2.  A phrasal verb is a verb followed by a
preposition or an adverb; the combination
creates a meaning different from the original
verb alone.

3.  Phrasal verbs are part of a large group of
verbs called “multi-part” or "multi-
word” verbs.
 The preposition or adverb that follows
the verb is sometimes called a particle.

4.  Phrasal verbs and other multi-word
verbs are an important part of the
English language.
 However, they are mainly used in
spoken English and informal texts.

5.  They should be avoided in academic
writing where it is preferable to use a
formal verb such as “to postpone” rather
than “to put off”.

6.  To get = to obtain
 I need to get a new
battery for my
motorcycle.
 To get
together = to
meet
 Why don’t we get
together for a
picnic one day?

7.  Phrasal verbs can be either transitive or
intransitive.

8.  These phrasal verbs need an object in
order to be used.
 E.g. I made up an excuse about the
computer. ('Excuse' is the object of the
verb.)

9.  You can separate some of the transitive
phrasal verbs, it means, you can place the
object between the verb and the particle.
 E.g. I looked the word up in the dictionary.

10.  However, some verbs can’t be separated
and the object must be placed after the
particle.
 E.g. I will look into the matter as soon as
possible.

11.  Some phrasal verbs can take an object either
between the verb and the particle or after
the particle.
 E.g.
 I picked up the book.
 I picked the book up.

12.  Note: However, if the object is a pronoun,
it must be placed between the verb and the
preposition.
 E.g. I picked it up

13.  Unlike the transitive ones, these verbs
don’t need an object when used in a
sentence.
 E.g. My car broke down.