Mastering Phrasal Verbs: A Comprehensive Guide for English Learners

By Saiful Alam

"Mastering Phrasal Verbs: A Comprehensive Guide for English Learners" is an essential resource for any student of the English language looking to improve their understanding and usage of phrasal verbs. Phrasal verbs are an integral part of the English language, but they can be one of the most challenging aspects for learners to master. With this comprehensive guide, learners of all levels will be able to confidently use phrasal verbs in their speaking, writing, and comprehension.

 

The guide then moves on to cover common phrasal verbs used in everyday conversation, such as "get up", "put on", and "take off". Each phrasal verb is presented in context, with example sentences that demonstrate how it is used in different situations. The guide also includes exercises and activities to help learners practice using these phrasal verbs in their own writing and speaking.

 

In addition to common phrasal verbs, this guide also covers more complex and less frequently used phrasal verbs. These include phrasal verbs used in academic writing, as well as phrasal verbs used in more formal or professional settings. Again, each phrasal verb is explained in detail, with example sentences and exercises to help learners practice using them correctly.

 

Throughout the guide, learners will find helpful tips and strategies for mastering phrasal verbs, including how to memorize them, how to recognize their different meanings, and how to use them in context. By the end of this guide, learners will have a comprehensive understanding of phrasal verbs and the confidence to use them correctly and effectively in their English communication.

 

Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner of the English language, "Mastering Phrasal Verbs: A Comprehensive Guide for English Learners" is an invaluable resource that will help you take your language skills to the next level.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Saiful Alam
• Release date: Jun 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223050490

Book preview

Preface

Learning English can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to phrasal verbs. With so many different phrasal verbs out there and their meanings often changing depending on the context, it can be challenging for English learners to use them confidently in their everyday conversations.

This book, Mastering Phrasal Verbs: A Comprehensive Guide for English Learners, is designed to help learners overcome this challenge and develop a solid understanding of phrasal verbs. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced English learner, this book provides you with a comprehensive guide to mastering phrasal verbs.

The book begins with an introduction to phrasal verbs, explaining what they are and why they are so important for effective communication in English.

Throughout the book, there are numerous examples and exercises that help you understand phrasal verbs in context and practice using them in various situations. You will also learn common phrasal verbs used in different settings, such as at work or in social situations.

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Whether you are preparing for an exam, improving your English for work or travel, or just wanting to enhance your language skills, Mastering Phrasal Verbs: A Comprehensive Guide for English Learners will provide you with the knowledge and skills to use phrasal verbs effectively and confidently.

Ache for

To feel a strong desire or longing for something or someone.

She ached for the cool breeze on her face as she ran in the hot sun.

To feel homesick or miss a particular place or time.

Living in a new city made her ache for the familiar streets of her hometown.

To experience physical or emotional pain or discomfort.

His knee ached for days after he twisted it during the game.

To be in a state of mourning or grief.

After her father passed away, she ached for him every day.

To yearn for something that is out of reach or impossible to attain.

He ached for the opportunity to travel the world but couldn't due to his financial situation.

Add to

To increase the quantity or quality of something.

I'm going to add some more spices to the sauce to make it more flavorful.

To contribute to a particular outcome or result.

The positive reviews will add to the restaurant's overall reputation.

To append or include something in a larger group or set.

Please add your name to the list of attendees for the meeting.

To extend or lengthen something in time or space.

I'm going to add an extra hour to my workout routine.

To intensify or exacerbate a particular feeling or emotion.

His snide remark only added to my frustration with the situation.

Advise against

To recommend that someone not do something due to potential negative consequences.

The doctor advised against eating too much processed food.

To warn or caution someone about a particular course of action.

I advised against taking the shortcut through the woods at night.

To suggest that something is not a good idea or not worth pursuing.

The financial advisor advised against investing in the high-risk stock market.

To counsel or guide someone away from a harmful or detrimental situation.

The therapist advised against continuing to engage in toxic relationships.

To dissuade or discourage someone from a particular path or decision.

