Phrasal verbs are a very common and useful part of spoken and written English. They are two or three-word expressions that combine a verb with a preposition, adverb (or both) to take on a new meaning.
In the following example, ‘look’ is the verb and ‘up’ is the preposition. As you might already know, it means to search for and find something: ‘James looked up the meaning of some new vocabulary he read in the article.’
For many test takers and students, phrasal verbs can be tricky because their meanings aren't always obvious. But learning them can help you sound more natural in English and improve your fluency and comprehension. A good understanding and natural use of phrasal verbs will also help you score more highly in your IELTS test.
10 common phrasal verbs with examples
Here are ten frequently used phrasal verbs that are useful for daily conversations and general English comprehension.
1. Break down
This phrasal verb means different things in different contexts. When talking about large machines, it means to stop working. When talking about people, it means to become emotionally upset.
'My car broke down on the way to the test centre, and I had to call a taxi.'
'When my sister told us that she’d been made redundant, she broke down.'
2. Figure out
You can use this phrasal verb when you want to express that you have found an answer or have understood something.
'I finally figured out the meaning of that confusing sentence.'
3. Put off
This phrasal verb can be used when talking about plans or activities that you have had to postpone or delay.
'I had to put off studying until the weekend - I’ve just been too busy with work.'
4. Run out of
You can use this phrasal verb when you realise that you have no more of something or you’ve finished your supply.
'You’ll need to go to the supermarket on your way home - we’ve run out of milk.'
5. Look after
This phrasal verb can be used in lots of different situations. It means to take care of someone or something.
'Would you mind looking after my computer while I go to ask the librarian a question? Thanks.'
6. Take up
This is a useful phrasal verb to include in a conversation about hobbies or pastimes. It means to begin or to start a new activity or hobby.
'I’ve taken up reading English novels to improve my vocabulary.'
7. Come across
Coming across something means to find something that you weren’t expecting to find, and it can be used in lots of different situations, from discussing studying to finding lost objects.
'I came across an article that really helped me with my IELTS writing.'
8. Get along with
This is a phrasal verb that you can use in conversations about your relationships with colleagues, friends or family members. If you get along with someone, it means that you have a good relationship and you don’t argue with them.
'I get along well with my manager - we have a friendly working relationship.'
9. Turn down
To turn something down means that you have rejected or refused an offer. It’s a useful phrasal verb for talking about work, or important purchases like a house or a car.
'She turned down the offer on her house because she decided that she didn’t want to move after all.'
10. Give up
This phrasal verb can be used in two ways, depending on what you’re talking about. It can mean to stop making an effort or to stop doing something difficult. However, it can always be used to talk about quitting something that is bad for you.
'I know you don’t have a lot of time for studying English after work, but don’t give up! Your efforts are making a difference - I’ve seen a big improvement in the last month!'
'I want to give up social media. I spend too much time on my phone and I want to reduce my screentime.'
10 more phrasal verbs for IELTS academic contexts
In the IELTS Writing Task 2, using academic phrasal verbs can demonstrate a strong command of formal vocabulary. Here are ten academic phrasal verbs that are especially useful in IELTS contexts. Some of the verbs often appear in active and passive forms, so we have given examples of the verbs in both.
1. Account for
This phrasal verb is used when talking about how to explain or justify something, and is used in both the active and passive form.
'My manager told me to account for my time spent out of the office last week.'
'The rise in pollution can be accounted for by increased industrial activity.'
2. Be based on
This phrasal verb is used to describe the foundation or reasoning behind something. It’s often used in passive structures in formal writing.
'The research is based on data collected over a ten-year period.'
'They based their conclusions on the results of the initial pilot study.'
3. Carry out
A phrasal verb you can use in the active or passive form when describing the performance or execution of an action, especially in academic or research contexts.
'The scientists carried out a series of experiments to test the hypothesis.'
'We carried out an audit at work to make sure our staff were fully trained.'
4. Refer to
This phrasal verb means to mention or allude to something. It is commonly used when citing sources or examples.
'I think her comment refers to a news story I read last week.'
'My classmate was referring to the theory of relativity.'
