Phrasal Verbs: Definitions and Examples

Common Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are combinations of verbs and prepositions or adverbs. Understanding them is crucial for fluency in English. Here’s a list of common phrasal verbs and their meanings:

  • Look up: Admire
  • Come across: Find
  • Find out: Discover
  • Grow up: Get bigger or taller
  • Do without: No need
  • Catch up with: Capture
  • Get out of: Escape
  • Help out: Give a hand
  • Take up: Continue with something
  • Get ahead: Advance
  • Try out: Make an attempt
  • Open up: Reveal
  • Move on: Advance
  • Keep something to oneself: Not tell
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Object Descriptions and Mechanics Vocabulary

Describing an Object

Key vocabulary:

  • Thickness: grosor
  • Depth: profundo
  • Height: altura
  • Width: ancho
  • Steel: acero
  • Wood: madera
  • Rubber: goma
  • Copper (solid): macizo
  • Iron: hierro

Examples:

  • A solid wooden block has a height of 5cm, a length of 10cm, and a width of 4cm.
  • A hollow aluminum block is 0.72cm long, 0.2cm thick, and 0.32cm wide.

Mechanical Actions

Block B rests on a slope. A string is attached to one end of the block and passes over a pulley at the top of the slope. A weight (W) is suspended from the end of

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Key Vocabulary and Grammar Points

Essential Vocabulary

Unit 1: Technology

  • Charging a mobile phone
  • Uploading photos
  • Checking messages
  • Designing software
  • Using a landline phone
  • Accessing the internet
  • Search engine
  • Social networking site
  • Mobile network
  • Power
  • Crashes
  • Social media
  • Post updates
  • Account
  • Post comments
  • Tweets
  • Wireless technology
  • Develop
  • Delete
  • Out-of-date
  • Gadget
  • User-friendly
  • Save
  • Up-to-date
  • Device
  • Store information
  • Do a search
  • Go viral
  • Download apps
  • Solve a problem
  • Go online
  • Laptop
  • Screen
  • Digital camera
  • Webcam
  • Headphones
  • Keyboard
  • Scanner
  • Printer
  • Tablet

Unit 2:

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Phrases for Informal Letters and Emails

Starting an Informal Letter or Email

  • I’m sorry I haven’t written / haven’t been in touch for such a long time.
  • It’s ages since I’ve heard from you. I hope you’re well / you and your family are well.
  • How are things? / How are you? / How’s it going?

Other Useful Phrases

Referring to News

  • Great news about… Glad to hear that… Sorry to hear about…

Giving News

  • Listen, did I tell you about…? You’ll never believe what…
  • Oh, and another thing… This is just to let you know that…
  • I thought you
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Maritime English Phrases for Seafarers: Essential Communication

Essential Maritime English Phrases for Seafarers

  • Where do you work?
  • I work onboard, but I do not work on deck. I work in the engine room.
  • The galley boy cleans the cabins.
  • The captain speaks Spanish (Español).
  • A foot is twelve inches.
  • Do you want to come to the office?
  • Be careful, those fathoms and charts are in feet, not meters.
  • This small ship does not go to South Africa; she always goes to Argentina.
  • Ashore
  • Do you work?
  • The oilers do not wash the holds.
  • The speed is now twelve knots.
  • What does the cook do
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Personal Growth and English Vocabulary

Unit 3: Take the Initiative

Take the initiative, live your own life (vive tu propia vida), play it safe (estar a salvo), take the easy option, rise to challenges (desafiar), overcome setbacks (superar obstaculos). Take charge of your own life; don’t just sit back (mirarlo de lejos); it’s up to you (tu decides). Are you cynical (cínico), optimistic, realistic, generous, pessimistic, selfish, kind, proactive (active), sensible (sensato), mean (tacaño), rash (impulsivo), sensitive (sensible), nasty

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