Don't Let Phrasal Verbs Put You Off

What Are They and Why Do Native Speakers Use Them So Often?

You have probably spent years learning English vocabulary.

Then you listen to native English speakers and hear sentences like:

• "We had to put off the meeting."
• "I'd love to catch up next week."
• "I'll find out and let you know."
• "How did you come up with that idea?"

You may understand every individual word, but still not understand the sentence.

Welcome to the confusing world of phrasal verbs!

1. What Is a Phrasal Verb?

A phrasal verb is usually a verb combined with one or two short words.

For example:

• Give up
• Find out
• Look after
• Put off
• Come across

Together, these words create a new meaning.

Give means to hand something to another person.
Give up means to stop trying.

And:

Look means to use your eyes.
Look after means to take care of someone or something.

This is why phrasal verbs can be so frustrating. Knowing the individual words does not always help you understand the complete expression.

2. Why Do Native Speakers Use So Many Phrasal Verbs?

Native speakers do not use them deliberately to make English more difficult, although it can certainly feel that way!

Phrasal verbs are simply a normal part of everyday English. They often sound more relaxed and conversational than a single, more formal verb. However, a more formal verb may sometimes be more suitable in academic, official or highly formal writing.

For example:

"The meeting has been postponed until Monday."

This is correct but slightly formal.

In an everyday conversation, someone might say:

"We've put off the meeting until Monday."

Both are correct. The second one simply sounds more conversational.

3. Why Are Phrasal Verbs So Difficult?

One reason is that the meaning is not always obvious.

"She turned down the job offer."

This does not mean that she physically turned something downward. It means that she rejected the offer.

Another problem is that one phrasal verb can have several meanings.

Consider pick up:

• "I'll pick you up at the airport." — I will collect you.
• "I need to pick up some milk." — I need to buy some milk.
• "She picked up some Korean while living in Seoul." — She learned some Korean naturally.

You do not need to learn every possible meaning at once. Start with the meaning you are most likely to use.

4. How Should You Learn Phrasal Verbs?

Trying to memorise a list of 100 phrasal verbs is not usually effective. You might remember them for a test, but struggle to use them in a real conversation.

4.1 Learn them in complete sentences

Do not only learn:

Put off: postpone

Learn:

"I kept putting off my assignment, so I had to finish it at the last minute."

The sentence shows you what the expression means and how to use it.

4.2 Make your examples personal

You are more likely to remember something when it relates to your own life.

• "I usually put off cleaning until the weekend."
• "My friend picked me up after class."
• "I get along with most of my colleagues."
• "I'm trying to cut down on coffee."

Your example does not need to be exciting. It only needs to be easy for you to remember.

4.3 Learn a small number at a time

Five useful phrasal verbs are better than fifty you cannot remember.

Choose a small group each week. Write personal sentences, say them aloud and try to use them during a conversation.

4.4 Pay attention when you hear them

Once you learn a phrasal verb, you will begin noticing it in films, programmes and real conversations.

Write down the complete sentence, not only the phrasal verb. This will help you understand how people actually use it.

5. Do You Have to Use Phrasal Verbs?

No. You do not need to fill every sentence with them.

However, learning common phrasal verbs will help you understand everyday English and make your own English sound more relaxed and natural.

The goal is not to memorize every phrasal verb in the English language.

Start with expressions that fit your life. Learn them in complete sentences, practice them aloud and use them whenever you have the opportunity.

Over time, they will stop feeling like strange combinations of words and start feeling like a natural part of English.

Regular conversational English lessons are one of the best ways to practice phrasal verbs with a real person.