Opinion: I have problems with phrasal verbs, usually they don't sound natural

[Juliafekete]

I just made the start vs. begin test and I was a little bit surprised that i made 9 points. I thought that it would be worse. I don't know so well the difference between the two verbs and I made the test by ear. Sure I know pretty well grammar so the problem was only to decide if it is begin or start, the form of verb it wasn't a problem.

I have problems with phrasal verbs, usually they don't sound natural. For example: give up means renounce. In my mind it would be more natural if instead of "up" it would be "down" for renounce.

It's interesting the English language and I'm sure it is unique.

See you!
Julia

[Jamie (K)]

Kezét csokolom!

[Ralf]

Hi Julia,

You're right, phrasal verbs are one of the things most learners find difficult to come to terms with. Here are 2 links you may find useful:

http://www.englishpage.com/prepositions/phrasaldictionary.html

http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/phrasal-verbs-list.htm

Take care,

Ralf
_________________
Test of English as a Foreign Language
TOEFL Preparation & TOEFL Vocabulary
Learn more: How to Become an English Teacher

[Juliafekete]

Hy Jamie!

Thank you for correcting my mistakes.
Usually I write sentences in English as they come in my mind and I never read them again before sending the message. This is why I've made so many mistakes. :)
When I've read them again this morning I've realized that they were wrong.
Thank you for your help.
I think I'll learn a lot of thinks if I've found people as you.
See you!
Julia

[Ralf]

Hi Julia,

I aggree, it's good to have people like Jamie on the forum :)

Take care,

Ralf
_________________
Test of English as a Foreign Language
TOEFL Preparation & TOEFL Vocabulary
Learn more: How to Become an English Teacher

[Juliafekete]

Hy Ralf!

Thank you for the links, they are really good!
But I am a little bit scared. They are so much! :)
I hope that with time i will be able to remember them.

Thanks again!

Julia

[Ralf]

Hi Julia,

I know, there are quite a few (many) phrasal verbs. But you'll surely get the knack of choosing the right one :)
_________________
Test of English as a Foreign Language
TOEFL Preparation & TOEFL Vocabulary
Learn more: How to Become an English Teacher

[Juliafekete]

Hy Ralf!

As I can observe you like very much to use expressions ( to come to terms, get the knack ) when you express your ideas.
This is my other problem. Someone told me that I'll know English when I'll be able to use expressions as a native speaker.
Unfortunately I'll have to work a lot until I'll be able to speak in that way without difficulties.
Maybe you could help me from now as well with suggestions.
Thanks and goodbye!

Julia

[Alan]

Hi Julia,

It's one thing to know particular phrasal verbs and it's another thing to use them. That's why I I have written a series of articles that show some phrasal verbs in action. If you look under this heading http://www.english-test.net/lessons/index.html you will find them lower down in the list.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Juliafekete]

Hy Alan!

Thank you for your message. I noticed that there are a lot of good lessons on the site but I started with the beginning. I reviewed only the first 7 lessons I think. I could go faster through them but I'm studying from books as well and I can't memorize so many information at once .

Have you read my message about British and American English? What you think?
Thanks anticipately.

Julia

[Jamie (K)]

Julia, you're to be commended for wanting to learn to use these phrasal verbs and idioms, and for working hard at it. Many people around the world ignore them, with the excuse that they're "too informal" or "not British English". But, of course, they are NOT always informal, and they are characteristic of the language in all English-speaking countries. People who refuse to learn them are in BIG trouble when they get to the US or the UK.

Sometimes I get classes of foreign engineers or managers who know all their English grammar, have a huge English vocabulary, but understand nothing that goes on in meetings at their company here in the US. It's all because they didn't learn idioms and phrasal verbs, so they have to play catch-up. The problem affects their careers.

[Juliafekete]

Hy Jamie!

I know that idioms and phrasal verbs are very important and they characterize the language. I hope that one day I'll know English, not only a little bit of English as my American English teacher told me in June this year when I finished my intermediate English course.
I know that I'll never speak as a native English speaker but I want to learn as much as I can.

Julia