| A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and a | | | | For convenience, many people refer to all multi-word |
| preposition, a verb and an adverb, or a verb with both | | | | verbs as phrasal verbs. These verbs consist of a |
| an adverb and a preposition, any of which are part of | | | | basic verb + another word or words. The other |
| the syntax of the sentence. | | | | word(s) can be prepositions and/or adverbs. The two |
| Phrasal verbs often arise from casual uses of the | | | | or three words that make up multi-word verbs form a |
| language and eventually work themselves into the | | | | short "phrase" - which is why these verbs are often all |
| mainstream of language use. Phrasal verbs can be | | | | called "phrasal verbs". |
| both intransitive (The children were sitting around, doing | | | | The important thing to remember is that a multi-word |
| nothing. The witness finally broke down on the stand.) | | | | verb is still a verb. "Get" is a verb. "Get up", is also a |
| and transitive in meaning (Our boss called off the | | | | verb, a different verb. "Get" and "get up" are two |
| meeting. She looked up her old boyfriend.) The word | | | | different verbs. They do not have the same meaning. |
| that is joined with a verb in this construction (often a | | | | So you should treat each multi-word verb as a |
| preposition) is called a particle. | | | | separate verb, and learn it like any other verb. |
| The meaning of the phrasal verb often has no relation | | | | Phrasal verbs are mainly used in spoken English and |
| to the meaning of either the verb or the particle which | | | | informal texts. (The more formal a conversation or |
| is used with it. This means that phrasal verbs can be | | | | text, the fewer phrasal verbs are found.) |
| difficult both to understand and to remember. Also, | | | | There are no rules that might explain how phrasal |
| many phrasal verbs have several different meanings. | | | | verbs are formed correctly, all you can do is look them |
| There are many verbs in English that can be followed | | | | up in a good dictionary and study their meanings. |
| by prepositions and/or adverbs (also known as adverb | | | | Examples: |
| (particles). Different authors give them different names: | | | | - Turn down: refuse |
| phrasal verbs; prepositional verbs; two-word verbs; | | | | I thought I could borrow some money from Joe, but |
| multi-word verbs. | | | | when I asked, he turned me down. |
| Phrasal verbs are part of a large group of verbs called | | | | - Pick up: refresh; revitalize. |
| "multi-word verbs". Phrasal verbs and other multi-word | | | | He was feeling a little tired, so he drank a glass of |
| verbs are an important part of the English language. | | | | orange juice. It picked him up enough to finish his work. |
| Multi-word verbs, including phrasal verbs, are very | | | | - Look up to: respect |
| common, especially in spoken English. A multi-word | | | | Everyone looks up to Joyce because she always |
| verb is a verb like "pick up", "turn on" or "get on with". | | | | makes time to help others. |