MULTI-WORD VERBS

UNIT 6ENTERTAINMENT

Multi-word verbsThere are very many multi-word verbs (sometimes called phrasal verbs) in English and it’s very difficult to learn them all. It can sometimes be quite easy to guess the meaning (He picked up the pencil) but other multi-word verbs are less easy to guess (I picked up Italian quite easily when I lived there) and you should look them up in a good dictionary. When you record new multi-word verbs in your notebook it can be helpful to record what type they are.

Multi-word verbs are made up of a verb and a particle or, sometimes, two particles.

http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/pt-br/grammar-reference/multi-word-verbs#sthash.HlJY7fWZ.dpuf

The structure of a phrasal verb is:

verb + adverb

Phrasal verbs can be:

transitive (direct object)intransitive (no direct object)

http://www.k12reader.com/term/transitive-and-intransitive-verbs/

IntransitiveWhat time do you get up?The plane took off and rose into

the sky.

Intransitive verbs do not have an object. Multi-word verbs can also be intransitive.

http://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/intransitive_verbs.htm

Look at these examples of phrasal verbs:

phrasal verb meaning

example sentence

 direct object

transitive put off postpone We will have to put off

the meeting.

turn down refuse They turned down

my offer.

intransitive get up rise from bed

I don't like to get up.

 

break down

cease to function

He was late because his car broke down.

 

Separable

When verbs are transitive (that is, they have a direct object), we can usually separate the two parts.

He cut the tree down.He cut down the tree.

With separable verbs the verb and particle can be apart or together – the meaning doesn’t change.

Look at another example:Can you turn the radio down please?Can you turn down the radio please?

However, when we use a pronoun – usually ‘it’ in place of the subject – it must come between the verb and the particle in separable multi-word verbs.

Can you turn it down please?Can you turn down it please? is NOT

possible.

Separable or inseparable?Many dictionaries tell you when a phrasal verb is separable. If a dictionary writes "look (something) up", you know that the phrasal verb "look up" is separable, and you can say "look something up" and "look up something". It's a good idea to write "sthg/sby" as appropriate in your vocabulary book when you learn a new phrasal verb, like this: get up

break downbreak sthg offturn sthg/sby downThis tells you if the verb needs a direct object (and where to place it).

PREPOSITIONAL VERBSThe structure of a prepositional verb is:

verb + prepositionBecause a preposition always has an

object, all prepositional verbs have direct objects.

Prepositional verbs cannot be separated. That means that we cannot put the direct object between the two parts. 

Look at these examples of prepositional verbs:

prepositional verb meaning

example sentence

  direct object

believe in have faith in the existence of

I believe in God.

look after take care of He is looking after

the dog.

talk about discuss Did you talk about

me?

wait for await John iswaiting for

Mary.

Non-separableWho looks after the baby when you’re at

work?

In non-separable verbs the verb and particle cannot be separated.Who looks the baby after is NOT possible.

When there is a pronoun the verb and particle remain together.Who looks after her when you’re at work?

Phrasal-prepositional Verbs

The structure of a phrasal-prepositional verb is:

verb + adverb + preposition

Because phrasal-prepositional verbs end with a preposition, there is always a direct object. And, like prepositional verbs, phrasal-prepositional verbs cannot be separated. 

Look at these examples of phrasal-prepositional verbs:

phrasal-prepositional verb meaning

example sentence

  direct object

get on with have a friendly relationship with

He doesn't get on with

his wife.

put up with tolerate I won't put up with

your attitude.

look forward to

anticipate with pleasure

I look forward to

seeing you.

run out of use up, exhaust

We have run out of

eggs.

With two particlesWho came up with that idea?I don’t know how you put up

with it.

There are a few verbs with two particles and they act like inseparable multi-word verbs.

PRACTICEhttp://learnenglish.britishcouncil.

org/pt-br/grammar-reference/multi-word-verbs

https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-phrasal-verbs_quiz.htm