What's a phrasal verb?
It's a verb that requires multiple words for its meaning.
Can you give me an example?
- blew up
- Example: The volcano blew up.
- took on
- Example: The ambitious sophmore took on too many advanced classes that semester.
"She looked it up on her computer."
![woman lying down on her back, reaching up and typing on a laptop held by a stand]()
"She looked it up on her computer."
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Strategies?
In small groups, take two minutes to brainstorm strategies that help you evaluate if a verb is a phrasal verb.
What makes sense to you?
Transitive verbs
- Can you move the verb particle around?
- Example: The student looked up the assignment in Moodle.
- Example: The student looked the assignment up in Moodle.
- took on
- Example: The ambitious sophmore took on too many advanced classes that semester.
Intransitive verbs
- Can you use a synonym?
- Example: The volcano blew up.
- Example: The volcano exploded.
Thank You!