Phrasal verbs and their different treatment

 We reasoned patiently with the little girl.

         I leafed quickly through the book.

In the first example, the adverb of manner patiently is placed between the verb reasoned and the preposition with of the phrasal verb to reason with. In the second example, the adverb of manner quickly is placed between the verb leafed and the preposition through of the phrasal verb to leaf through.

 

Stress in spoken English

When a verb followed by a preposition occurs at the end of a clause, it is usually the verb which is stressed in spoken English. In the following examples, the words which are stressed are printed in bold type.

No one likes to be laughed at.

        I need someone to confide in.

In the first example, the verb laughed followed by the preposition at occurs at the end of a clause, and the verb laughed is stressed. In the second example, the verb confide followed by the preposition in occurs at the end of a clause, and the verb confide is stressed.

It should be noted that, when used in a phrasal verb at the end of a clause, the prepositions after, into and over are often pronounced with somewhat greater emphasis than the verb. In this case, both the verb and the preposition are stressed. For example:

      The twins are easy to look after.

      The building would be difficult to break into.

      You'll never guess whom I ran into.

      I heard that someone was run over.

The prepositions above, across and through are also occasionally emphasized in this way. For example:

      The research papers were difficult to wade through.

 

Expressions in which the verb has an object

In the case of some phrasal verbs consisting of a verb followed by a preposition, the verb and the preposition may each have an object. In the following examples, the objects are underlined.

I can make nothing of the situation.

We talked my sister into agreeing.

In the first example, the verb make of the phrasal verb to make of has the object nothing, and the preposition of has the object situation. In the second example, the verb talked of the phrasal verb to talk into has the object sister, and the preposition into has the object agreeing.

 

 

2. Phrasal verbs consisting of a verb followed by an adverb (v+adv+(n/pron))

 

Many phrasal verbs consist of a verb followed by an adverb. Some of these phrasal verbs are intransitive and some are transitive.

For instance, the intransitive phrasal verb to show up is formed from the verb to show followed by the adverb up. In the following example, the phrasal verb does not have an object.

      At ten o'clock, her brother showed up.

The transitive phrasal verb to sort out is formed from the verb to sort followed by the adverb out. For example:

      We sorted out the papers.

In this example, the phrasal verb sorted out has the object papers.

 

The position of the object of the verb

In the case of transitive phrasal verbs consisting of a verb followed by an adverb, if the object of the verb is a noun, the object can usually either follow or precede the adverb. In the following examples, the objects are underlined.

I called off the meeting.

I called the meeting off.

In the first example the object meeting follows the adverb off, while in the second example the object meeting precedes the adverb off.

However, in the case of a few phrasal verbs, a noun object must usually follow the adverb.

We attempted to smooth over the disagreement.

In this example, the phrasal verb to smooth over is followed by the noun object disagreement. In this case, the object disagreement cannot be placed before the adverb over.

In the case of transitive phrasal verbs consisting of a verb followed by an adverb, if the object of the verb is a pronoun, the object must usually precede the adverb.

I called it off.

We attempted to smooth it over.

In these examples, the pronouns object it precedes the adverbs off and over.

Most transitive phrasal verbs may be used in the Passive Voice.

The meeting was called off by me.

The disagreement was smoothed over.

In these examples, the phrasal verbs to call off and to smooth over are used in the Passive Voice.

 

The position of an adverb of manner modifying the verb

In the case of a phrasal verb consisting of a verb followed by an adverb, the verb and the adverb usually may not be separated by an adverb of manner. In the following example, the adverb of manner is underlined.

I hurriedly called off the meeting.

In this example, the adverb of manner hurriedly precedes the phrasal verb called off. The adverb hurriedly may also be placed at the beginning or the end of the sentence, but may not be placed between the verb called and the adverb off.

 

Stress in spoken English

When a phrasal verb consisting of a verb followed by an adverb occurs at the end of a clause, it is usually the adverb which is stressed in spoken English.

How did that come about?

Please drop in whenever you have time.

In the first example, the verb come followed by the adverb about occurs at the end of a clause, and the adverb about is stressed. In the second example, the verb drop followed by the adverb in occurs at the end of a clause, and the adverb in is stressed.

