How to learn phrasal verbs for the FCE or CAE? 
 

      I often compare learning phrasal verbs to learning the daunting list of irregular verbs. “Quality not quantity” should be your motto when embarking on this mission. What does this imply? Well, merely learn the ones you are going to use, not the undivided list. If you know the essentials, you will see their usefulness in context, and taking on more vocabulary will become instinctive and swift. 
 

      First of all, what are phrasal verbs? Well to say the least they are very well-liked by the indigenous people! These seemingly multifaceted verbs are often used instead of a bare verb. For a native speaker they are easier to use than bare verbs as they express so much more! A phrasal verb is a verb with a preposition, which put together, have a very different meaning to the verb left single-handed or the preposition left alone. So, how to learn them logically if the logic of this reunion itself seems inexistent?  
 

      The best way to go about with this is to avoid direct translation to your mother tongue. If you translate the verb directly, you are not building a mental mechanism; you are avoiding it – thereby making the learning process almost unfeasible. We are talking about enriching our vocabulary long term and not just for the FCE or CAE. So, follow the steps of today’s class and you will find out how to reach this ambitious aim.  
 

      Tip 1: Given a phrasal verb, write its synonym(s) in English before reading the sentence. E.g.: to do with = to appreciate, to need. Why is this so important? Well, let’s just envisage an exam situation where you are given a multiple-choice exercise. This is when doubts arise! Given several options the best is to work out the meaning then choose a phrasal verb from your memory, not from the list given. i.e. :   

      I really could have …………….. some help when building that shed!

      done up / done with / without 
 

phrasal verbs

      Another example could be: to fall out= to argue, to no longer speak. Here is the gap to fill:

      I think we really ……………… during the last holidays we spent together.

      fell through / fell  under /fell out  
 

      Another example could be: to make up for = to compensate. Here is the gap to fill:

      As Sandra has arrived late this morning, she will have to ……… the time she has lost, this week.

      make out / make off with / make up for 
 

      Another example could be: to do up = to refurbish, to improve . Here is the gap to fill:

      Our neighbours have just finished ……………. their flat and it looks so much nicer!

      doing up / doing with / doing without 
 
 

      Tip 2: Now that you have seen the significance of knowing the meaning of a phrasal verb in English, let’s see the second tip on how to learn more. We have to learn not only a synonym but a straightforward example containing the phrasal verb. This example will mirror and therefore reduce to bare bones the meaning. When learning an entire list, this suddenly all makes sense:  
 

PHRASAL VERBS with GET:

      to get across = to be understood. I really needed to get the message across. I can’t stand living with her anymore.

      to get (a)round to = to find time to do. I really hope I will get around to tidying the house tonight before the guests arrive.

      to get at = to refer to. I explained it to him several times but he just didn’t understand what I was getting at.

      to get by = to have just enough money or language skills. We’ll just about get by until we receive our pay // He gets by in Spanish. I am sure he’ll be fine visiting Madrid by himself.

      to get off = to go down, to descend. Get off the bus at the third stop after the football stadium.

      to get on with = to be friendly, to continue. You should really get on with your homework if you wish to finish by tomorrow. // We get on well with all our colleagues.

      to get over = to recover. Marta was extremely upset when she found out she wasn’t getting into Harvard. But she soon got over it.

      to get through = to use all; to overcome. We got through a lot of water last night! We must have been very thirsty! // We will get through this problem together! We will find a way.

      to get together = to unite, to gather. We should get together some time next week to discuss the hen party.  
 
 

      In order to conclude today’s class, please look up the meaning of the following phrasal verbs and create uncomplicated examples in order to memorise their meaning fully. 
 

      PHRASAL VERBS with GIVE

To give away; to give back; to give in; to give out; to give up 
 

      PHRASAL VERBS with PUT

To put away; to put back; to put forward; to put off; to put on; to put out; to put through; to put up; to put up with 
 

      PHRASAL VERBS with FALL

To fall for; to fall in; to fall out with; to fall over; to fall through 
 

That’s it for today’s class!