Mastering English Phrasal Verbs and Advanced Grammar Structures

Essential English Vocabulary and Grammar

This document provides a comprehensive overview of key English vocabulary, phrasal verbs, and advanced grammatical structures. Enhance your fluency and accuracy with these essential learning points.

Section 1: Phrasal Verbs with "Go"

Master these common phrasal verbs to express various actions and states:

• have a go at: To try or attempt something.
  Example: "Why don't you have a go at solving this puzzle?"
• (to be) on the go: To be very busy or active; constantly moving.
  Example: "She's always on the go, juggling work and family."
• go broke: To become bankrupt or run out of money.
  Example: "The small business went broke during the recession."
• go mad: To become crazy or extremely angry.
  Example: "He'll go mad if he finds out we broke his favourite vase."
• go bald: To lose one's hair and become bald.
  Example: "My father started to go bald in his thirties."
• go from bad to worse: To deteriorate or get progressively worse.
  Example: "After the initial setback, the situation went from bad to worse."

Section 2: Common Phrases with "Thing"

Expand your vocabulary with these useful expressions involving the word "thing":

• the next best thing: The closest alternative or substitute.
  Example: "Since we couldn't get tickets for the concert, the next best thing was to watch it online."
• the real thing: The authentic or genuine article.
  Example: "This replica isn't as good as the real thing."
• no such thing: Used to strongly deny the existence or possibility of something.
  Example: "There's no such thing as a free lunch."
• make a big thing about: To exaggerate or give excessive importance to something.
  Example: "Don't make a big thing about a small mistake."
• have a thing about: To be obsessed with or have a particular fondness or dislike for something.
  Example: "She has a thing about collecting vintage stamps."
• (to be) just the thing for: To be ideal or perfectly appropriate for a particular purpose or person.
  Example: "A warm cup of tea is just the thing for a cold evening."

Section 3: Phrasal Verbs with "See"

Learn how to use "see" in various phrasal verbs to describe different interactions and actions:

• see (someone) into: To accompany someone to an entrance or starting point.
  Example: "Could you see me into the building?"
• see (someone) off: To say goodbye to someone who is departing, especially on a journey.
  Example: "We went to the station to see them off."
• see (someone) out: To accompany someone to an exit.
  Example: "Please see the guests out."
• see through (someone): To understand someone's true intentions or character, especially when they are trying to deceive you.
  Example: "I could see through his lies immediately."
• see to: To take care of or attend to a task or problem.
  Example: "I'll see to the arrangements for the meeting."

Section 4: Phrasal Verbs with "Turn"

Explore the versatility of "turn" in these common phrasal verbs:

• turn away:
  
  • To move aside or refuse entry (e.g., to a country, club, or event).
  • To turn one's head or face away.
    Example: "The club turned us away because we didn't have the right dress code."
    Example: "He turned away in embarrassment."
• turn in:
  
  • To go to bed.
  • To report someone or something to the authorities (e.g., a criminal, lost property).
    Example: "It's getting late; I think I'll turn in."
    Example: "The thief decided to turn himself in."
• turn into: To transform or change into something else.
  Example: "The caterpillar turned into a beautiful butterfly."
• turn on:
  
  • To attack someone suddenly.
  • To switch on an appliance (e.g., radio, TV) or open a tap.
    Example: "The dog suddenly turned on its owner."
    Example: "Could you turn on the lights, please?"
• turn out:
  
  • To result or happen in a particular way (good or bad).
  • To switch off a light or appliance.
    Example: "The party turned out to be a great success."
    Example: "Don't forget to turn out the lights before you leave."
• turn round / around: To rotate or face the opposite direction.
  Example: "She turned around to see who was calling her name."
• turn up:
  
  • To arrive or appear unexpectedly.
  • To increase the volume or intensity of something.
    Example: "He finally turned up an hour late."
    Example: "Could you turn up the music? I can't hear it."

Section 5: Expressing Wishes and Regrets

Learn how to use "wish" and "if only" to express desires about the present, past, and future:

• Wish / If Only + Past Simple: Used to express regret or a desire for a present situation to be different.
  Example: "I wish I had more money." (Meaning: I don't have enough money now, and I regret it.)
  Example: "If only I could fly!" (Meaning: I can't fly now, and I wish I could.)
• Wish / If Only + Past Perfect: Used to express regret about a past situation or action.
  Example: "I wish I hadn't eaten so much cake." (Meaning: I ate too much cake yesterday, and I regret it now.)
  Example: "If only they had arrived on time." (Meaning: They didn't arrive on time, and I regret that.)
• Wish + Could / Would + Base Form:
  • Wish + could + base form: Expresses a desire for a present or future ability that you don't have.
    Example: "I wish I could speak French fluently."
  • Wish + would + base form: Expresses a desire for a future action or change, often implying impatience or a complaint about someone else's behaviour. Would indicates volition.
    Example: "I wish you would stop making that noise." (Complaint about current behaviour)
    Example: "She wishes her brother would visit more often." (Desire for future action)

Section 6: Impersonal and Personal Passive Constructions

Understand how to report what people say, think, or believe using passive voice structures.

6.1 Impersonal Passive: "It is said that..."

This structure uses "it" as a dummy subject, followed by a passive reporting verb (like say, think, believe, know, report) and a that-clause.

• Structure: It + be + past participle + that + subject + verb
• Example: It is said that Eric Clapton is a great musician.
  (Meaning: People say that Eric Clapton is a great musician.)
• Example: It is known that many pop singers come from England.
  (Meaning: Many people know that many pop singers come from England.)

6.2 Personal Passive: "Subject + is said to..."

This structure focuses on the person or thing being discussed. The subject is followed by the passive reporting verb and an infinitive (to + base verb).

• Structure: Subject + be + past participle + to + infinitive
• Example: Eric Clapton is said to be a great musician.
  (Meaning: People say that Eric Clapton is a great musician.)
• Example: That band is known to have an awful singer.
  (Meaning: People know that the band has an awful singer.)
• Example: Young people are believed to like only noisy music.
  (Meaning: People believe that young people like only noisy music.)

Special Case: "Consider"

The verb "consider" works similarly but is typically translated literally.

• Structure: Subject + is considered + to be + complement
• Example: Eric Clapton is considered to be a great musician.
  (Meaning: Eric Clapton is regarded or thought of as a great musician.)