 

Ergative verbs

It should be noted that there are a few phrasal verbs consisting of a verb followed by an adverb, which have the same meaning whether they are used transitively or intransitively. For example:

      The engineer slowed down the train.

      The train slowed down.

In the first example, the phrasal verb to slow down is used transitively, with the object train. In the second example, the phrasal verb to slow down is used intransitively, without naming the originator of the action. In these two examples, it can be seen that the object of the transitive verb is the subject of the intransitive verb. However, the general meaning of the two sentences is the same. Verbs which can be used in this way may be referred to as ergative verbs.

 

3. Phrasal verbs consisting of a verb followed by a word which may function either as an adverb or as a preposition (v+prep or v+adv)

 

Some phrasal verbs consist of an intransitive verb followed by a word which may function either as an adverb or as a preposition. For example:

      We passed by.

      We passed by the library.

In the first example, the word by of the phrasal verb passed by functions as an adverb. In the second example, the word by of the phrasal verb passed by functions as a preposition which has the object library.

 

Expressions in which the verb has an object

There are a few phrasal verbs consisting of a verb followed by a word which may function either as an adverb or as a preposition, where the verb may have an object. In the following examples the objects are underlined.

We passed the candies around.

We passed the candies around the class.

In each of these examples, the verb passed of the phrasal verb to pass around has the object candies. In the first example, the word around functions as an adverb, while in the second example, the word around functions as a preposition with the object class.

 

4. Phrasal verbs consisting of a verb followed by an adverb followed by a preposition

There are several commonly used phrasal verbs which consist of a verb, followed by an adverb, followed by a preposition. For example:

      I went along with the idea.

In this example, the phrasal verb went along with consists of the verb to go, followed by the adverb along, followed by the preposition with which has the object idea.

 

Expressions in which the verb has an object

There are a few phrasal verbs consisting of a verb, followed by an adverb, followed by a preposition, where the verb may have an object. In the following example, the objects are underlined.

We played them off against each other.

In this example, the verb played of the phrasal verb to play off against has the object them, while the preposition against has the object each other. [17; 130-216]

 

According to Palmer’s classification all phrasal verbs fall under 3 main types:

1. Free nonidiomatic constructions, where the individual meaning of the components are preserved as in look over (=inspect), set up (=organize). The individuality of the components appears in possible contrastive substitutions: bring in (out), take in (out) etc.
2. "Semi-idiomatic" constructions which are variable but in a more limited way. The relation between the verb and particle is similar to between a stem and an affix in form formation in that the substitution of one verb for another, or one particle for another, is constrained by limited productivity. In phrasal verbs like find over_ ("discover"), cut up "cut into pieces" the verb keeps its meaning, whereas the meaning of the particle is less easy to isolate. In contrast, it is the particle which establishes a family resemblance.
3. "Highly idiomatic" constructions such as bring up, come by, turn up. These are thoroughly idiomatic in that there is no possibility of contrastive substitution: bring/down, come by /past/through, turn up/down, etc.

In such combinations there is no possibility of contrastive substution: there are no pairs such as bring up/down, put off/on, give up/down, give in/out, etc. for this subclass. The adverbial, lexical values of the particles have been lost, and the entire verb+particle combination has acquired a new meaning. [18; 123-148]

 

• Professor Jan Bell offered another classification for phrasal verbs which is interesting to attempt to combine the structural principles.

 

• Type 1

a) verb+adverb (intransitive)

 

These verbs cannot be followed by an object and cannot be made passive:

The missing book finally turned up.

b) verb+adverb+object (transitive)

 

The most common category of phrasal verbs:

I looked up the word in the dictionary.

• Word order: The particle can be separated from the verb and can go after the noun/object:

He warmed the milk up.

If the object is very long, it goes after the verb:

She warmed up the milk which had been left in the fridge.

• However, in some verbs, the particle can only come after the object:  
  I answered my mother back.

I caught her out.

If the object is a pronoun, it always goes before the particle:

I warmed it up.

