Learning transitive verb phrases can feel like a puzzle, especially since we will learn which ones require an object and which ones don’t.
These verbs are essential for building clear, natural sentences in everyday conversations.
By understanding how they work, you’ll unlock a new level of fluency and confidence in English.
Let’s dive into what makes transitive phrasal verbs unique, how to identify them, and see real-life examples that will help you use them with ease.
What is a Transitive Phrasal Verb?
A transitive phrasal verb is a phrasal verb which requires a direct object to complete its meaning. Without the object, the sentence feels incomplete. For example:
- She looks after her younger brother. (direct object = her younger brother)
This is different from an intransitive phrasal verb, which does not need an object to make sense. For example:
- He wake up early. (no object needed)
Take a closer look:
- Transitive phrasal verb: needs an object (turn off the light).
- Intransitive phrasal verb: stands alone (the plane took off).
How to Identify a Transitive Phrasal Verb?
Identifying a transitive phrasal verb is easier if you remember this rule: if the verb + particle needs an object to complete its meaning, it’s transitive.
Tips to recognize them:
- Check if something is affected by the action.
“She turned off the TV.” (The TV is affected, it’s transitive). - Try asking “what?” or “whom?” after the verb.
“He looks after his sister” (Whom? His sister. The verb needs an object, it’s transitive). - See if the verb makes sense without an object.
Try to compare “She brought up…?” (Incomplete without object) with “She woke up.” (Complete without object, it’s intransitive).
By practicing with examples, you’ll quickly see the difference between transitive and intransitive phrasal verbs.
List of Transitive Phrasal Verbs in English
For better understanding, here’s a list of 50 common transitive phrasal verbs complete with the example sentences:
Transitive Phrasal Verbs | Examples (in a sentence) |
|---|---|
| Add up | This doesn’t add up to much money. |
| Back up | Please back up your files before updating. |
| Bring back | This song brings back childhood memories. |
| Bring up | She brings up an interesting question. |
| Burn down | The fire burned down the house. |
| Call up | She called up her friend. |
| Check out | I need to check out this new app. |
| Clear up | He cleared up the misunderstanding. |
| Cheer up | We tried to cheer up our friend. |
| Count on | You can count on me anytime. |
| Cut out | She cut out sugar from her diet. |
| Do up | He did up the buttons on his shirt. |
| Dream up | She dreamed up a great plan. |
| Dress up | He dressed up the kids for the party. |
| Fill in | Please fill in this form before doing the transaction. |
| Fill out | She filled out the questionnaire. |
| Fill up | He filled up the tank with gas. |
| Find out | We need to find out the truth. |
| Give back | Please give back my book. |
| Give up | She gave up smoking. |
| Hand in | Students must hand in their homework. |
| Hand out | The teacher handed out the worksheets. |
| Hold back | Don’t hold back your feelings. |
| Hold up | We’ll be late, the traffic held up the bus. |
| Iron out | They need to iron out their differences. |
| Jot down | He jotted down the phone number. |
| Keep up | She’s so excited, couldn’t keep up her energy. |
| Kick out | They kicked out the troublemakers. |
| Leave out | Don’t leave out any details. |
| Let down | Please don’t let down your team. |
| Look after | She looked after her brother. |
| Look over | The lawyer looked over the contract. |
| Make up | He made up a story about his problem. |
| Pick out | She picked out a dress for the event. |
| Point out | He pointed out the mistake easily. |
| Put off | They put off the meeting. |
| Put on | It’s pouring, put on your coat. |
| Put out | Firefighters put out the fire. |
| Take on | The company took on new staff. |
| Show off | She’ll show off her new bag at school. |
| Sit down | Please sit down, we’ll start the test. |
| Shut up | He told me to shut up during the movie. |
| Take away | The waiter will take away the empty plates. |
| Turn off | Turn off the lights during the day. |
| Turn on | Can you turn on the TV now? |
| Wake up | She has to wake up early tomorrow. |
| Watch out | Watch out, that car is coming really fast! |
| Wear out | His shoes will wear out if he uses them every day. |
| Work out | We need to work out a new plan. |
Conclusion
Mastering transitive verb phrases will help you speak and write in English in a way that sounds authentic and natural.
By practicing the examples and tips we’ve covered, you’ll quickly learn how to use them correctly in daily conversations.
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