Complete List of Phrasal Verbs with Definitions and Example Sentences
Phrasal verbs are two- or three-word combinations of a verb and a preposition or adverb. They are essential for understanding spoken and written English. Mastering a phrasal verbs list helps students in school, competitive exams, and daily English conversations.
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| look after | to take care of | She will look after the kids tonight. |
| give up | to stop trying | Don't give up – you can solve this! |
| run out | to have none left | We ran out of milk this morning. |
| pick up | to collect someone or something | I’ll pick you up at 8 AM. |
| bring up | to mention or raise a topic | He brought up the problem in the meeting. |
| set up | to arrange or organize | They set up a new company last year. |
| take off | to leave the ground (for airplanes) | The plane will take off at noon. |
| find out | to discover | She found out the answer quickly. |
| turn off | to deactivate (lights, devices) | Please turn off the lights. |
| break down | to stop working | The car broke down on the way home. |
What Are Phrasal Verbs? Meaning and Usage
Phrasal verbs in English grammar are phrases that combine a verb with one or two particles (like a preposition or adverb). This changes the original meaning of the verb. For example, in “turn off,” “turn” and “off” together mean “to deactivate.”
Why Are Phrasal Verbs Important?
Learning phrasal verbs is crucial for exams, spoken English, and writing tasks. They make messages clear and natural. In competitive exams and school tests, you often need to recognize or use these forms. Daily conversations also use phrasal verbs for everyday actions.
Phrasal verbs appear frequently in reading comprehensions and grammar sections of exams.
Native speakers use them in daily conversation, stories, and news.
They let you express ideas quickly and naturally.
Some have idiomatic meanings, adding depth to your language skills.
100 Most Common English Phrasal Verbs List with Meaning and Example
Below is a thematic list of the 100 most common phrasal verbs. Study their meanings and examples to recognize them easily in exams and real-life situations. This list is a great revision tool for school and competitive exam preparation.
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| call off | to cancel | They called off the match due to rain. |
| put off | to postpone | Can we put off the meeting? |
| take on | to accept responsibility | He took on the new project. |
| look forward to | to await with anticipation | I look forward to the weekend. |
| come across | to find by chance | I came across an old diary. |
| get along (with) | to have a good relationship | They get along well at work. |
| carry on | to continue | Please carry on with your work. |
| cut down (on) | to reduce in amount | She’s cutting down on sugar. |
| turn up | to appear or arrive | He turned up late to class. |
| give away | to donate or reveal | She gave away old clothes. |
For the full 100 phrasal verbs list with meanings and examples, scroll down to the detailed section or use printable resources. At Vedantu, we offer complete learning support for grammar topics.
How to Memorize Phrasal Verbs Easily
Memorizing phrasal verbs is easy if you use patterns and themes. Here are simple steps to improve your recall for exams and daily English.
Group phrasal verbs by main verb: (e.g., take up, take on, take off).
Study by topics: travel, emotions, classroom, actions, etc.
Make flashcards to test yourself regularly.
Use new phrasal verbs in daily sentences—writing or speaking.
Practice with friends or in class to build confidence.
Thematic Phrasal Verbs List (Grouped by Verb)
Phrasal Verbs with “Take”
take off – to remove or leave the ground (“Please take off your shoes.” / “The plane took off.”)
take after – to resemble a family member (“He takes after his father.”)
take up – to begin a hobby or activity (“I took up painting.”)
Phrasal Verbs with “Get”
get up – to rise from bed (“I get up at 6 AM.”)
get over – to recover from illness or upset (“He got over the flu.”)
get by – to manage with difficulty (“We get by on little money.”)
Uses of Phrasal Verbs in Daily English
Phrasal verbs are everywhere: in stories, news, exams, and daily speech. For example, “run into” (meet by chance) or “put up with” (tolerate) often appear in dialogues and comprehension passages. Recognizing their meaning helps increase your language scores and fluency.