• Some of the verbs in Type 1 (for instance turn up) can also come into a different category, with a different meaning, or can change from intransitive to transitive:

The dress was too long so I turned it up.

I looked up and saw him there.

 

• Type 2 - verb+preposition (transitive)

 

(sometimes more accurately called “prepositional verbs”)

These are followed by a preposition, which takes an object. They are very often literal (for example, pay for meal, listen to the programme) but can sometimes be idiomatic (pull through an illness).

 

The preposition cannot be put after the object. It is inseparable (stays with the verb):

Talk about your work (not talk your work about)

It goes before the pronoun (talk about it).

A preposition can come at the end of the sentence:

Tell me what it consists of.

 

• Type 3 - verb+adverb particle+preposition (transitive)

These are three-part phrasal verbs (sometimes called “phrasal-prepositional verbs”). They can be literal (run over to) or idiomatic (put up with).

Some have an object before the adverb or prepositional and object:

He took Sam up on his offer.

I put it down to the weather.

 

The particles cannot be separated (except that an adverb can sometimes come between the first and second particles):

He took me up, finally, on my offer.

The noun or pronoun must go after the second particle. [19; 156-157]

 

• According to Thornbury a phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and one or two particles. The particle is either an adverb or a preposition, or both as in (respectively): look up (a word in the dictionary), look after (the children), look up to (someone you respect). Phrasal verb are different from verbs that happen to be followed by a preposition, as in I looked at the painting.

The meaning of any phrasal verb is idiomatic: their meaning is not simply a combination of the meanings of their component parts: They don’t get on. The plane took off. Do you give up?

As such, the opacity of a phrasal verb’s meaning can vary, with some being easier or more difficult to guess.

 

1 Intransitive

These phrasal verbs are not followed by an object.

 

work out

Form: Verb + adverb particle

Meaning: To practice, exercise, or train, esp. in order to become proficient in an athletic sport: The boxers are working out at the gym tonight.

Usage: While it takes no object, work out is often collocated with a place. e.g. “I’m going to work out at the gym.”

 
As with many phrasal verbs, work out has a variety of meanings, some of which are transitive. There may be a difference in meaning between the transitive use and the intransitive use, e.g. to bring about by work, effort, or action. I worked out the math problem in an hour.

 

2 Transitive, Separable

“Many phrasal verbs can be used with a direct object. In most cases, the particle may come before or after the direct object if the object is not a personal pronoun. When the direct object is a personal pronoun, the pronoun always comes before the particle.” There are also “a very small set of transitive phrasal verbs where the particle must always follow the object: I can’t tell the twins apart. Not *I can’t tell apart the twins.

 

see about

Form: Verb (+ object1) + adverb particle + object2

Meaning: To investigate; inquire about: He said he would see about getting the license plates.

Usage: see about is often followed by a gerund. See above for example. Where there is an object between the verb and the particle, it can be a noun or pronoun. e.g. I saw a doctor about my rash or I saw him about fixing the car.

 

put in

Form 1: Verb + object + adverb particle Form 2:  Verb + adverb particle + object

Meaning: To spend (time) as indicated.

Usage: Put in is usually used with an expression of time, which can be placed before or after the particle. e.g. I’m going to put in more time at the office or I’m going to put some more hours in at the office

 

3 Transitive, Inseparable

“[These] verbs consist of a verb and a preposition which are closely syntactically linked with each other. As with other multi-word verbs, fronting of the prepositional complement are not normally possible...The direct object must follow the preposition, even if it is a pronoun.”

 

go on

Form: Verb + preposition particle + object

Meaning: To continue e.g. You can’t go on living like this. You’ll die by the age of forty.

Usage: go on is normally followed by a gerund. See above for example.

 

4 Transitive, Two Inseparable Particles

A few verbs can be used with both an adverb particle and a preposition. [20; 197-203]

break up with

Form: Verb + adverb particle + preposition + object

Meaning: To end a personal relationship.

Usage: I broke up with my girlfriend last night

• Brooke Brown suggests another classification. There are four types of phrasal verbs. First of all, he points that phrasal verbs can either be transitive (the verb takes a direct object) or intransitive (the verb cannot take a direct object).

