Phrasal Verbs
Overview
Phrasal verbs are a fundamental component of English language proficiency and appear consistently in the WB TET Language II paper. A phrasal verb combines a main verb with one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs) to create a meaning that is often different from the original verb. For example, "give up" means something entirely different from "give."
For the WB TET examination, you must recognise common phrasal verbs in reading comprehension passages, understand their contextual meanings, and sometimes fill in the correct particle. Questions typically test whether you can distinguish between similar phrasal verbs (look after vs look into vs look for) and whether you understand idiomatic usage in everyday English.
Mastering phrasal verbs improves both comprehension skills and grammatical accuracy. Since English functions as a second language for most candidates, this topic bridges the gap between textbook grammar and natural, communicative English.
Key Concepts
- Definition: A phrasal verb = verb + particle (adverb/preposition). The particle changes or intensifies the meaning of the base verb.
- Separable vs Inseparable: Some phrasal verbs can be separated by an object (Turn the light off / Turn off the light), while others cannot be separated (Look after the children — never "Look the children after").
- Transitive vs Intransitive: Transitive phrasal verbs require an object (She put off the meeting), while intransitive ones do not (The plane took off).
- Literal vs Idiomatic Meaning: Some phrasal verbs retain literal meaning (sit down, stand up), while others are completely idiomatic (break down = stop functioning or collapse emotionally).
- Multiple Meanings: A single phrasal verb can have several meanings depending on context. "Make up" can mean invent (a story), reconcile (after a fight), or apply cosmetics.
- Particles Matter: Changing the particle changes the meaning entirely. Compare: look for (search), look after (care for), look into (investigate), look up (search in a reference).
- Three-word Phrasal Verbs: Some phrasal verbs have two particles — look forward to, put up with, get along with, come up with.
Formulas / Key Facts
Essential Phrasal Verbs for WB TET
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| break down | stop working; collapse | The car broke down on the highway. |
| bring up | raise (children); mention | She was brought up in Kolkata. |
| call off | cancel | They called off the match due to rain. |
| carry on | continue | Please carry on with your work. |
| come across | find by chance | I came across an old photograph. |
| give up | stop trying; quit | Never give up your dreams. |
| look after | take care of | Who looks after the elderly at home? |
| look for | search | She is looking for her lost book. |
| look into | investigate | The police will look into the matter. |
| make out | understand; see clearly | I cannot make out his handwriting. |
| put off | postpone | The exam has been put off by a week. |
| put up with | tolerate | I cannot put up with this noise. |
| run out of | exhaust supply | We have run out of milk. |
| take after | resemble (family) | The boy takes after his father. |
| turn down | reject; reduce volume | She turned down the job offer. |
| turn up | arrive; increase volume | He turned up late for the meeting. |
| work out | exercise; solve | I work out every morning. |
| set up | establish | They set up a new school in the village. |
| go through | experience; examine | She went through a difficult time. |
| look forward to | anticipate with pleasure | I look forward to meeting you. |
Quick Rules
- When the object is a pronoun, separable phrasal verbs MUST be split: "Turn it off" (correct), not "Turn off it" (wrong).
- Inseparable phrasal verbs never split: "Look after him" (correct), not "Look him after" (wrong).
- Three-word phrasal verbs are always inseparable.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Fill in the blank with the correct phrasal verb.
The meeting was __________ because the chairperson fell ill.
Options: (a) called off (b) called on (c) called up (d) called for
Solution: The sentence requires a verb meaning "cancelled." Called off = cancel. Called on = visit. Called up = telephone. Called for = demand.
Answer: (a) called off
Example 2: Choose the correct meaning of the underlined phrasal verb.
The teacher asked the students to go through the chapter before the test.
Options: (a) skip (b) read carefully (c) ignore (d) summarise
Solution: "Go through" means to examine or read something carefully. The teacher wants students to study the chapter thoroughly.
Answer: (b) read carefully
Example 3: Rewrite using correct word order.
Wrong: Please turn off it before leaving.
Solution: Since "it" is a pronoun, the separable phrasal verb must be split. The pronoun goes between the verb and the particle.
Correct: Please turn it off before leaving.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing similar phrasal verbs → Students mix up "look for" (search) with "look after" (care for). Fix: Create mental images — looking FOR something you lost, looking AFTER someone who needs care.
- Wrong particle selection → Writing "interested for" instead of "interested in" or "depend from" instead of "depend on." Fix: Learn phrasal verbs as complete units, not as verb + random particle.
- Incorrect pronoun placement → Writing "Put on it" instead of "Put it on." Fix: Remember the rule — pronouns always go in the middle for separable phrasal verbs.
- Literal interpretation of idiomatic phrasal verbs → Thinking "break down" always means physical breaking. Fix: Consider the context; emotional or mechanical failure are common idiomatic uses.
- Ignoring three-word phrasal verbs → Forgetting the third word in phrases like "look forward to" or "come up with." Fix: Treat three-word phrasal verbs as fixed expressions; never omit any part.
Quick Reference
- Phrasal verb = verb + particle; meaning often differs from base verb.
- Separable: object/pronoun can go in the middle (pick up / pick it up).
- Inseparable: object always follows the complete phrasal verb (look after the baby).
- Pronouns MUST split separable phrasal verbs: "Turn it on" not "Turn on it."
- Context determines meaning when a phrasal verb has multiple senses.
- Memorise the top 20 phrasal verbs — they cover most exam questions.