8 more phrasal verbs for your English vocabulary

If you want to improve your English and speak like a native, it's important to learn as many phrasal verbs as possible. Add these 8 phrasal verbs to your vocabulary today!

Every English student knows that phrasal verbs can be a nightmare to learn. Phrasal verbs are verbs that are combined with a preposition, an adverb or both a preposition and an adverb. Though they are difficult to learn, they serve a very important purpose in the English language. They change the meaning of the root verb to give us a clearer understanding and more specific description of the action.

 

Are you using these 8 phrasal verbs in your everyday English?

 

 

setupW phrasal verbs

1. Set up

Definition: to arrange, organize or configure something

Examples:

  • The boss set up a meeting with all of the employees on Friday.
  • They needed 10 people to set up the stage before the concert.
  • I got a new phone today, can you help me set it up?

 

2. Pick out

Definition: to choose something from various options

Examples:

  • I went shopping and picked out 4 dresses to try on.
  • Dave picked out the thief from the group of suspects.
  • My boyfriend picked out the perfect birthday present for me.

 

 

matchingW phrasal verbs

3. Go with

Definition: if something goes with another thing, it means that they suit each other or look good together

Examples:

  • Do these shoes go with my dress?
  • I don’t think the new sofa goes with the other furniture in the living room.
  • This music doesn’t go with the mood of the party.

 

4. Ask out

Definition: to invite someone on a date

Examples:

  • John asked Judy out on a date this Saturday.
  • Pete asked me out, but I’m not interested so I declined.
  • Sarah asked Brian out to dinner and a movie.

 brokenW phrasal verbs

5. Break up

Definition: to end a relationship

Examples:

  • We broke up because we weren’t happy together anymore.
  • My girlfriend broke up with me and I’m heartbroken.
  • I’m going to break up with Dan because he treats me badly.

 

6. Give away

Definition: to give something to somebody for free

Examples:

  • The library is giving away books this weekend.
  • I’m going to give away my old clothes to charity.
  • Sorry, I don’t have any more cookies. I gave them all away.

 

ideaW phrasal verbs

7. Find out

Definition: to discover, to realize or to become aware of something

Examples:

  • She found out about the surprise party because Sarah told her.
  • I just found out that I got an A on my exam!
  • The scientists are doing experiments to find out if their hypotheses are correct.

  

8. Give up

Definitions: to stop trying or to quit a habit

Examples:

  • She gave up smoking one month ago.
  • I’ve been trying to solve this math problem for an hour, I give up!
  • He gave up learning the clarinet because he wasn’t improving.

 

Use these 8 new phrasal verbs to improve your English in everyday conversations! Follow Dreaming California on social media for more tips and information for improving your English skills.