At WRITERS AT WORK, we believe that mastering English is about more than just memorizing vocabulary—it’s about understanding how words work in different contexts. One of the trickiest yet most useful aspects of the English language is phrasal verbs. These common expressions, made up of a verb and a preposition or adverb, can take on multiple meanings, depending on how they are used. For PSLE students, knowing how to use phrasal verbs accurately can greatly enhance writing and comprehension skills.
In this article, we will explore phrasal verbs with multiple meanings, their importance in PSLE English, and tips to use them effectively in composition writing and oral exams.
What Are Phrasal Verbs?
Phrasal verbs are phrases that consist of a verb followed by a preposition or an adverb (or both). These combinations often create meanings that are different from the individual words themselves.
For example:
- Turn up can mean increasing the volume (“Please turn up the radio.”), or arrive somewhere (“She turned up late for class.”).
- Break down can mean stop working (“My car broke down yesterday.”), or become very upset (“He broke down in tears.”).
Mastering these nuances will help you understand comprehension passages better and write more naturally in compositions.
Why Phrasal Verbs Matter for PSLE English
- Test of Understanding: Many PSLE comprehension passages include phrasal verbs, including others like grammar MCQ, vocabulary MCQ and vocabulary cloze. Misunderstanding them can lead to incorrect answers.
- Composition Writing: Phrasal verbs make writing sound more natural and engaging.
- Oral Examinations: Using phrasal verbs correctly can showcase a strong command of English and impress examiners.
Now, let’s explore some common phrasal verbs with multiple meanings and how to use them effectively.
Common Phrasal Verbs with Multiple Meanings
1. Take Off
- Meaning 1: To remove something (“He took off his shoes before entering the house.”)
- Meaning 2: To leave suddenly (“The thief took off before the police arrived.”)
- Meaning 3: For an airplane to depart (“The plane took off at 10 AM.”)
- Meaning 4: To become successful quickly (“His business took off after the advertisement campaign.”)
Tip for PSLE Writing: Instead of saying, “He ran away,” try using “He took off in a hurry.” It makes the sentence more dynamic!
2. Bring Up
- Meaning 1: To mention a topic (“She brought up an interesting point in class.”)
- Meaning 2: To raise a child (“He was brought up by his grandparents.”)
Tip for PSLE Writing: “During the debate, she brought up an important issue about recycling.” This sounds more natural than “she talked about.”
3. Give In
- Meaning 1: To surrender or admit defeat (“After a long argument, he finally gave in.”)
- Meaning 2: To submit something (“Please give in your homework by Friday.”)
Tip for PSLE Writing: Instead of saying, “He agreed even though he didn’t want to,” you can write, “He gave in to his friend’s request.”
4. Put Off
- Meaning 1: To postpone something (“They put off the meeting due to bad weather.”)
- Meaning 2: To discourage someone (“His rude behavior put me off from joining the club.”)
Tip for PSLE Writing: “I was put off by his rude behavior” is more natural than “I didn’t like his rude behavior.”
5. Run Into
- Meaning 1: To meet someone unexpectedly (“I ran into my teacher at the mall.”)
- Meaning 2: To collide with something (“The car ran into a tree.”)
Tip for PSLE Writing: “I ran into an old friend at the bookstore.” sounds more engaging than “I met an old friend by accident.”
6. Look Up
- Meaning 1: To search for information (“I looked up the meaning of the word in the dictionary.”)
- Meaning 2: To admire someone (“She has always looked up to her older sister.”)
7. Turn Down
- Meaning 1: To reduce volume or intensity (“Please turn down the music, it’s too loud.”)
- Meaning 2: To reject an offer (“He turned down the job offer because it was too far from home.”)
8. Call Off
- Meaning 1: To cancel an event (“They called off the football match due to rain.”)
- Meaning 2: To stop an action (“The police called off the search after finding the missing person.”)
9. Get Through
- Meaning 1: To successfully complete something difficult (“I finally got through my math homework.”)
- Meaning 2: To make someone understand (“I tried explaining, but I couldn’t get through to him.”)
10. Set Up
- Meaning 1: To arrange or establish something (“She set up a new business last year.”)
- Meaning 2: To trick or frame someone (“He was set up for a crime he didn’t commit.”)
How to Master Phrasal Verbs for PSLE Success
1. Read Widely
- Phrasal verbs appear in storybooks, news articles, and even comics. Pay attention to how they are used in different contexts.
2. Use Flashcards
- Create flashcards with one phrasal verb per card. On one side, write the meanings; on the other, write example sentences.
3. Practice Writing Sentences
- Instead of memorizing definitions, practice writing your own sentences using phrasal verbs.
4. Listen to English Conversations
- Watching English TV shows or listening to podcasts can help you hear how native speakers use phrasal verbs naturally.
5. Apply Them in Compositions
- Instead of writing “She was very sad,” try “She broke down in tears.”
6. Seek Professional Guidance
- Join one of the best tuition centres in Singapore like WRITERS AT WORK where our educators share our trademark techniques to help students excel their PSLE AL scores as well as O Level English!
Phrasal verbs may seem confusing at first, but with practice, they become an essential tool for effective communication. For PSLE success, learning phrasal verbs with multiple meanings will boost your vocabulary, improve comprehension skills, and make your writing stand out. At WRITERS AT WORK, we help students master the English language by focusing on practical, real-world applications of vocabulary. Keep practicing, and soon, phrasal verbs will become second nature to you!
Attain Stellar Results with WRITERS AT WORK!
English is a compulsory subject which all students must undertake. However, mastering the English language is not something which happens overnight – it takes consistent practice and effort to learn the nuances of the language. Students must read more and practice writing to gradually improve. Cramming for a language subject nearer to the exams is an impossible feat. After all, Rome was not built in a day! Attaining such a skill will have positive implications for not only your child’s education in school, but also employment prospects in future.
At WRITERS AT WORK, we are committed to providing the smoothest learning experience for your child sitting for their English exams. With our carefully curated methods of teaching your child how to write well, your child will learn how to present their thoughts and arguments in a coherent and concise manner. WRITERS AT WORK reinforces your child’s language skills and provides a strong foundation for their academic success, keeping up with all aspects of their progress both inside and outside of the classroom to nurture them holistically. For more information about how WRITERS AT WORK makes a difference, feel free to explore our website, watch our YouTube videos and catch us LIVE on TikTok!
If you are interested in our primary English tuition and secondary English tuition in Singapore, WRITERS AT WORK has expanded to 9 convenient locations. To find the nearest location that suits your needs, please explore our options. If you have any inquiries regarding our range of programs or class schedules, please feel free to contact WRITERS AT WORK!
Commonly Asked Questions
1. How Long Should You Study for PSLE?
Parents should take around a year or two to prepare for PSLE as learning about subjects like English requires a long-term effort, as opposed to short cramming.
2. Is PSLE Compulsory?
PSLE is compulsory for everyone to enter secondary school in Singapore.
3. How to Study for PSLE?
Parents should make a list of everything a child should study for all their PSLE subjects. Engaging a tuition teacher or practising with workbooks and past year papers may help students tackle the exam format of PSLE and feel more confident taking the exam.
4. How Do I Motivate My Child to Do PSLE?
Children should be motivated to do PSLE by being taught that it is important for their future. Explaining to them the reasons to do the exam may work better than forcing them to study.
