20 Phrasal Verbs with DOWN ⬇️ English for Daily Use!

Summary

In this educational video, Gina introduces 20 common phrasal verbs using the particle 'down', categorized by their meanings from literal to abstract. She explains the nuances between verbs like 'fall' and 'fall down', and covers verbs indicating a decrease, such as 'slow down' and 'turn down'. The lesson also explores expressions for reduced quality or intensity, like 'calm down' and 'water down', and concludes with verbs that simplify concepts, such as 'break down' and 'boil down to'. The video is supplemented with a free PDF for further study, encouraging viewers to deepen their understanding of English phrasal verbs.

Takeaways

• 📝 The lesson introduces 20 phrasal verbs using 'down', categorized by their meanings from literal to abstract.
• 🔗 A free downloadable PDF is available with notes from the lesson, accessible via a link in the description.
• 🍂 'Fall down' is distinguished from 'fall', with the former indicating an accidental drop to the ground.
• 📚 'Put down' and 'write down' are separable phrasal verbs requiring an object, used for placing items or recording information.
• ✍️ 'Jot down' is an informal variant of 'write down', often used for quick note-taking.
• 📉 'Go down', 'slow down', and 'turn down' are used to describe decreases in quantity, speed, volume, or temperature.
• ⛔ 'Cut down on' suggests reducing or using less of something, often in the context of spending or habits.
• 😡 'Calm down' and its causative 'calm someone down' refer to reducing anger, nervousness, or excitement.
• 💧 'Water down' can mean diluting a drink or simplifying content to decrease quality or strength.
• 😢 'Die down' indicates a gradual decrease in intensity, such as noise or a storm.
• 😔 'Let someone down' means to disappoint or fail to support someone, with 'letdown' as the corresponding noun for disappointment.
• 🚫 'Break down' can describe mechanical failure or an emotional collapse, with 'breakdown' as the noun for a serious emotional state.
• 🏭 'Shut down' refers to the cessation of operations, which can be temporary or permanent.
• 🚫 'Turn down' in a different context means to reject or decline something or someone politely.
• 🔍 'Break down' in another sense is used to simplify complex ideas or processes by dividing them into smaller parts.
• 🛋️ 'Settle down' usually means to establish a stable and peaceful life, often involving family and a home.
• 🎯 'Narrow down' is about reducing options or possibilities to a smaller, more manageable set.
• 🌐 'Come down to' or 'boil down to' indicate that something essentially reduces to a single fundamental factor or aspect.

Q & A

What are phrasal verbs and why are they important for English learners?

Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb and a preposition or adverb that, when used together, have a different meaning from the individual words. They are important for English learners because they are commonly used in everyday conversation by native speakers and can significantly enhance one's language fluency and comprehension.

How many groups of phrasal verbs using the particle 'down' are discussed in the lesson?

The lesson discusses phrasal verbs using the particle 'down' in five different groups based on their meanings.

What is the difference between the verb 'fall' and the phrasal verb 'fall down' as described in the script?

The verb 'fall' is used to describe a natural occurrence, like leaves falling from trees, while 'fall down' is a phrasal verb indicating an accidental movement from a standing position to the ground, often due to tripping or slipping.

What does the phrasal verb 'put down' mean and in what context is it used?

'Put down' is a separable phrasal verb used to describe the action of placing an object that one is holding onto a surface, such as a table or the floor.

How is the phrasal verb 'write down' used and what is its informal counterpart?

'Write down' is used to mean writing something on paper, and its informal counterpart is 'jot down,' which implies writing something quickly or briefly.

What does the phrasal verb 'slow down' mean and how can it be used in different contexts?

'Slow down' can mean to decrease the speed of something or to become less busy or active. For example, a driver might slow down when seeing a police car, or work might slow down during the holiday season.

What is the meaning of 'turn down' when referring to adjusting volume or temperature?

'Turn down' is used to describe the action of decreasing the volume or temperature of something, such as turning down the music because it's too loud or adjusting the thermostat because the room is too warm.

What does 'cut down on something' mean and can you provide an example?

'Cut down on something' means to reduce or use less of something. For instance, someone might need to cut down on spending if they want to buy a new car.

How is the phrasal verb 'calm down' used and what is its effect?

'Calm down' is used to describe the process of becoming less angry, nervous, or excited. It can also be used to cause someone else to become calm, such as playing music to soothe a crying child.

What is the meaning of 'break down' when referring to machines or emotional states?

'Break down' can refer to a machine that stops working correctly or to someone who is unable to stop crying, especially in public. It can also describe a serious emotional condition that makes it difficult to deal with normal situations.

What does 'shut down' mean in the context of operations and why might it be used?

'Shut down' means that an operation has stopped, either temporarily or permanently. It might be used in situations such as shutting down a computer for the night or the permanent closure of a factory.

How can the phrasal verb 'turn down' be used in social contexts?

'Turn down' in social contexts is used to politely decline an offer or reject someone, such as turning down a job offer or turning down an invitation to a date.

What is the difference between 'break down' and 'break something down' as described in the script?

'Break down' in one sense refers to a machine malfunctioning or an emotional collapse, while 'break something down' means to separate something into smaller parts to make it easier to understand or process, such as breaking down food in digestion or breaking down complex information into simpler terms.

What does 'settle down' mean and how does it differ from 'calm down'?

'Settle down' usually refers to establishing a stable, calm life in one place, often involving getting married, buying a house, and having children. It differs from 'calm down,' which is about becoming less agitated or upset in the moment.

How is the phrasal verb 'narrow down' used and what does it signify?

'Narrow down' is used to describe the process of reducing or limiting the number of choices or options one has, such as narrowing down a list of suspects in an investigation or narrowing down job candidates in an interview process.

What are the two interchangeable phrasal verbs mentioned at the end of the script and what do they signify?

The two interchangeable phrasal verbs mentioned are 'come down to something' and 'boil down to something.' They both signify that, in the end, a complex situation or decision can be simplified to a single, essential factor or aspect.