I think it is better to know phrasal verbs as many as you can... as they are mostly used in spoken English ...

And maybe you can study topics (different themes) and it ll increase your vocabuary as well...

I can not use alot of words becuase my wife always tells me to shut up !

   For normal  communication,  I can offer a rough estimate that you can get by with about  6,000 to 10,000 words.

  However,  if you wish to discuss anything Technological, Scientific, Philosophical, Legal,  Spiritual or Religions,  or Political, you need a more expanded vocabulary.

Hey Tasha, your last post has a very interesting content. So active vocabulary is about a fifth of passive vocabulary? I was looking for that figure. Where did you get that info may I ask?

The 8 years native child use 10000 words to speak. The native adullt use more than 25000 words in there daily life.