The teacher advised against dropping out of school and encouraged the student to keep working towards their goals.

Aim for

To have a particular goal or objective in mind.

I'm aiming for a promotion at work this year.

To strive for or work towards a particular outcome.

She's been aiming for a personal best in her marathon training.

To direct one's efforts or resources towards a particular target or destination.

We're aiming for the top of the mountain by sunset.

To set a standard or benchmark to achieve.

We're aiming for a 90% approval rating on our customer satisfaction survey.

To hope for or desire a particular outcome.

He's aiming for a successful outcome to the negotiations with the other company.

Angle for

To try to get something indirectly or subtly.

He's been angling for a promotion for months by taking on extra projects and volunteering for leadership roles.

To fish with a rod and line.

He loves angling for trout in the river near his house.

To approach or address something from a particular perspective or angle.

She's angling for a story about the impact of climate change on local wildlife.

To position or arrange something at an angle.

He angled the mirror so that he could see behind him while driving.

To change direction or move in a different path.

She angled her hike towards the summit of the mountain.

Answer for

To take responsibility or be held accountable for something.

He had to answer for the mistakes his team made on the project.

To provide an explanation or justification for something.

She had to answer for the decisions she made as CEO during the company's financial crisis.

To speak or act on behalf of someone or something.

As the spokesperson for the organization, she had to answer for their policies and actions.

To suffer the consequences or repercussions of something.

He had to answer for his reckless behavior when he got arrested.

To be responsible for managing or overseeing something.

She's the one who has to answer for the budget and resources for the project.

Argue down

To persuade someone to lower their price or demand.

He argued the seller down to a more reasonable price for the car.

To defeat or refute an argument or idea.

She argued down the opposition's claims with data and evidence.

To subdue or quell a protest or rebellion.

The police were able to argue down the protestors and maintain order.

To persuade or convince someone to change their opinion or stance.

She argued him down and convinced him to support her proposal.

To reduce the intensity or severity of a disagreement or conflict.

They argued down their disagreement and found a compromise that worked for both of them.

Ask about

To inquire or seek information about something.

I need to ask about the availability of the new product.

To express interest or curiosity about a particular topic or subject.

She asked about my hobbies and interests.

To investigate or look into a matter.

I'm going to ask about the issue and see if I can find a solution.

To request or obtain a review or feedback.

We should ask about the opinions of the team members before making a final decision.

To confirm or clarify a detail or information.

I'll have to ask about the time of the meeting again, just to be sure.

Ask in

To invite someone to come inside or join an event or gathering.

I asked him in for a cup of coffee.

To request or seek permission to enter a particular place or building.

I had to ask in at the security desk before entering the building.

To involve or include someone in a particular activity or discussion.

I always like to ask in the interns for their ideas and opinions.

To inquire or check about someone's well-being.

I stopped by to ask in on my neighbor and see if she needed any help.

To seek the advice or opinion of someone who is knowledgeable or experienced in a particular field.

I had to ask in the expert to help us solve the complex issue.

Ask out

To invite someone on a date or to a social event.

He finally worked up the nerve to ask her out on a date.

To request or make arrangements for a meal or drink with someone.

I'm going to ask him out for lunch and see if he's available.

To challenge or dare someone to participate in an activity.

I asked him out to a game of one-on-one basketball.

To request or demand an explanation or justification for something.

I'm going to ask out the boss about the recent changes in the company policy.

To provoke or instigate a fight or argument.

He deliberately asked out the other player to start a fight on the field.

Ask around

To inquire or seek information from various people.

I'm not sure where to find a good plumber, so I'll ask around and see if anyone has a recommendation.

To spread information or gossip through informal conversation.

I heard that they're getting a divorce, but it's just something someone was asking around about.

To canvass or survey a group of people for their opinions or preferences.

We asked around to see what kind of food everyone wanted for the party.

To conduct an investigation or search through questioning.

The police are asking around to try to find out who committed the crime.

To make a general inquiry or request for assistance.

Can you ask around and see if anyone has a spare charger?

