What is a phrasal verb?

Welcome to the world of phrasal verbs. A phrasal verb is a verb followed by a preposition or an adverb, the combination creates a meaning different from the original verb alone. Some of them can be easily understood but unfortunately you just have to learn to remember a lot of them.

What I find most helpful, is not just to learn the rules of each phrasal verb but to practise making up new sentences using the phrasal verb. By doing this you will find it easier to remember when to use them.

In the examples below, why not try making up your own sentences similar to the  examples.

Phrasal verb call explained

Call after

My father is called William after his father.

I’ve called the shop Stella’s after my grandmother.

Call around   

To visit someone.

I’ll call around after work tomorrow (no need to say “to visit you”)

Call away

I am afraid the doctor was called away on an emergency earlier today, but he should be back soon.

Call back    

Return a phone call.

I’ll call you back, someone else is on the other line.

Return to a location.

I’ll call back in 30 minutes for the take away.

To be asked to return for a second interview or a second audition.

The Theatre only called back four girls from the audition.

Call for   

Publicly demand that something be done.

The protesters were calling for the resignation of the president.

Feel it’s necessary to do something.

You passed your exams, this calls for a celebration!!

Make arrangements to collect someone from somewhere.

I’ll call for you at seven o’clock.

Call on  

To demand or request that someone do something.

The supporters of the opposition called on the government to call a new election.

To go visit someone.

I’m going to call on my dad on the way to the supermarket to see if he needs anything.

Call up         

Phone someone.

Have you called up all your friends and told them about the great offer.

Select someone to play on a team

I was called up to play for the town volleyball team.

To summon for military service, especially during a war.

If WWIII breaks out I’m terrified that I´ll be call up.

Call in 

To telephone someone or to go visit someone.

I’ll call in and see you in an hour.

The radio station’s listeners have been calling in all morning with answers to the quiz.

I’ll call you in five minutes I’m just having dinner.

To ask someone to enter the room.

The doctor asked the nurse to call in the next patient.

To ask a person, especially an expert, to come to do something.

We will have to call in professional painter to paint the house it’s too big.

Call out 

To shout out to somebody.

Can you call out to the kids, their dinner is nearly ready.

Order or request help from someone e.g. the police

We had to call out the police because there was a big fight outside the bar.

Call at

 To stop at a harbour, port or station.

This train will be calling at every station on the way to Edinburgh.

Call by  

To visit someone whilst you are in the area.

I’ll call by your house on the way back from town.

Call off

Cancel an organised event or stop doing an activity.

We had to call off the tennis match because of the rain.