B1 · Intermedio Capítulo 25

Social Phrasal Verbs

6 Reglas totales
70 ejemplos
5 min
Reglas en este capítulo Práctica rápida

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the phrasal verbs that make your social English sound natural, friendly, and authentic.

  • Identify common social phrasal verbs.
  • Apply these verbs in daily conversations.
  • Improve your fluency when talking about relationships.
Speak naturally, connect deeper, and master social flow.

Lo que aprenderás

Want to chat more naturally in English? Dive into this chapter and master social phrasal verbs like 'let down' and 'look after,' so you can express yourself clearly and confidently in any conversation!

Learning Objectives

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

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Use six essential social phrasal verbs to narrate personal stories and interact with friends.

Guía del capítulo

Overview

Ready to make your English conversations flow more naturally and confidently? This chapter is your key to unlocking a world of authentic expression! For B1 learners, mastering English social phrasal verbs isn't just about understanding grammar; it's about sounding more like a native speaker and connecting better with others.
These essential phrases, like bring up, let down, look after, settle down, hold on, and show up, are used constantly in everyday interactions.
As you progress in your B1 English grammar journey, you’ll find that phrasal verbs are crucial for navigating social situations, expressing feelings, and managing expectations. Whether you’re discussing a new idea, offering to help a friend, or arranging to meet, these versatile verbs add color and precision to your language. Let’s dive in and transform your ability to communicate clearly and confidently, turning awkward pauses into smooth, natural exchanges.
You’re about to sound much more fluent!

How This Grammar Works

Phrasal verbs are fascinating combinations of a verb and one or two prepositions or adverbs. The amazing thing is, the meaning often changes completely from the original verb alone! This chapter focuses on social phrasal verbs, which are perfect for discussing relationships, plans, and daily life.
They add a natural, idiomatic touch that makes your English sound less textbook and more authentic.
Let's look at how these core social phrasal verbs operate. When you bring up a topic, you introduce it into a conversation:
My colleague brought up an interesting point about the new project.
It’s also used for raising a child:
She was brought up in a small town.
If someone doesn't meet your expectations, they might let you down:
I hope you don’t let me down by being late.
This verb beautifully conveys disappointment. When you take responsibility for someone or something, you look after them:
Can you look after my plants while I’m on holiday?
To move from a restless state to a calm or stable one, you settle down:
After a busy year, he just wants to settle down and relax.
For a brief pause in conversation or asking someone to wait, we use hold on:
Please hold on for a minute while I find that information.
Finally, when someone arrives, especially in a casual way, they show up:
I hope he shows up for the party tonight.
These verbs are dynamic and indispensable for social interaction!

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Using raise instead of bring up for topics:
✗
He raised the issue of salaries.
(While technically correct, bring up is far more natural for topics in conversation.)
✓
He brought up the issue of salaries.
Explanation: While raise works for children, bring up is the go-to for introducing subjects in dialogue.
  1. 1✗ Confusing let down with simply disappoint:
✗
I disappointed my friend because I forgot her birthday.
✓
I let down my friend because I forgot her birthday.
Explanation: Let down implies failing to meet an expectation or promise, often carrying a stronger emotional weight than just disappoint.
  1. 1✗ Incorrect particle for hold on:
✗
Can you hold up a second?
✓
Can you hold on a second?
Explanation: Hold up means to delay or rob, not to wait. Hold on is correct for asking someone to pause.

Real Conversations

A

A

Hey, did you manage to settle down in your new apartment yet?
B

B

Mostly, yes! It took a few days to unpack everything. By the way, I wanted to bring up something about our weekend plans.
A

A

"I'm so worried about my sister's dog. Can you still look after him while she's away?"
B

B

"Of course! Don't worry, I won't let you down. I'll make sure he's well cared for."
A

A

"I'm running a bit late. Should I just show up whenever I get there?"
B

B

"Yeah, just hold on a minute, I'll text you the exact address, it's a bit tricky to find."

Quick FAQ

Q

Are English social phrasal verbs used in formal settings?

While many phrasal verbs are informal, some, like bring up (for a topic) or hold on (as in wait), can be used in slightly more formal contexts. However, generally, they lend a more casual tone.

Q

Can bring up only be used for people or topics?

Mostly, yes. It's primarily used for introducing a subject into discussion or for the upbringing of a child. You wouldn't typically bring up an object in the same way you'd pick up an object.

Q

What's the main difference between show up and arrive?