At all

In any way or to any degree.

I don't understand this topic at all.

Used in a negative sentence to indicate the absence of something.

I'm not hungry at all.

Used to express emphasis or surprise.

I wasn't expecting to see you here at all!

Used to ask a negative question or express doubt or uncertainty.

Did you get any sleep at all last night?

Used to indicate the lack of interest or enthusiasm.

I'm not into sports at all.

At large

Generally or broadly.

The report discusses the issue at large.

Free or at liberty.

The suspect is still at large and considered dangerous.

In total or overall.

The company has 500 employees at large.

Still at large means not yet caught or detained by authorities.

The police are searching for the suspect who is still at large.

Used to refer to a person's overall status or role.

He was a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist at large.

At length

To speak or write for an extended period of time on a particular topic.

The professor spoke at length about the history of the Roman Empire.

To finally reach a conclusion or decision after much deliberation.

After considering all the options, we arrived at a decision at length.

To provide a thorough or detailed explanation or account.

He described the crime scene at length, providing every detail he could remember.

To take a long time to complete or accomplish something.

The project took much longer than expected and dragged on at length.

To emphasize or stress a particular point or aspect of something.

The importance of honesty was emphasized at length during the orientation.

At random

To select or choose something without any particular method or system.

I just picked out a book at random from the library shelves.

To occur or happen without any apparent reason or cause.

The power outage seemed to happen at random and caught us all off guard.

To be unpredictable or subject to chance.

The weather in this region can be quite unpredictable, with rain and sun appearing at random.

To be without a set or planned schedule.

He just drives around the city at random, enjoying the sights.

To lack any apparent order or logic.

The student's essay seemed to jump from one topic to another at random.

Auction off

To sell something through an auction.

The estate decided to auction off the artwork to raise money for charity.

To offer something for sale to the highest bidder.

They decided to auction off their antique furniture collection.

To liquidate assets by selling them in an auction.

The company auctioned off its remaining inventory after declaring bankruptcy.

To use an auction as a fundraising event.

The school decided to auction off various items to raise money for new playground equipment.

To dispose of something by selling it in an auction.

The collector decided to auction off his collection of rare stamps.

Back away

To retreat or withdraw from a situation or conversation.

When she saw the angry dog, she slowly backed away to safety.

To distance oneself from a previously held belief or stance.

After some reflection, he decided to back away from his initial position on the issue.

To decrease or lessen one's level of involvement or commitment.

She decided to back away from the project because of her other priorities.

To decrease or lessen the intensity of something.

The storm slowly backed away as it moved out to sea.

To become less enthusiastic or excited about something.

He initially wanted to buy the new car, but eventually backed away when he saw the price.

Bag out

To criticize or speak negatively about someone or something.

She was always bagging out her coworkers behind their backs.

To tease or make fun of someone in a good-natured way.

We always bagged out our friend for his love of country poems.

To exhaust or tire oneself out from physical exertion.

After running a marathon, I was completely bagged out and needed to rest.

To abandon or cancel a plan or commitment.

We had to bag out of our vacation plans due to unforeseen circumstances.

To reject or dismiss an idea or suggestion.

Our boss immediately bagged out our proposal without giving it much thought.

Bail out

To leave a difficult or uncomfortable situation.

I had to bail out of the meeting early to attend to an urgent matter.

To provide financial assistance to a person or organization in order to prevent their failure or collapse.

The government decided to bail out the struggling airline industry during the pandemic.

To jump from an aircraft or other vehicle in an emergency situation.

The pilot had to bail out when the plane's engine failed mid-flight.

To remove water from a sinking or flooding vessel.

We had to bail out the boat after a sudden storm hit.

To release someone from custody or imprisonment, typically by posting bail.

His lawyer was able to bail him out of jail.

Band together

To form a cohesive group or team.

The survivors of the natural disaster banded together to help each other.

To unite for a common cause or purpose.

The different activist groups banded together to fight for environmental protections.

To collaborate or cooperate towards a shared goal.

The team banded together to create a benefit event for charity.

