Definition of phrasal verb

The term "phrasal verb" originated in the 1960s in the field of English language teaching, particularly in the United Kingdom. It refers to a group of verbs that consist of a base verb followed by one or more prepositions or particles, which together form a tandem meaning that cannot be determined by simply taking the literal meaning of the verb and its subsequent preposition or particle. These types of verbs became prominent in English pedagogy as it became clear that many English learners struggled with understanding and properly using them. Teachers began recognizing that the modified verb structures required a distinct cognitive process, one that differed from that of the straightforward meaning of individual words. As a result, they coined the expression "phrasal verb" to distinguish them from other forms of English sentence structure. The term "phrasal verb" gained popularity in academic and educational circles, as it proved a helpful way to categorize, organize, and explain these complex linguistic elements to students. It allowed easier understanding of idiomatic English expressions, which are played a major role in how English is commonly spoken in everyday life. Ultimately, the word "phrasal verb" has become a widely-used and widely-accepted term in English language learning communities, as it accurately describes a type of verb that requires the understanding and use of phrases, rather than simply a series of words with literal meanings.