A phrasal verb is a verb (go, get, etc.) + in, off, up, etc.
Here are 10 important phrasal verbs for elementary learners of English.
wake up
To stop sleeping. I wake up at 6 o’clock every morning.
[irregular verb] The verb wake is irregular: wake, woke, woken.
I woke up at 7 o’clock yesterday morning.
get up
To get out of bed. I always wake up at 6.30 and then I get up at 6.40.
[irregular verb] The verb get is irregular: get, got, got.
Yesterday I got up late.
speak up
To speak more loudly. Speak up, please! I can’t hear you.
[irregular verb] The verb speak is irregular: speak, spoke, spoken.
hurry up
To go more quickly. We are late. Hurry up!
You’re so slow. Please hurry up!
give up
To stop a habit. I want to give up smoking. It’s unhealthy and expensive.
[irregular verb] The verb give is irregular: give, gave, given.
I gave up smoking last year. I feel much healthier now.
wash up
To wash the plates, cups and cutlery. My wife cooked the dinner and afterwards I washed up.
slow down
To go more slowly. Don’t drive so quickly – slow down!
You’re speaking too quickly. Please slow down!
break down
When a car or machine stops working. Old cars often break down.
[irregular verb] The verb break is irregular:break, broke, broken.
My car broke down yesterday and I was late for work.
look out
To be careful, to pay attention. Look out! The floor is wet.
grow up
When a child is bigger and becomes an adult. My daughter is growing up fast.
[irregular verb] The verb grow is irregular: grow, grew, grown.
He grew up in London but now he lives in Paris.