To merge or combine multiple elements or components.

The various companies banded together to create a stronger, more competitive market presence.

To pool resources or expertise for a particular project or initiative.

The researchers banded together to conduct a comprehensive study of the disease.

Bang around

To move around a space or area noisily.

He was banging around in the kitchen, trying to find a snack.

To rough up or damage an object or space through carelessness.

The new tenant really banged around the apartment, leaving holes in the walls and scratches on the floor.

To discuss a topic in a casual or non-specific way.

We were just banging around some ideas for our next project.

To spend time with people in an informal way.

We used to bang around town on weekends, trying new restaurants and bars.

To be unproductive or idle.

He's been banging around the house all day, not doing much of anything.

Bang on

To repeatedly hit something or someone.

The drummer was banging on his drums so loudly that the neighbors complained.

To insist or persist in making a point or argument.

He kept banging on about the importance of punctuality, even though no one was listening.

To be extremely accurate or precise.

Her analysis of the situation was bang on - she had predicted the outcome perfectly.

To arrive or show up suddenly or unexpectedly.

He banged on the door in the middle of the night, waking up the whole house.

To emphasize or highlight a particular point or aspect of something.

She really banged on the fact that the project was due in two days.

Bargain for

To anticipate or expect a certain outcome or result.

She had bargained for a long wait at the DMV, but was pleasantly surprised to be in and out in under an hour.

To negotiate or haggle for a better deal or price.

He was able to bargain for a lower price on the car by pointing out some of its flaws.

To plan or prepare for a particular situation or scenario.

We need to bargain for the possibility of rain during the outdoor concert.

To make allowances or accommodations for something.

We hadn't bargained for the extra expenses associated with moving to a new city.

To consider or take into account a particular factor or circumstance.

When she made her budget for the month, she had bargained for unexpected expenses.

Bargain on

To rely on or expect something to happen.

I was counting on her to come to the party, but she canceled at the last minute.

To negotiate or haggle over a price or terms.

I was able to bargain on the price of the car and save some money.

To plan or make arrangements for something.

We need to bargain on a place to stay for the weekend.

To assume or presume something to be true.

Don't bargain on me being able to help you move, I have plans that day.

To predict or anticipate something happening.

I didn't bargain on getting a promotion so soon.

Barge in

To enter a room or conversation uninvited or rudely.

He just barged in without knocking and interrupted our meeting.

To force one's way into a particular situation or discussion.

She always tries to barge in on our conversations and make them about her.

To interrupt or disrupt a process or sequence of events.

I'm sorry to barge in on your project, but we need your help with a more urgent matter.

To take action without seeking permission or approval.

Sometimes you have to just barge in and get things done.

To confront or challenge someone directly and aggressively.

She wasn't afraid to barge in and stand up to the bullies in the schoolyard.

Bash in

To forcefully strike or hit something until it breaks or caves in.

The burglar bashed in the window and climbed into the house.

To cause significant damage or destruction to something.

The storm bashed in the roof and flooded the basement.

To criticize or attack someone harshly or unfairly.

The media bashed in the politician's reputation with relentless negative coverage.

To force open a door or other obstruction.

The firefighters had to bash in the door to rescue the trapped family.

To break down or weaken someone's resistance or resolve.

The constant pressure and stress eventually bashed in her willpower and she gave up.

Bash on

To continue with a task or activity despite obstacles or setbacks.

Even though the project was difficult, we decided to bash on and finish it.

To criticize or speak harshly about something or someone.

He always bashes on the new policies without offering any constructive feedback.

To strike or hit something repeatedly.

The drummer continued to bash on his drums, even as the audience cheered.

To move forward or progress with force or determination.

Despite the storm, the ship continued to bash on through the rough seas.

To persist or endure despite challenges or opposition.

They bashed on through the tough times and eventually emerged stronger.

Be after

To pursue or try to obtain something.

He's been after that promotion for years.

To seek or demand an explanation or information.

I'm still after an answer to why the project was canceled.

To be looking for