Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Phrasal verbs combine a verb with a particle to create a new, specific meaning for daily actions.
- Combine a common verb with a particle like 'up', 'on', or 'off' (e.g., 'wake up').
- If the verb has an object pronoun (it, them), put it in the middle (e.g., 'pick it up').
- The meaning is often idiomatic and different from the base verb alone (e.g., 'give up' vs 'give').
Overview
Phrasal Verbs, 즉 '구동사'에 대해 깊이 있게 알아보겠습니다. 구동사는 단순히 '동사 + 전치사' 혹은 '동사 + 부사'의 조합을 넘어, 그 자체로 하나의 새로운 의미를 형성하는 '액션 쌍(Action Pairs)'이라고 이해하시면 좋습니다.extinguish라는 단어를 기억하시나요? '불을 끄다'라는 뜻의 아주 훌륭한 단어지만, 실제 미국이나 영국의 카페나 일상생활에서 Please extinguish the candle이라고 말하면 상대방은 여러분을 마치 18세기 소설에서 튀어나온 사람처럼 쳐다볼지도 모릅니다. 대신 그들은 아주 자연스럽게
put out이라는 표현을 사용하죠.in, on, at)나 부사(up, down, away)를 통칭하는 말입니다.run(달리다) +out(밖으로) =run out(다 써버리다/바닥나다)give(주다) +up(위로) =give up(포기하다)
- 1자동사적 구동사 (Intransitive): 목적어 없이 그 자체로 문장이 끝납니다. (예:
The plane took off.- 비행기가 이륙했다.) - 2타동사적 구동사 (Transitive): 반드시 뒤에 대상(목적어)이 필요합니다. (예:
I'll look after your cat.- 내가 네 고양이를 돌봐줄게.) - 3분리 가능성 (Separability): 타동사적 구동사 중 일부는 동사와 입자 사이에 목적어를 넣을 수 있습니다. (예:
Turn the light off.또는Turn off the light.)
불을 꺼라), 영어에서는 이 구동사의 성격에 따라 목적어의 위치가 달라질 수 있다는 점이 가장 큰 특징입니다.look at(~을 보다):Look at the menu.(O) /Look the menu at.(X)listen to(~을 듣다):I'm listening to K-pop.wait for(~을 기다리다):Are you waiting for the delivery?(배달 기다리세요?)
- 자동사 형태:
Wake up!(일어나!),Sit down.(앉으세요.) - 타동사(분리 가능) 형태:
Take off your shoes.=Take your shoes off.(신발을 벗으세요.) - 대명사 규칙 (중요!): 목적어가
it,them,him같은 대명사일 때는 무조건 중간에만 들어가야 합니다.Take it off.(O) /Take off it.(X)
get along with(~와 잘 지내다):I get along with my coworkers.look forward to(~을 고대하다):I look forward to the weekend.run out of(~이 다 떨어지다):We ran out of coffee.(커피가 다 떨어졌어요.)
look at, talk about |turn on, pick up, put off |catch up with, keep up with |- «오늘 홍대에서 만날래?» ->
Do you want to hang out in Hongdae today?(hang out: 놀다/시간을 보내다) - «배달 음식 좀 시키자.» ->
Let's order in some food.(order in: 음식을 배달시키다) - «나 지금 편의점 들러야 해.» ->
I need to drop by the convenience store.(drop by: 잠깐 들르다)
- «그 회의 좀 미룰 수 있을까요?» ->
Can we put off the meeting?(put off: 연기하다) - «제가 그 문제를 조사해 보겠습니다.» ->
I'll look into the issue.(look into: 조사하다/검토하다) - «새 프로젝트를 시작합시다.» ->
Let's set up a new project.(set up: 설정하다/시작하다)
- «나중에 다시 연락할게!» ->
I'll call you back! - «내 유튜브 채널 구독해 줘.» ->
Check out my YouTube channel.(check out: 확인하다/살펴보다) - «드디어 해냈어!» ->
I finally pulled it off!(pull off: 어려운 일을 해내다)
Turn it on)나 '켜라 그것을'(Turn on it)의 순서가 바뀌어도 큰 문제가 없지만, 영어의 분리 가능 구동사에서 대명사는 반드시 샌드위치처럼 중간에 끼어야 합니다.- 잘못된 예:
I'll pick up you at the station. - 바른 예:
I'll pick you up at the station.(역으로 데리러 갈게.)
