Welcome to your B2 English vocabulary lesson focused on phrasal verbs! If you’re looking to improve your spoken English and understand native speakers better, mastering phrasal verbs is key. This lesson will help you understand what phrasal verbs are, why they are important, and how to use them effectively in your everyday conversations. Let’s dive in!

What are Phrasal Verbs?

Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb and one or two particles. These particles are usually prepositions or adverbs, and they drastically change the meaning of the original verb. Think of it like this: you take a verb you already know, add a little word, and suddenly it means something completely different!

For example, let’s take the verb “look.” You know “look” means to direct your eyes in a specific direction. But when we add particles, we get:

• look up: to search for information (e.g., “I need to look up the meaning of this word.”)
• look after: to take care of someone or something (e.g., “Can you look after my plants while I’m away?”)
• look forward to: to feel happy and excited about something in the future (e.g., “I look forward to seeing you next week!”)

As you can see, the meaning changes completely with each particle! Learning phrasal verbs for everyday English is essential for understanding and speaking English fluently.

Why Learn Phrasal Verbs?

You might be wondering, “Why bother learning these tricky combinations?” Well, there are several excellent reasons why focusing on improving your English vocabulary with phrasal verbs is a smart move, especially if you want to improve your spoken English practice:

1. Sound More Natural: Native English speakers use phrasal verbs all the time in everyday conversation. Using them yourself will make your English sound much more natural and fluent.
2. Understand Native Speakers Better: Because they are so common, understanding phrasal verbs is crucial for comprehending conversations, movies, TV shows, and podcasts. You’ll be able to follow along much more easily.
3. Expand Your Vocabulary Efficiently: Learning phrasal verbs is a great way to significantly expand your vocabulary. Instead of learning completely new words, you’re building on verbs you already know.
4. Improve Your Fluency and Confidence: Using phrasal verbs correctly will boost your confidence in speaking English. You’ll feel more comfortable expressing yourself and engaging in conversations.
5. Essential for Advanced English: At a B2 level, understanding and using phrasal verbs is expected. Mastering them is a key step towards advanced English proficiency.

Common Phrasal Verbs for B2 Learners

Let’s explore some common phrasal verbs that are very useful for B2 level English learners. We’ll categorize them to make them easier to remember and use. Remember, context is key! Pay attention to how these are used in sentences.

Phrasal Verbs for Relationships and Social Situations

• get along with: to have a good relationship with someone.
  Example: “I get along with my colleagues really well. We often have lunch together.”
• fall out with: to have an argument and stop being friends with someone.
  Example: “They fell out with each other last year and haven’t spoken since.”
• make up with: to become friends again after an argument.
  Example: “After a few days, they decided to make up with each other.”
• look up to: to admire and respect someone.
  Example: “I’ve always looked up to my older sister; she’s very successful.”
• take to: to start liking someone or something quickly.
  Example: “She took to her new teacher immediately. He’s very kind.”
• count on: to rely on someone for help or support.
  Example: “You can always count on me if you need help with your English.”

Phrasal Verbs for Work and Study

• catch up on: to do something that you haven’t had time to do recently.
  Example: “I need to catch up on my emails; I’ve been away all week.”
• hand in: to give something to a person in authority, like homework or a document.
  Example: “Don’t forget to hand in your assignments by Friday.”
• figure out: to understand or find a solution to a problem.
  Example: “I need to figure out how to use this new software.”
• put off: to postpone or delay doing something.
  Example: “Don’t put off studying for your English exam until the last minute!”
• look over: to quickly examine something.
  Example: “Could you look over my essay before I submit it?”
• turn down: to refuse an offer or request.
  Example: “She turned down the job offer because the salary was too low.”

Phrasal Verbs for Daily Life and Problems

• deal with: to take action to solve a problem or manage a situation.
  Example: “I have to deal with a complaint from a customer.”
• sort out: to resolve a problem or organize something.
  Example: “Let’s sort out these travel arrangements before we book anything.”
• run into: to meet someone unexpectedly.
  Example: “I ran into an old friend at the supermarket yesterday.”
• get over: to recover from an illness or a sad experience.
  Example: “It took me a while to get over the flu.”
• give up: to stop trying to do something because it is too difficult.
  Example: “Don’t give up on learning English! Keep practicing!”
• break down: (for a machine or car) to stop working.
  Example: “My car broke down on the way to work this morning.”

