Gateway to Grammar: Phrasal Verbs with “hang”

It looks like Kermit has some fun plans for tonight, so I might ask if I can “hang out” with him.

Phrasal verbs are phrases (more than one word) that behave like a single verb. Sometimes these phrasal verbs are all together, and sometimes they are separated with an object in the middle (split verbs).

Let’s have a look at some phrasal verbs using the main verb “hang”:

·         Hang back – to wait before acting: “I’m going to hang back when they are choosing teams, I don’t want to get chosen right away”.

·         Hang in there – persevere, endure: “It is going to be a difficult time, but just hang in there, you will be OK.”

·         Hang about – to wait or stay somewhere for a time /or/ to say “wait, what?”: “I will be finished at the swimming pool before you, so I will hang about in the changing room.”, “Hang about, did you really just say that?”

·         Hang out – to spend time with a friend: “We should hang out at yours after school and play some games together.”

·         Hang around – to wait or stay somewhere for a time: “I will be finished at the swimming pool before you, so I will hang around in the changing room.”

·         Hang on – wait: “Hang on, I will help you in a second, I just need to finish something.”

·         Hang up – to put a phone down: “I cannot believe she hung up on me without saying goodbye!”

·         Hang on to – to keep something: “You should hang on to that toy. It might be worth something in a few years.”

Hang in there with your English learning, and hang on to your love of English. We should hang out more often on social media 😉.

If you have enjoyed this little lesson on phrasal verbs, you can find out more about the one to one English lessons I teach online at www.wrightenglish.com.