PHRASAL VERBS
What is a Phrasal Verb?
A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and preposition, a verb and an adverb, or a verb with both an adverb and a preposition.
A phrasal verb has a meaning which is different from the original verb. That's what makes them fun, but confusing. The adverb or preposition that follows the verb is sometimes called a particle. The particle changes the meaning of the phrasal verb in idiomatic ways.
Phrasal verbs are usually used informally in everyday speech. E.G. “to get together” , “to put off”, or “to get out.”
NB - Sometimes phrasal verbs and prepositional verbs are considered to be separate, while at other times they are considered to be the same.
Literal usage:
Many verbs in English can be combined with an adverb or a preposition, a phrasal verb used in a literal sense with a preposition is easy to understand.
"Paul walked across the bridge."
Verb and adverb constructions are also easy to understand when used literally.
"Sally cut the string and looked inside the bag."
"When he heard the strange noise above his head, he looked up."
An adverb in a literal phrasal verb modifies the verb it is attached to, and a preposition links the subject to the verb.
Idiomatic usage:
It is, however, the figurative or idiomatic application in everyday speech which makes phrasal verbs so important:
"We hope you will get over the loss of your dog quickly."
The literal meaning of “to get over”, in the sense of “to climb over something to get to the other side”, is not relevant here. Here "get over" means "recover from" or "feel better".
Transitive and intransitive phrasal verbs:
Phrasal verbs also differ in their transitivity or intransitivity in the same way as normal verbs do. A transitive verb always has an object.
For example:-
“The hikers walked across the bridge.”
"Across" in this sentence is the preposition to "the bridge".
An intransitive verb does not have an object.
For example:-
“As Alison began to cry he looked up.”
"Up" here is an adverb, and does not have an object.
Separable or inseparable phrasal verbs:
A further way of considering phrasal verbs is whether they are separable or inseparable. In inseparable verbs, the object comes after the particle.
For example:-
"As she got on the bus she dropped her bag."
"Every weekend, dad looks after the horses for his neighbours."
Separable verbs have several ways of separating verb, particle and object. Usually, the object comes between verb and particle.
For example:-
"Jason looked up the word on the laptop."
"Jason looked it up on the laptop."
However, with some separable verbs, the object can come before or after the particle.
For example:-
"Switch the computer off."
"Switch off the computer."
"Switch it off."
NB - There is usually no way of telling whether they are separable, inseparable, transitive or intransitive. In most cases you have to be familiar with them to be able to recognise them.
A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and preposition, a verb and an adverb, or a verb with both an adverb and a preposition.
A phrasal verb has a meaning which is different from the original verb. That's what makes them fun, but confusing. The adverb or preposition that follows the verb is sometimes called a particle. The particle changes the meaning of the phrasal verb in idiomatic ways.
Phrasal verbs are usually used informally in everyday speech. E.G. “to get together” , “to put off”, or “to get out.”
NB - Sometimes phrasal verbs and prepositional verbs are considered to be separate, while at other times they are considered to be the same.
Literal usage:
Many verbs in English can be combined with an adverb or a preposition, a phrasal verb used in a literal sense with a preposition is easy to understand.
"Paul walked across the bridge."
Verb and adverb constructions are also easy to understand when used literally.
"Sally cut the string and looked inside the bag."
"When he heard the strange noise above his head, he looked up."
An adverb in a literal phrasal verb modifies the verb it is attached to, and a preposition links the subject to the verb.
Idiomatic usage:
It is, however, the figurative or idiomatic application in everyday speech which makes phrasal verbs so important:
"We hope you will get over the loss of your dog quickly."
The literal meaning of “to get over”, in the sense of “to climb over something to get to the other side”, is not relevant here. Here "get over" means "recover from" or "feel better".
Transitive and intransitive phrasal verbs:
Phrasal verbs also differ in their transitivity or intransitivity in the same way as normal verbs do. A transitive verb always has an object.
For example:-
“The hikers walked across the bridge.”
"Across" in this sentence is the preposition to "the bridge".
An intransitive verb does not have an object.
For example:-
“As Alison began to cry he looked up.”
"Up" here is an adverb, and does not have an object.
Separable or inseparable phrasal verbs:
A further way of considering phrasal verbs is whether they are separable or inseparable. In inseparable verbs, the object comes after the particle.
For example:-
"As she got on the bus she dropped her bag."
"Every weekend, dad looks after the horses for his neighbours."
Separable verbs have several ways of separating verb, particle and object. Usually, the object comes between verb and particle.
For example:-
"Jason looked up the word on the laptop."
"Jason looked it up on the laptop."
However, with some separable verbs, the object can come before or after the particle.
For example:-
"Switch the computer off."
"Switch off the computer."
"Switch it off."
NB - There is usually no way of telling whether they are separable, inseparable, transitive or intransitive. In most cases you have to be familiar with them to be able to recognise them.
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