Phrasal Verbs for Leisure and Relaxation

• chill out: to relax and calm down.
  Example: “Let’s just chill out at home tonight and watch a movie.”
• hang out: to spend time with friends in a relaxed way.
  Example: “We often hang out at the coffee shop after class.”
• eat out: to eat at a restaurant rather than at home.
  Example: “Let’s eat out tonight; I don’t feel like cooking.”
• join in: to participate in an activity with other people.
  Example: “Why don’t you join in the game? It’s fun!”
• switch off: to relax and stop thinking about work or problems.
  Example: “It’s important to switch off after a long day at work.”

How to Learn and Use Phrasal Verbs Effectively

Learning phrasal verbs can seem challenging, but with the right approach, it can be fun and rewarding! Here are some tips to help you:

1. Learn in Context: Don’t just memorize lists of phrasal verbs. Learn them in context. Pay attention to how they are used in sentences, books, movies, and conversations.
2. Use Flashcards or Apps: Flashcards or vocabulary apps can be helpful for memorization. Write the phrasal verb on one side and the meaning and an example sentence on the other.
3. Practice Regularly: The more you practice using phrasal verbs, the more natural they will become. Try to use a few new phrasal verbs each day in your speaking and writing.
4. Listen Actively: Pay attention to phrasal verbs when you listen to native English speakers. Note them down and try to understand their meaning from the context. Podcasts and English learning videos are great resources for English pronunciation tips and vocabulary.
5. Speak with Others: The best way to solidify your knowledge is to use phrasal verbs in conversation. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – that’s part of the learning process!
6. Use Language Learning Tools: Consider using tools designed for spoken English practice. For instance, Lingofrnd.com offers an AI spoken English teacher that can help you practice using phrasal verbs in realistic conversations and improve your overall spoken English practice. You can even Download App to practice on the go!

Let’s Practice!

Now it’s time to put your knowledge to the test! Fill in the blanks in the sentences below with the correct phrasal verb from the list. Choose from:

get along with, fall out with, make up with, look up to, take to, count on, catch up on, hand in, figure out, put off, deal with, sort out, run into, get over, give up, chill out, hang out

1. I really _________ my grandfather. He’s wise and kind.
2. We _________ each other at the coffee shop yesterday. It was a surprise!
3. I need to _________ my sleep this weekend. I’m exhausted.
4. She _________ her application for the job online.
5. They _________ an argument last week, but they’re friends again now.
6. Don’t _________ until you’ve tried your best!
7. We usually _________ at my place on Friday evenings.
8. It took him a long time to _________ his illness.
9. Can I _________ you to help me move this furniture?
10. I _________ my new neighbours immediately; they’re so friendly.
11. I don’t _________ my boss very well; we have different opinions on everything.
12. We need to _________ the problem with the internet connection.
13. I can’t _________ how to solve this math problem!
14. Let’s just _________ at home tonight and watch a movie.
15. Please don’t _________ doing your homework until the last minute.
16. The customer service department will _________ your complaint.

Answers to Practice Exercises

1. I really look up to my grandfather. He’s wise and kind.
2. We ran into each other at the coffee shop yesterday. It was a surprise!
3. I need to catch up on my sleep this weekend. I’m exhausted.
4. She handed in her application for the job online.
5. They fell out with each other last week, but they’re made up with again now.
6. Don’t give up until you’ve tried your best!
7. We usually hang out at my place on Friday evenings.
8. It took him a long time to get over his illness.
9. Can I count on you to help me move this furniture?
10. I took to my new neighbours immediately; they’re so friendly.
11. I don’t get along with my boss very well; we have different opinions on everything.
12. We need to sort out the problem with the internet connection.
13. I can’t figure out how to solve this math problem!
14. Let’s just chill out at home tonight and watch a movie.
15. Please don’t put off doing your homework until the last minute.
16. The customer service department will deal with your complaint.

How did you do? Hopefully, this lesson has helped you understand and use phrasal verbs for everyday English more confidently. Remember, practice makes perfect! Keep learning, keep practicing, and keep speaking. For more spoken English practice and to further improve your English vocabulary, check out Lingofrnd.com. You can also Download App and start practicing with your AI English speaking partner today!