Vocabulary: Commonly Used Phrasal Verbs (Batch One)

BATCH ONE
Updated Sept 26, 2024

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Introduction: Native speakers, specifically Americans, use phrasal verbs more often than regular verbs so being familiar with common phrasal verbs is useful in understanding native speakers. Most phrasal verbs are used in informal or spoken English.

You can enter = You can come in (the same meaning)

TWO KINDS OF PHRASAL VERBS

[a] Separable - you can separate the verb from the preposition.

Example: PICK UP
Correct: "I picked up the paper"
Correct: "I picked the paper up"
Correct: I pick it up.
Incorrect: I pick up it. (Do not put the pronoun after the preposition)

[b] Non-separable - you cannot separate the verb from the preposition.

Example: COUNT ON (rely or trust)

Correct: "I can count on my friend"

Incorrect: "I can count my friend on."
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1: PUT OFF (separable)
Here are the meanings of “put off” with sentences:

First: To delay or postpone.
For example: “We decided to put off the meeting until next week.”

Second: To disagree or discourage.
For example: “His rude comments really put me off attending the party.”

Third: To distract or repel.
For example: “The strong smell of fish put her off her lunch.”

Fourth: To cause to lose interest.
For example: “The long presentation put off many listeners.”

And fifth: To remove or take off.
For example: “He put off his jacket because it was too warm.”

2. FIGURE OUT (usually non-separable)
- figure (something) out or figure out (something)

Here are the meanings of "figure out" with sentences:

First: to understand something.
For example: “I need to figure out how this machine works.”

Second: to solve a problem.
For example: “Can you figure out the answer to this math question?”

Third: to make a decision.
For example: “We should figure out where to eat tonight.”

Fourth: to discover a solution.
For example: “I’ll figure out a way to fix the printer.”

And fifth: to realize or comprehend.
For example: “It took me a while to figure out her feelings.” 

3. CALL BACK (separable)
- call (something or someone) back or call back (something or someone)

Here are the meanings of the phrasal verb "call back" along with example sentences.

First: to return a phone call.
Example: “I missed your call, so I’ll call you back later.”

Second: to contact someone again.
Example: “She asked me to call back when I have news.”

Third: to recall someone for a second interview.
Example: “The company will call back the best candidates next week.”

Fourth: to return to a previous situation.
Example: “Let’s call back to that topic after lunch.”

Fifth: to make someone return.
Example: “The manager called him back to discuss the report.”

 

 

4. BREAK DOWN (non-separable)
Here are the meanings of the phrasal verb "break down" along with example sentences.

First. To stop functioning.
Example: “My car broke down on the highway.”

Second. To feel very strong emotions.
Example: “She broke down in tears after hearing the bad news.”

Third. To analyze in detail.
Example: “Let’s break down the project into smaller tasks.”

Fourth. To divide something into parts or groups.
Example: “I will break down the discussion into three parts.”

Fifth. To fail to communicate.
Example: “Our negotiations broke down over the contract terms.”

And sixth. To push something down with force or to remove barriers.
Example: “The firefighters broke down the door.”

Break down can also be used figuratively.
For example, “Mary wants to break down gender barriers in science.”

5. CALL OFF (separable)

- call off (something or someone) or call (something or someone) off

Here are the meanings of the phrasal verb "call off" along with example sentences. 

First: to cancel. 
Example: "They decided to call off the picnic due to rain." 

Second: to stop an activity. 
Example: "The manager called off the meeting for next week." 

Third: to release from duty. 
Example: "The teacher called off the students early today." 

Fourth: to dissuade or discourage. 
Example: "She called off her friend from joining the risky adventure." 

Fifth: to make a person or animal stop attacking or chasing. 
Example 1: "She had to call off the dog before it reached the postman." 

Example 2: "The general ordered the soldiers to call off the advance."