27 PHRASAL VERBS QUE DEBES CONOCER

Una guía para aprender y practicar los phrasal verbs más importantes del inglés.

Escrito por Daniel Welsch.

© 2011, Daniel Welsch.

http://madridingles.es

INTRODUCCIÓN

POR QUÉ HAS ESCRITO ESTE LIBRO?

He escrito este libro porque enseño el inglés desde hace casi una década y me he dado cuenta que la manera estándar de enseñar los phrasal verbs no funciona.

Me he dado cuenta que la mayoría de mis alumnos, aunque hayan estudiado el inglés durante 10 años o más, no saben ni los phrasal verbs que se enseñan a los alumnos de segundo año.

La razón es que los libros de texto dan una lista de phrasal verbs tras otra, sin ningún contexto y sin ningun repaso, suponen que la gente ve una combinación una vez y ya la tiene memorizada sin más.

Este libro es la solución a este problema, entonces. Quiero abarcar al tema de los phrasal verbs de otra manera, para asegurar que conoces unos muy bien antes de seguir con otros.

QUÉ ES UN PHRASAL VERB?

Un phrasal verb es un verbo que va seguido de una partícula. La partícula es una preposición o un adverbio que cambia el significado del verbo. Da dirección al verbo (adverbial phrase) o otro significado distinto al verbo original (phrasal verb).

Aquí no diferencio mucho, aunque algunos libros lo hacen, entre adverbial phrases y phrasal verbs. La cuestión es que la partícula da una información importante, cambiando el significado del verbo.

También se podría decir que expresiones como “look forward to” y “get rid of” no son phrasal verbs exactamente. Acepto el argumento, pero los incluyo aquí porque son importantes.

REALMENTE SE USAN LOS PHRASAL VERBS?

Sí. Se usan todos los días. Más en conversación que escrito.

Algunas ideas son muy difíciles (o incluso imposible) de explicar sin phrasal verbs. Otras se pueden expresar usando otras palabras, pero la gente suele usar el phrasal verb.

Incluso si no usas muchos phrasal verbs al hablar, es imprescindible entenderlos. Son una parte importante del idioma que cualquier nativo usa sin pensar. Incluso muchos nativos piensan que es más facil entenderles si usan palabras pequeñas.  Así dicen “Let’s get on with it” cuando sería mucho más facil para un hispanohablante entender “Let’s continue.”

CUÁL ES LA MEJOR MANERA DE APRENDERLOS?

Muchos libros dan un ejemplo o dos de un phrasal verb y dan por hecho que lo has aprendido. La realidad es que una persona necesita alrededor de 7 ejemplos para memorizar algo. Las palabras cobran significado cuando las vemos en una variedad de contextos. Por eso, en este libro, doy relativamente pocos vebos, con muchos ejemplos y ejercicios.

Es mejor hacer pocas cosas y hacerlas bien que hacer muchas cosas y hacerlas mal!

Es imprescindible volver a estudiar las mismas cosas varias veces. La repetición no es lo más divertido del mundo, pero sirve para aprender cualquier cosa que uno se plantea en esta vida.

Estudia un par de phrasal verbs un día. Vuelve a repetirlos el día siguiente, y repásalos al cabo de una semana y al cabo del mes. Son cuatro repeticiones (de varios ejemplos de cada phrasal verb), lo cual te da bastante para que entre en la memoria a largo plazo.

GRAMÁTICA DE LOS PHRASAL VERBS

Los phrasal verbs tienen unas reglas propias que tienes que saber para usarlos bien.

Primero, lo que siempre tenemos que tener en cuenta es que la partícula es igual que importante que el verbo.

Él está mirando a Susan. = He’s looking at Susan.

Él está buscando a Susan. = He’s looking for Susan.

Entre “look at” y “look for” hay una enorme diferencia, en español incluso se dicen con verbos distintos.

Hay más que se debe saber sobre phrasal verbs.

TRANSITIVOS E INTRANSITIVOS

Los hay transitivos y intransitivos. O sea, que unos aceptan un complemento y otros no.

Por ejemplo:

Quítate la chaqueta = Take off your jacket.

Aquí “take off” es transitivo (el complemento es your jacket)

El avión despega a las 3:30. = The plane takes off at 3:30.

