Phrasal verbs with “wear”

The verb to wear [weə] is an irregular verb. Its main forms are presented in the table. It can also be used as a noun. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at phrasal verbs with “wear” and give some tips on how to use them correctly.

What are phrasal verbs with “wear”?

Let’s consider the main phrasal verbs with to wear:

• Wear away – to wear something away means to erode or gradually remove material from its surface through friction or other external factors. For example:
  • We couldn’t make out the names on the gravestone because the letters had been completely worn away
  • The constant flow of water wore away the rocks, creating a beautiful stream
  • The wind and rain have worn away the paint on the old house
• Wear down – to wear someone down means to gradually make them feel tired, exhausted, or less resistant by continuous effort or pressure. For example:
  • My shoes have worn down at the heel
  • Her persistence paid off and she eventually wore me down
  • The long negotiations wore down the opposition
  • The constant demands of the job wore him down over time
• Wear off – when something wears off, it means that its effect diminishes or disappears gradually over time. For example:
  • These glasses may seem uncomfortable at first but that feeling will soon wear off
  • The painkiller will wear off in a couple of hours
  • The excitement of the event wore off after a few days
• Wear on – when time wears on, it means that it passes slowly, often causing impatience or frustration. For example:
  • As the evening wore on, she became more and more nervous
  • As the hours wore on, we became increasingly anxious
  • The winter days wear on, and I long for the arrival of spring
• Wear on/upon – to wear on or upon someone means to cause annoyance, irritability, or frustration. For example:
  • His constant complaining wears on me
  • The sound of construction work next door is wearing upon the residents
• Wear out – when something becomes worn out, it means that it has been used or worn excessively, causing it to become old, damaged, or no longer functional. For example:
  • Children wear out their shoes very quickly
  • I’ve worked so hard today, I’m worn out
  • I need to buy new shoes because mine are worn out
  • The constant use of the washing machine has worn it out
• Wear through – when you wear through something, it means you have worn a hole or worn out a specific area due to repeated use or friction. For example:
  • He needs to buy new socks because he has worn through the heels of the old ones
  • The constant rubbing of the chair legs has worn through the carpet
• Wear with – to wear something with a particular item or in a specific manner means to combine or accessorize clothing or accessories in a particular way. For example:
  • She always wears her favorite necklace with that dress
  • He wears his confidence with a smile

Understanding and incorporating these phrasal verbs into your English vocabulary will enable you to express yourself more precisely and effectively. As with any new language learning endeavor, it’s essential to practice using these phrasal verbs in context through conversations, reading, and writing. By doing so, you will gradually internalize their meaning and usage, and they will become an effortless part of your English fluency. So, embrace the opportunity to expand your vocabulary and start incorporating these phrasal verbs with “wear” into your English language journey. With practice and consistency, you will soon wear your English proficiency with confidence!