Learn Some Phrasal Verbs

A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and one or more prepositions that functions as a single unit of meaning. Phrasal verbs are commonly used in writing. As an ESL learner, learn some phrasal verbs, and use them appropriately in your writing.

RUN

Run across: meet or encounter

e.g. If you live long enough, you will run across many health issues.

Run against: compete against

e.g. In the next debate, who will you be running against?

Run away: escape

e.g. My dog ran away, and we are still looking for it.

Run down: hit by a car

e.g. A homeless person was run down by the train.

Run for: campaign for

e.g Who do you think is the most likely Republican candidate running for President?

Run into: meet by accident

e.g. I didn't expect to run into your parents yesterday when I was shopping at the mall..

Run off: depart running; cause to depart; drive away; make copies

e.g. The man ran off as soon as he saw the police car coming.

e.g. They didn't like us, so they ran us off.

e.g. Please run off a few more copies of this document,

Run out of: be short of

e.g. Be frugal; we're running out of money.

GET


Get across: cause to be understood


e.g. It took the manager some time before he could get across the company's new policies to his employees.


Get ahead: advance


e.g. If you wish to get ahead in your career, you must have a higher degree.


Get ahead of: surpass; beat


e.g. Beware of your assistant; he is an ambitions man who may want to get ahead of you.



Get along / get along with: have a good relationship



e.g. The two of you seem to get along quite well.

e.g. Do you think you can get along with your in-laws?



Get around: avoid; circulate


e. g. Is there a way to get around this problem?

e.g. The gossip has been getting around that you will soon be married.



Get away: escape



e.g. The burglar got away before the police arrived.



Get away with: do something wrong without being punished



e.g. Do you think you can get away with murder (usually used figuratively)?



Get by: manage somehow



e.g. I can get by with one part-time job.

Get down to: be serious about

e.g. Let's get down to work!

Get in: enter

e.g. Please get in the car; we are leaving right now.

Get on: put on

e.g It's raining; get on your raincoat.

Get on with: proceed with an activity

e.g. Get on with your work; you have to finish it before you leave.

Get over: recover from

e.g. I got the flu last week, but now I'm getting over it.

Get through: finish

e.g. We were having some financial problems, but now we're getting through.

Get up: rise

e.g. Get up! You'll be late for work!

Stephen Lau

Copyright© by Stephen Lau