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. These are shown in blue to draw your attention to them. Other phrasal verbs are never split.

Click on a letter to go to that list.

B  C  D  E   F  G  H  J K L M N O P Q R S T U  V  W  X  Y  Z

New additions will be on coloured background. Scroll down to see new ones.

 Over do sth    

To try too hard at sth

 

Isn't he overdoing the paternalisn a bit?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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