- 실수 사례:
I'm looking for my brother.(나는 내 남동생을 찾는 중이다 - 실종 상황?) - 의도한 바:
I'm looking after my brother.(나는 내 남동생을 돌보는 중이다.)
- 어색한 예: (친구에게)
Could you please assist me in ascending the stairs? - 자연스러운 예:
Could you help me up?(나 좀 일으켜 줄래?)
get, put, take)와 입자의 조합에 더 익숙해져야 합니다.*He ran up the hill.(그는 언덕 위로 달려갔다. - 물리적 이동)He ran up a huge bill.(그는 엄청난 고지서를 쌓았다/돈을 많이 썼다. - 구동사run up)
put out | extinguish |find out | discover |turn down | reject |go on | continue |put up with | tolerate |- 분리 가능:
Turn off the TV/Turn the TV off(둘 다 가능) - 분리 불가능:
Look after the baby(O) /Look the baby after(X)
get, take, put, go, come, look, make, set, break, bring)와 입자 5~6개(up, down, in, out, off, on)의 조합이 전체 구동사 사용량의 80% 이상을 차지합니다. 이 핵심 조합부터 마스터하세요.Pick it up!처럼 입에 붙는 문장을 만드세요.Look into, set up, go over 같은 표현들은 이메일에서 매우 빈번하게 사용됩니다. 다만, 아주 격식 있는 법률 문서나 공식 성명서에서는 단일 동사(investigate, establish, review)를 쓰는 것이 더 적절합니다.pick up이나 check out 같은 표현부터 지금 바로 카톡이나 일기에서 사용해 보세요. 영어가 훨씬 재미있어질 겁니다! 다음에 더 유익한 내용으로 만나요. 수고하셨습니다!Conjugating Phrasal Verbs (Example: 'Wake up')
| Tense | Subject | Verb Form | Particle | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
I / You / We
|
wake
|
up
|
I wake up early.
|
|
Present Simple
|
He / She / It
|
wakes
|
up
|
She wakes up early.
|
|
Past Simple
|
All subjects
|
woke
|
up
|
They woke up late.
|
|
Present Continuous
|
I
|
am waking
|
up
|
I am waking up now.
|
|
Present Perfect
|
He / She
|
has woken
|
up
|
He has just woken up.
|
|
Future (will)
|
All subjects
|
will wake
|
up
|
We will wake up at six.
|
Contractions with Phrasal Verbs
| Full Form | Contraction | Context |
|---|---|---|
|
I am waking up
|
I'm waking up
|
Informal speech
|
|
Do not give up
|
Don't give up
|
Encouragement
|
|
He has turned it off
|
He's turned it off
|
Daily report
|
Meanings
Phrasal verbs are idiomatic expressions combining a verb and a preposition or adverb to describe routine physical actions or states.
Morning Routine
Actions related to starting the day and preparing oneself.
“I usually wake up before my alarm goes off.”
“It takes me ten minutes to get up after I open my eyes.”
Household Maintenance
Actions involving cleaning, organizing, or managing the home environment.
“Can you help me clean up the kitchen after dinner?”
“Don't forget to take out the trash tonight.”
Technology Interaction
Using electronic devices and appliances.
“Please turn off the lights when you leave the room.”
“I need to log in to my email to check the schedule.”