Aquí “take off” es intransitivo. El avión despega, simplemente, y no acepta un complemento.

SEPARABLES E INSEPARABLES

Los hay separables, y los hay no separables. O sea, que algunos no se molestan si separas la partícula del verbo, poniendo el complemento en medio. (Claro que si el phrasal verb es intransitivo, no tiene complemento y no puede separarse para poner el complemento en medio.)

Separables:

I’m putting my jacket on.

He’s taking his shoes off.

They’re trying to work the problem out.

Inseparables:

I’m looking for an apartment.

She’s looking after her sister.

He got rid of his old books.

Cuando usamos un pronombre (me, you, him, her, it, us, them) como complemento de un phrasal verb separable, tenemos que separarlo.

Por ejemplo:

I’m putting on my jacket. = I’m putting it on.

He’s taking off his shoes. = He’s taking them off.

They’re trying to work out the problem. = They’re trying to work it out.

Si usamos un pronombre con un phrasal verb inseparable, obviamente, no separamos.

She’s looking after him.

He got rid of them.

I’m looking for it.

LOS 27 PHRASAL VERBS

GET UP / WAKE UP

to get up = levantarse.

to wake (someone) up = despertarse (no necesariamente lo mismo que levantarse).

Dormirse se dice “go to sleep.”

I always get up at 7 AM. I don’t mind waking up early.

What time do you usually get up?

I went to sleep late last night, so I got up late this morning.

I woke up at six o’clock, but I didn’t get up until almost seven. That’s why I’m late.

I set my alarm to wake me up on time for work.

The shouting in the street was loud enough to wake me up, but I didn’t get up to see what was happening.

You should wake Mary up. It’s almost time for breakfast.

(In a hotel) I ordered a wake-up call for six thirty. That should give us time to get to the airport.

I hope I didn’t wake you up when I arrived. Did I make a lot of noise?

GO OUT

to go out = salir para ir a un evento social. to go out with someone = tener una relación (más o menos) romántica con alguien.

I don’t really feel like going out. Why don’t we stay in and make a pizza?

Is Susan going out with anyone at the moment?

She’s just started going out with a guy she met on holiday.

They’ve been going out since high school.

I usually go out on Saturday nights. Friday nights I stay in.

He went out last night, and came home late, so today he’s very tired.

Let’s go out for a drink! Do you want to have a martini?

LOOK AFTER

to look after someone/something = cuidar a algo o alguien, especialmente un niño, una mascota, o algo que no cuida a si mismo.

He’s looking after my plants while I’m away on holiday.

Could you look after the baby tomorrow night while I’m out?

I don’t mind looking after your dog, but I don’t like looking after cats.

He always gets his sister to look after the kids on Saturdays.

While I was busy looking after Jimmy, Sally fell down and scraped her knee.

If you get a babysitter to look after the kids, we can go out.

My aunt used to come over and look after my sister and I every morning.

GET ON

to get on with someone = llevarse bien con alguien.

Si va en negativo, significa llevarse mal. También acepta adverbios (well, very well, pretty well, extremely well, better, best, etc) entre las partículas on y with.

She doesn’t get on very well with her boss, but she gets on extremely well with her coworkers.

Do you get on with your parents?

How do you get on with your classmates?

I’ve been getting on better with my mother the last few years.

I get on pretty well with all my cousins, but I get on best with my cousin Phil.

I don’t get on terribly well with people like him. He’s so annoying!

PUT ON / TAKE OFF

to put something on = ponerse una prenda, etc.

to take something off = quitar una prenda, etc.

He took off his jacket and hung it up behind the door.

You should take off your hat in the Cathedral.

In many countries, it’s customary to take off your shoes when you go in the house. In winter, people put on slippers to keep their feet warm.

Why don’t you put on your raincoat? You’re getting wet!

Did you put on sunblock when you went to the beach? You’re sunburnt!

If I take off my glasses, I won’t be able to read the newspaper.

She put on her gloves so she wouldn’t get her hands dirty in the garden.

take off = despegar (un avión) Lo contrario es land o touch down.

Sorry for the delay, the plane will be taking off in just a few minutes.

In the end, the plane took off almost an hour late. We just landed a few minutes ago.

