What are Phrasal Verbs?

Phrasal verbs are special verbs in English. They combine a main verb with a small word, like a preposition or an adverb. Together, these words create a new meaning.

For example, the verb look means to direct your eyes. But look for means to search for something. The meaning changes completely.

Why are Travel Phrasal Verbs Important for B2 First?

Phrasal verbs are a key part of B2 English. They are very common in spoken and written English, especially when talking about travel.

• Natural English: Using phrasal verbs makes your English sound more natural and fluent.
• Exam Success: The B2 First (FCE) exam often tests your knowledge of phrasal verbs, particularly in the Reading and Use of English paper.
• Real-life Communication: You will hear and use these verbs often when discussing holidays, flights, and hotel experiences.

Essential Travel Phrasal Verbs for Your Journey

Let's look at some important phrasal verbs you need for travel, from starting your trip to arriving at your destination.

Starting Your Trip

• Set off: To begin a journey.
  We use this when you leave your home or starting point.
  Dr Lee set off from his house around 6.00 this morning.
• Get away: To go on holiday or escape.
  This means to leave your usual place for a break or vacation.
  Pablo decided he really needed to get away to somewhere hot.

At the Airport and On the Plane

• Take off: To leave the ground (for a plane).
  This is what a plane does at the start of a flight.
  The plane to Mexico is due to take off in about 30 minutes.
• Get in: To arrive at a destination (for a plane, train, or bus).
  This describes when your transport reaches its destination.
  The plane is supposed to get in at about 10.00.
• Stop over: To stay somewhere for a short time during a longer journey.
  This means to have a short break in a different city or country before continuing to your final destination.
  When we fly to Vietnam we usually stop over in China.

At the Hotel

• Check in: To register your arrival at a hotel or airport.
  This is the process of telling the hotel you have arrived and getting your room key.
  When we got to the hotel we went to the reception to check in.
• Book into: To arrange for someone to stay in a hotel.
  This means to make a reservation for someone at a hotel.
  The travel agent booked them into a hotel on the coast for two weeks.
• Check out: To pay your bill and leave a hotel.
  This is the process of leaving the hotel after your stay.
  All hotel guests must check out by midday.

Примеры

• Dr Lee set off from his house around 6.00 this morning.
• Pablo decided he really needed to get away to somewhere hot.
• The plane to Mexico is due to take off in about 30 minutes.
• The plane is supposed to get in at about 10.00.
• When we fly to Vietnam we usually stop over in China.
• When we got to the hotel we went to the reception to check in.
• The travel agent booked them into a hotel on the coast for two weeks.
• All hotel guests must check out by midday.

Практика

Распространенные ошибки у носителей испанского языка

Spanish speakers sometimes make mistakes with phrasal verbs because they try to translate directly from Spanish. Phrasal verbs often have idiomatic meanings, which means their meaning is not obvious from the individual words.

• Using a single verb instead of a phrasal verb:
  Неправильно: The plane arrived at 10.00.
  Правильно: The plane got in at 10.00. (For planes/trains/buses, get in is more natural.)
• Confusing similar phrasal verbs:
  Remember check in is for arrival, and check out is for departure from a hotel.
• Forgetting the particle:
  Неправильно: We set early.
  Правильно: We set off early. (The particle off is essential for the meaning 'to begin a journey'.)

Часто задаваемые вопросы

What is the difference between a verb and a phrasal verb?

A verb is a single word describing an action (go, look). A phrasal verb combines a verb with one or two particles (prepositions or adverbs) to create a new meaning (go out, look for). The meaning of the phrasal verb is often very different from the original verb alone.

Why are phrasal verbs difficult for English learners?

Phrasal verbs can be difficult because their meanings are often idiomatic, meaning you cannot guess the meaning from the individual words. Also, some phrasal verbs have multiple meanings, and the particle can change the meaning significantly.

How can I learn phrasal verbs for B2 First?

To learn phrasal verbs, try to learn them in context, not just as a list. Read English texts, listen to English speakers, and pay attention to how they are used. Create your own example sentences. Group them by topic, like 'travel phrasal verbs', to make them easier to remember.

Are these travel phrasal verbs formal or informal?

Most of the travel phrasal verbs taught here, like check in, take off, и set off, are common in both formal and informal contexts related to travel. They are standard English for these situations.

How are phrasal verbs tested in the B2 First (FCE) exam?

In the B2 First exam, phrasal verbs are often tested in the Reading and Use of English paper, particularly in Part 1 (Multiple-choice cloze) and Part 2 (Open cloze), where you might need to choose the correct particle or the correct phrasal verb to complete a sentence. They also appear in Part 4 (Key word transformations).