Phrasal Verb Examples: 60 Sentences For Better English

Today we are going to work on our English speaking and communication with these phrasal verb examples. We’ll check out 50 example sentences. Use them to enhance your speaking and communication.

Phrasal Verb Examples for Everyday Situations

Phrasal verbs are combinations of verbs and prepositions (or adverbs) that create new meanings, often distinct from the individual words themselves. They are essential for everyday communication in English and are used frequently in both informal and formal settings. In this article, we will explore several phrasal verb examples that can help improve your fluency in English.

1. I need to call off the meeting because of the weather.
2. We should pick up the groceries after work.
3. She’s trying to catch up on all her emails today.
4. They decided to break up after five years together.
5. I will set up the new project by Monday.
6. Can you look after my dog while I’m away?
7. I was able to get through the difficult exam.
8. We need to bring up the topic at the next meeting.
9. Don’t forget to take out the trash before you leave.
10. The manager asked me to fill out the report form.

In these examples, the phrasal verbs are used in everyday situations. Understanding how they work will help you communicate more naturally with native speakers. Many phrasal verbs, like “call off” or “pick up,” often replace simpler expressions, making conversations flow more smoothly. Practicing these can increase your confidence in both speaking and listening.

Related: 80 Wh Questions With Answers: Better English Speaking!

More Phrasal Verb Examples for Daily Use

If you’re looking to improve your conversational skills, it’s pretty important to familiarize yourself with phrasal verb examples that are commonly used in casual, everyday communication. These phrasal verbs will help you sound more fluent and native-like when talking to others.

11. He tried to turn down the invitation, but she insisted.
12. I ran into an old friend at the coffee shop.
13. We will carry on with the project after the break.
14. Could you please hold on for a moment while I check?
15. I need to look up the address before we leave.
16. She promised to show up early for the meeting.
17. They decided to move in together after six months.
18. I didn’t understand the problem until they pointed out the details.
19. I love to hang out with my friends at the weekend.
20. We should call in a specialist to fix the issue.

These phrasal verb examples are particularly useful when interacting with friends, family, or acquaintances. For instance, “run into” means to unexpectedly meet someone, which happens often in everyday life. Likewise, “hang out” is an informal way to say “spend time together,” and “show up” is commonly used when referring to someone’s arrival at a place or event.

Related: 61 Sentences Using Phrasal Verbs With Put: Speak Naturally

More Phrasal Verb Examples for Professional Settings

In professional and business settings, using the correct phrasal verbs is important for clear and effective communication. Here are some phrasal verb examples that are useful in the workplace and for more formal interactions.

21. The team will follow up with the client next week.
22. I have to set aside some time for the meeting.
23. She needs to check in with her supervisor before leaving.
24. Let’s wrap up the discussion and summarize the points.
25. They had to put off the presentation due to technical issues.
26. The company will lay off workers due to budget cuts.
27. We need to take over the project by next month.
28. I’ll get back to you as soon as I have more information.
29. The report was held up by some last-minute changes.
30. We will need to look over the documents before signing them.

In professional contexts, these phrasal verb examples are often used when discussing tasks, schedules, or decisions. For example, “follow up” means to check on something or someone after an initial action has been taken. “Check in” is a way to describe updating someone about your status or actions. These expressions make communication more efficient and sound more natural in business settings.

Advanced Expressions

Some phrasal verb examples can be challenging because their meanings are not always obvious from the words themselves. These expressions are often more abstract and require a bit of practice to fully grasp. Here are some that might need extra attention.

31. She couldn’t bring herself to tell him the truth.
32. The workers will take on extra hours during the busy season.
33. I can’t believe she decided to break into the art world.
34. He promised to look into the situation right away.
35. I have to get across this idea to my team.
36. I need to come up with a solution for this problem.
37. They tried to cut down on their spending.
38. She put up with his bad attitude for years.
39. He didn’t pick up on the hint.
40. The manager will take up your concern in the next meeting.

These phrasal verb examples show how phrasal verbs can take on meanings that are not directly related to the individual words. For instance, “bring yourself to” means having the emotional strength to do something difficult. “Break into” means entering a field or activity, usually in a successful way. (there are other meanings, too). These types of phrasal verbs are often used to express more nuanced or figurative ideas.

Common Phrasal Verbs

To help further clarify the meanings and uses of phrasal verbs, here’s a table that highlights some common examples along with their meanings and usage.

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example Sentence
Turn down	Reject or refuse	Mary turned down the job offer.
Pick up	Collect or gather	Can you pick up the kids from school?
Bring up	Mention or introduce a topic	He decided to bring up his concerns.
Call off	Cancel	They had to call off the summer event.
Set up	Organize or establish	We need to set up the meeting room later.
Put off	Postpone	They put off the meeting until next week.
Take over	Assume control	I will take over the presentation from here.
Look into	Investigate or examine	The technician will look into the issue.
Get across	Communicate clearly	He was able to get across his point effectively.
Hold on	Wait or pause	Hold on, I’ll be right back.

This table provides a quick reference to the phrasal verbs we’ve covered, helping you remember their meanings!

Why Phrasal Verb Examples Matter in English

Mastering phrasal verb examples is crucial for becoming fluent in English. Whether you’re having casual conversations with friends, discussing work with colleagues, or presenting ideas in meetings, phrasal verbs are often a natural and efficient way to communicate. By practicing these examples and learning how to use them in the right context, you can sound more confident and native-like in your speech.

Remember, phrasal verbs are not only important for speaking but also for understanding native speakers. They are an integral part of the language and appear frequently in movies, TV shows, and everyday conversations. Keep practicing these phrasal verb examples to improve your fluency and comprehension. The more you use them, the more natural your English will sound!