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Sunny, January 15, 2026 in Kathmandu

Master These Phrasal Verbs and Speak English Naturally!

If you’ve ever felt confused while learning English, you’re not alone. One major reason?
👉 Phrasal verbs — those tricky two- or three-word combinations like give up, break down, or look after.

They can completely change the meaning of a sentence and often don’t translate well into other languages.
In fact, did you know there are over 5,000 phrasal verbs in English? 😲 No wonder they cause headaches!

But here’s the good news: mastering them can massively boost your fluency and confidence.


What Is a Phrasal Verb?
A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb + a preposition or adverb (or both), where the meaning isn’t always obvious from the words themselves.

Example:

  • Give up = quit.
    You can’t just guess from “give” + “up”! It creates a whole new meaning.

Why Are Phrasal Verbs Important?

🔹 They make your English sound more natural.

🔹 Native speakers use them constantly.

🔹 They often replace more formal vocabulary (e.g., “continue”“keep going”).

Common Phrasal Verbs You Should Know:

Phrasal VerbMeaningExample Sentence
Give upQuit“I won’t give up on my dreams.”
Break downCollect/learn“My car broke down yesterday.”
Look afterTake care of“She looked after her younger brother.”
Pick upRemove/leave the ground“Can you pick up the kids?”
Turn offStop a machine/light“Please turn off the lights.”
Run out ofHave no more left“We’ve run out of milk.”
Take offRemove / leave the ground“The plane took off on time.”
Come acrossFind unexpectedly“I came across an old photo album.”
Put up withTolerate“I can’t put up with this noise!”
Get alongHave a good relationship“They really get along well.”

Tips for Mastering Phrasal Verbs:

🔹 Learn in small groups (5–10 at a time).

🔹 Use them in sentences immediately — don’t just memorize.

🔹 Group them by meaning (e.g., travel, emotions, daily routines).

🔹 Notice them in TV shows, movies, and real conversations!


Final Thoughts:
Learning phrasal verbs doesn’t have to be overwhelming. 🎯
Take it step by step, and you’ll soon start thinking — and speaking — like a native. 🚀✨

Want even more tips? Stay tuned for our next deep dive!

➡️ Explore more English learning guides on our blog!

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