This lesson will focus on the most popular English phrasal verbs related to communicating with others. The phrasal verbs are organized based on whether they are intransitive, transitive & separable, or 3-word phrasal verbs so that you can use them grammatically correctly.
If you are interested in learning 100 common phrasal verbs and 100 common idioms used in the English-speaking business world, check out my e-book below:
Intransitive (can be used with no object or use an additional preposition to add a noun object)
Speak up = to speak louder
I'm having trouble hearing you. Can you please speak up?
Speak out (about something) = to express your dissatisfaction with something
If you don't like what your government is doing, why don't you speak out?
Transitive & Separable Verbs (require a noun as an object, which can be in the middle of the phrasal verb)
Get (a message/a point) across = to communicate an idea or message effectively so that others understand it well
I think I got my point across during the meeting because everyone seemed to agree with me.
Talk (an issue) over = to discuss something with someone in order to make a decision
I got a job offer in London. My wife and I talked it over and we decided that I should take it.
Bring (a topic) up = to mention something
She didn't bring her wedding up when I talked to her yesterday. I hope it went well.
Cut (someone) off = to interrupt someone
I'm sorry to cut you off but I have to answer this call. Just a moment.
Fill (someone) in (on information) = to provide someone with information that they missed
I missed the meeting this morning. Can you fill me in on the discussion?
Talk (someone) into (an action) = to persuade someone to do something
I can't believe that my friend talked me into singing karaoke last night. It was so embarrassing!
Run (an idea/a situation) by (someone) = to share an idea, plan, or thought with someone to see what they think
If you have a minute, can I run an idea by you? I think it might solve our problem.
3-Word Verbs (always require 3 words to make the phrasal verb)
Get through to (someone) = to successfully get someone to agree with what you say
I want my son to be more active, but it's hard to get through to him.
Practice
Choose the correct option provided to fill in the blanks below:
ran it by / bring it up / got through to him / cutting me off / speak up
He kept _____________ when I was trying to explain my opinion. It was really annoying
I wanted to talk about the budget but I didn't have time to _____________ during our meeting.
I came up with an idea for a new project and ___________ my boss. She loved the idea!
Sorry it's a little loud in here. Can you ___________ please?
I've been telling my son to focus on his schoolwork for a long time, and I think I finally ____________ . His grades have been improving.
talk it over / got my point across / fill you in / talked me into / speaking out
We need to start planning our trip. Do you have a few minutes now to _____________?
I'm glad that so many people are ______________ about racism in our society.
Originally I didn't want a pet but my wife __________ getting a cat, so now we have one.
If you miss the meeting, don't worry I'll ___________ so that you know what we discussed.
I told my manager why I disagreed with the company policy. I think that I __________ because she will talk with the Human Resources department about it later today.
Answers
He kept cutting me off when I was trying to explain my opinion. It was really annoying
I wanted to talk about the budget but I didn't have time to bring it up during our meeting.
I came up with an idea for a new project and ran it by my boss. She loved the idea!
Sorry it's a little loud in here. Can you speak up please?
I've been telling my son to focus on his schoolwork for a long time, and I think I finally got through to him. His grades have been improving.
We need to start planning our trip. Do you have a few minutes now to talk it over?
I'm glad that so many people are speaking out about racism in our society.
Originally I didn't want a pet but my wife talked me into getting a cat, so now we have one.
If you miss the meeting, don't worry I'll fill you in so that you know what we discussed.
I told my manager why I disagreed with the company policy. I think that I got my point across because she will talk with the Human Resources department about it later today.
Kommentare