PHRASAL VERBS are a very important and frequently occurring feature of the English language. They consist of a verb and at least one other word, usually a preposition. Generally it is more or less impossible to see any obvious connection between the various parts of the verb and the meaning. They are therefore best learnt in whole sentences. Quite often speakers of Latin based languages can make themselves understood using a Latin alternative, but to understand native speakers it is essential to know phrasal verbs as these are nearly always the chosen form for a native speaker. 

You will see that the object pronoun comes in the middle some phrasal verbs but that if the object is a noun it follows. Objects are shown in red to draw your attention to them. There are owhichther phrasal verbs are never split. You should always learn them as phrases so that you instinctively get the word order right as there is really no logical rule.

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land up somewhere      

 to find oneself somewhere probably unplanned

 

We got on the wrong train and landed up in Cormwall.

He broke the law so it is not surprising that he has landed up in jail.

to look after

to care for

 

She looks after the children while their mother is at work.

 

Will you come and look after the dogs while I'm away.

to look for

to search

 

What are you looking for? I'm looking for my purse. Have you seen it.

to look sth. up [a word]

to find the meaning in a dictionary

 

When you come across a new word, look it up.

look s.o. up     Usually this would be when one just happens to be in the same district.

to call on s.o. one has not seen for a long time.

 

How nice to see you!

Well, as I was so near and we had not met for so long, I decided to look you up.

to look up to s.o.

to admire s.o.

 

He was a very good teacher and an honest man. I really looked up to him.

 

 

 to lump it

 to accept a fact that you don't like but can do nothing about.

 

 I don't want him to come on my birthday.

Well, he's coming so you'll have to lump it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To be continued

 When the next selection is added, new verbs will appear with a green background.

 

 

 

Index of other hints and practice for learners of English

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