Module 2 (Phrasal Verbs)
Module 2 (Phrasal Verbs)
Formality
Phrasal verbs are often, but not always, less formal than a single word with the same meaning.
Compare
Compare
She brought [P]up [O]three kids all alone. She brought the three kids up alone.
Do you want me to take [P]off [O]my shoes? Come in. Take [O]your coat [P]off.
If the object is a personal pronoun (me, you, him, us, etc.), we always put the pronoun before the particle:
I’ve made some copies. Would you like me to hand them out?
Not: Would you like me to hand out them?
Oh, I can’t lift you up any more. You’re too big now!
Not: I can’t lift up you anymore.
We usually put longer objects (underlined) after the particle:
Many couples do not want to take on the responsibility of bringing up a large family of three or four
children.
We can use some phrasal verbs without an object:
Example:
The taxi broke down on the way to the airport and I thought I nearly missed my flight.
We’d better set off before the rush-hour traffic starts.
What time did you wake up this morning?
A good learner’s dictionary will tell you if the phrasal verb needs an object or can be used without one.
Prepositional verbs or phrasal verbs?
Not all phrasal verbs need an object. Prepositional verbs (e.g. listen to, depend on) always have an object
after the preposition:
I’ve got a great new CD. Shall we listen to it?
Not: Shall we listen to?
With phrasal verbs the object can come before or after the particle if the object is not a pronoun. With
prepositional verbs, the object is always immediately after the preposition. (Objects are underlined.)
Compare
3- Phrasal-prepositional verbs
Phrasal-prepositional verbs have three parts: a verb, a particle and a preposition. The particle and the
preposition cannot be separated. Many of these verbs are often used in informal contexts, and their
meaning is difficult to guess from their individual parts.
Verb + particle + preposition
Ken’s just chatting to a friend. He’ll catch up with us in a minute. (reach, join)
Do you get on with your neighbours? (have a good relationship with)
We look forward to meeting you on the 22nd. (anticipate with pleasure)
Phrasal-prepositional verbs and objects:
The object (underlined below) always comes immediately after the preposition, and not in any other
position:
She was a wonderful teacher. We all looked up to her. (respected)
Not: We all looked her up to. or We all looked up her to.
Some phrasal-prepositional verbs also take a direct object after the verb as well as an object of the
preposition:
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/es/gramatica/gramatica-britanica/about-verbs/verbs-multi-word-verbs
SEPARABLE AND INSEPARABLE PHRASAL VERBS
https://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/courses/elc/Sample/Advanced/gs/gs_04.htm