Phrasal Verbs

A phrasal verb, also known as a verb with a particle, is a verb that combines with another word to describe an action. The particles within phrasal verbs will typically be prepositions, adverbs, or both: e.g., in, up, up with, off, on, down, over, and out.

Examples

It’s getting dark out, so I think I’ll go in now.

Let’s wrap up the meeting before we have to pitch tents in the conference room.

Amelie will break down when we tell her how much that outfit costs.

Is there any reason you singled me out to pay the bar tab?

A phrasal verb’s definition is often not apparent from its separate words alone, which makes most phrasal verbs idiomatic. In many instances, the addition of the particle to the phrasal verb changes the main verb’s definition. For example, compare the following sentences:

Why would you try to bring ice to an Eskimo?

Why would you try to bring up ice to an Eskimo?

In the first sentence, the verb bring means “to carry or convey.” In the second sentence, adding the particle up to bring alters the main verb’s meaning to “to start talking about something.”

The phrasal verb bring up can also mean “to raise or care for a child”: The Stone family will bring up their adopted baby girl in a loving and attentive home.

Here is a partial list of just a few of the many phrasal verbs used in American English:

call for (to demand)	make away (to steal or escape)
fall in with (to agree, get along)	put down (to disparage or criticize)
get by (to struggle but manage to live)	put up with (to tolerate)
give out (to disclose)	run after (to chase)
go on (to continue)	stand by (to be ready while waiting)
look up to (to respect)	take off (to become airborne)

Examples

Our children fell in just fine with the exchange students who stayed with us.

I could go on about how much I love this Lexus, but I’ll save you the time.

The bandits made away with a jewel worth more than twenty thousand dollars.

The space ship will take off at approximately 6:00 p.m.

Phrasal Verbs: Transitive or Intransitive

A phrasal verb can be either transitive (takes a direct object) or intransitive (does not take a direct object).

Examples Transitive

The company board called for his resignation after learning how much he’d been reimbursed for golfing on his expense reports. (direct object resignation)

I promise you: If you take my cheddar-cheese wheel, I will run after you for it. (direct object you)

 

Examples Intransitive

Eric has been working mainly part-time jobs lately, but he still gets by. (no direct object)

Stand by for countdown. (no direct object)

Phrasal Verbs: Separable and Inseparable

When you are writing or reading transitive phrasal verbs, you will notice that some can be separated and some cannot.

In a phrasal verb that can be separated, the object can appear either between the main verb and the particle or after the phrasal verb’s components:

Would you please turn the TV off?

Would you please turn off the TV?

In a phrasal verb that cannot be separated, the main verb and the particle must stay together to complete a meaning that makes sense.

The space ship will take off at 6:00 p.m. (meaning is understood)

The space ship will take at 6:00 p.m. off. (meaning is nonsensical)

Phrasal Verbs: Different from Verb Phrases

In understanding what a phrasal verb is, we want to make sure we do not confuse it with a verb phrase. A verb phrase is a verb with more than one word, and a phrasal verb is a verb that includes one particle or more (a preposition, an adverb, or both).

Verb phrases include an auxiliary verb such as can, be, will, do, or should. A verb phrase also has two verbs (auxiliary verb + main verb), while a phrasal verb has only one (main verb + particle).

Examples Verb Phrase

Can you go shopping with us this weekend? (two verbs: can, go)

The hitter should have stopped at second base instead of trying for third. (two verbs: should, have stopped)

We will be late to the concert because of the traffic. (two verbs: will, be)

Related Topic

Understanding Verb Particles
Tightening Verb Phrases

Pop Quiz

Using what you understand about phrasal verbs, identify any that appear in the following sentences. Note that it is possible for a phrasal verb to appear within a verb phrase.

1. I can’t talk right now—my girlfriend just broke up with me.

2. Is it possible you’ve been rollerblading too much?

3. Should we have cake or ice cream for dessert?

4. We can no longer put off the inevitable. It’s time to throw away that T-shirt.

5. They will soon give out more information about the water-treatment plan.

 

Pop Quiz Answers

1. I can’t talk right now—my girlfriend just broke up with me.

2. Is it possible you’ve been rollerblading too much? no phrasal verb

3. Should we have cake or ice cream for dessert? no phrasal verb

4. We can no longer put off the inevitable. It’s time to throw away that T-shirt.

5. They will soon give out more information concerning the water-treatment plan.

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