What you need to know about the Phrasal Verbs

a new soul · 2008-08-11, 22:55

Phrasal Verbs are verbs with more than one word.

Examples: pick up, put down, turn on, turn off
Phrasal verbs are also called 'two-part verbs' and 'three-part verbs.'

There are two types of phrasal verbs: separable and non separable.

Non separable phrasal verbs are sometimes called 'inseparable.'

Non separable (n) phrasal verbs must always remain together:
Example: take off = (n) to depart
CORRECT: The plane took off at noon. (verb + particle together)
XX INCORRECT: The plane took at noon off. (both words MUST be together)

Separable (s) phrasal verbs can be written three different ways:
Example: take off (s) = to remove clothing
CORRECT: Sara took off her jacket. (verb + particle together)
CORRECT: Sara took her jacket off. (verb + particle separated by noun)
CORRECT: Sara took it off. (verb + particle separated with a pronoun)
XX INCORRECT: Sara took off it. (the pronoun MUST be in the middle)

hairless17 · 2008-08-12, 00:47

You are doing very well

a new soul · 2008-08-13, 15:27

1thank you mr haieless

smart · 2008-08-13, 15:32

Very good my dear
Very useful topic....thanks

hairless17 · 2008-08-14, 10:39

You are welcome new soul

Mohamed · 2008-08-15, 21:29

Peace be upon you
Thanks a lot new soul for this interesting topic
I just want to add some details

1. A phrasal verb is a verb plus a preposition or adverb which creates a meaning different from the original verb.
Example:
I ran into my teacher at the movies last night. run + into = meet
He ran away when he was 15. run + away = leave home

2. Some phrasal verbs are intransitive. An intransitive verb cannot be followed by an object.
Example:
He suddenly showed up. "show up" cannot take an object

3. Some phrasal verbs are transitive. A transitive verb can be followed by an object.
Example:
I made up the story. "story" is the object of "make up"

4. WARNING! Although many phrasal verbs can take an object in both places, you must put the object between the verb and the preposition if the object is a pronoun.
Examples:
I looked the number up in the phone book.
I looked up the number in the phone book.
I looked it up in the phone book. correct
I looked up it in the phone book. incorrect