Phrasal verbs are a crucial component of standard English. They make conversations sound natural, expressive, and fluent. Yet, many learners struggle with them because they seem confusing at first. But don’t worry! This post will introduce you to 20 powerful phrasal verbs that will transform the way you speak English.
Using these phrases in your daily conversations will boost your confidence, improve your fluency, and help you sound more like a native speaker. Let’s dive in and explore how these phrasal verbs can change your English skills forever!
1. Bring Up
Meaning: To mention a topic in conversation. Example: “She brought up an interesting idea during the meeting.” Why It’s Important: It helps you introduce topics smoothly in conversations.
2. Call Off
Meaning: To cancel something. Example: “The event was called off due to bad weather.” Why It’s Important: Useful for discussing plans and cancellations effortlessly.
3. Come Across
Meaning: To find something by chance. Example: “I came across an old diary while cleaning my room.” Why It’s Important: Enhances storytelling and casual conversation.
4. Drop By
Meaning: To visit someone casually. Example: “I’ll drop by your house later to say hi.” Why It’s Important: Makes social interactions feel natural and friendly.
5. Figure Out
Meaning: To understand or solve something. Example: “I finally figured out how to use this software.” Why It’s Important: Essential for problem-solving conversations.
6. Get Along
Meaning: To have a good relationship with someone. Example: “My brother and I get along really well.” Why It’s Important: Helps you describe relationships effortlessly.
7. Give Up
Meaning: To quit or stop trying. Example: “Never give up on your dreams!” Why It’s Important: Motivational and encouraging in discussions.
8. Go Over
Meaning: To review something. Example: “Let’s go over the report before the meeting.” Why It’s Important: Useful in professional and academic settings.
9. Hold On
Meaning: To wait. Example: “Hold on, I’ll be right back.” Why It’s Important: Common in everyday phone and in-person conversations.
10. Keep Up
Meaning: To continue or maintain the same pace. Example: “You’re doing great! Keep up the good work.” Why It’s Important: Encouraging and motivating for discussions.
11. Look After
Meaning: To take care of someone or something. Example: “Can you look after my dog while I’m away?” Why It’s Important: Essential for discussing responsibilities.
12. Make Up
Meaning: To invent a story or to reconcile. Example: “She made up an excuse for being late.” Why It’s Important: Useful for both storytelling and resolving conflicts.
13. Pick Up
Meaning: To collect someone or something. Example: “I’ll pick you up at 7 PM.” Why It’s Important: Common in travel and social plans.
14. Put Off
Meaning: To delay or postpone. Example: “Don’t put off your homework until the last minute.” Why It’s Important: Helps in discussing time management and responsibilities.
15. Run Into
Meaning: To meet someone unexpectedly. Example: “I ran into an old friend at the mall.” Why It’s Important: Great for sharing experiences and encounters.
16. Set Up
Meaning: To arrange or organize. Example: “We need to set up a meeting for next week.” Why It’s Important: Essential for work, business, and event planning.
17. Take Over
Meaning: To assume control. Example: “She took over the project when her manager left.” Why It’s Important: Useful in workplace discussions.
18. Turn Down
Meaning: To refuse or reject something. Example: “I had to turn down the job offer.” Why It’s Important: It helps you express choices politely.
19. Work Out
Meaning: To exercise or to find a solution. Example: “I work out at the gym every morning.” Why It’s Important: Common in health and problem-solving conversations.
20. Zoom In
Meaning: To focus on details. Example: “Let’s zoom in on the main issue.” Why It’s Important: Useful in discussions that require attention to detail.
How These Phrasal Verbs Will Transform Your English
✅ More Natural Conversations: You’ll sound more fluent and confident.
✅ Better Understanding: You’ll grasp native speakers’ conversations faster.
✅ More Effective Communication: You’ll express yourself more clearly and naturally.
✅ Stronger social and professional skills: You’ll connect better with people in work and casual settings.
Fluency isn’t about knowing big words—it’s about using the right words at the right time. By practicing these 20 phrasal verbs daily, you’ll see a huge improvement in your English-speaking skills.
👉 Now it’s your turn! Pick one phrasal verb from this list and use it in a conversation today. Drop a comment below and let me know which one you’ll try first. Let’s make learning fun and effective together!
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