LESSON 23, Phrasal Verbs 5

Phrasal Verbs are mainly used in spoken English. A Phrasal verb consists of a verb plus a particle (preposition, adverb). The particle can change the meaning of the verb completely, e.g.:

look up – consult a reference book (look a word up in a dictionary)
look for – seek (look for her ring)
look forward – anticipate with pleasure (look forward to meeting someone)
There are no rules that might explain how phrasal verbs are formed correctly - all you can do is look them up in a good dictionary and study their meanings. The best way to learn phrasal verbs of course is to use a phrasal verb in sentence after understanding its meaning. Should the sentence make sense, you have used that phrasal verb correct.

Listed below are some commonly used phrasal verbs, with meanings and sentences. Please also visit the video tutorial to understand more about phrasal verbs and their usage.

figure something out

understand, find the answer

I need to figure out how to fit the piano and the bookshelf in this room.

fill something in

to write information in blanks

Please fill in the form with your name, address, and phone number.

fill something out

to write information in blanks

The form must be filled out in capital letters.

fill something up

fill to the top

I always fill the water jug up when it is empty.

find out

discover

We don't know where he lives. How can we find out?

find something out

discover

We tried to keep the time of the party a secret, but Samantha found it out.

get something across/over

communicate, make understandable

I tried to get my point across/over to the judge but she wouldn't listen.