[Mastering Common English Phrasal Verbs: A Comprehensive Guide]-[Episode 41 - Common English Phrasal Verbs - Part 2 of 3]

Learn Everyday English · B1 · 2021-07-12

📋 Summary

Mastering Common English Phrasal Verbs: A Comprehensive Guide

In this episode of the Learn Every Day English podcast, host Gary provides a practical breakdown of ten essential English phrasal verbs. Phrasal verbs are frequently cited by language learners as one of the most challenging aspects of English, yet they are vital for natural communication. Below is a summary of the phrasal verbs discussed, categorized by their primary meanings and usage contexts.

1. Navigating Social and Moral Boundaries

To get away with: This refers to escaping punishment or avoiding consequences for an action, often one that is considered wrong. Gary uses the example, "Shirley got away with cheating on the test," to illustrate a situation where an action was performed without detection. He also notes that people often "push the limit" to see if they can "get away with something" without being caught.
To get along (with): This describes maintaining a friendly relationship or interacting harmoniously with others. Gary highlights the difficulty of this social dynamic by stating, "No matter how hard I try, I just can't get along with Jim," emphasizing that interpersonal compatibility can sometimes be challenging.

2. Giving and Withdrawing

To give away: This phrasal verb carries two distinct meanings. The first is to donate or provide items for free, such as "giving away a whole box of clothes to the homeless shelter." The second meaning is to reveal a secret or a surprise, as seen in the warning, "Make sure you don't give away the birthday party we are having for Maria."
To give up: This verb denotes either accepting defeat or quitting a habit. Gary notes that learners often feel like "giving up" when they struggle with language proficiency. Alternatively, it is used for behavioral changes, such as the need to "give up eating ice cream" to manage weight.

3. Reviewing and Monitoring

To go over: This serves as a versatile term meaning either to review material ("Do you have time to go over the English homework?") or to exceed a specific limit, such as failing to "go over the speed limit" while driving.
To look after: This means to care for or supervise a person, pet, or object. Gary notes, "Thank you for looking after me when I was sick," and mentions the necessity of having someone "look after my dog" during vacations.

4. Exclusion and Disappointment

To leave out: This means to omit or exclude something or someone. It can apply to tasks, such as deciding to "leave out" a graph in a presentation, or social situations, where one might feel "left out" of soccer games.
To let down: This verb is synonymous with disappointing someone. Gary illustrates this with the emotional weight of missing a career milestone, explaining, "I felt really let down when I didn't get the promotion at work."

5. Technical and Physical Actions

To pull up: This can refer to accessing information on a computer ("Give me a second while I pull up your information") or moving a vehicle forward, such as asking a driver to "pull up a little" to reach a gas pump.
To put on: This refers to adding something to one's person, whether it is applying makeup or choosing an item of clothing, as in the question, "Which dress should I put on?"

Conclusion

Understanding these phrasal verbs is a significant step toward achieving English proficiency. As Gary emphasizes, while these terms can be confusing, they are fundamental to how native speakers communicate daily. By incorporating these into your vocabulary, you can better navigate both social and professional contexts in English.

🎯Key Sentences

So now, let's jump right in to today's episode.

Hopefully you're all doing okay today.

Glad to have you with me.

Well, I think that's it for now.

I need to give them credit.

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📝Key Phrases

get away with

get along with

give away

give up

go over

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📖 Transcript

Hey, hello, and welcome to this episode of the Learn Every Day English Podcast, your roadway to English proficiency.

You've come to the right place to improve your listening comprehension skills and mastery of the English language.

My name is Gary. I will be your host today.

I'm a native English speaker born and raised in the United States and a retired engineer living in a small Texas town about one hour north of Houston.

I'm also a language learner like you, studying Spanish for about four years, so I know what it is like to learn a new and different language.