2. Learning Objectives
To appreciate the use of effective vocabulary in
writing and speaking.
To see how phrasal verb can help in expressing
oneself better.
3. Introduction
You have heard it a hundred times from your
parents or well-intentioned teachers in the course
of learning English to exalt you to 'Read more!' or
'Memorise more vocabulary words!'
Vocabulary does indeed play a part in ensuring
that you can express yourself better – in speech
and writing.
Consider the story of how a migrant Chinese in
Singapore aced his 'O' level English.
4. Story of a Chinese Immigrant
A Chinese migrated to Singapore at the age of 14,
with only a basic grasp of English Language since it
is not his native tongue.
With sheer determination and will, he set his mind
about mastering this devilish tongue with a simple
routine.
He reads everyday - books, papers and magazines.
Writes down new words he come across. Recite them
often. Memorise them. Recalls the words he has
learnt before sleep. Repeat routine the next day.
5. Vocabulary
The story tells us about the determination of
this boy but also an important fact: Vocabulary
is an important building block in your learning
journey in expressing yourself anew.
Whether you are at primary, secondary or
junior college level, trust us when we tell you
that having a wide working knowledge in
vocabulary is one of the most important asset in
language.
6. Phrasal Verbs
As such, we introduce to you – Phrasal Verbs.
Phrasal Verbs have a special place in learning
vocabulary.
It comes easily to most students and helps in
expressing ideas simply but effectively. Perhaps
most importantly, it helps your audience to
form a visual image of what you are expressing.
As they say, a picture speaks a thousand words!
7. Phrasal Verbs
What are phrasal verbs? They are:
Verbs + Prepositions
Sit up
Back out
Break down
Call off
These phrasal verbs give you a sense of the action being
described or the visual imagery. 'Break down' would
give a picture of something that is totally broken as in,
'The car has broken down.'
8. Phrasal Verbs
It also offers simplicity and effectiveness.
Compare 'The car has broken down.' to ...
'The car is not working completely.'
'The car is spoilt.'
'The car is not moving.'
Any of the above would either be 1) lacking
visual impact by being overly simple or 2)
lacking effectiveness with too many words.
9. Phrasal Verbs
Some of the common phrasal verbs you are probably
already familiar include:
1) Cut in – 'Don't cut in when I'm talking.'
2) Drop out – 'Dropping out of school is not advisable.'
3) Eat out – 'Let's eat out today.'
4) Fall apart – 'The house is falling apart.'
5) Go ahead – 'Go ahead and have lunch without me.'
They have a common point – expressing more with
less!
10. In summary
Phrasal verbs offer an easy way of helping you
to express yourself better.
It is easy to learn and says more about the
action in your sentence.
With sufficient practice, incorporating them in
your writings and speech comes easily and
naturally.