TURN ON / TURN OFF

to turn something on = encender un aparato electrico

to turn something off = apagar un aparato electrico.

Muchas veces un ordenador dice “shut down” en vez de “turn off.”

You should turn off your mobile if you’re going to sleep. You don’t want it to wake you up.

She opened the door and turned on the light.

The lights are programmed to turn off automatically after a minute.

We should turn on the air conditioning. It’s getting hot.

I’m going to turn off the stove. The soup is cooked.

If you turn off the heating when you leave, you’ll save electricity.

Could you turn off the TV? I’m finished watching it.

Have you already turned on the computer?

START OUT / END UP

to start out = empezar un proceso, un viaje, etc.

to end up = acabar, terminar un proceso, llegar a un punto.

He started out studying to be a lawyer, but he ended up working as a teacher.

We started out at home, and after an hour walking, we ended up in the town center.

When he started out writing songs, he never imagined he’d end up being in a band.

I started out thinking I was going to go to New York, but I ended up going to Istanbul.

Eventually he ended up living with his mother again, at age 50.

The day started out well, but I had a bad headache in the afternoon.

When I started out, I imagined it would be a lot easier.

I wanted to go out, but finally I ended up staying home.

TURN UP / TURN DOWN

to turn something up = subir (el volumen, la calefacción, etc)

to turn something down = bajar (el volumen, la calefacción, etc.)

Ambos phrasal verbs se utilizan principalmente con aparatos electrónicos.

Could you please turn down the music? I can’t sleep!

If we turn up the heat, we’ll be more comfortable. It must be below freezing outside.

She turned down the volume on her mp3 player so she could concentrate better.

He turned up the TV when his favorite music video came on.

“turn up” tiene otro significado: aparecer (inesperadamente)

I was looking for the cat all afternoon, eventually she turned up under the sofa.

Her keys finally turned up, but by that time they’d already called a locksmith.

“turn something/someone down” también tiene otro significado: rechazar.

He asked her out several times, but she always turned him down.

He found out that his visa application had been turned down yesterday.

SET OUT / GET BACK

to set out = partir, ir de viaje

to get back = volver de viaje, o simplemente volver.

El sentido normal de irse o salir se expresa con “go” o “leave.”

If we set out early, we’ll get back before dinner.

What time did you get back from your trip?

He left for work early in the morning, and didn’t get back until 11 o’clock at night.

The bus gets back to town around 6. Can you come to the station to pick me up?

We should set out before lunch, that way we’ll miss the traffic.

The earlier we set out, the earlier we’ll arrive.

He’s gone out for a moment. I’ll talk to him as soon as he gets back.

Could you tell her to call me when she gets back?

BREAK UP

break up with someone = terminar una relación romántica, separarse, romper.

Si se usa “we broke up” o “they broke up” no se usa el “with someone.”

Have you heard? Susan broke up with her boyfriend this weekend.

Tom has been a bit depressed since Kate broke up with him.

Bill is thinking about breaking up with his girlfriend.

Don’t worry if he breaks up with you. You’ll find someone new.

Sam is so strange! He’s always falling in love with girls, then breaking up with them a coupe of weeks later.

I was sad when we broke up, but now I think it’s for the best.

When she met him, she hadn’t yet broken up with her previous boyfriend.

BREAK DOWN

to break down = romperse, averiarse (un vehículo, una máquina grande)

When the train broke down, we had to wait for 3 hours to continue on our journey.

His car broke down when he was on holiday, and he had to take it to the mechanic.

Did it break down on when he was leaving, or on the way back?

If your car breaks down, you’ll have to call the tow truck.

When one of the factory’s machines broke down, they had to stop working and fix it.

My old Chevrolet has broken down so many times I don’t trust it anymore.

He had to spend the afternoon fixing his motorcycle after it broke down.

GET RID OF

to get rid of something = deshacerte de algo.

When she got rid of her car, she started taking public transport a lot more.

I have some old clothes I want to get rid of. Do you know who I can donate them to?

I really want to get rid of all these books. They’re cluttering up my room.

Do you think we should get rid of these tools? We hardly ever use them.

I’ve already lost a lot of weight, but I can’t seem to get rid of these last few kilos.

I got rid of a lot of stuff by selling it online.

I think you’d be better off if you got rid of your old car and bought a newer one.

WORK OUT

to work out = solucionar un problema, calcular

They’ve been trying to work out the problems with their computer all day.

Hopefully he and his girlfriend can work everything out. They’ve been having a difficult time lately.

Did you work out how much we have to pay in taxes?

In the end everything worked out fine, and we could forget about the whole thing.

to work out = hacer deporte

He always works out three times a week. That’s why he’s so thin.

After I work out at the gym, I always like to eat a big lunch.

Working out makes me feel great! Whenever I’m a little bit down I go for a run.

Professional athletes spend several hours each day working out.

MAKE UP

to make up a story = inventar una historia

That story was a lie. She made the whole thing up.

Is that the best excuse you can make up? They’ll never believe us!

to make up a class, an exam, etc = recuperar

I didn’t take the test last week, so I’m making it up this week.

If class is cancelled, we’ll make up the lost time another day.

If you fail this exam, you have to make it up next semester.

to make up your mind = decidir

He’s having trouble making up his mind about what to study at university.

I’ve made up my mind: I’m moving to Germany.

to make someone/yourself up = maquillarse. También se dice put on make-up.

She’s in the bathroom, making herself up.

Actresses spend hours every day being made up.

GIVE UP

to give something up = dejar de hacer algo que hacemos habitualmente

She smoked for over 20 years, but finally she gave it up a few months ago.

He’s given up sweets because his doctor told him he has to lose weight.

I’m giving up my job to go back to university.

to give up = rendirse, abondonar el esfuerzo, entregarse a la policia

I tried to learn Chinese for a few months, but eventually I gave up. It was too difficult.

When they realized they were trapped, the robbers gave themselves up.

I give up! It’s impossible to argue with you.

He’s very stubborn. Once he starts something, he never gives up.

GROW UP

to grow up = hacerse adulto, y en un sentido más amplio, pasar la niñez.

Para decir crecer, usamos, simplemente, “grow.”

I grew up in Chicago, and I moved to Washington to go to college.

They wanted their kids to grow up in a safe neighborhood, so they moved out of the city.

He was born in France, but grew up in Germany. His parents, on the other hand, grew up in the United States.

After growing up in a strict religious environment, he stopped going to church.

Look at how our daughter is growing up! She’s already interested in boys.

She’s an old friend from the neighborhood where I grew up.

LOOK FORWARD TO

to look forward to something = esperar algo con ilusión, tener muchas ganas de algo que pasará en el futuro.

“I’m looking forward to...” se traduce muchas veces como “No veo el momento de...” Se usa mucho en presente continuo, seguido de un sustantivo o un gerundio.

I’m really looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.

She’s looking forward to the wedding. It’s her big day.

Are you looking forward to going on holiday next week?

My father’s looking forward to his retirement. He’s 65 next year.

What he’s really looking forward to is having more time to read.

I’m going to Australia next month. I’m really looking forward to it.

I’m looking forward to finishing university so I can start working.

PUT UP WITH

to put up with something/someone = soportar a algo/alguien.

En negativo solemos usar “can’t stand someone/something.”

After putting up with the noise for an hour, I called the police.

I guess we’ll just have to put up with the mosquitos.

I can’t stand her! How do you manage to put up with her so well?

I don’t know how long I’ll be able to put up with all these house guests.

I don’t understand how she puts up with her son. He’s such a pain!

I’m getting used to the cold weather. I guess I’m learning how to put up with it.

Are you going to put up with her forever? Or are you going to ask her to stop behaving that way?

TRY SOMETHING ON

to try something on = probarse una prenda de vestir.

Se usa try sin partícula para hablar de actividades, comida etc... todo lo que no es ropa.

I’d like to try on this shirt, please. In medium, if you have one.

You should try on that jacket. I bet it looks great on you.

She tried on a few wedding dresses, but didn’t find anything she liked.

I tried it on and it was a little too big. Do you have a smaller size?

Why don’t you try on a bigger pair? Those look uncomfortable.

I feel like I’ve already tried on everything in the store!

PUT IN / TAKE OUT

to put something in = poner algo dentro, introducir algo.

to take something out = sacar algo

When you put the beer in the fridge, take out a bottle of water.

I’m going to put these clothes in the closet.

I’m going to take some money out of the bank.

Can you put my keys in your bag?

She put a few liters of petrol in the car yesterday.

If you take a few things out of the trunk, you’ll have more space for your luggage.

She took the towels out of the cupboard and put them in the bathroom.

EXERCISES

Pon la partícula correcta. En el caso de phrasal verbs con dos partículas, solo falta una.

1. He’s really looking __________ to going to Vietnam this year.

2. They were born in Sweden, but they grew __________ in Denmark.

3. I have to get __________ early tomorrow to go to the airport. I’ll probably wake __________ around 6.

4. She’s been going __________ with her boyfriend for several years, I think they’ll get married soon.

5. Why don’t you put __________ a tie? You’ll look more formal.

6. She turned __________ the light and soon fell asleep.

7. He gets __________ very well with his mother, it’s his father who’s the problem.

8. Could you look __________ my cats while I’m away?

9. I think that sweater would look great on you. Why don’t you try it __________?

10. Take your passport __________ of your bag, you need to show it to the Customs officer.

11. I’ve tried putting __________ with her and I can’t. She’s just too annoying!

12. I think I’m going to give __________ my aerobics class for now. I just don’t have time.

13. I don’t believe anything she said. I think she’s making the whole thing __________.

14. We’re going to set __________ at around 9 o’clock. That way we’ll arrive before lunch.

15. If we leave early, we’ll get __________ before dark.

16. Sarah and Jimmy broke __________ when he moved to a new city.

17. They offered him a job in Germany, but he turned it __________.

18. I have a storeroom full of stuff I want to get rid __________. Do you know any charity that will come pick it up?

19. I’m going to the gym later. I want to work __________ before dinner.

20. She started __________ working as a secretary, but ended __________ as manager.

21. Don’t worry about looking for those papers. I’m sure they’ll turn __________ somewhere.

22. Could you turn __________ the volume on the TV? I’m trying to sleep!

23. Their whole family gets __________ so well. It seems like they never fight.

24. Her car broke __________ when she was driving cross country, so she had to take a plane.

25. I’m going to turn __________ the TV. I want to see the news.

26. Take __________ your sunglasses. You look like an idiot wearing them indoors.

27. You should put the eggs __________ the fridge. You don’t want to leave them out too long.

28. My grandfather gave __________ drinking when he was in his fifties, and he never touched a bottle again.

29. If you get __________ a little earlier, you’ll definitely make it to work on time.

30. Can you turn __________ the heating? It’s getting really hot in here.

31. The band started __________ playing jazz, but switched to blues after a few months.

32. Could we get rid __________ some of these empty bottles? We’re not using them for anything.

33. She’s all made __________ because she’s going dancing later.

34. His parents always spoke French while he was growing __________. That’s why he’s bilingual.

35. I’m really looking __________ to seeing you this weekend.

36. We wanted to go __________, but it was raining so hard that we ended __________ staying in.

37. They got a babysitter to look __________ their children while they’re away.

38. I love this song! Turn it __________!

39. She has to get __________ early because she starts work at eight.

40. You should put the white wine __________ the fridge so it’ll be cold by the time we eat. And while you’re in the fridge, take __________ a bottle of water, will you?

