Phrasal verbs are one of the most challenging aspects of English for Turkish learners, yet they appear in almost every YDT passage. Here's your essential guide to the 50 most commonly tested phrasal verbs.
What Makes Phrasal Verbs So Tricky?
A phrasal verb combines a verb with a preposition or adverb, creating a meaning that's often completely different from the individual words. "Give up" doesn't mean "give" + "up" — it means to quit.
The Essential 50 List
Group 1: Thinking & Understanding
- Figure out — to understand or solve something
- Point out — to indicate or highlight
- Turn out — to result in a particular way
- Come up with — to think of an idea
- Look into — to investigate
Group 2: Change & Development
- Bring about — to cause something to happen
- Carry out — to perform or complete a task
- Set up — to establish or create
- Break down — to stop working / to analyze
- Give rise to — to cause or produce
Group 3: Social & Relationships
- Get along with — to have a good relationship
- Look up to — to admire
- Put up with — to tolerate
- Take after — to resemble a family member
- Run into — to meet by chance
Study tip: Don't try to memorize all 50 at once. Learn 5 per day, create sentences with each, and review the previous day's verbs before starting new ones.
How They Appear in YDT
In YDT, phrasal verbs typically appear in reading comprehension passages and vocabulary questions. You'll be asked to identify the meaning from context or choose the correct phrasal verb to complete a sentence.
Practice Strategy
The most effective way to learn phrasal verbs is to encounter them repeatedly in different contexts. Read English articles daily, and whenever you see a phrasal verb, note it down and check if it's on your list. Active recognition is key! 📝