Related Grammar Topics for Better Understanding
- Idioms and Phrases
- Verb Forms Guide of V1 V2 V3 V4 V5
- Parts of Speech
- Introduction to Preposition
- Linking, Intransitive, Transitive Verbs
- Prepositions of Place for Kids
- Modal Verbs
- Action Verbs
- Preposition
In summary, learning and practicing a phrasal verbs list with meaning and example sentences improves your reading, writing, and speaking skills. Phrasal verbs are vital for classroom success, exam preparation, and confident communication. Refer to Vedantu for clear explanations and more grammar lessons.
FAQs on Phrasal Verbs List for Daily Use and Exams
1. What are phrasal verbs in English?
A phrasal verb is a verb combined with one or more particles (a preposition or adverb) that creates a new meaning different from the original verb. In a typical phrasal verbs list, each entry shows how the meaning changes when words combine.
- Structure: verb + adverb (e.g., give up)
- Structure: verb + preposition (e.g., look after)
- Structure: verb + adverb + preposition (e.g., put up with)
2. Why are phrasal verbs important in English?
Phrasal verbs are important because they are extremely common in everyday spoken and written English. Mastering a phrasal verbs list helps learners sound more natural and fluent.
- Widely used in conversations and informal writing
- Common in exams and listening tests
- Often replace more formal Latin-based verbs (e.g., find out instead of discover)
3. How do you use phrasal verbs in a sentence?
You use a phrasal verb in a sentence by placing it where a normal verb would go and adjusting it for tense and subject. The particle stays with the verb to keep the correct meaning.
- Present: She turns off the light.
- Past: She turned off the light.
- With object: She turned off the TV.
4. What is the difference between separable and inseparable phrasal verbs?
The difference is that separable phrasal verbs can split the verb and particle, while inseparable phrasal verbs cannot. This rule is essential when studying a phrasal verbs list.
- Separable: She turned off the light / She turned the light off.
- Inseparable: She looks after her sister (NOT: looks her sister after).
5. What are some common phrasal verbs examples?
Some common phrasal verbs include everyday expressions frequently found in any basic phrasal verbs list. These verbs often have meanings different from their base verbs.
- Give up – to quit
- Look for – to search
- Run into – to meet unexpectedly
- Set up – to arrange or establish
- Take off – to remove or (for planes) to leave the ground
6. How can I memorize phrasal verbs easily?
You can memorize phrasal verbs more easily by learning them in context and grouping them by theme or particle. Instead of memorizing a long phrasal verbs list, focus on usage.
- Learn by topic (travel, business, daily life)
- Group by particle (e.g., verbs with up, out, off)
- Create your own example sentences
- Practice with quizzes and flashcards
7. What is the difference between phrasal verbs and prepositional verbs?
The main difference is that phrasal verbs often change meaning completely, while prepositional verbs keep a more literal meaning and are always followed by an object. Both appear in phrasal verbs lists but function slightly differently.
- Phrasal verb: give up (quit)
- Prepositional verb: believe in (have faith in something)
8. Are phrasal verbs formal or informal?
Most phrasal verbs are more common in informal English, but many are also acceptable in formal contexts. A complete phrasal verbs list includes both informal and neutral expressions.
- Informal: hang out, chill out
- Neutral/Common: find out, carry out
- More formal equivalent: carry out instead of conduct
9. Can phrasal verbs have more than one meaning?
Yes, many phrasal verbs have multiple meanings depending on context. This is why checking examples in a phrasal verbs list is important.
- Take off – remove clothing (She took off her jacket.)
- Take off – plane leaves the ground (The plane took off on time.)
- Take off – become successful (Her business took off quickly.)
10. What are common mistakes learners make with phrasal verbs?
Common mistakes with phrasal verbs include incorrect word order, wrong particles, and literal translation from the learner’s first language. Reviewing a structured phrasal verbs list helps avoid these errors.
- Incorrect separation: ❌ She turned off it → ✅ She turned it off
- Wrong particle: ❌ depend of → ✅ depend on
- Using literal meaning instead of idiomatic meaning
