Phrasal Verbs



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A phrasal verb is a phrase that typically consists of a verb and one or two prepositions (remember  - prepositions link one element of a sentence to another or function as connectors to show location or direction; connector - are you interested in classical music?; location - the book is in my backpack.)

Preposition as part of a phrasal verb: I am going to turn in (go to bed).

Sometimes it makes more specific the literal meaning of the verb: sleep in - sleep later than usual; eat out - eat outside the home

At times it is completely unrelated to the literal meaning of the verb: call off - cancel; stand for - represent, or when negative, not tolerate 

A phrasal verb functions like a single word

    Phrasal verb: I ran into (met unexpectedly) an old friend yesterday.

    Simple verb and preposition: I accidently ran into someone on the sidewalk.

Transitive verbs require a direct object - you must look up something, phone number or definition, otherwise it's a simple verb - Look up in the sky - it's a bird, it's a plane, it's Superman!

These can be either separable, the direct object can separate the phrasal verb (We called off the trip - or we called the trip off; both are correct.) or non-separable - The professor always calls on the girls (them).

Intransitive phrasal verbs do not require a direct object - come back, return to a starting point. You don't come back something or someone, you simply come back, as in my dog ran away, but eventually he came back. Or, my neighbors are coming back next week.

Cambridge Dictionary Explains

Grammar Monster Explains

English Club

50 Common PVs with definitions

Exercises with answers

Even more exercises

My workbook - not accessible outside of class yet







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