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Brushing up on phrasal verbs A
Learning phrasal verbs There are a great many phrasal verbs in English and many learners find them particularly difficult to master. The best way to learn them is in context. When you come across [meet] one, write it down in an example sentence. There are a couple of important points to remember about phrasal verbs. Firstly, a verb + preposition/particle combination may have more than one meaning. Come across, for example, can also mean give an impression of being, as in: He can come across as unfriendly when you first meet him. Come over can also be used with the same meaning, as in: He can come over as unfriendly. Secondly, it is sensible to concentrate first on understanding phrasal verbs rather than using them. There is usually an alternative way in which you can say the same thing using a single verb. So, for example, instead of put forward a plan you can propose a plan, and instead of rush into a decision you can make a hasty decision.
B
The verb A very large number of phrasal verbs are formed using common verbs such as come, do, get or go, for instance. Here are some more examples with come. I hope our plans to visit Russia come off. [happen successfully] Sandro’s family came over from Italy for the wedding. [travel to one place from another] I wouldn’t usually say something like that. I don’t know what came over me. [influence someone to behave in a particular way]
The proposal has come under a lot of criticism. [experience something (usually unpleasant)] If the opportunity to work in the US comes up, you must take it. [occur unexpectedly] Our plan has come up against some obstacles. [have to deal with a problem or difficulty]
C
The preposition/particle The second part of a phrasal verb is a preposition or particle. This can sometimes help you understand the meaning of the phrasal verb. For example, on can often convey an idea of continuing over a period of time. Selina decided to stay on at university and do a Master’s degree. [remain] Try not to dwell on the past. [keep thinking about, usually something unpleasant] I didn’t expect platform shoes to catch on. [become popular] I wish she’d stop going on about her new car. [talking at length] The crowd was urging the runners on. [encouraging] The weather was terrible but the climbers pressed on regardless. [continued in a determined way]
D
Phrasal verbs in topics It can be useful to learn phrasal verbs in sets connected with a topic. Here, for example, are some from the context of work: I need to brush up on my computer skills for my new job. [improve knowledge of something already learnt but partly forgotten]
The company laid off half its staff during the recession. [stopped employing] Tomorrow’s meeting has been called off because Jack is ill. [cancelled] Sasha has thrown himself into his new job. [start doing something with great energy] It took me a few weeks to settle in at my new office. [feel relaxed and happy] It took me ages to put together the report. [prepare by collecting information from several sources]
Language help When you learn a phrasal verb, note down the positions of the preposition/particle and the object, if there is one. For example, you can say put a report together or put together a report, but you can only say rush into a decision (NOT rush a decision into). 196
English Vocabulary in Use Advanced
