What are phrasal verbs?

Phrasal verbs are usually used in informal everyday speech rather than in academic writing. Some examples of phrasal verbs are "bank on", meaning "to rely on", "leave on", meaning "not turn off", and "take over", meaning "assume control of" a company or an organisation.

The particle gives the verb it follows a new meaning, either a literal or an idiomatic one, and sometimes a literal as well as an idiomatic one.

What make phrasal verbs a headache to Thai learners of English are their idiomatic meanings, such as "set about", "lash out at" and "scout out" to give just a few examples.

Some phrasal verbs that give literal meanings are "dine out" and "stand up".

The Smiths usually dine out once a week.

The policemen stood up immediately when their superior walked into the room.

"Go away" and "fall down" can give literal as well as idiomatic meanings depending on the context.

We went away for a holiday. (left a place)

This scarecrow should make the birds go away. (keep their distance)

He fell down and hurt himself. (lost his footing)

This is where Hume's argument falls down. (is flawed)

Next are examples of phrasal verbs that give an idiomatic sense.

He set about writing his report and finished it just before midnight. (started)

Many critics lashed out at Jonathan's new book. (criticised it harshly)

We need to scout out somebody for this new position. (try to find)

Like other verbs, phrasal verbs can be divided into transitive and intransitive. The first take an object, and the latter do not.

The commander personally wanted to look into this case.

She did not answer but looked away.

Phrasal verbs can be classified as separable and inseparable. In inseparable verbs, the object comes after the particle.

My sister looked after our cat while we were away.

With the separable phrasal verbs, the object comes before the particle.

The boss pulled my proposal apart.

She will definitely pay him back for his accusation.

And lastly, with some separable verbs the object, unless it is a pronoun, can come before or after the particle.

He closed down his business.

He closed his business down.

He closed it down.

By Dr English

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