5. Rely on
This is a useful phrasal verb for describing something that is used for support, information, or results.
'Researchers rely on accurate data to draw valid conclusions.'
6. Result in
This phrasal verb is a good one to use when talking about the outcome or consequence of an action or event.
'Poor time management often results in lower academic performance.'
7. Lead to
When you are talking about cause-and-effect, you can use this phrasal verb to explain the results or outcomes of a situation.
'Too much screen time can lead to reduced attention spans in children.'
8. Put forward
This phrasal verb is used when suggesting an idea, opinion, or proposal, particularly in academic discussions and formal writing.
'The policymakers put forward several possible solutions to address the housing crisis.'
9. Point out
This phrasal verb is used to highlight or draw attention to something, often when providing evidence or making an argument in writing or speaking.
'The author points out several flaws in the existing policy.'
10. Be subjected to
This formal structure is used to describe someone or something experiencing something, often negative or demanding.
'Participants were subjected to a series of cognitive tests.'
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How to learn and memorise phrasal verbs
Because phrasal verbs often have meanings that differ from the original verb, memorising them can feel overwhelming. Here are strategies to make learning more manageable and effective:
- Group by theme
Organise phrasal verbs by topic (e.g., education, environment, business) or purpose (e.g., expressing opinion, cause and effect) to improve retention.
- Learn in context
Always study phrasal verbs in full sentences so you understand how they’re used. This helps you internalise their meaning and structure.
- Use visual aids
Mind maps, flashcards and quizzes can help you review regularly and associate the phrasal verb with its usage.
- Practise paraphrasing
Take a sentence with a common verb and rewrite it using a phrasal verb. This technique is useful for IELTS Writing Task 2.
- Use them in speech
Practise using phrasal verbs in conversation, especially in your IELTS speaking preparation. Try incorporating them naturally into your responses.
- Review your errors
Track which phrasal verbs you get wrong or confuse, and revisit them. Mistakes are great learning opportunities.
- Try gap-fill exercises
These help reinforce the structure and correct usage of phrasal verbs in sentence form.
Transitive versus intransitive phrasal verbs
When you’re using phrasal verbs, it’s important to be aware of the difference between intransitive and transitive phrasal verbs.
| Intransitive phrasal verbs don’t have a direct object, so they cannot be split. |
Take off = leave the ground The plane took off from the runway. |
| Transitive phrasal verbs have a direct object, and can be split, especially when the object is a pronoun (them, it, etc.). | Take off = remove He took off his jacket. / He took his jacket off. |
It’s important to note that if you are replacing the noun with a pronoun, it has to split the phrasal verb, and cannot be used after the phrasal verb.
Correct: He was feeling too warm with his jacket on, so he took it off.
Incorrect: He was feeling too warm with his jacket on so he took off it.
Transitive phrasal verb examples
| Phrasal verb | Meaning | Example (with noun) | Example (with pronoun) |
| Turn off | To use a button to stop a machine or light from working |
He turned off the lights. He turned the lights off. |
He turned them off.
|
| Put on | To cover a part of your body with clothes, accessories or cosmetics. | ||
| Give back | To return something |
Give back the book. Give the book back. |
Give it back. Give back it. |
| Bring up | To introduce a subject for discussion |
Don’t bring up that issue at dinner. Don’t bring that issue up at dinner. |
Don’t bring it up at dinner.
Don’t bring up it at dinner. |
Intransitive phrasal verb examples
| Phrasal verb | Meaning | Example |
| Get up | Rise from bed | I get up every day before 7 a.m. |
| Go out | Leave home/socialise | We went out with friends last night. |
| Come in | Enter | She came in quietly as her sister was sleeping. |
| Make up | Reconcile after an argument | They made up after a week or so. |
| Come over | Go to someone’s house | Come over to my house and we can practice for IELTS speaking together. |
Phrasal verbs: helping you get a better score in IELTS
Remember, phrasal verbs are an important part of English and the IELTS test. Practise using phrasal verbs naturally in conversation, and be mindful that some are less appropriate for academic writing. With time and careful practice, you’ll be able to use them confidently and appropriately in all parts of the test.
Ready for your IELTS test? Book with the British Council now.