Reading: Vocabulary in Context: B1 Lesson 2: Understanding Common Phrasal Verbs in Context

Reading: Vocabulary in Context

B1 Lesson 2: Understanding Common Phrasal Verbs in Context

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Verbs with New Meanings

Today we will learn about a special vocabulary type called a Phrasal Verb¹. This is a verb plus a small word called a particle² (like `up`, `on`, `for`, `after`) that together create a completely new meaning.

For example, `give` means to offer something. But `give up` means "to quit". The meaning is idiomatic³, so we must use context clues to understand it.

Common Phrasal Verbs in Context

Let's use the context of the sentence to understand the meaning of these common phrasal verbs.

1. get up

Example: "I have to be at school at 7:30 AM, so I usually get up at 6:00 AM."

Context Clues: The sentence mentions a time in the morning and getting ready for school.

Inferred Meaning: To rise from bed after sleeping.

2. look after

Example: "When my parents work in the rice fields, I have to look after my little brother at home."

Context Clues: The situation involves parents being away and a "little brother" who needs care.

Inferred Meaning: To take care of someone or something.

3. put on

Example: "It was cold this morning, so I decided to put on a jacket before I left the house."

Context Clues: The situation is cold weather and the object is a jacket.

Inferred Meaning: To place clothing on your body.

4. find out

Example: "I want to go to Phnom Penh this weekend. I need to find out what time the bus leaves."

Context Clues: The person needs information (the time) and is looking for it.

Inferred Meaning: To discover or get information.

5. give up

Example: "Learning to play guitar is difficult. Many people play for a few weeks and then give up."

Context Clues: The sentence says it is "difficult" and suggests people stop doing it.

Inferred Meaning: To quit; to stop trying.

Your Turn! Choose the Correct Phrasal Verb

Practice Quiz

Use the context of the sentence to choose the best phrasal verb.

1. My plants are dying because I always forget to _______ them.

• A. get up
• B. look after
• C. give up

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Answer: B. look after. Plants, like people, need someone to take care of them.

2. I don't know the answer to the question, but I can use Google to _______ it.

• A. find out
• B. put on
• C. get up

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Answer: A. find out. You use Google to discover information.

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Phrasal Verb (noun)
   ភាសាខ្មែរ: កិរិយាស័ព្ទកន្សោម
   A verb combined with a particle (like `up, on, after`) to create a new meaning. ↩ back to text
2. Particle (noun)
   ភាសាខ្មែរ: ភាគល្អិត(នៃពាក្យសំរាប់ផ្គុំ)
   The small adverb or preposition, like `up` or `on`, that is part of a phrasal verb. ↩ back to text
3. Idiomatic Meaning (noun)
   ភាសាខ្មែរ: អត្ថន័យខុសពីពាក្យដើម
   A meaning that is different from the individual words (e.g., 'give up' does not mean you are giving something). ↩ back to text

Homework Task

Use the Phrasal Verbs!

Write three original sentences using three different phrasal verbs from today's lesson.

1. Write one sentence using get up.
2. Write one sentence using put on.
3. Write one sentence using give up.

Be ready to share your sentences in class.