Visual Phrasal Verbs (B2/C1)
Unit 24: Give & Come Phrasal Verbs

Unit Goal

Can-do: Understand and use everyday English phrasal verbs with give and come.

These phrasal verbs are very common in spoken and written English. They often have meanings that are different from the basic verbs give and come.

Visual Context

Exercise Context
A young woman talking with friends in a city park, one friend gives away old clothes to charity, another finally gives up trying to fix a broken bicycle, a happy friend comes round after being sick, warm sunlight gives off a bright glow, everyday life scene, friendly mood, easy English learning context

Phrasal Verbs with GIVE

Phrasal Verb Meaning Example
give in Stop fighting and accept something After many hours, he gave in and agreed.
give up Stop trying Don't give up. Keep studying.
give away Give something for free She gave away her old books.
give off Produce or send out light, heat, smell, etc. The flowers give off a sweet smell.
give out Distribute something / stop working because there is no strength left The teacher gave out the worksheets.

Quick Tip

give up = stop trying.

give in = stop resisting another person or situation.

Phrasal Verbs with COME

Phrasal Verb Meaning Example
come about Happen How did this problem come about?
come round Visit / regain consciousness Why don't you come round this evening?
come to Regain consciousness He came to after a few minutes.
come out in Develop a skin rash or spots She came out in a rash.
come off Become separated / succeed The button came off my shirt.
come along Join someone / make progress Come along with us!
come back Return She came back yesterday.
come across sth Find by chance I came across an old photo.
come by sth Get or obtain something Good jobs are hard to come by.
come across as sth/sb Appear to be She comes across as very confident.

Grammar Focus: Intransitive vs Transitive Phrasal Verbs

1. Intransitive Verbs

An intransitive verb does not need an object.

Examples:

  • He came back.
  • The button came off.
  • She came round.

No object comes after the verb.

2. Transitive Verbs

A transitive verb needs an object.

Examples:

  • She gave away her books.
  • The teacher gave out worksheets.
  • I came across an old letter.

The object receives the action.

Come vs Bring

Come usually describes movement toward the speaker or destination.

  • Please come along.
  • She will come back tomorrow.

Bring means carry something with you to a place.

  • Please bring your notebook.
  • Can you bring some water?

Remember: We often use come for people moving and bring for taking things with you.

Worked Examples

Example 1

Sentence: After two hours, Tom gave up.

Meaning: Tom stopped trying.

Why? "Give up" means stop making an effort.

Example 2

Sentence: I came across an old diary in the attic.

Meaning: I found it by chance.

Why? "Come across" means discover something unexpectedly.

Example 3

Sentence: The flowers give off a wonderful smell.

Meaning: The flowers produce the smell.

Why? "Give off" means emit or produce something such as heat, light, or smell.

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ I gave in studying.
    ✔ I gave up studying.
  • ❌ I came across as a photo yesterday.
    ✔ I came across a photo yesterday.
  • ❌ She came across very friendly to me. (possible but unnatural here)
    ✔ She came across as very friendly.
  • ❌ The smell gave away from the kitchen.
    ✔ The smell gave off from the kitchen.
🔑 Đáp án & Giải thích

give up = bỏ cuộc, ngừng cố gắng.

give in = nhượng bộ, chấp nhận sau khi chống lại.

come across sth = tình cờ tìm thấy vật gì đó, vì vậy cần có tân ngữ phía sau.

come across as = tạo cảm giác, xuất hiện như là một người/vật nào đó.

give off = tỏa ra mùi, ánh sáng, nhiệt. Không dùng "give away" trong nghĩa này.

Phân biệt:

  • come back = quay trở lại.
  • come round = ghé thăm hoặc tỉnh lại.
  • come to = tỉnh lại sau khi bất tỉnh.
  • come by = kiếm được, có được.