Learn Phrasal Verbs the Easy Way

Phrasal verbs!  There are so many that learning them all can seem stressful. Impossible, even.  But don’t worry!

Just learning a few phrasal verbs you can use in your real life will make a big difference in your English.  Just a few, key, phrasal verbs can make you sound much more natural in English.

And over time, learning just a few phrasal verbs a month will add up to a big change.

Especially if you pick an extremely effective learning technique.  One that you’re probably not already using…A technique that will help you NEVER forget the phrasal verb you just decided to learn.

Do you wish you had a way to learn and remember phrasal verbs in English more easily?

I’ll explain, and show you a fun tip in today’s lesson!

Index:

1. Learn Phrasal Verbs the Easy Way: #1 Turn it into a picture (T.I.P.)

2. Learn Phrasal Verbs the Easy Way: #2 Dare to try something new

3. Business English Phrasal Verb #1: I’ll get back to you

4. Business English Phrasal Verb #2: To break [something] down

5. Business English Phrasal Verb #3: To reach out to

1. Learn Phrasal Verb the Easy Way: #1 Turn it into a Picture! (T.I.P.)

Did you know that when you learn a new expression, you only have 6 seconds to do something with it?

And if you don’t do something to help you actively remember…
You’ll forget.

I’m passionate about helping you use effective strategies that will help you meet your goals.
I want the hard work you put into learning new expressions to pay off.

So, try this:
Take your new phrasal verb and
Turn it into a picture.

You’ll imagine the phrasal verb and its definition as a picture in your mind.

I’m going to give you three phrasal verbs that you can do this with.

2. Learn Phrasal Verbs the Easy Way: #2 Dare to try something new!

Before I go on and show you how to do this with 3 key phrasal words for your Business English, let’s talk about something you have to do first.

Give yourself permission.

I know, you want to be taken seriously in Business English. You want to be confident speaking in advanced situations.
You might be thinking…this is something a kid would do.
And that’s great!

Who are the best people at learning? Children!
Why? They’re creative.
They’re not afraid to try new things, or of feeling silly.
They love having fun and inventing things with their imaginations

So…give yourself permission to be creative, silly, funny, strange as you create these mental images.

Why?
The sillier, stranger, more unusual stories are the most memorable ones.

And…the only person they have to make sense to–is you!

I think you’re ready. Let’s learn three new phrasal verbs together–in a way you’ll never forget.

3. Business English Phrasal Verb #1: I’ll get back to you

This first verb is one you should consider learning if you want to sound more advanced in English.  Because we use it so often in business.  Of course you can say it another way. But it won’t sound as natural.

What it means:
I’ll get back to you means that you will contact someone again after an initial conversation you’ve had.

For example, one of your colleagues might ask you for some information that you don’t have right now.  You could say, “Let me find out. Then I’ll get back to you.”

How to turn it into a picture:
So, how can you turn this into a picture you’ll never forget?

First, start with the key words first so you can remember the phrase ‘Get back to you.’

• Get— in this case it means to grab, catch or obtain. Maybe you’d imagine someone reaching out towards something, or a hand holding something.
• Back–you might create an image like the back of a person to help you remember this word in the expression.

Next, make an image of the meaning of ‘Get back to you.’

For example, you might picture someone running away after a conversation with you. And maybe you are trying to grab or ‘get’ their back.  Because you have something more to say to them.

Also check out my lesson: Linkwords, Phrasal Verbs and American Slang.

4. Business English Phrasal Verb #2: To break [something] down

What it means:

To break something down means to divide something complex into smaller parts, to explain it better, to help others understand it better.

For instance, if the strategy you’re suggesting is complex and confusing, you might say, “Let me break it down for you.” And then you might explain it in steps, or smaller parts. One piece at a time so everyone can understand this big idea.

How to turn it into a picture:
First, create a mental image of the key words in this phrasal verb so you can remember how to say it.

Break–you can picture something big separating into smaller parts.
Down–you can picture something on the ground, something falling or something ‘down below.’

Then you can create an image in your mind for the meaning of ‘to break something down.’

Maybe you picture yourself breaking something into small pieces and spreading them out on the floor.  That way you can stand above them and see how it all fits together. You can understand it. Or you can explain it better to others.

Remember, this technique might be new to you. It might feel different. But it is a very effective way to make phrasal verbs unforgettable.

Are you ready to try this technique for one last phrasal verb?

Also check out my lesson: Phrasal Verbs with Up.

5. Business English Phrasal Verb #3: To reach out to

Sometimes knowing the right expression or phrasal verb to use in a situation can make you sound warmer. It can help you create a sense of contact. Or seem more human. I don’t think I have to tell you how important that can be for your business relationships.

And ‘to reach out to’ is one of those expressions that can change the tone of your conversation. And it can make you sound more natural.

What it means:
When you reach out to someone, you contact them, usually for the first time.  We use this often in email communications.

How to turn it into a picture:
Start with your keywords–so you’ll remember exactly how to say it.

Reach–think of extending your arm towards someone or something.
Out–imagine going outside of something, a window, an office…

And now create an image to help you remember the meaning.

Imagine yourself reaching out of the computer screen.  You’re trying to get the attention of the other person in your image.  Since it’s often your first email to the person, you might have to actually reach your hand out of the screen and grab them so they’ll read your email.

Or maybe another image comes to mind.  Maybe you can think of something that makes this new phrasal verb unforgettable for you.

I challenge you to give it a try!

Also check out my lesson: 4 Phrasal Verbs with Get.

Take the next step: Improve your English in the comments

The best way to become more confident using Business English is to practice!

Here’s your weekly challenge for this week:

1. Think of a new phrasal verb you’re trying to remember.  Make sure you understand it first (if you need to, you can look it up in an online dictionary).
2. Then think of an image that helps you remember the phrasal verb–and its meaning.  And share it in the comments!

If you learned something from this lesson, please share it with your coworkers & friends. You can send your message to them in English for more practice!

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Stop struggling to learn & use phrasal verbs in English

If you would like to master 30 phrasal verbs in 30 days, take the 30-Day Phrasal Verb Challenge!

I’ll send you one short exercise per day for 30 days. In 5 minutes per day, you’ll effortlessly add 30 new phrasal verbs to your English vocabulary!

And it’s fun!

To start the 30-Day Challenge today, go to
https://christinarebuffetcourses.com/30-day-phrasal-verb-challenge-join-now

Can’t wait to see you in the Challenge,
Christina