Advanced Phrasal Verbs

Hello, Super Students!

Welcome to the amazing world of Phrasal Verbs! Doesn't that sound fancy? Don't worry, it's actually fun and easy. Think of them as secret code words that will make your English sound super cool! In this chapter, we're going to learn what they are and how to use them to talk about actions, situations, and even rules. Let's get started!


What is a Phrasal Verb, Anyway?

A phrasal verb is like a team of words working together. It has two parts:

1. A main verb (an action word, like run, get, or throw).
2. A special little "buddy word" (like up, away, down, or off).

When these two words team up, they get a new, special meaning. Sometimes the meaning is a complete surprise!

Here’s a Simple Trick to Understand It!

Imagine you have a LEGO brick that says "give". You know what that means. Now, you add another little LEGO brick that says "up". When you click them together, you get "give up". This doesn't mean you give something in an upward direction! It means you stop trying. See? A totally new meaning!

give + up = give up (to stop trying)

Quick Review!

Phrasal Verb = Verb + Buddy Word

Remember: The new meaning can be different from the words by themselves. It's like magic!


Part 1: Phrasal Verbs for Actions

These are the most common type of phrasal verbs. They tell us about an action – something that someone or something is doing. You already know some of these!

Examples of Action Phrasal Verbs:

1. get up
This means to get out of bed in the morning.
Example: I get up at seven o'clock to get ready for school.

2. run away
This means to escape or leave a place quickly.
Example: The little mouse saw the cat and ran away.

3. throw away
This means to put something in the rubbish bin because you don't want it anymore.
Example: Please throw away your empty juice box.

Did you know?

Acting out phrasal verbs can help you remember them! When you learn "get up," you can pretend to wake up and stretch. When you learn "throw away," you can pretend to throw a piece of paper into a bin.

Key Takeaway

Action phrasal verbs describe what someone or something is doing.


Part 2: Phrasal Verbs for Conditions

Sometimes, phrasal verbs don't describe an action. Instead, they describe a condition or a state. This means they tell us how something is, especially if something has changed.

Don't worry if this seems tricky at first, an example will make it super clear!

Example of a Condition Phrasal Verb:

1. break down
This does NOT mean to smash something into pieces! If a car or a machine breaks down, it means it stops working.
Example: We were late because our school bus broke down on the way.

An Everyday Analogy

Think about a toy that needs batteries. When the batteries run out, the toy stops working. The toy's condition is "broken down." It's not in pieces, it just won't work!

Key Takeaway

Condition phrasal verbs describe the state of something, like if it is working or not working.


Part 3: Phrasal Verbs for Rules and Warnings (Prohibitions)

Some phrasal verbs are used to give rules or warnings. They tell people NOT to do something. You often see them on signs.

Example of a Rule-Based Phrasal Verb:

1. keep off
This is a polite way to say "Do not touch" or "Do not walk on."
Example: The sign says, "Please keep off the grass."

Common Mistakes to Avoid!

Be careful not to mix up phrasal verbs that look similar!
Keep off the grass. (Means: Stay away from the grass!)
Keep on trying! (Means: Continue trying!)
That little buddy word can change everything!

Key Takeaway

These phrasal verbs are like signs that tell us a rule or give a warning, often telling us what we shouldn't do.


You're a Phrasal Verb Pro!

Great job! You've learned about the three main ways we use phrasal verbs in primary school. Let's do a quick recap:

1. For Actions: To say what is happening.
i.e. throw away, get up.

2. For Conditions: To describe the state of something.
i.e. break down.

3. For Rules: To tell someone not to do something.
i.e. keep off.

Keep your eyes and ears open for more phrasal verbs in stories, movies, and conversations. The more you notice them, the easier they will become. You are doing great!