Phrasal Verbs: Unlocking the Power of Words
Have you ever come across phrases like “give up” or “look after” and wondered what they really mean? Phrasal verbs are a big part of everyday English, and they can often be confusing because their meanings aren’t always obvious from the individual words. In this lesson, you’ll explore what phrasal verbs are, how they work, and how to use them in your conversations and writing. With the help of visual aids and fun activities, you’ll be able to understand and use phrasal verbs more confidently.
Explanation and Uses
Phrasal Verbs are phrases that consist of a verb and one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs). The meaning of a phrasal verb often differs from the meaning of the individual words.
In the following video you will have a quick masterclass regarding this topic:
Examples:
- “Give up” – To stop trying. (e.g., “I won’t give up on my goals.”)
- “Look after” – To take care of someone or something. (e.g., “Can you look after my cat while I’m away?”)
- “Turn down” – To refuse or reject. (e.g., “She turned down the job offer.”)
- “Pick up” – To collect or gather. (e.g., “I will pick up the groceries after work.”)
- “Put off” – To postpone. (e.g., “We had to put off the meeting until next week.”)
Dive into this presentation:
Learning Activities
Engage in the following activities to practice what you’ve learned throughout this lesson:
Phrasal Verb Pictionary
- Objective: Illustrate and guess phrasal verbs.
- Instructions: Divide the class into teams. One student from each team draws a picture representing a phrasal verb (e.g., “take off” for removing clothing) while their team tries to guess the phrasal verb. Each correct guess earns points. Rotate students so everyone has a chance to draw and guess.
Story Builder with Phrasal Verbs
- Objective: Use phrasal verbs to create a story.
- Instructions: Provide students with a list of phrasal verbs. In small groups, students will write a short story or skit incorporating as many of the given phrasal verbs as possible. Each group will then present their story to the class, and the class will identify the phrasal verbs used.