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[Mastering Common English Phrasal Verbs: A Practical Guide]-[#136 Phrasal Verbs with GET in English (rep) - ESL]

Speak English Now Podcast: Learn English | Speak English without grammar. · A2 · 2020-08-27

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📋 Summary

Mastering Common English Phrasal Verbs

In this episode of the Speak English Now podcast, host Georgiana provides a practical guide to understanding and using some of the most frequent phrasal verbs in English. She emphasizes that learners should focus on the most commonly used verbs rather than trying to memorize every possible meaning, suggesting that learning one or two core meanings per verb is sufficient for effective communication.

Understanding Core Phrasal Verbs

Georgiana breaks down several key phrasal verbs, providing context for their usage:

  • Get along / Get on: These are used to describe social harmony. For instance, "I'm surprised how well I get along with my mother-in-law." The host notes that "get on" can be used interchangeably in this context.
  • Go back, Come back, and Get back: The distinction here relies on perspective. "Come" is used when someone approaches the speaker, while "go" is used for moving away. Adding "back" emphasizes returning to a previous state or location. "Get back" is described as a slightly more informal alternative that functions similarly.
  • Get by: This refers to surviving or managing in a less-than-ideal situation, such as "My English is not fluent, but I think I can get by in London."
  • Get over: This phrasal verb means to recover from a problem or accept a difficult situation. For example, when facing traffic, one might "need to get over it because there was nothing she could do."
  • Get together: Used for social meetings, such as "Let's get together this weekend."
  • Get in / Get on vs. Get out of / Get off: These relate to entering or exiting vehicles. While "get in" and "get out of" are typically used for cars, "get on" and "get off" are preferred for larger public transport like buses or trains.
  • Get up vs. Wake up: Georgiana clarifies that "wake up" refers to opening one’s eyes, while "get up" refers to physically leaving the bed.

Intuitive Grammar Learning: The Point-of-View Technique

To help listeners internalize these verbs, Georgiana employs a "point-of-view" technique. By narrating a short story about a character named Alice—first in the past tense and then in the present tense—she allows learners to observe how the verbs change naturally within a sentence structure.

For example, in the past tense, the story notes, "she finally got up and brushed her teeth," whereas in the present tense, it becomes, "she finally gets up and brushes her teeth." This method helps students recognize grammatical shifts intuitively, avoiding the need for rote memorization of dry rules.

Key Takeaways for Learners

Georgiana concludes by stressing the importance of consistent practice. She advises listeners to:

  1. Focus on Frequency: Prioritize learning the most commonly used phrasal verbs.
  2. Limit Meanings: Don't get overwhelmed by multiple definitions; focus on one or two primary uses.
  3. Use Contextual Listening: Listen to the episode multiple times to allow the grammar and vocabulary to sink in naturally. By engaging with these stories, learners can move beyond simple memorization and start using these phrasal verbs with greater confidence in their daily English conversations.

🎯Key Sentences

1
That would mean a lot.
2
Then you'll probably use this phrasal verb.
3
It's exactly the same meaning.
4
It has virtually the same meaning.
5
It sounds a bit more informal.
Expand All

📝Key Phrases

1
get along with
2
check out
3
get back
4
get by
5
get over
Expand All

📖 Transcript

Hi, I'm Georgiana, your English teacher.
Thanks for joining me for a new episode of the Speak English Now podcast.
If you want to help, please share the podcast on social media.
That would mean a lot.
Thanks.
Before we start, visit my website, speakenglishpodcast.com and subscribe to my free mini course.

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