Reference Table
| 구동사 | 의미 | 예시 (분리 가능?) | 상황 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
turn on
|
Activate (e.g., light, device)
|
`Turn on the TV.` / `Turn the TV on.` (Yes)
|
넷플릭스 시청
|
|
wake up
|
Stop sleeping
|
`I wake up early.` (No)
|
아침 루틴
|
|
look for
|
Search for something
|
`Are you looking for your keys?` (No)
|
잃어버린 물건
|
|
find out
|
Discover information
|
`I found out the news.` (No)
|
친구들과 수다
|
|
give up
|
Stop trying/quit
|
`Don't give up!` (No)
|
누군가를 격려할 때
|
|
hang out
|
Spend time casually
|
`Let's hang out this weekend.` (No)
|
어울리기
|
|
pick up
|
Collect; learn quickly
|
`Pick up your friend.` / `Pick them up.` (Yes)
|
공항, 새로운 기술
|
격식 수준 스펙트럼
Please divest yourself of your outer garments. (Entering a home)
Please take off your coat. (Entering a home)
Kick your shoes off. (Entering a home)
Strip off! (Entering a home)
구동사 이해하기
종류
- Separable 목적어가 동사 & 전치사/부사 사이에 올 수 있음
- Inseparable 목적어가 전치사/부사 뒤에 와야 함
- Intransitive 목적어가 필요 없음
흔한 전치사/부사
- up 증가, 완료, 상승
- down 감소, 하강, 기록
- on 활성화, 착용, 계속
- off 비활성화, 제거, 출발
- out 드러내다, 나가다, 배포
- in 들어가다, 제출하다, 포함하다
사용법
- Informal 일상 대화, 소셜 미디어
- Idiomatic 의미가 문자 그대로가 아님
- Fluent sound 더 자연스럽게 들리도록 도움
구동사 vs. 동사 + 전치사 비교
구동사 사용법: 목적어 위치
구동사인가요?
목적어가 필요한가요?
목적어가 대명사(it, him, them)인가요?
구동사가 분리 가능한가요?
매일 쓸 수 있는 유용한 구동사
일상 행동
- • wake up
- • get up
- • put on
- • take off
- • turn on
- • turn off
사교 활동
- • hang out
- • go out
- • get along
- • run into
문제 해결
- • figure out
- • find out
- • look for
- • give up
소통
- • call back
- • speak up
- • talk over
- • write down
수준별 예문
I wake up at 8:00.
I wake up at 8:00.
Please sit down.
Please sit down.
Stand up, please.
Stand up, please.
Go away!
Go away!
Turn off the light.
Turn off the light.
Put on your jacket.
Put on your jacket.
Take off your shoes.
Take off your shoes.
Try on these jeans.
Try on these jeans.
I need to look for my keys.
I need to look for my keys.
Can you pick me up at five?
Can you pick me up at five?
Don't give up on your dreams.
Don't give up on your dreams.
Fill out this form, please.
Fill out this form, please.
We need to carry out more research.
We need to carry out more research.
She brought up an interesting point.
She brought up an interesting point.
I can't make out what he's saying.
I can't make out what he's saying.
The deal fell through at the last minute.
The deal fell through at the last minute.
I won't put up with this behavior.
I won't put up with this behavior.
The government is phasing out the old currency.
The government is phasing out the old currency.
He really played up his role in the project.
He really played up his role in the project.
We need to knuckle down and finish this.
We need to knuckle down and finish this.
The evidence doesn't bear out his claims.
The evidence doesn't bear out his claims.
She has a knack for sussing out the truth.
She has a knack for sussing out the truth.
The company was egged on by its competitors.
The company was egged on by its competitors.
He's always harking back to the 'good old days'.
He's always harking back to the 'good old days'.
혼동하기 쉬운
Learners think they are the same because they both happen in the morning.
Many languages use the same word for opening a door and turning on a light.
Both relate to clothes, but one is an action and one is a state.
자주 하는 실수
I wake at 7.
I wake up at 7.
Sit you down.
Sit down.
I get up me.
I get up.
Open the light.
Turn on the light.
Put on it.
Put it on.
I took off my shoes and put on them.
I took off my shoes and put them on.
He turned off the radio and then he turned on it.
He turned off the radio and then he turned it on.
I'm looking my keys for.
I'm looking for my keys.
She looked her baby after.
She looked after her baby.
I need to fill in it.
I need to fill it in.
I can't put up this noise with.
I can't put up with this noise.
문장 패턴
I usually ___ at [time].
Can you please ___ the ___?
I need to ___ it ___ before I leave.
I'm really looking forward to ___.
Real World Usage
I'm heading out now, see you soon!
I'd like to point out my experience with CRM software.
Check out my new vlog!
What time do we need to check out?
The app says he's dropping off the food now.
Try turning it off and on again.
문맥 속에서 배우기
This helps you understand their meaning and usage naturally.
대명사는 항상 가운데!
For example,turn it on, notturn on it.