Arrive is a neutral, formal verb for reaching a destination. Show up is more casual and often implies a slight element of surprise or simply making an appearance, sometimes after a delay or without much fanfare.

Q

Is hold on just for phone calls?

No! While very common on the phone, hold on is also used in face-to-face conversations to ask someone to wait briefly, or literally to grip something firmly (e.g.,

Hold on to the railing!
).

Cultural Context

Native English speakers use these social phrasal verbs constantly, often without even realizing it. They make conversations sound more natural, friendly, and less formal. Mastering them is a big step towards sounding authentic.
While look after is very common in British English, American English speakers might more frequently say take care of, though look after is still widely understood and used. These verbs are primarily informal, helping to build rapport in everyday chats.

Ejemplos clave (8)

1

During the meeting, I decided to **bring up** the issue of project deadlines.

Durante la reunión, decidí sacar a colación el tema de los plazos del proyecto.

El Phrasal Verb: Bring Up
2

My grandmother **brought** all five of her children **up** in a small village.

Mi abuela crio a sus cinco hijos en un pequeño pueblo.

El Phrasal Verb: Bring Up
3

I really hope I don't `let my team down` during the presentation.

Espero realmente no decepcionar a mi equipo durante la presentación.

Decepcionar a alguien (Phrasal Verb: Let down)
4

My internet connection always `lets me down` when I'm streaming Netflix.

Mi conexión a internet siempre me falla cuando estoy viendo Netflix.

Decepcionar a alguien (Phrasal Verb: Let down)
5

My older sister always `looks after` me when our parents are out.

Mi hermana mayor siempre me cuida cuando nuestros padres no están.

Cuidar cosas: 'Look after'
6

The neighbour offered to `look after` our plants while we're on vacation.

La vecina se ofreció a regar nuestras plantas mientras estamos de vacaciones.

Cuidar cosas: 'Look after'
7

After the exciting news, it took me a while to `settle down`.

Después de las noticias emocionantes, me costó un tiempo calmarme.

Cómo usar 'Settle Down' (Calmarse y Estabilizarse)
8

They've been traveling for years and now plan to `settle down` in Canada.

Han estado viajando por años y ahora planean establecerse en Canadá.

Cómo usar 'Settle Down' (Calmarse y Estabilizarse)

Consejos y trucos (4)

💡

Colocación del Pronombre

¡Siempre pon los pronombres (it, them, her, him, us, you) entre 'bring' y 'up'! Por ejemplo, di 'bring it up', ¡nunca 'bring up it'!
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: El Phrasal Verb: Bring Up
💡

Pronombres en el Medio

Recuerda la regla de oro: si el objeto es un pronombre (me, him, her, us, them, it), ¡siempre va entre 'let' y 'down'! Esto suena más natural y es gramaticalmente correcto.
He let me down.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Decepcionar a alguien (Phrasal Verb: Let down)
💡

¡Manténlo junto!

Recuerda, look after es un 'phrasal verb' inseparable. ¡Lo que cuidas siempre va DESPUÉS de las dos palabras! Nunca lo metas entre look y after. Imagínate decir
I will look after the children
, ¡es la forma correcta!.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Cuidar cosas: 'Look after'
💡

¡El contexto es clave!

Imagina que escuchas a alguien decir 'settle down'. Necesitas saber si significa 'calmarse' (por ejemplo,
The crowd needs to settle down
) o 'establecerse' (por ejemplo,
They want to settle down in a new city
). ¡Fíjate en las pistas!
The meaning depends on the context.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Cómo usar 'Settle Down' (Calmarse y Estabilizarse)

Vocabulario clave (5)

Expectation a strong belief that something will happen Responsibility the state of having to deal with something Stability the state of being unlikely to change Interrupt to stop someone from speaking Attendance the action of being present at an event

Real-World Preview

party-popper

The Party Planning

Review Summary

  • Bring + [topic] + up
  • Let + [person] + down
  • Look after + [someone/thing]
  • Settle down
  • Hold on
  • Show up

Errores comunes

With these phrasal verbs, the pronoun object usually goes between the verb and the particle.

Wrong: I will bring up it.
Correcto: I will bring it up.

You must include the preposition 'after' to change the meaning from 'see' to 'care for'.

Wrong: Please look the baby.
Correcto: Please look after the baby.

Remember to conjugate the verb part (hold -> held) in the past tense.

Wrong: I hold on for five minutes.
Correcto: I held on for five minutes.

Next Steps

You are doing amazing! Keep practicing these verbs in your daily life to make them second nature.

