A1 Ph

English speakers love to combine words. We take a base verb. This is the action part. Then we add a particle. A particle is a small word. It looks like a preposition. Words like in, out, on, and off are particles. When they join the verb, the meaning changes. It is like a chemistry experiment. Hydrogen is a gas. Oxygen is a gas. Together, they make water. Phrasal verbs are the same. Turn means to rotate. On is a position. Turn on means to start a machine. You can turn on a light. You can turn on your phone. The verb tells you the type of action. The particle tells you the direction or result. It is a very logical system once you see it. Just remember: the whole group is one idea. Do not try to translate them word by word. That will make your brain hurt. Think of the pair as one single unit of meaning.

1. 1Creating a phrasal verb is simple. Follow these three steps:
2. 2Pick a base verb. Use common ones like go, come, take, or get.
3. 3Add a particle. Choose words like up, down, in, out, on, or off.
4. 4Put them together. Ensure the verb matches the subject.
5. 5For example: I + wake + up.
6. 6If the subject is he, say He wakes up.
7. 7The verb changes for the tense.
8. 8Past tense: I woke up.
9. 9Future tense: I will wake up.
10. 10The particle never changes. It stays the same forever. Up is always up. This makes it easier for you. You only have to worry about the verb part. It is like wearing a hat. You change your shirt (the verb). But the hat (the particle) stays the same.

Use phrasal verbs in almost every casual situation. They are perfect for your morning routine. You wake up at 7:00 AM. You get up five minutes later. You put on your clothes. At breakfast, you sit down to eat. These verbs are the heartbeat of daily life. Use them when ordering food. "Can I take away this coffee?" Use them when asking for directions. "Where do I get off the bus?" They are great for technology too. You log in to your computer. You shut down at night. In job interviews, they show you are fluent. You might say, "I get along with my team." They make you sound like a real person. Not like a robot from an old movie. Use them with friends, family, and coworkers. They are the keys to the city of English.

There are times to be careful. Phrasal verbs are very informal. In a very formal academic essay, use single words. Instead of go up, use increase. Instead of find out, use discover. If you are writing a legal contract, stay away from them. However, for A1 learners, this is rarely a problem. You should use them as much as possible now. They help you build confidence. Just avoid using too many in a row. It can sound a bit messy. Also, some phrasal verbs have many meanings. Take off can mean a plane leaving. It can also mean removing your shoes. If you are confused, use the simple verb. But usually, the context helps people understand. If you are at the airport, people know you mean the plane!

Many people forget the particle. They say, "I wake at 8:00." This is wrong. You must say, "I wake up at 8:00." The particle is not optional. It is part of the word's soul. Another mistake is using the wrong particle. Turn on the TV is good. Turn in the TV means something else entirely. It means giving it to the police! (Unless the TV stole your wallet, don't do this). Another error is the word order. At A1, keep the verb and particle together. Don't say "I put my hat on" yet. Just say "I put on my hat." It is safer and easier. Finally, don't overthink the logic. Why is it break down when a car stops? Nobody really knows. Just accept it and move on. Even native speakers mess this up sometimes. We just call it a "slip of the tongue."

Do not confuse phrasal verbs with verbs + prepositions. A verb + preposition describes a physical direction. "I look at the map." Here, at just shows where you are looking. In a phrasal verb, the meaning is different from the parts. "I look after my cat." This means I take care of it. It has nothing to do with looking with your eyes. Think of it like this:

• Verb + Preposition = 1 + 1 = 2 (Literal meaning).
• Phrasal Verb = 1 + 1 = 3 (New, surprise meaning).

Also, don't confuse them with compound nouns. Setup (one word) is a noun. Set up (two words) is the action. It is a small difference. But it matters for your writing.