Essential English Phrasal Verbs and Preposition Rules

Essential English Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb and a preposition or adverb. Here is a list of common phrasal verbs with their definitions and Spanish translations:

• Take off: To remove clothing. / Quitarse ropa.
• Stand for: To be an abbreviation of, or to signify. / Significar.
• Bring together: To introduce people to other people, or to unite. / Reunir, Unir.
• Get on with: To have a friendly relationship with someone. / Llevarse bien con.
• Try on: To put on clothes to see if they fit or look good. / Probarse algo (ropa).
• Try out: To test a new activity or item to see if it is suitable. / Probar algo (actividad/objeto).
• Look for: To search for something. / Buscar.
• Look after: To take care of someone or something. / Cuidar.
• Look up: To admire someone, or to search for information (e.g., in a dictionary). / Admirar / Mirar en el diccionario.
• Set for: To prepare or plan for something (often used passively). / Emprender.
• Set off: To start a journey. / Empezar un viaje.
• Point out: To highlight or indicate something. / Resaltar, Señalar.
• Come across: To find something or someone by chance. / Encontrarse por casualidad.
• Get on: To board a vehicle (e.g., a plane, bus). / Subir (al avión/autobús).
• Get off: To leave a vehicle (e.g., a plane, bus). / Bajar (del avión/autobús).
• Go down: To move to a lower level. / Bajar.
• Go up: To move to a higher level. / Subir.
• Go out: To leave one's home to go to a social event or public place. / Salir.
• Go through: To experience a difficult or unpleasant situation. / Pasar por.
• Carry out: To perform or execute a task or plan. / Llevar a cabo.
• Draw up: To prepare a document, such as a contract. / Redactar (contrato).
• Log on: To connect to a computer system or website. / Conectarse.
• Throw away: To dispose of something; to discard. / Tirar.
• Turn on: To start the flow of electricity or power; to activate. / Encender.
• Turn up: To increase the volume or intensity. / Subir (volumen).
• Turn down: To decrease the volume or intensity. / Bajar (volumen).
• Ask for: To request something. / Pedir.
• Break up: To end a relationship. / Romper, Terminar.
• Give out: To distribute something. / Dar, Distribuir.
• Grow up: To develop from a child into an adult. / Crecer.
• Keep up with: To maintain contact with someone, or to stay at the same pace. / Mantenerse en contacto con.
• Bring up: To educate and look after children. / Criar (hijos).
• Move up: To change to a higher level job or group; to ascend. / Ascender.
• Take (sb) on: To employ a person; to give someone a job. / Contratar.
• Talk (sth) over: To discuss a topic or issue thoroughly. / Hablar sobre algo.
• Write (sth) down: To note something with a pen or pencil. / Anotar, Apuntar.
• Put up with (sb/sth): To tolerate or accept an unpleasant situation or person. / Soportar.

Understanding Prepositions

Prepositions of Time: At, In, On

• At: Used with specific hours and special moments.
  • Examples: 6:30, the weekend, Christmas, night.
• In: Used with longer periods of time.
  • Examples: The morning, September, winter.
• On: Used with specific days and dates.
  • Examples: Saturday, July 4th, my birthday.

Other Prepositions of Time: After, Before, Ago

Prepositions like After and Before are placed before a time period or a clause. The exception is Ago, which is placed after the time period it modifies.

Prepositions of Place: At, In, On

• At: Used for specific addresses with a number. / Dirección con número.
• In: Used for addresses without a number, or for enclosed spaces and public places. / Dirección sin número; lugares públicos.
• On: Used for surfaces or specific sites (e.g., floors, streets). / Sitios.

Prepositions of Direction

• Across: A través.
• Along: A lo largo.
• Down: Hacia abajo.
• Into: Hacia dentro.
• Off: Hacia fuera (moving away from).
• On: Encima (moving onto a surface).
• Out: Fuera (moving outside).
• Through: A través de algo.
• Towards: Hacia.
• Up: Arriba.

Adjectives and Verbs with Fixed Prepositions

Adjectives with Prepositions

Certain adjectives require specific prepositions:

• Angry about (things)
• Bad at (skills)
• Good at (skills)
• Amazed at
• Important for
• Interested in
• Afraid of
• Ashamed of
• Proud of
• Fond of
• Keen on
• Rude to (person)
• Important to (person)
• Angry with (person)

Verbs with Prepositions

The choice of preposition often depends on whether the object is a person or a thing: