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B1 — Daily Life Phrasal Verbs

B1 · Intermedio Capítulo 24

Daily Life Phrasal Verbs

Q: ¿Cuál es la idea principal detrás de "run into"?

"Run into" generalmente significa encontrarse con alguien o algo por casualidad, o chocar con algo. Piensa en ello como un encuentro no planeado o un golpe inesperado.

Q: ¿Cuándo uso "run out of"?

Usas "run out of" cuando has agotado completamente algo y ya no te queda nada. Por ejemplo, "I ran out of milk" significa que tu nevera está vacía de leche.

10 Reglas totales

118 ejemplos

6 min

Reglas en este capítulo Práctica rápida

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the phrasal verbs that native speakers use in every single conversation.

Identify common phrasal verbs in daily contexts.
Apply multi-word verbs correctly in social situations.
Differentiate between literal and idiomatic meanings.

Speak naturally, one phrasal verb at a time.

Lo que aprenderás

Want to make your daily English sound more authentic? We'll dive into common phrasal verbs, helping you effortlessly describe how you run into friends or get along with others. Get ready to boost your conversational confidence!

Verbo Frasal: Take off (Quitar y Despegar)
¡Genial! Ya tienes 'take off' para hablar de quitar cosas, despegues y éxito rápido como un experto.
Llevarse bien (Verbo frasal: Get along/on)
El phrasal verb Get along/on describe la armonía o conflicto en una relación. ¡Domínalo para conversaciones sociales más naturales!
Verbo Frasal: Run (Into, Out of, Away)
Dominar run into, out of y away te ayudará a hablar un inglés más natural y cotidiano.
Verbo Frasal: Get over (Recuperar y Superar)
Usa 'get over' para expresar naturalmente que te recuperas de cualquier contratiempo, grande o pequeño. Es tu herramienta para superar 'illness', 'disappointment' y 'fears'.
Verbo Frasal: Pick up (levantar, recoger, contestar)
Dominar 'pick up' te abre muchas puertas para hablar de cosas cotidianas, ¡desde levantar un objeto hasta aprender algo nuevo!
Cómo usar 'Catch Up' (Verbo frasal)
Cierra la brecha, infórmate o reconecta: catch up es tu phrasal verb favorito.
Verbo Frasal: Turn Down (Volumen y Rechazo)
Dominar 'turn down' significa que puedes 'ajustar' el 'volumen' con confianza y 'decir no' elegantemente en inglés.
Encontrarse por sorpresa (Run into)
Usa 'run into' cuando te encuentras con personas o problemas de forma unplanned y sudden. ¡Es todo sobre la surprise!
Comprender 'Break down' (Dejar de funcionar y Explicar)
Domina 'break down' para explicaciones claras y para hablar de fallos inesperados. Tienes dos superpoderes: Clear Explanations y Unexpected Failures.
Realizar tareas (Carry out)
Usa carry out para resaltar la ejecución de una tarea, haciendo que tu inglés suene más intencional y efectivo.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

1
By the end you will be able to: Use 10 essential phrasal verbs in a coherent paragraph about your daily routine.

Guía del capítulo

Overview

Mastering English daily life phrasal verbs is a game-changer for any B1 English learner looking to sound more natural and confident. These seemingly small combinations of verbs and prepositions (or adverbs) are everywhere in everyday conversation, from talking about your plans to describing a sudden event. Ignoring them means missing out on the richness and authenticity of native English.

This chapter is designed to unlock that next level of fluency for you.

You'll discover how to naturally describe situations like when you run into an old friend unexpectedly, or how you get along with your colleagues at work. We'll explore essential verbs like take off for when a plane departs or you remove clothing, and how to use get over when you recover from an illness or a difficult situation. Understanding these will help you express yourself with greater precision and ease, making your B1 English grammar feel truly alive.

By the end of this guide, you'll be able to confidently use phrasal verbs to talk about everything from picking up a phone call, to asking someone to turn down the music, or understanding why a car might break down. Get ready to elevate your conversational skills and seamlessly blend into everyday English interactions!

How This Grammar Works

Phrasal verbs are a core component of natural, everyday English, especially when describing actions and states in daily life. They combine a verb with a particle (a preposition or adverb) to create a new meaning that is often different from the original verb alone. For example, the verb take means to grasp, but when combined with off as in take off, it can mean to remove clothing, or for a plane to depart.

Similarly, run is a physical action, but run into means to meet someone by chance, and run out of signifies a lack of supply.

Many phrasal verbs are about human interactions and emotions. To describe a positive relationship, we often say people get along with each other. When you need to recover from an illness or emotional difficulty, you get over it.

These verbs help you express nuances that single words often can't. Think about planning: you might carry out instructions or a plan, showing completion and adherence. In social situations, if you're behind on information or tasks, you might need to catch up.

A crucial aspect of some phrasal verbs, especially those with an object, is their separability. For instance, with pick up, you can say "I'll pick up the book or I'll pick the book up.

However, if the object is a pronoun, it *must* go in the middle:

I'll pick it up, never I'll pick up it. This sandwich rule

applies to many separable phrasal verbs. Another important one is turn down, which can mean to lower volume (

Turn down the music

) or to reject an offer (

She turned down the job offer").

Phrasal verbs allow for a more dynamic and less formal expression, making your B1 English sound more authentic.

Common Mistakes

1Mistake with pronoun placement for separable phrasal verbs.

✗ I need to pick up them from school.

✓ I need to pick them up from school.

Explanation: When the object of a separable phrasal verb is a pronoun (like *them*, *it*, *him*, *her*, *us*, *you*), the pronoun *always* goes between the verb and the particle.

1Confusing 'get along' with 'get together'.

✗ My new colleagues get along with coffee next week.

✓ My new colleagues get along well, and we'll get together for coffee next week.

Explanation: Get along means to have a good relationship. Get together means to meet up socially.

1Incorrectly using 'run out' without 'of'.

✗ We ran out milk, so I went to the store.

✓ We ran out of milk, so I went to the store.

Explanation: When indicating a depletion of supplies, the phrasal verb is run out of something.

Real Conversations

Hey Sarah, I didn't expect to run into you here! How have you been?

Oh, Mark! What a surprise! I’ve been great, just trying to get over this cold I caught last week. How about you? How are things getting along at your new job?

Not bad. It's challenging, but I'm managing to carry out all my tasks. I even had to turn down an invitation to a party because I had so much to do.

Wow, sounds busy! Well, it was good to catch up quickly. I have to pick up my daughter from school soon. Let's really catch up properly another time!

Sounds good! Hope you get over that cold completely.

Thanks! You too.

Quick FAQ

Why are daily life phrasal verbs so important for B1 English grammar?

Phrasal verbs are crucial because they're extremely common in everyday conversations. Understanding and using them helps you comprehend native speakers better and express yourself more naturally and less formally.

Can I use pick up for both people and objects?

Yes! You can pick up a friend from the airport, and you can pick up a book from the floor. Remember the pronoun rule:

pick him up

but

pick up the book

pick it up.

What's the difference between meet and

run into

someone?

Meet can be planned ("Let's meet for coffee) or unplanned. Run into" specifically means to meet someone unexpectedly or by chance. It always implies a surprise encounter.

break down

always negative?

Not always. While it often refers to machinery failing or someone having an emotional collapse, it can also mean to simplify or explain something complex in smaller, easier steps, like

break down a complex idea.

Cultural Context

Native English speakers use these daily life phrasal verbs constantly. They are a cornerstone of informal, everyday communication, making conversations flow more naturally and efficiently. While there are some regional variations, the core meanings of verbs like get along, take off, run into, and pick up are widely understood across English-speaking countries.

They tend to be less formal than their single-word synonyms (e.g., reject vs.

turn down

), making them perfectly suited for the relaxed nature of most daily interactions. Integrating them makes your speech sound much more like a native speaker's.

Ejemplos clave (8)

It's warm in here, I'm going to `take my sweater off`.

Hace calor aquí, voy a quitarme el suéter.

Verbo Frasal: Take off (Quitar y Despegar)

The flight to London `takes off` at 9 AM.

El vuelo a Londres despega a las 9 AM.

Verbo Frasal: Take off (Quitar y Despegar)

My sister and I always `get along` really well, even though we live in different cities.

Mi hermana y yo siempre nos llevamos muy bien, aunque vivimos en ciudades diferentes.

Llevarse bien (Verbo frasal: Get along/on)

Do you `get on` with your new project manager? I heard they're quite strict.

¿Te llevas bien con tu nuevo gerente de proyecto? Escuché que es bastante estricto.

Llevarse bien (Verbo frasal: Get along/on)

I unexpectedly `ran into` an old friend at the grocery store.

Me encontré inesperadamente con un viejo amigo en el supermercado.

Verbo Frasal: Run (Into, Out of, Away)

Oh no, we're `running out of` coffee! Someone needs to buy more.

¡Oh no, nos estamos quedando sin café! Alguien tiene que comprar más.

Verbo Frasal: Run (Into, Out of, Away)

It took her weeks to really `get over` the cold she caught.

Le tomó semanas recuperarse verdaderamente del resfriado que contrajo.

Verbo Frasal: Get over (Recuperar y Superar)

I thought I'd never `get over` that embarrassing moment during my Zoom interview.

Pensé que nunca superaría ese momento vergonzoso durante mi entrevista de Zoom.

Verbo Frasal: Get over (Recuperar y Superar)

Consejos y trucos (4)

💡

Regla de Colocación del Pronombre

Cuando uses pronombres (it, them, him, her) con 'take off' para quitar algo, ¡el pronombre SIEMPRE va en medio! Piénsalo como take + pronombre + off.

I should take them off

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbo Frasal: Take off (Quitar y Despegar)

💡

Usa 'well' para más claridad

Si añades 'well' después de 'get along' (por ejemplo, get along well), dejas muy claro que la relación es positiva. Si no lo usas, a veces puede sonar neutral o indicar una pequeña dificultad si el contexto no es obvio.

We get along well with our new neighbors.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Llevarse bien (Verbo frasal: Get along/on)

💡

Escucha el Contexto

Los phrasal verbs son un poco tramposos, ¡pueden tener muchos significados! Si escuchas ran into, el contexto te dirá si fue un encuentro amistoso o un accidente de coche: "The context will tell you if 'ran into' means a friendly meeting or a car crash!"

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbo Frasal: Run (Into, Out of, Away)

💡

Piensa en 'Superar' o 'Dejar Atrás'

Imagina que la dificultad está detrás de ti. 'Get over' sugiere que cruzaste una meta, dejando el desafío en el pasado y avanzando.

I got over the problem.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbo Frasal: Get over (Recuperar y Superar)

Vocabulario clave (5)

Authentic Real and genuine Harmony Working well together Recovery Returning to health Unexpected Not planned Complexity Having many parts

Real-World Preview

coffee

A Morning Coffee

Review Summary

Verb + Particle
Verb + Adverb
Run + Preposition
Get + Over
Pick + Up
Catch + Up
Turn + Down
Run + Into
Break + Down
Carry + Out

Errores comunes

Run into is for people, not physical objects.

Wrong: I ran into the door.

Correcto: I bumped into the door.

Separable phrasal verbs often sound more natural with the object in the middle.

Wrong: I take off my hat.

Correcto: I take my hat off.

Get over is usually for emotional situations or long-term issues, not minor colds.

Wrong: I got over my cold yesterday.

Correcto: I recovered from my cold yesterday.

Reglas en este capítulo (10)

Next Steps

You have done an amazing job! Keep practicing these in your daily speech to lock them in.

Listen to a podcast and note 3 phrasal verbs

Continue to: Social Phrasal Verbs

Práctica rápida (10)

Encuentra y corrige el error.

Find and fix the mistake:

I need to pick up them from the airport.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I need to pick them up from the airport.

Cuando el objeto es un pronombre como 'them', debe ir entre 'pick' y 'up'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbo Frasal: Pick up (levantar, recoger, contestar)

Elige la forma correcta.

Can you ___ the book for me?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: pick up

El phrasal verb 'pick up' significa levantar o recoger un objeto.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbo Frasal: Pick up (levantar, recoger, contestar)

¿Qué oración usa 'run into' correctamente?

Elige la oración correcta:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: They ran into their friends unexpectedly at the park.

'Run into' implica un encuentro inesperado y accidental. Las otras opciones describen reuniones planeadas.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Encontrarse por sorpresa (Run into)

Elige el 'phrasal verb' correcto.

The team needs to ___ the new safety procedures immediately.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: carry out

Carry out significa ejecutar o implementar algo, lo que encaja perfectamente con 'procedures'. Imagina a tu equipo en el trabajo poniendo en práctica las nuevas normas de seguridad. Carry on significa continuar.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Realizar tareas (Carry out)

¿Qué oración es correcta?

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Did you pick up on the sarcasm?

'Pick up on' significa darse cuenta o detectar algo, a menudo sutil. 'Pick up the sarcasm' implicaría literalmente levantar el sarcasmo, lo cual no tiene sentido.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbo Frasal: Pick up (levantar, recoger, contestar)

Encuentra y corrige el error en la oración.

Find and fix the mistake:

She ran away an old friend at the concert.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She ran into an old friend at the concert.

Para encontrarse con alguien por casualidad, usamos 'run into', no 'run away'. 'Run away' significa escapar.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbo Frasal: Run (Into, Out of, Away)

Elige la forma correcta para completar la oración.

My computer suddenly ___ in the middle of my online class.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: broke down

Aquí, 'broke down' es el tiempo pasado correcto de 'break down' que significa dejar de funcionar. El ordenador falló durante la clase.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comprender 'Break down' (Dejar de funcionar y Explicar)

¿Qué frase es correcta?

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She needs to catch up with her classmates.

Cuando se refiere a alcanzar el mismo nivel que una persona o grupo, catch up with es la frase correcta.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Cómo usar 'Catch Up' (Verbo frasal)

¿Qué oración usa correctamente 'break down'?

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The old printer broke down.

Para decir que una máquina dejó de funcionar, usamos el phrasal verb 'break down', no solo 'break'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comprender 'Break down' (Dejar de funcionar y Explicar)

Encuentra y corrige el error.

Find and fix the mistake:

She will carry it out the task.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She will carry out the task.

Cuando el objeto es un sustantivo (the task), carry out usualmente se mantiene junto. Si fuera un pronombre (it), it iría entre carry y out. Piensa en cuando le dices a alguien que haga una tarea: 'Ella ejecutará la tarea'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Realizar tareas (Carry out)

Score: /10

Preguntas frecuentes (6)

Los dos significados principales son 'quitarse' algo, a menudo ropa o accesorios, como

take off your shoes

, y 'despegar', generalmente para vehículos como aviones o cuando te vas rápidamente, como en

the plane took off

¡No, depende del significado! Cuando quitas un objeto (por ejemplo,

take your hat off

), es separable. Pero cuando significa 'despegar' o 'tener éxito', es inseparable, así que dirías

the show took off

'Get along' significa tener una relación amistosa o armoniosa con alguien. Describe qué tan bien (o mal) se relacionan las personas, por ejemplo:

My colleagues and I get along great.

¡Sí, absolutamente! 'Get on' tiene el mismo significado de tener una buena relación y es muy común, especialmente en inglés británico. Por ejemplo:

Do you get on with your family?

Run into generalmente significa encontrarse con alguien o algo por casualidad, o chocar con algo. Piensa en ello como un encuentro no planeado o un golpe inesperado.

Usas run out of cuando has agotado completamente algo y ya no te queda nada. Por ejemplo,