Learn 10 complex phrasal verbs for ESL success. In this English lesson, I’m focusing on 3-part phrasal verbs, an essential part of boosting your vocabulary and speaking skills.
Phrasal verbs can seem tricky at first, but with practice, they can significantly improve your English speaking abilities.
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List of phrasal verbs
10 Complex Phrasal Verbs for ESL Success
Harry
In this advanced English lesson, we’re looking at three-word phrasal verbs.
So a brief introduction to what they are. Phrasal verbs are normally two words. One verb, one preposition.
Break down
A three-word phrasal verb has an extra preposition. One verb, two prepositions.
Pick up on
Okay, so pick the verb up on your two prepositions.
That’s a bit more complicated. But often when we have a phrasal verb with three parts to it, it does add to the complication. But there are very, very useful expressions.
So we’re going to go through a list of these. And as always, I’ve got ten. I’ll give them to you and then I’ll give you some examples.
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come up with sth
Meaning: to think of or invent an idea, plan, or solution
Examples:
In today’s team meeting, let’s come up with some good ideas to launch our new product.
We came up with fun activities for the office Christmas party during our meeting.
get along with sb
Meaning: to have a good, harmonious relationship with someone
Examples:
It only took Johnnie a few days to settle into his new school. He seems to be getting along with everyone.
Twins usually get along well with each other because they have a special connection.
10 Complex Phrasal Verbs for ESL Success
get around to sth or sb
Meaning: to find the time to do something or deal with someone that has been delayed or postponed
Examples:
I’ve been delaying some DIY tasks at home, but this weekend I’ll finally get around to them.
I’ll get around to doing them at the weekend, I promise!
Every morning Harry makes his to-do list, and generally by the end of the day he has gotten around to doing everything on that list.
Sorry, I didn’t get around to doing everything on the list, but I managed to complete most of it.
put up with sth or sb
Meaning: to accept something or someone bad without complaining
Examples:
Many, many people have to put up with a lot of noisy neighbours.
These exams are stressing our daughter and she’s often upset, but we have to put up with it.
look forward to sth
Meaning: to feel excited or eager about something that is going to happen in the future
Examples:
I’m really looking forward to the Christmas holidays and spending some time in the countryside.
Harry is really looking forward to his birthday, as he’s expecting a lot of new books as presents.
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look up to sb
Meaning: to admire or respect someone, often seeing them as a role model
Examples:
He looks up to his parents because they always support him.
He looks up to his grandfather because he has a lot of interesting stories to tell.
Everybody looked up to the boss for years. He was the inspiration behind this company.
look down on sb
Meaning: to see someone as not good enough or important
Examples:
Some rich people look down on others who don’t have as much money.
You shouldn’t look down on people with less than you; instead, be grateful for what you have.
live up to
Meaning: to meet or fulfil expectations or standards
Examples:
The children often do their best to live up to their parents’ expectations.
Dakota Johnson always tried to live up to her parents’ success in acting, choosing her roles carefully.
I find it so difficult to live up to my parents’ expectations.
10 Complex Phrasal Verbs for ESL Success
keep up with
Meaning: to stay at the same level or pace as someone or something else
Examples:
Hang on, hang on. I’m having difficulty keeping up with you.
I can’t keep up with you. Slow down a little bit and repeat it to me so I understand.
It’s really important that you keep up with me. We’ve got a lot to cover.
It’s hard to keep up with the boss who always wants to change things in our project.
Things happen in the world very quickly. We have to keep up with the news.
make up for
Meaning: to compensate for a mistake or a deficiency
Examples:
After missing out on a proper education earlier in life, he decided to do a degree to make up for lost time.
Could I please have two hours in the afternoon to go to the doctor? I’ll make up for it tomorrow.
I’m sorry I missed your birthday, but I promise to make up for it by taking you out next weekend.
So they’re all, as we said, three-part phrasal verbs. They are not too complicated.
The difference is an extra preposition. So, normal phrasal verbs consist of one verb and one preposition, while three-part phrasal verbs consist of one verb and two prepositions. That’s one additional preposition.
Try to go through these complex phrasal verbs for ESL success, have a look at them, and see where you might use them. And if you don’t understand them, as always, come back to me at englishlessonviaskype.com and I’ll give you some additional examples.
I really, really appreciate it when you watch, listen, and like these particular videos because it helps everybody. So, until next time, this is Harry saying goodbye. Join me again soon.
speak better English with Harry podcast- episode 472
more information
For more information on English grammar rules, English collocations and English idioms, check out the links below:
Collocations to describe sounds
Crucial communication verbs in English
You can always study English advanced level at Learning English with the BBC and British Council Learn English.
