4 Phrasal Verbs to Expand Your Vocabulary
Phrasal verbs are verbs that are made up of a verb and a particle (a preposition OR an adverb), or a verb and two particles (an adverb AND a preposition). Phrasal are more common in speaking than in writing. One way to practice using them is to imagine a situation and then write a dialogue relating to that situation using one or two of the phrasal verbs you have learned. Afterwards, read your sentences or dialogues aloud a few times. In the first week, read your dialogues aloud every day. In the second week, read your dialogues on alternate days. In the third week, read them aloud once a week. Repetitive practice is important because research has shown that you need to use a word or phrase at least ten times before it becomes part of your permanent memory. Here are 4 phrasal verbs to expand your vocabulary.
1. come across: to give a particular impression to others (by your behaviour), either intentionally or unintentionally. How a person comes across describes how they are perceived by others.
come across as + adjective or noun
Examples: He comes across as boring. (adjective)
She comes across as a professional. (noun)
She comes across as an intelligent and creative person.
He sometimes comes across as being arrogant because he always talks
about his money and his cars.
Question: How do you come across to others at work? Do you come across as helpful,
confident, optimistic, friendly, or sincere?
2. put (something) off or put off (something): to decide to do something later than you
had planned to do it, or later than you should do it. SYNONYM: postpone
People often put things off because of a problem or because they don’t want to do them now.
Examples: The meeting has been put off for one week.
I can’t put off going to the dentist any longer.
They decided to put off the wedding until next summer.
Questions: Do you ever put off going to the dentist?
Do you ever put off going to the doctor?
Do you ever put off filing your tax return?
3. run into something: 1. to start to experience a difficult situation (unexpectedly)
Collocations: run into problems / run into difficulties / run into trouble
Examples: If you do it that way, you’re going to run into problems. (=face obstacles)
The business ran into financial difficulties almost immediately.
We ran into some bad weather while we were driving.
Question: Have you ever run into bad weather while you were driving?
Have you ever run into technical problems while giving a presentation?
Another meaning of ‘run into something’ is to physically crash or collide with something
using a vehicle (unintentionally). For example, if a person drives too fast, he or she may lose
control of their car and run into a tree.
Question: Have you ever seen a car run into a guardrail? (= crash into)
A third meaning of ‘run into something’ is to reach a certain level or amount as a total .
For example, if the cost of repairs ran into thousands of dollars, it reached that amount.
Question: Do you know anyone whose legal fees ran into the tens of thousands of dollars?
4. bring (something) about or bring about (something): to cause something to happen.
This phrasal verb emphasizes the idea that someone or something triggers a change or
consequence. The change or consequence can be positive or negative.
Examples: Major spending is required to bring about improvements in housing.
Her kind words brought about a change in his attitude.
A series of protests brought about new laws protecting workers’
rights.
Question: 1. Has technology brought about more positive or negative changes
in society?