41. His first book was rejected by several publishers, but it ended __________ selling a lot of copies.

42. I turned __________ the job offer because the salary was worse than at my current job.

43. I was looking for my other shoe for what seemed like an hour. Finally it turned __________ under the sofa.

44. They’ve been going __________ for a few weeks. They met at Will’s party.

45. She broke __________ with her boyfriend after a big argument they had on their anniversary.

46. I grew __________ in a small town, but now I love the big city.

47. If you give __________ smoking, you’ll feel a lot better.

48. I set my alarm to wake me __________ at 7:30.

49. I tried __________ three or four pairs of shoes, but none of them were very comfortable.

50. My Canadian friends always take __________ their shoes when they’re at home.

51. I’m going to put __________ my boots. There’s a lot of snow on the ground.

52. He’s been working __________ a lot because he wants to lose weight.

53. If you turn __________ the router and wait a minute before turning it back __________, you can reset it.

54. Put __________ a scarf or you’ll catch cold.

55. I get __________ with most of my neighbors, but there is one who’s just a pain in the neck.

56. You should turn __________ the lights to save electricity.

57. If you put __________ some moisturizer after you’re out in the sun, your skin will feel better.

58. Those trousers look a little small.You should try them __________ before you buy them.

59. I know that the professor is boring, but you’ll just have to put __________ with him this semester.

60. The shouting in the street woke me __________ around four in the morning.

61. If my car breaks __________ I can call the tow truck. My insurance covers it.

62. I can’t make __________ my mind--should I study engineering or architecture?

63. If you turn the oven __________ now, it’ll have time to preheat while you’re preparing the pizza.

64. He gave __________ his job last year to start his own business.

65. I tried to do that algebra problem, but I couldn’t work __________ the answer.

66. After three years, they broke __________ last week. I guess they weren’t happy together.

67. Are you looking forward __________ finishing your exams this semester?

68. She’s setting __________ for South America tomorrow and she isn’t getting __________ until next summer.

69. If you don’t try to get __________ with your workmates, you’ll have problems sooner or later.

70. He always looks __________ his health. He works __________ at the gym, eats healthy food, and goes running a couple times a week.

71. The plane takes __________ at half past four in the afternoon.

72. If you live here for a few years, you’ll learn to put __________ with the heat.

73. The walk is about 20 kilometers, so if we set __________ at 10 o’clock, we’ll be done by 3:00 or 4:00.

74. I like to turn __________ the radio when I’m home alone. It helps to have a little background noise.

75. You need to start acting like an adult! Grow __________!

76. The class that was cancelled last week will be made __________ this Friday.

77. He’ll probably get __________ from work around six. He usually finishes at five, but the drive takes an hour.

78. I just put that money __________ the bank last week. I don’t want to take it __________ now.

79. Your refrigerator is full of food you’re never going to eat. Whey don’t you get rid __________ it?

80. If you work __________ a couple days a week, you’ll build some muscle.

81. I convinced her not to break __________ with her boyfriend for something so silly.

82. The meal started __________ with a bowl of soup.

83. Columbus set __________ on his first voyage to America in 1492. He got __________ to Europe in 1493.

84. He’s given __________ eating sweets because his doctor told him he has to lose weight.

85. The van broke __________ in the middle of the street, and a tow truck had to come to take it away.

86. He doesn’t really get __________ with his mother-in-law, but they put __________ with each other.

87. I’m going to put __________ my raincoat. It looks pretty wet outside.

88. They’re trying to get rid __________ some baby clothes now that their kids are a bit bigger.

89. I tried __________ a few different sizes until I found one that fit.

90. If you keep making noise, you’ll wake the children __________.

91. The phone company turned __________ her internet connection because she didn’t pay the bill.

ANSWERS

1. forward 

2. up         

3. up, up   

4. out        

5. on         

6. off         

7. on  

8. after      

9. on

10. out

11. up

12. up

13. up

14. out

15. back

16. up

17. down

18. of

19. out

20. out, up

21. up

22. down

23. on

24. down

25. on

26. off

27. in

28. up

29. up

30. on

31. out

32. of

33. up

34. up

35. forward

36. out, up

37. after

38. up

39. up

40. in, out

41. up

42. down

43. up

44. out

45. up

46. up

47. up

48. up

49. on

50. off

51. on

52. out

53. off, on

54. on

55. on

56. off

57. on

58. on

59. up

60. up

61. down

62. up

63. on

64. up

65. out

66. up

67. to

68. out

69. on

70. after, out

71. off

72. up

73. out

74. on

75. up

76. up

77. back

78. in, out

79. of

80. out

81. up

82. out

83. out, back

84. up

85. down

86. on, up

87. on

88. of

89. on

90. up

91. off

CONCLUSIÓN

Gracias por leer mi libro! Si has hecho todos los ejercicios y has estudiado varias veces todos los ejemplos, seguramente has aprendido mucho sobre los phrasal verbs. Bien hecho!

Se puede encontrar mucho más información sobre los phrasal verbs (y todo lo demás relacionado con el inglés) en mi página web, http://madridingles.es