Phrasal Verbs — English's Secret Vocabulary
Spanish uses single verbs; English adds particles that change meaning entirely
Category: Phrasal Verbs
The Rule
Phrasal verbs (verb + particle) create new meanings: 'give up' = surrender, 'look after' = care for, 'put off' = postpone. Spanish typically uses single verbs (rendir, cuidar, postponer). Phrasal verbs can't be translated word-by-word.
Why This Matters
Spanish: posponer (postpone). English: 'put off' OR 'postpone'. Native English speakers strongly prefer phrasal verbs in casual speech. Spanish speakers who only learn formal single-word verbs sound bookish and miss phrasal verbs in conversation.
Examples
• I need to figure out this problem. — "Necesito resolver este problema." [figure out = resolver/descifrar — sounds more natural than 'solve'] • She turned down the offer. — "Ella rechazó la oferta." [turn down = rechazar (refuse)] • We ran out of milk. — "Se nos acabó la leche." [run out of = quedarse sin (exhaust supply)]
Common Mistakes
❌ I must look the word in the dictionary. ✅ I must look up the word in the dictionary. → 'Look' alone = mirar (see). 'Look up' = buscar (search for). The particle changes the meaning completely. ❌ She put off it until tomorrow. ✅ She put it off until tomorrow. → With pronouns, separable phrasal verbs MUST split: put IT off, not put off IT.
Quick Tip
Spanish speakers: phrasal verbs are NOT optional vocabulary. Native speakers use them constantly. Learn the top 50 phrasal verbs — they cover most daily conversation.
Spanish speakers: phrasal verbs are NOT optional vocabulary. Native speakers use them constantly. Learn the top 50 phrasal verbs — they cover most daily conversation.
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: I must look the word in the dictionary. → Correct: I must look up the word in the dictionary.. 'Look' alone = mirar (see). 'Look up' = buscar (search for). The particle changes the meaning completely.
Incorrect: She put off it until tomorrow. → Correct: She put it off until tomorrow.. With pronouns, separable phrasal verbs MUST split: put IT off, not put off IT.
Quiz
What does 'break down' mean?