Transitive phrases are those that can take a direct object. Some transitive verbal phrases are separable. That is, the verb can be separated from the preposition by a direct object. If the direct object is a noun it may or may not come between the verb and the preposition; however, if the direct object is a pronoun, it must come between the verb and the preposition.

 

There are no rules for helping to determine which transitive phrases are inseparable. In these cases the verb and the preposition or adverb cannot be separated by the direct object.

 

Intransitive phrases are those that do not take a direct object and cannot be separated.

Table 5

 

1. Transitive, Separable

As stated earlier, in some transitive phrases the verb can be separated from the preposition or adverb so that a noun or pronoun (the direct object) can be inserted between them.

1. Can you add up the total in your head?

*In this sentence, you see that the phrase is not separated. The direct object comes after the phrase "add up".

 

2. She added it up in her head.

*In this sentence the phrase is separated by the direct object, it, which is a pronoun. Because the direct object is a pronoun, it must come between the verb and the preposition.

 

3. She added the total up in her head.

*In this sentence you see that the phrase is separated by the direct object, the total, which is a noun. The direct object comes between the verb and the preposition.

 

2. Transitive, Inseparable

Some prepositions cannot be separated because they are required by certain verbs for a specific meaning. If these words were to be separated, it would change the idiomatic meaning of the phrase.

For Example:

1.   Although Jason has been very ill this year and has missed a lot of school, he does not want to drop out of school.

*For this sentence to keep its idiomatic meaning, to quit school, the phrase cannot be separated.

 

3. Intransitive, Never Separable

Some verb phrases are intransitive which means that they cannot take a direct object. These verbs can never be separated from the preposition.

For Example:

1. Sean began to catch on after he read the directions several times. ("Directions" is the direct object of the verb- read, not the object of the verb "catch on.")

2. Sean began to catch on to the directions. ("Directions" is the object of the preposition to, it is not the direct object of the sentence. [21; 39-58]

 

 

1.5 Usage of phrasal verbs

 

Phrasal verbs can cause anxiety for learners of English language. Apart from resolving the problems of meaning and grammar, there is the difficult question of when it is appropriate to use them. Many articles written as guides for using phrasal verbs claim that they should be used mainly in speaking rather than writing, and in informal rather than formal situations and texts. [22; 115-123]

It is often said that, informal contexts single-word equivalents are more appropriate than phrasal verbs. This advice may sometimes be useful but it is an oversimplification, and if it is followed too closely, it can sometimes lead to unnatural or over-formal language.

 

Phrasal verbs can be found in all types of text. For example:

1. Issues brought up by the President of the College and by the Board of Regents shall be addressed by the Faculty Senate and, if necessary, by the Association as... (from a college constitution document)

2. Answering the big questions raised by the war. (from an online book review)

The sentence 1 is an extract from a very formal written text. The writers of this document could have chosen to use raised in place of brought up, but clearly the phrasal verb is natural and acceptable in this context. On the other hand, the sentence 2 is from an online book review – a much less formal register –and in this case the writer chose to use raise rather than bring up. This is probably because the combination ‘raise + question’ is a strong collocation, whereas ‘bring up + question’ is a rather rare combination. [23; 197-209]

 

Phrasal verbs are used across all types of text, even where the writer or speaker has the option of choosing a single-word alternative. Although phrasal verbs tend to enter the language through casual speech, in most cases they progressively become accepted across a wider range of texts, until they reach even the most technical or conservative of text types. [24; 64-77]

 

Phrasal verbs are used in three ways:

 

• To describe an action literally. For example:

Sit down and have some tea.

She walked past him without saying a word.

The majority of phrasal verbs are used in this way. All you need to know is what the two words mean when considered separately.

 

• To intensify or emphasise an action. For example:

You're not going out until you've eaten up your dinner.

It's been pouring down with rain all day.

This way of using phrasal verbs is less common. Sometimes the meaning is literal - the rain pours down – and sometimes it isn't - you eat up your dinner. Obviously rain pours down because of gravity. Eating up your dinner gives us the idea of finishing it completely.