Phrasal Verbs Defined: Examples and Grammar Essentials

What Are Phrasal Verbs?

A phrasal verb is a combination of words (a verb + a preposition or verb + adverb) that when used together, usually take on a different meaning to that of the original verb.

Phrasal Verb Examples in Sentences

More phrasal verb examples:

1. Be sure to put on a life jacket before getting into the boat.
2. We left out the trash for pickup.
3. It’s time to get on the plane.
4. What will she think up next?
5. I’m having some trouble working out the solution to this equation.
6. We’re going to have to put off our vacation until next year.
7. Stand up when speaking in class, please.

Essential Parts of Speech Definitions

Adverb: Describing Verbs, Adjectives, or Adverbs

Adverb Definition and Usage

An adverb describes or modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. It tells how, where, when, how often, or to what extent. Many adverbs end in -ly.

Examples: slowly, quietly, very, always, never, too, well, tomorrow, here.

Example Sentences: I am usually busy. Yesterday, I ate my lunch quickly.

Common Adverbs List

Now, First, Last, Early, Yesterday, Tomorrow, Today, Here, There, Everywhere, Somewhere, In, Inside, Underground, Uneasily, Weirdly, Cheerfully, Expertly, Wholeheartedly, Randomly, Brutally, Really, Financially, Willfully, Abruptly, Endlessly, Firmly, Delightfully, Quickly, Lightly, Eternally, Delicately

Preposition: Showing Relationships

Preposition Definition and Usage

A preposition shows the relationship of a noun or pronoun to another word. Prepositions can indicate time, place, or relationship.

Examples: at, on, in, from, with, near, between, about, under.

Example Sentences: I left my keys on the table for you.

Common Prepositions List

Aboard, About, Above, Absent, Across, After, Against, Along, Alongside, Amid, Among, Amongst, Anti, Around, As, At, Before, Behind, Below, Beneath, Beside, Besides, Between, Beyond, But, By

Conjunction: Joining Words and Ideas

Conjunction Definition and Usage

A conjunction joins two words, ideas, phrases, or clauses together in a sentence and shows how they are connected.

Examples: and, or, but, because, so, yet, unless, since, if.

Example Sentences: I was hot and exhausted, but I still finished the marathon.

Coordinating Conjunctions

for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

Correlative Conjunctions

both/and, either/or, neither/nor, not only/but, whether/or

Subordinating Conjunctions

after, although, as, as if, as long as, as much as, as soon as, as though, because, before, by the time, even if, even though, if, in order that, in case, in the event that, lest, now that, once, only, only if

Interjection: Expressing Strong Emotion

Interjection Definition and Usage

An interjection is a word or phrase that expresses a strong feeling or emotion. It is a short exclamation.

Examples: Ouch! Wow! Great! Help! Oh! Hey! Hi!

Example Sentences: Wow! I passed my English test. Great! Ouch! That hurt.