An Introduction to Phrasal Verbs | Learn English | EasyTeaching

Summary

This video script delves into the intricacies of phrasal verbs, a staple in spoken and informal English. It explains that phrasal verbs consist of a verb followed by a preposition or adverb, with the object's position being flexible unless a pronoun is used, which must come between the verb and the modifier. The script highlights the dual nature of these verbs, which can be literal or figurative, emphasizing the need for memorization due to their often idiomatic meanings. Examples like 'stand up', 'sit down', 'make up', and 'look up' illustrate their use, with the latter also demonstrating the literal and figurative senses. The script encourages viewers to practice and provides a resource for beginners, aiming to demystify phrasal verbs for English learners.

Takeaways

• 📚 Phrasal verbs are very common in spoken and informal English, indicating action.
• 📝 They consist of two parts: a verb and a preposition or adverb.
• 🔤 In phrasal verbs like 'stand up' and 'sit down', the adverb or preposition follows the verb.
• 🔄 Sometimes the preposition or adverb is placed after the object, e.g., 'Put your books away'.
• 🔀 The order of the object and preposition or adverb can usually be changed unless using a pronoun.
• 📖 When using a pronoun as the object, it must go between the verb and the preposition or adverb, e.g., 'Put them away'.
• 🔍 Some phrasal verbs are literal, meaning their parts directly relate to their meaning, e.g., 'stand up'.
• 🧠 Many phrasal verbs are figurative, meaning their overall meaning differs from the base verb, e.g., 'make up' means to reconcile.
• 📘 Context clues in a sentence can help deduce the meaning of unfamiliar phrasal verbs.
• 📹 For practice, start with resources like the '9 phrasal verbs for beginners' video on EasyTeaching.net.

Q & A

What are phrasal verbs commonly used in?

Phrasal verbs are commonly used in spoken and informal English.

What are the two components of a phrasal verb?

A phrasal verb is made up of a verb and a preposition or adverb.

Can the order of the object and the preposition or adverb in a phrasal verb be changed?

The order can usually be changed unless a pronoun is used as the object.

What is the rule when using a pronoun as the object of a phrasal verb?

When using a pronoun as the object, it must go between the verb and the preposition or adverb.

What does the phrasal verb 'stand up' mean?

The phrasal verb 'stand up' is a literal action, meaning to rise from a seated or lying position to a standing position.

What is the literal meaning of 'put away'?

The literal meaning of 'put away' is to place something in its proper location or storage.

Why do some phrasal verbs need to be memorized individually?

Some phrasal verbs need to be memorized individually because their meaning can be completely different from the base verb and are often figurative.

What is an example of a phrasal verb with a non-literal meaning?

The phrasal verb 'make up' is an example of a non-literal meaning, as it refers to forgiving each other, not building or forming something.

How can the phrasal verb 'look up' be used literally?

The phrasal verb 'look up' can be used literally to mean directing one's gaze upwards, such as looking at the sky.

What is another meaning of the phrasal verb 'look up'?

Another meaning of 'look up' is to search for information in a book or database.

What advice is given for understanding unfamiliar phrasal verbs?

When encountering an unfamiliar phrasal verb, one should look for clues in the sentence to help determine its meaning.

What resource is suggested for practicing phrasal verbs?

The script suggests starting with a '9 phrasal verbs for beginners' video for practice.

Where can one find resources for learning phrasal verbs?

Resources for learning phrasal verbs can be found on EasyTeaching.net.

Outlines

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🤔 Understanding Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are common in spoken and informal English, consisting of a verb and a preposition or adverb. They indicate actions and can sometimes have the preposition or adverb placed after the object, such as 'Put your books away' or 'Put away your books'. However, when using a pronoun as the object, it must go between the verb and the preposition or adverb, like 'Put them away'. Phrasal verbs can be literal, like 'stand up', or figurative, meaning their meaning must often be memorized individually. For example, 'make up' means to forgive each other, and 'look up' can mean to search for information. Understanding the context can help decipher unknown phrasal verbs. Practice with examples and videos, such as '9 phrasal verbs for beginners' from EasyTeaching.net.

Keywords

💡Phrasal verbs

Phrasal verbs are combinations of verbs with prepositions or adverbs that create unique meanings. They are common in spoken and informal English, indicating actions. For example, 'stand up' and 'sit down'. They are essential for understanding colloquial speech.

💡Verb

A verb is a word that describes an action, state, or occurrence. In phrasal verbs, the verb combines with a preposition or adverb to form a new meaning. For instance, 'stand' in 'stand up'. Verbs are the core of phrasal verbs.

💡Preposition

A preposition is a word used to link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words within a sentence. In phrasal verbs, prepositions combine with verbs to create new meanings, like 'up' in 'stand up'. They help form the structure of phrasal verbs.

💡Adverb

An adverb is a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverbs, often ending in 'ly'. In phrasal verbs, adverbs pair with verbs to generate new meanings. For example, 'down' in 'sit down'. They are crucial in forming phrasal verbs.

💡Literal

Literal meanings of phrasal verbs are straightforward and based on the usual meanings of the words. For example, 'stand up' means to rise to one's feet. Understanding the literal meaning helps in grasping the basic usage of phrasal verbs.

💡Figurative

Figurative meanings of phrasal verbs are not directly related to the literal meanings of the words involved. They often represent idiomatic expressions, like 'make up' meaning to reconcile. These meanings must be memorized as they are not intuitive.

💡Object

In grammar, the object is the noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb. In phrasal verbs, the position of the object can vary. For example, 'put your books away' or 'put away your books'. When using a pronoun, it must come between the verb and the preposition or adverb.

💡Pronoun

A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun. In phrasal verbs, pronouns like 'them' must be placed between the verb and the preposition or adverb. For instance, 'put them away' instead of 'put away them'. Proper placement is crucial for correct grammar.

💡Memorize

To memorize is to commit something to memory. Due to the non-literal meanings of many phrasal verbs, learners must memorize their meanings. For example, 'make up' means to reconcile, which is not obvious from the words 'make' and 'up' alone.

💡Context clues

Context clues are hints found within a sentence or paragraph that help deduce the meaning of unfamiliar words or phrases. In the case of phrasal verbs, surrounding words and the overall sentence can provide insights into the meaning of the phrasal verb, aiding comprehension.

Highlights

Phrasal verbs are common in spoken and informal English and indicate action.

They consist of a verb and a preposition or adverb.

The adverb or preposition follows the verb directly in phrasal verbs.

The position of the preposition or adverb can change after the object, except with pronouns.

Pronouns must be placed between the verb and preposition/adverb in phrasal verbs.

Some phrasal verbs have literal meanings, like 'stand up' or 'put away'.

Many phrasal verbs are figurative and have meanings different from their base verbs.

Phrasal verbs need to be memorized individually due to their unique meanings.

The phrasal verb 'make up' means to forgive each other, not to build or form.

The phrasal verb 'look up' can be used both literally and to search for information.

Context clues in a sentence can help determine the meaning of unknown phrasal verbs.

Practicing with specific videos, like '9 phrasal verbs for beginners', can improve understanding.

EasyTeaching.net offers resources to learn and practice phrasal verbs.

Understanding phrasal verbs enhances English language fluency and comprehension.

Phrasal verbs often require learning beyond literal translations.

Learning phrasal verbs involves recognizing both their literal and figurative uses.

The order of object and preposition/adverb in phrasal verbs is flexible except with pronouns.

Pronunciation and usage of phrasal verbs are crucial for effective communication.

Phrasal verbs add richness and nuance to the English language.

Transcripts

Phrasal verbs: theyíre very common in spoken and informal English. They indicate action.

Theyíre made up of two parts: a verb and a preposition or adverb. For example: ëstand upí ësit downí

In these phrasal verbs, the adverb or preposition comes directly after the verb.

Sometimes the preposition or adverb is placed after the object. For example: ëPut your books awayí.

We can also say, ëPut away your booksí The order of the object and preposition or adverb can usually be changed unless we are using a pronoun for our object.

For example, letís use the pronoun ëthemí in place of ëthe booksí. We say, ëPut them awayí. We cannot say ëPut away themí.

If using a pronoun as the object of a phrasal verb, it must go between the verb and preposition or adverb.

The meaning of some phrasal verbs are more obvious. Theyíre literal. ëStandí together with ëupí means to ëstandÖupí, ëputí with ëawayí means to ëputÖawayí.

But many phrasal verbs are not literal. Theyíre figurative. The meaning of a phrasal verb can often be something completely different to the base verb. This means that phrasal verbs need to be memorised individually.

Take this phrasal verb: ëmake upí. The verb ëmakeí means to build or form something. You could ëmakeí a pizza.

But used in the phrasal verb, ëmake upí, the meaning is completely different. ëMake upí refers to people forgiving each other.

ëI wanted to make up with my friend after our fight.í

Hereís another phrasal verb: ëLook upí. It can be used literally: ëHe looked up in the sky.í

But the same phrasal verb can be used to mean to search for information in a book or database. ëHe looked up the word in his dictionary.í

When you come across a phrasal verb you donít know, try looking for clues in the sentence to help you work out what it might mean. You might be surprised how often you can work them out.

In the meantime, get practising. Try starting with our 9 phrasal verbs for beginners video.

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