You have probably heard expressions like "check in," "take off," or "put up with." These are a few examples of phrasal verbs. However, these verbs can often be confusing, particularly for non-native English learners. Because of their idiomatic meanings and complex syntactic structure, phrasal verbs present major challenges for non-native speakers (UC Davis, n.d.). One of the most difficult aspects of learning about phrasal verbs is adjusting to the unpredictable nature of it. This article aims to provide understanding of phrasal verbs by looking at their definition and usage in their daily use.
Since phrasal verbs can defy logic, it might be difficult to deduce their idiomatic meanings from the individual phrases. For instance, to "look down on" someone is to show contempt, and "to look up to" someone is to show admiration, even though both expressions incorporate the word "look." Because of this inherent unusualness, we are constrained to depend to a great extent on memorization, which can be a troublesome undertaking. Furthermore, extremely confusing variances in interpretation can result from relatively little changes in the particle. Another example, "to give in" denotes caving in to pressure, whereas "to give up" implies surrender. One needs to focus on every detail and practice often in order to fully comprehend these nuances.
In accordance with Traditional English Grammar, a phrasal verb could be a combination of two or three words from distinctive linguistic categories— verbs and particles, such as adverbs or prepositions words to create a single semantic unit at the lexical or syntactic level. Because the meanings of phrasal verb formations often diverge from the literal meanings of their constituent words, they must be treated as entirely distinct and independent terms.
The Functions of Phrasal Verb
In a sentence, phrasal verbs are utilized to provide the action. Because they are commonly used for communication and can be applied in a variety of situations, they are crucial in English.
The implications of phrasal verbs can be classified into two primary categories:
1. Literal
A literal phrasal verb is one that has a clear and obvious meaning when the meanings of the constituent words are combined.
Example: She was walking across the road.
The phrasal verb, “walking across” features an exact meaning she walks to the other side of (across) the road.
2. Figurative
