2.3 Phrasal Verbs
In this lesson, we’re going to learn about phrasal verbs—a powerful part of English that can help you sound more natural, fluent, and confident, especially in the IELTS Speaking test.
You’ve probably heard phrasal verbs before, even if you didn’t realize it. Expressions like “give up”, “run out of”, or “look after” may sound simple, but they can completely change the meaning of a sentence.
🔸 What Is a Phrasal Verb?
A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and one or more small words—usually prepositions or adverbs—that, when combined, create a new meaning. The important thing to remember is this: the meaning of the whole phrasal verb is often different from the meaning of the verb alone.
Let’s take a simple example: the verb “give.”
On its own, it means to offer something.
But if we say “give up,” it doesn’t mean “offer something up”—it actually means to quit.
That’s what makes phrasal verbs tricky. You cannot always guess the meaning from the words themselves. You have to learn them in context—like idioms.
🔸 Why Are Phrasal Verbs Important?
There are two big reasons why you should care about phrasal verbs—whether you’re learning English for daily use or preparing for an exam like IELTS.
1. They’re Everywhere in Daily Life
Native English speakers use phrasal verbs constantly in conversations. You’ll hear them in movies, podcasts, interviews, and daily chats.
For example:
- “I’ll look into that.” (meaning: investigate)
- “We ran out of milk.” (meaning: finished, used all)
If you avoid using or understanding phrasal verbs, your English might sound stiff or overly formal in situations where people expect casual, natural speech.
2. They Help You Score Higher in IELTS
In the IELTS Speaking test, one of the criteria examiners use to give you a score is called Lexical Resource. This measures your range and flexibility of vocabulary.
Phrasal verbs help you show:
- A wide vocabulary range
- Ability to use idiomatic expressions
- Skill in choosing natural, native-like words
When used correctly, phrasal verbs can push you toward Band 7 or above, especially in Speaking.
For example, compare these two answers:
❌ “I tried to solve the problem.”
✅ “I worked out a way to fix the problem.”
Both are correct, but the second version sounds more fluent and idiomatic.
🔸 The Confusing Part: Literal vs Idiomatic
Let’s look at why phrasal verbs are so confusing for many learners.
Sometimes, the meaning is literal—you can guess it from the words:
“He sat down.” – Very clear, he changed position and sat.
But often, the meaning is idiomatic—it’s not obvious:
“He came across an old friend yesterday.”
Here, “come across” doesn’t mean “walk across” something. It means to meet someone by chance.
This idiomatic quality is what makes phrasal verbs rich, useful—and sometimes confusing. That’s why it’s better to learn them in full phrases or examples, not just as isolated vocabulary.
🔸 So How Do You Learn Them?
Here’s a tip: Don’t memorize phrasal verbs like a vocabulary list.
Instead, learn them through:
- Stories or dialogues
- Real-life situations
- Thematic groups (e.g. travel, emotions, communication)
- Practice exercises where you use them in your own speech
The more you use them, the more natural they become.
🔸 Where Can You Use Phrasal Verbs in IELTS?
Let’s break it down by test section.
IELTS Speaking
You should definitely use phrasal verbs in Speaking. In fact, they are one of the best ways to sound relaxed, fluent, and natural.
Example:
Examiner: “Can you describe a difficult situation you faced?”
Student: “Yeah, last year I ran into some issues with my visa. But I sorted them out quickly.”
That’s perfect. It’s natural and idiomatic.
But…
IELTS Writing
In Writing, you need to be more careful.
If you’re writing an informal letter (like in General Training Task 1), it’s okay to use phrasal verbs.
“I put off the meeting because of a family emergency.”
But in formal essays (like Task 2), it’s better to use more formal expressions.
❌ “The government should bring in new laws.”
✅ “The government should introduce new legislation.”
This doesn’t mean you should never use phrasal verbs in writing—just be sure they match the tone of your writing.