Understanding Phrasal Verbs and Their Components

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 than that of the original verb.

More examples of phrasal verbs:

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.

Adverb - Describes a Verb

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.

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 - Shows Relationship

A preposition shows the relationship of a noun or pronoun to another word. They 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.

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 Word

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

Some 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 - Expressive Word

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.