30.10. Common Phrasal Verbs: Phrasal Verbs with 'Put'

Phrasal verbs are an essential part of the English language, especially for learners aiming to reach an intermediate level of proficiency. They consist of a verb combined with one or more particles, which can be prepositions or adverbs. The meaning of a phrasal verb often differs significantly from the meanings of its individual components. One of the versatile verbs used in phrasal verbs is "put." Understanding phrasal verbs with "put" can greatly enhance your ability to communicate effectively in English. In this section, we will explore some common phrasal verbs with "put," their meanings, and examples of how they are used in sentences.

1. Put Off

"Put off" is a phrasal verb that means to delay or postpone something. It is often used when someone decides to do something at a later time rather than immediately.

• Example: "We had to put off the meeting until next week because of scheduling conflicts."

In this example, the meeting was postponed to a later date.

2. Put On

"Put on" has several meanings, but the most common one is to dress oneself in clothing or to wear something.

• Example: "She put on her coat before going outside."

Here, "put on" refers to wearing a coat.

Another meaning of "put on" is to organize or present a performance or event.

• Example: "The school is putting on a play next month."

In this context, "putting on" means organizing a play.

3. Put Out

"Put out" can mean to extinguish something, such as a fire or light.

• Example: "The firefighters quickly put out the blaze."

In this sentence, "put out" means to extinguish the fire.

It can also mean to inconvenience someone.

• Example: "I hope I'm not putting you out by asking for a ride."

Here, "putting you out" refers to causing inconvenience.

4. Put Up With

"Put up with" means to tolerate or endure something unpleasant or annoying.

• Example: "She has to put up with a lot of noise from the construction site next door."

In this example, "put up with" means to tolerate the noise.

5. Put Aside

"Put aside" means to save or reserve something for future use.

• Example: "He put aside some money every month for his vacation."

Here, "put aside" refers to saving money.

It can also mean to set something aside temporarily to focus on another task.

• Example: "Let's put aside our differences and work together on this project."

In this context, "put aside" means to temporarily ignore differences.

6. Put Through

"Put through" means to connect someone on the phone.

• Example: "Can you put me through to the manager, please?"

In this example, "put through" means to connect a phone call.

It can also mean to make someone experience something difficult or unpleasant.

• Example: "The soldiers were put through rigorous training."

Here, "put through" refers to undergoing difficult training.

7. Put Back

"Put back" means to return something to its original place.

• Example: "After you finish reading the book, please put it back on the shelf."

In this sentence, "put back" means to return the book to its place.

It can also mean to delay or postpone something.

• Example: "The project was put back by several weeks due to unforeseen circumstances."

Here, "put back" refers to delaying the project.

8. Put Down

"Put down" can mean to place something on a surface.

• Example: "She put down her bag and sat on the bench."

In this example, "put down" means to place the bag on the ground.

It can also mean to criticize or belittle someone.

• Example: "He felt discouraged because his boss often put him down in front of colleagues."

Here, "put down" refers to criticizing someone.

9. Put Forward

"Put forward" means to propose or suggest something for consideration.

• Example: "She put forward a new idea during the meeting."

In this sentence, "put forward" means to suggest an idea.

10. Put Together

"Put together" means to assemble or combine parts to create something.

• Example: "They put together a model airplane."

Here, "put together" refers to assembling the parts of an airplane model.

It can also mean to organize or arrange something.

• Example: "The committee is putting together a report on the findings."

In this context, "putting together" means organizing a report.

11. Put Across

"Put across" means to communicate an idea or message effectively.

• Example: "The teacher was able to put across the complex concept clearly."

In this sentence, "put across" means to convey an idea effectively.

Understanding and using phrasal verbs with "put" can significantly enhance your English communication skills. They add nuance and depth to your language, allowing you to express yourself more precisely. Practice these phrasal verbs in different contexts to become more comfortable with their usage. With time and practice, you'll find that your ability to understand and use phrasal verbs will improve, making your English more natural and fluent.

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