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Phrasal verbs are combinations of a main verb and a preposition or adverb (or both) that create a completely new meaning. For example, 'give up' means stop trying, which is different from simply 'give'. Mastering phrasal verbs is essential for natural English fluency.
Phrasal verbs can be separable (e.g. turn off the light or turn the light off) or inseparable (e.g. look after a child).
Top 50 English Phrasal Verbs List
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning / Definition | Example Sentence in Context |
|---|---|---|
| Bring up | To mention a topic in conversation | She brought up the budget issue during the meeting. |
| Call off | To cancel an event or agreement | They had to call off the outdoor event due to rain. |
| Carry out | To perform or conduct research/task | The team will carry out a complete safety inspection. |
| Come across | To find or meet by chance | I came across a fascinating article yesterday. |
| Cut down on | To reduce the quantity of something | I am trying to cut down on sugar and caffeine. |
| Figure out | To understand or solve a problem | We need to figure out why the server crashed. |
| Give up | To stop doing something or surrender | Never give up on your English learning goals. |
| Look forward to | To await something with pleasure | We look forward to meeting you next week. |
| Put off | To postpone or delay | Don't put off studying until the night before the exam. |
| Run out of | To use up the supply of something | We have run out of printing paper in the office. |
Separable vs. Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
Separable Phrasal Verb Example
Please turn off the light. / Please turn the light off.
Inseparable Phrasal Verb Example
I will look after the kids. (Correct) / I will look the kids after. (Incorrect)
Frequently Asked Questions
Are phrasal verbs acceptable in formal academic writing?
While many phrasal verbs are fine in spoken and business English, academic writing generally prefers single-word verbs (e.g. 'execute' instead of 'carry out', 'postpone' instead of 'put off').
How can I learn phrasal verbs without getting confused?
Group phrasal verbs by main verb (e.g. all 'look' verbs) or by topic (e.g. travel, business) rather than memorizing random lists.
Conclusion
Mastering phrasal verbs makes your English communication sound natural and spontaneous. Combine phrasal verb study with our guides on [English collocations](/blog/collocations-in-english-vocabulary-guide) and [building a vocabulary habit](/blog/why-strong-vocabulary-than-you-think). Explore our [Vocabulary category](/category/vocabulary) or generate study cards using [My Grammar AI Flashcard Generator](https://mygrammarai.app/category/flashcards).
Sarah Johnson is a senior English language educator with 15 years of experience teaching grammar and academic writing to international students.
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