동작을 상상해 보세요
구동사 = 비격식적인 느낌
자주 쓰이는 것부터 시작
Smart Tips
Always place it between the verb and the particle.
Check if the meaning changes when you remove the second word.
Use 'turn' or 'switch' instead of 'open' or 'close'.
Use 'show up' instead of 'arrive'.
발음
Particle Stress
In phrasal verbs, the stress usually falls on the particle, not the verb.
Linking
When a verb ends in a consonant and the particle starts with a vowel, they link together.
Rising on Particle
Did you turn it OFF? ↗️
Asking for confirmation of an action.
암기하기
기억법
The 'Pronoun Sandwich': The pronoun is the meat, and the verb and particle are the bread. The meat always goes in the middle!
시각적 연상
Imagine a light switch. When you 'Turn ON' the light, you are adding energy (UP/ON). When you 'Turn OFF', you are removing it. Visualize the words physically moving the switch.
Rhyme
If it's a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', put it in the middle, don't wait for a gem!
Story
I woke UP, got UP, and put ON my clothes. I turned ON the radio and cleaned UP my room. Then I headed OUT to work.
Word Web
챌린지
Look around your room right now. Perform three actions (e.g., picking up a pen, turning on a lamp, putting on a hat) and say the phrasal verb out loud as you do it.
문화 노트
British speakers often use 'fill in' a form, while Americans prefer 'fill out'. Both are understood globally.
Americans frequently use 'figure out' to mean 'solve' or 'understand', whereas some other dialects might use 'work out'.
Australians often use 'reckon' with phrasal verbs, like 'I reckon we should head off' (I think we should leave).
Phrasal verbs are a Germanic feature of English. Old English used prefixes (like German does today), but over time, these prefixes moved after the verb to become independent particles.
대화 시작하기
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
Have you ever given up a hobby? Why?
If you could turn off one noise in the world forever, what would it be?
How do you usually clean up after a big party?
일기 주제
자주 하는 실수
Test Yourself
I need to `look ___` my old photos to find that picture.
Find and fix the mistake:
Can you turn on it, please?
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Ella se quita el abrigo.'
Answer starts with: ["S...
Score: /4
연습 문제
8 exercisesWhich sentence is grammatically correct?
I need to wake ___ at 6 AM tomorrow.
Find and fix the mistake:
I am looking my cat for.
shoes / your / off / take
Match 'Put on' with its definition.
The car ___ on the highway.
If you find my keys, please ___.
The police are ___ the crime.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesDon't `give ___` trying to learn English! You're doing great.
I want to find out about the party.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Nos reunimos después del trabajo.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the phrasal verbs with their definitions:
I'm trying to `figure ___` how to use this new app.
My car broke down on the way to work it.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Tengo que levantarme temprano mañana.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the phrasal verbs with their definitions:
Score: /12
자주 묻는 질문 (8)
Because they consist of a phrase (two or more words) that acts as a single verb with a single meaning.
You can, but you might sound too formal. For example, saying 'I shall extinguish the cigarette' sounds very strange compared to 'I'll put out the cigarette'.
Unfortunately, you have to learn them individually. However, most phrasal verbs that take an object are separable.
Native speakers will still understand you, but it will sound like a clear grammatical error. It's one of the most obvious 'learner' mistakes.
Yes! These are called 'phrasal-prepositional verbs', like `look forward to` or `get along with`. They are always inseparable.
They are very common in Germanic languages like Dutch and German, but rare in Romance languages like French or Italian.
No, 'go to' is just a verb followed by a preposition of direction. The meaning of 'go' doesn't change.
Group them by particle (all the 'up' verbs) or by topic (all the 'travel' verbs). Using them in context is much better than just reading lists.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Verbos reflexivos o simples
English uses two words; Spanish usually uses one.
Trennbare Verben
In German, the particle often goes to the very end of the clause.
Verbes simples
French lacks the verb+particle structure entirely.
複合動詞 (Fukugō dōshi)
Japanese joins two verbs, while English joins a verb and a preposition/adverb.
Verbs with prepositions
Arabic prepositions are fixed and don't allow the 'pronoun sandwich' structure.
Resultative Verb Compounds
Chinese particles usually indicate the result or direction of the action specifically.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
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