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Welcome back to our Grammar Corner in the English community!

Our new blogs feature three new episodes of the ListenUp! series which has inspired me to teach you a quick lesson on the phrasal verb, "Listen up." 

You'll notice that when I speak about the series, I intentionally remove the space between the two words. It is a stylistic choice for the series, but it is NOT how this phrasal verb is written or spoken in a normal context.

Now that we have that understanding, let's dive into this quick lesson about it so that it can be part of your listening pleasure as you participate in our ListenUp! series. :D

WHAT ARE PHRASAL VERBS?

Phrasal verbs are two or more words that act as a completely new verb with a meaning separate from those of the original words. For example, call off means to end or cancel something, which is very different from the definitions of call and off alone.

A phrasal verb combines a normal verb with an adverb or a preposition.

The meaning of a phrasal verb is usually unrelated to the meanings of the words that compose it, so think of a phrasal verb as an entirely new and independent word.

HOW TO USE PHRASAL VERBS

Conjugate phrasal verbs as you would simple verbs.

When a phrasal verb is used as the main verb of a sentence, conjugate the verb part and leave the other word or words as they are. Just use whatever form of the verb you would use if it were alone.

Examples using the phrasal verb, call off.

·       The boss is calling off the meeting because the team is unprepared.

·       The boss called off the meeting because the team was not prepared.

·       The boss calls off meetings when the team is not prepared.

USING "LISTEN UP"

First, let's understand what it means. To say "listen up", you are asking the listener to listen closely to what is being said; i.e., to pay attention.

It is mainly used in the United States informally. Example: Okay everyone—listen up! The meeting is about to start.

OVER TO YOU

Alright, friends. There you have it. Are you ready to "Listen up"? :D If so, click the following three blogs to join the conversation!

Remember, click REPLY at the end of each episode to leave your verbal or written reply!

Have fun, friends. :D

Iya, OLS Community Manager - English