes)Let's catch up over coffee next week!(quotes)	Alcanzar / Ponerse al día
Hold on	t To wait for a short period. t To grasp something firmly.	t (quotes)Please hold on a moment.(quotes) t (quotes)Hold on tight to the railing!(quotes)	Esperar / Agarrarse
Put on	t To wear clothing. t To gain weight. t To perform or organize an event.	t (quotes)He put on his jacket.(quotes) t (quotes)I've put on a few kilos lately.(quotes) t (quotes)They put on an amazing concert!(quotes)	Ponerse / Aumentar de peso / Organizar
Tu up	t To increase volume or intensity. t To appear unexpectedly.	t (quotes)Can you tu up the music?(quotes) t (quotes)She just tu ed up at the party uninvited.(quotes)	Subir el volumen / Aparecer
Set up	t To arrange or establish something. t To prepare equipment or a system.	t (quotes)They set up a new business.(quotes) t (quotes)We need to set up the projector before the meeting.(quotes)	Organizar / Configurar
Find out	t To discover new information. t To lea the truth about something.	t (quotes)She found out the truth.(quotes) t (quotes)I just found out that they are getting married.(quotes)	Descubrir / Averiguar

Positive, Negative, and Questions 🔄

Structure	Example	Spanish
Positive	(quotes)She tu ed down the job offer.(quotes)	Ella rechazó la oferta de trabajo.
Negative	(quotes)She did not tu down the job offer.(quotes)	Ella no rechazó la oferta de trabajo.
Question	(quotes)Did she tu down the job offer?(quotes)	¿Rechazó ella la oferta de trabajo?

Cultural Tips 🌍

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• 🇬🇧 In the UK, many phrasal verbs are used in casual conversation. Pay attention to their use in British TV shows.
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• 🇺🇸 In the US, phrasal verbs are also common in business language. For example, (quotes)follow up(quotes) is often used in emails.
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• 🎭 Using too many phrasal verbs in formal writing can make it sound too informal. Use them wisely!
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• 📚 Some phrasal verbs have multiple meanings. (quotes)Take off(quotes) can mean (quotes)to remove(quotes) (take off your shoes) or (quotes)to depart(quotes) (the plane took off).
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• 🗣️ The best way to lea phrasal verbs is to use them! Try to include them in your daily conversations.