Here’s a list of 15 inseparable phrasal verbs in English, with example sentences.
Phrasal Verb |
Meaning |
Example Sentence |
back out of (something) |
fail to keep a commitment |
The client backed out of the deal at the last minute. |
come across (something) |
find accidentally |
While cleaning the house, I came across a check I had forgotten to deposit. |
count on (something / someone) |
depend on, rely on |
I’m counting on you to send me the information by the end of the day – I need it as soon as possible. |
fill in for (someone) |
substitute for |
The president of the company is traveling, so the vice-president is filling in for him at the meeting. |
get rid of (something) |
eliminate, throw away |
We have rats in the house – we need to call the exterminator to get rid of them. |
go over (something) |
review |
Before the test, let’s go over the topic of phrasal verbs. |
look after (something / someone) |
take care of |
I can’t go out tonight because I’m looking after my sister’s children. |
look forward to (something) |
feel happy/excited about something in the future |
I’m really looking forward to our family vacation in Florida – it’s going to be awesome! |
look into (something) |
investigate |
I’m looking into the possibility of taking an intensive English course in Australia next year. |
put up with (something / someone) |
tolerate something/someone unpleasant |
One of my colleagues is not very nice, but we put up with him because he does excellent work. |
run into (someone) |
meet unexpectedly |
I ran into my ex-boyfriend at the supermarket – that was an unpleasant surprise. |
settle on (something) |
decide on, choose |
I was debating what type of fitness class to take, and I finally settled on yoga. |
take after (someone) |
resemble in looks or personality |
She’s very friendly and extroverted – she takes after her mother. |
touch on (something) |
mention briefly during a speech or discussion |
We touched on the issue of employee satisfaction during the meeting, but we didn’t go into much detail. |
turn into (something) |
become |
The caterpillar turned into a butterfly. |
Go back to the main phrasal verbs lesson