Listen to a casual English podcast and identify these verbs.

Continue to: Work and Problem-Solving Phrasal Verbs

Práctica rápida (10)

Encuentra y corrige el error en la frase.

Find and fix the mistake:

My name didn't show on the list up.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: My name didn't show up on the list.
'Show up' es un verbo frasal inseparable cuando significa 'aparecer' o 'llegar'. La partícula 'up' debe seguir inmediatamente a 'show'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Llegadas y apariciones: Usando 'Show Up'

Elige la frase correcta.

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I will show up at the station at 3 PM.
'Show up' es el verbo frasal correcto que significa llegar. Arrive up es gramaticalmente incorrecto, y
show at the station up
separa incorrectamente el verbo frasal.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Llegadas y apariciones: Usando 'Show Up'

Encuentra y corrige el error en la oración.

Find and fix the mistake:

I need to look my little sister after tonight.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I need to look after my little sister tonight.
Look after es un 'phrasal verb' inseparable. El objeto ('my little sister') debe ir después de toda la frase.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Cuidar cosas: 'Look after'

Encuentra y corrige el error en la frase.

Find and fix the mistake:

She felt like she had let down herself.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She felt like she had let herself down.
Los pronombres reflexivos como 'herself' siempre deben ir entre 'let' y 'down' en este phrasal verb.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Decepcionar a alguien (Phrasal Verb: Let down)

Elige la frase correcta:

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I will bring it up during the meeting.
Cuando el objeto es un pronombre ('it'), debe colocarse entre 'bring' y 'up'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: El Phrasal Verb: Bring Up

Elige la forma correcta para completar la frase.

My parents ____ me up to be independent.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: brought
La frase está en pasado, refiriéndose a cómo alguien fue criado en el pasado. 'Brought' es el pasado de 'bring'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: El Phrasal Verb: Bring Up

Elige la forma correcta para completar la frase.

She didn't ___ for the meeting, and no one knew why.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: show up
'Show up' significa llegar o estar presente. Show in y show down no son correctos en este contexto.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Llegadas y apariciones: Usando 'Show Up'

Encuentra y corrige el error en la frase.

Find and fix the mistake:

Hold! Is that really true?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Hold on! Is that really true?
Cuando expresas sorpresa o le pides a alguien que haga una pausa, necesitas el phrasal verb completo hold on. Hold por sí mismo es incorrecto aquí.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: ¡Espera un segundo! Usando 'Hold on'

Elige la forma correcta para completar la oración.

The baby finally ___ after his crying fit.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: settle down
'Settle down' significa calmarse. 'Settled' sería correcto si fuera pasado, pero 'settle down' como *phrasal verb* es lo que se necesita para el significado de 'calmarse'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Cómo usar 'Settle Down' (Calmarse y Estabilizarse)

¿Qué oración usa 'settle down' correctamente para decir 'establecer una vida estable'?

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She wants to settle down and start a family.
No se dice 'settle a family down'. La forma correcta de expresar que se establece una familia es 'settle down and start a family'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Cómo usar 'Settle Down' (Calmarse y Estabilizarse)

Score: /10

Preguntas frecuentes (6)

Los significados principales son: introducir un tema ('I'll bring it up later'), criar o educar niños ('They brought up their kids well'), e informalmente, vomitar ('He brought up his dinner').
¡Depende del objeto! Si el objeto es un pronombre (it, them), *debe* separar el verbo y la preposición ('bring it up'). Si el objeto es un sustantivo, *puede* separarlos ('bring the topic up') o quedarse junto ('bring up the topic').
Let down significa decepcionar a alguien al no hacer algo que prometiste o al no cumplir con sus expectativas. A menudo implica una ruptura de confianza o fiabilidad, como en
My old car always lets me down on rainy days.
¡Sí, claro que sí! Puedes decir que una máquina, un sistema o incluso un plan lets you down si no funciona como se esperaba. Por ejemplo,
My phone battery let me down right when I needed to make an important call.
El significado principal de look after es supervisar, cuidar o ser responsable de alguien o algo. Piensa en ello como proporcionar atención y cuidado, como cuando look after a una mascota. Por ejemplo:
I look after my little brother
(Yo cuido a mi hermano pequeño).
¡Sí, por supuesto! Puedes look after a tu hermano menor, a tu perro, a tu cámara cara o incluso a tus plantas. Es muy versátil tanto para objetos animados como inanimados.
She looks after her cat and her car
(Ella cuida a su gato y su coche).
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