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The 50 Most Common Phrasal Verbs
For Mr. Stoakley’s KNUE Courses
1. Go on – continue; stop saying those things; not so; I don’t believe you. (Also literal).
I wish class would finish, but my professor’s lecture just keeps going on and on and on!
Jenny: I saw Seung-min steal 40,000 won! Tim: Go on! I’ve known Seung-min for 5
years and I know he wouldn’t do such a thing.
2. Carry out – to perform a task; to perform an assignment. (Also literal.)
The next step involves staff learning complex commands to tell the machine to carry out a
sequence of tasks.
Grandma, let me help you carry out the boxes to the car.
3. Set up – to establish someone as something; to help establish; to provide something
for someone to start up something
After the dictator lost control of the country a new government needed to be set up.
My father gave me some money to help me start up my new business.
4. Pick up – to clean; to learn/obtain; to get busy; to go faster
The truck picked up momentum as it rolled down the mountain.
I picked up the toys from the floor and returned them to the toy box.
It took me 3 months to learn to play that song, but my brother picked it up in 2 days!
5. Go back – to return to one’s origin/previous location; to break a promise
He was an artist and his only dream was one day to go back home and paint.
I'd rather die than go back out the way I was.
My friend really hurt my feelings when he went back on his promise and told everyone my
secret.
6. Come back –to (have) return(ed) to one’s origin/previous location; to retort; a
return success
The Yankees were losing by 5 points, but they had a great come back in the last inning
and beat the Indians.
I'll wait until you come back, and then we can do it together.
Whenever someone says something rude to me I can never come back with a good
comeback.
7. Go out – to try out for something (usually sports); to go out of fashion; to go out
with someone for entertainment; to date someone. (Also literal.)
When couples start dating they usually go out on the town and have dinner, watch a
movie, or other such activities.
When I was in 10th grade I wanted to play for the school soccer team so I went out for it
and made the team.
I hated the mullet hair style. I am so glad that it has gone out of fashion!
8. Point out – to select or indicate someone or something (from a group).
Most of these rules, I should point out, were created to protect you.
The victim pointed out the criminal from a police lineup.
