Patterns of Phrasal Verb Use in Asian Learner English : A Corpus Study by Country and Proficiency

Phrasal verbs present challenges for second language learners due to their idiomatic meanings, polysemy, and complex syntax.This study analyzes phrasal verb usage in essays by learners from 10 Asian L1 (first language) backgrounds in the International Corpus Network of Asian Learners of English (ICNALE), across varying proficiency levels, using English native speakers (ENS) as a reference.Employing the PhaVE List, the study examines the effects of L1 background and proficiency on phrasal verb frequency and diversity.Results reveal that while higher proficiency increases phrasal verb diversity, L1 background is a stronger predictor.Singaporean learners notably exceed ENS in phrasal verb diversity, while other L1 groups show substantial variability.These findings highlight the importance of addressing L1-specific challenges and promoting exposure to diverse phrasal verbs to support learners, particularly those with lower diversity in usage.