Phrasal verbs for daily routine — wake up, get up, set off
The phrasal verbs of an ordinary day, and the one piece of grammar that goes with them: which ones can be split, and where the pronoun has to go.
A phrasal verb is a verb plus a small word — up, off, on, out — and together they mean something you often cannot guess from the two parts. English speakers use them constantly for everyday actions, so a student who avoids them sounds formal and bookish. Learn the day in order in Section B, then learn the splitting rule in Section C. The rule is the part that is actually grammar.
A — What a phrasal verb is
The small word after the verb is called a particle. It is not a preposition here — it changes the meaning of the verb rather than pointing anywhere.
The particle changes the meaning
same verb, different verb.
- get = obtain · get up = leave your bed
- put = place · put on = dress yourself in
- take = carry · take off = remove clothes
- turn = rotate · turn on = start a machine
Why you need them
the one-word alternative usually sounds too formal for daily life.
- I get up at seven. (natural)
- I arise at seven. (far too formal)
- Tidy up your room. (natural)
- Organise your room. (not the same meaning)
The rest of this lesson is in the General English course:
- B — A whole day, in order
- C — The grammar: can you split it?
- Quick reference — which behave how
- Useful phrases
Try it: Which particle?
Choose the correct small word.
- My alarm goes ___ at seven.
(a) off (b) up (c) on - I get ___ as soon as I wake up.
(a) off (b) up (c) out - We set ___ early to avoid the traffic.
(a) up (b) in (c) off - Please put your toys ___.
(a) away (b) off (c) down - It's cold — put your coat ___.
(a) up (b) on (c) in - On Saturday I usually sleep ___.
(a) in (b) off (c) over
Check your answers in the course — it marks them instantly. This is one of the unit's 6 exercises; the other 5 are in the General English course too.
Practise this unit in the course →