What Are Phrasal Verbs?

We use phrasal verbs all of the time, but many people don't know what they are. Do you?

They are two-word or three-word phrases that consist of a verb and one or two words from the preposition list.

The words work together to perform the job of one verb, and they create a meaning different from the meaning that the words have by themselves.

Their name might remind some of you of verb phrases, but they aren't the same thing.

Examples
Be sure to dress up
for the concert.

I'd love to do away with my trips to the post office.

We were tired, and we
turned in early.

I like to work out
in the mornings.

Let's take a closer look at a couple of those example sentences.

Dress Up

Be sure to dress up for the concert.
Dress up contains two words that are performing the job of one verb.

Dress up has a different meaning than the words have individually.

Dress up means to wear nice clothing.

Do Away With

I'd love to do away with my trips to the post office.
Do away with contains three words that are performing the job of one verb.

Do away with has a different meaning than the words have individually.

Do away with means to discard.

Sentence Diagramming

Diagram these verbs just like you diagram any other verb.

That means you don't have to do anything fancy. You basically treat all of the words as one verb.

We were tired, and we turned in early.

phrasal verb

Turned in means to go to sleep.

Don't Get Tricked!

These word combinations don't always create phrasal verbs. These only occur when the words combine to create an entirely new meaning.

Let's study this phenomenon with the words work out.

I like to work out in the mornings.

What do you think?

Yes!

Work out is a phrasal verb in that sentence. Both of the words are performing the job of one verb, and work out has a different meaning than the words have individually. Work out means to exercise.

I like to work out of my office.

Now what do you think?

In this sentence, work out is not a phrasal verb. Here, work is a verb (It's part of an infinitive if you want to get specific.), and out is working together with of to form a preposition.

Got it? Good!

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Keep learning and have fun!

Elizabeth O'Brien is the creator of the Grammar Revolution step-by-step grammar and sentence diagramming programs. Her programs are guaranteed not only to teach you grammar, but also to give you more confidence in your communication skills.

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