A phrasal verb is a phrase (a group of two or more words working together) that functions as a verb.
For example, any of these phrases would mean something completely different if one of the words were removed:
ask around
blow up
break down
burn out
calm down
come forward
deal with
get away with
hand down
look up to
put up with
show up
run away
run into
work out
Most phrasal verbs have single-word synonyms—for example, exercise for work out, flee for run away, arrive for show up. In formal writing, the single-word equivalents are usually best. However, in other kinds of writing, phrasal verbs help convey a casual, light tone and may have shades of meaning not covered by the alternatives.
False phrasal verbs
Some common phrases resemble phrasal verbs but are actually redundancies. For example, each of these phrases would convey the same meaning without the second word:
- calculate out
- climb up
- meet up
- rest up
- sit down
- stand up
- write down
Phrasal verbs and spaces
Many phrasal verbs have corresponding one-word nouns—such as breakdown, burnout, meltdown, runaway, shutout, workout. When using the phrasal verb forms, don’t forget to keep the space. For example, this is incorrect:
Once a budget is passed, the appropriations subcommittees workout the details for the various government programs . . . [CNN]
Here, the writer should use the phrasal verb work out instead of the noun workout.
