In this episode I explore the surprisingly complex and even controversial aspect of phrasal verbs in English. These are described differently according to which grammar text book you choose to read; but for reference, I have used the definition used by Michael Swan in his 'Practical English Usage' (Fourth Edition, p. 12), 2020, Oxford University Press see www.oup.com/elt

I'm in conversation with John Taylor, a first language speaker and avid (that's very keen) reader, as we discuss just three verbs which easily generate over 50 phrasal verbs - 'to get on', 'to look' and 'to go'. We use them in the context of sport; literature, especially John's favourite of the detective genre; and business, where we consider the use of the simple verb 'to go' and how it is used flexibly and creatively to generate many phrasal verbs used in accountancy, law, commerce and finance.

Speakers of English as a Foreign Language will value the opportunity to hear these phrasal verbs used in context, which is the key to understanding them and therefore to using them properly and appropriately.

For further support in developing your spoken and written English Language skills, please contact me at [email protected] or via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ where recommendations regarding my work are available.

Please take the opportunity to listen to previous podcasts where I explore different aspects of the English Language. I value any comments you might like to make on the topics covered.