5 ENGLISH PHRASAL VERBS YOU MUST KNOW

In this lesson, you will learn 5 English phrasal verbs you must know. These English expressions are used by native English speakers and will help you speak English more fluently.

STUDY WITH ME

Free English Newsletter: Receive English tips via email

Daily English Vocabulary Email: Take your vocabulary to the next level with these daily vocabulary lessons in your email inbox

English With Tiffani App: Improve your English with my English App

Daily English Lessons Membership: Stop being stuck and finally go from the intermediate to the advanced English level with these daily English lessons

Speak English Like A Native Membership: Join this community and start speaking English more naturally

English Books & Resources: These resources will help you improve your vocabulary, sentence structures, interview skills, and much more

ENGLISH PHRASAL VERB #1

English Phrasal Verb: Act like

Meaning: “Similar to; in the manner of”

EXAMPLE SENTENCES

1. He always acts like he’s the boss of everyone when he’s not.
2. In the school play, I will be acting like a bad guy, but really I’m an undercover cop.
3. My mom always asks why I act like a maniac running around the house.

ENGLISH PHRASAL VERB #2

English Phrasal Verb: Act up

Meaning: “Someone or something to behave badly”

EXAMPLE SENTENCES

1. My mom said that if I act up again, I would lose my privileges.
2. The man at the concession stand is acting up.
3. I hope my back doesn’t start acting up again.

ENGLISH PHRASAL VERB #3

English Phrasal Verb: Add up

Meaning: “To seem reasonable; to make sense”

EXAMPLE SENTENCES

1. After reanalyzing the results, everything is starting to add up.
2. The details of his story were not adding up.
3. Nothing is adding up, so I think I need to call our CPA.

ENGLISH PHRASAL VERB #4

English Phrasal Verb: Ask out

Meaning: “To invite someone out on a romantic date, in hopes of a future relationship”

EXAMPLE SENTENCES

1. I heard that John is planning to ask Susan out.
2. I can’t believe he hasn’t asked me out yet. I know he likes me!
3. Finally! I was beginning to think he would never ask me out.

ENGLISH PHRASAL VERB #5

English Phrasal Verb: Back down

Meaning: “Take back a demand/opinion that people are strongly opposed to; admit defeat”

EXAMPLE SENTENCES

1. I heard he backed down after losing the election.
2. The contenders backed down from their original pledge.
3. Man, this person doesn’t back down. He is really stubborn!