Question

What are phrasal verbs?

Answer 1

Hint: The meaning of a phrasal verb is usually not clear from the meaning of individual words. Turn down, come across, and run into are examples of such verbs. His role model is his father.

Complete answer:
Phrasal verbs - A phrasal verb is formed by combining two or three words from different grammatical categories — a verb and a particle, such as an adverb or a preposition — to form a single semantic unit. Turn down, run into, and sit up are some examples.

Phrasal verbs are action-oriented sentences. In spoken English and informal texts, they are commonly used. Turn down, come across, and run into are examples of such verbs. Phrasal verbs are formed by combining the main verb with an adverb, a preposition, or both. In certain cases, their meaning cannot be derived from the meanings of the individual words.

Phrasal verbs and their meaning –
i) Literal meaning -
A literal sense can be found in some phrasal verbs. They're easy to understand.
Example -
She took a step outside and opened the gates.
She was crossing the street when she heard an explosion.

ii) Idiomatic meaning -
Phrasal verbs may have figurative or idiomatic meanings, making them difficult to grasp.
Example -
Could you please put me up for the night?

The phrasal verb 'put up' does not mean 'build' in this context (as in putting a fence up). However, it has an idiomatic/figurative meaning. It refers to allowing someone to stay in your home.

Note:
-It can be difficult to understand the meaning of phrasal verbs at times. It would be beneficial to use the meaning to understand them before looking them up in a dictionary.
- Since there are over 10,000 phrasal verbs in the English language, memorizing them is ineffective.
- Phrasal verbs are divided into four categories: Transitive Phrasal Verb, Intransitive Phrasal Verb. Separable Phrasal Verb.