Материал: ТЕМА_14_PHRASAL_VERBS

Тема 14. Phrasal verbs.

Multi-word verbs are verbs which consist of a verb and one or two particles or prepositions (e.g. up, over, in, down). There are three types of multi-word verbs: phrasal verbs, prepositional verbs and phrasal-prepositional verbs. Sometimes, the name ‘phrasal verb’ is used to refer to all three types.

Phrasal verbs

Phrasal verbs have two parts: a main verb and an adverb particle.

The most common adverb particles used to form phrasal verbs are around, at, away, down, in, off, on, out, over, round, up:

bring in, go around, look up, put away, take off

Meaning

Phrasal verbs often have meanings which we cannot easily guess from their individual parts. (The meanings are in brackets.)

The book first came out in 1997. (was published)

The plane took off an hour late. (flew into the air)

The lecture went on till 6.30. (continued)

It’s difficult to make out what she’s saying. (hear/understand)

For a complete list of the most common phrasal verbs, see the Cambridge International Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.

Formality

Phrasal verbs are often, but not always, less formal than a single word with the same meaning.

Compare

Phrasal verbs and objects

Many phrasal verbs take an object. In most cases, the particle may come before or after the object if the object is not a personal pronoun (me, you, him, us, etc.).

Compare

If the object is a personal pronoun (me, you, him, us, etc.), we always put the pronoun before the particle:

I’ve made some copies. Would you like me to hand them out?

Not: Would you like me to hand out them?

Oh, I can’t lift you up any more. You’re too big now!

Not: I can’t lift up you any more.

We usually put longer objects (underlined) after the particle:

Many couples do not want to take on the responsibility of bringing up a large family of three or four children.

We can use some phrasal verbs without an object:

The taxi broke down on the way to the airport and I thought I nearly missed my flight.

We’d better set off before the rush-hour traffic starts.

What time did you wake up this morning?

A good learner’s dictionary will tell you if the phrasal verb needs an object or can be used without one.

Prepositional verbs

Prepositional verbs have two parts: a verb and a preposition which cannot be separated from each other:

Prepositional verbs and objects

Prepositional verbs always have an object, which comes immediately after the preposition. The object (underlined) can be a noun phrase, a pronoun or the -ing form of a verb:

Somebody broke into his car and stole his radio.

I don’t like this CD. I don’t want to listen to it any more.

Getting to the final depends on winning the semi-final!

Some prepositional verbs take a direct object after the verb followed by the prepositional phrase.

(do = direct object; po = object of preposition [both underlined])

Hannah reminds [DO] me of [PO] a girlfriend of mine.

How can we protect [DO] children from [PO] dangerous material on the Internet?

I’d like to thank [DO] everyone for [PO] their kindness.

Prepositional verbs or phrasal verbs?

Not all phrasal verbs need an object. Prepositional verbs (e.g. listen to, depend on) always have an object after the preposition:

I’ve got a great new CD. Shall we listen to it?

Not: Shall we listen to?

With phrasal verbs the object can come before or after the particle if the object is not a pronoun. With prepositional verbs, the object is always immediately after the preposition.(Objects are underlined.)

Compare

Phrasal-prepositional verbs

Phrasal-prepositional verbs have three parts: a verb, a particle and a preposition. The particle and the preposition cannot be separated. Many of these verbs are often used in informal contexts, and their meaning is difficult to guess from their individual parts.

Verb + particle + preposition

Ken’s just chatting to a friend. He’ll catch up with us in a minute. (reach, join)

Do you get on with your neighbours? (have a good relationship with)

We look forward to meeting you on the 22nd. (anticipate with pleasure)

Phrasal-prepositional verbs and objects

The object (underlined below) always comes immediately after the preposition, and not in any other position:

She was a wonderful teacher. We all looked up to her. (respected)

Not: We all looked her up to. or We all looked up her to.

Some phrasal-prepositional verbs also take a direct object after the verb as well as an object of the preposition:

(do = direct object; po = object of preposition [both underlined])

She fixed [DO] us up with [PO] a violin teacher. We’re really grateful to her. (fixed us up with = arranged for us)

We just put [DO] the accident down to [PO] bad luck; there’s no other reason. (put down to = think the cause or reason is)

Приклади вправ на граматику:

1. Complete the following sentences with the suitable phrasal verb.

1. Things have really looked ... … since she got promoted.

A) down B) out for C) up D) for

2. I have no strong opinions on this. I'll fall … … whatever you decide.

A) about B) down C) in with D) to

3. The Investigation Committee was set up to look ... the cause of the plane crash.

A) into B) up C) over D) above

4. After years of working for a shoddy employer, I was finally able to … ... from that company and set up my own business.

A) break off B) break away C) break out D) break up

5. It can be very difficult for young couples to ... … their marriage when there are young children involved.

A) break off B) break away C) break out D) break up

6. I'm afraid the Chairman has fallen … … Mary's influence and will not listen to a word I say.

A) apart B) about C) on D) under

7. I decided to ... my relationship with my girlfriend when I found out that she was seeing someone else.

A) break off B) break away C) break out D) break open

8. I feel so guilty because he spoke about killing himself, but I never thought that he would go ... … with it.

A) down B) into C) through D) up

9. A burglar ... … my house when I was away on vacation and stole some of my electronic goods.

A) broke into B) broke off C) broke open D) broke up

10. Christmas falls … a Tuesday this year.

A) apart B) down C) on D) to

11. Teachers in Sydney have decided to call a snap strike next week after negotiations with the State Government over a ten percent pay increase ... … early this morning.

A) broke into B) broke down C) broke open D) broke up

12. Allowing people to smoke in her house goes ... … her principles.

A) in B) against C) with D) along with

13. A rebel Labour Party MP recently decided to ... … from his party and become an independent member for his electorate.

A) break off B) break away C) break out D) break up

14. It looks to me that demand is likely to fall … … in the next few months.

A) back on B) down C) off D) to

15. I am always very worried that my car will ... … , because it is already twenty years old.

A) break off B) break away C) break out D) break down

16. He was falling … … himself to make her feel at home.

A) back on B) for C) on D) over

17. NASA is currently in the process of working out how to prevent any more of its spaceships from ... … on re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.

A) breaking off B) breaking away C) breaking out D) breaking up

18. I know I promised, but I really can't go ... with it.

A) through B) under C) off D) along

19. You go ... and I'll follow later.

A) with B) to C) ahead D) along

20. The weather brought my cold ... .

A) on B) off C) down D) over

2. Use the following phrasal verbs to complete each sentence. You may have to change the tense.

1. In many countries, dogs are used to … people who are missing in the mountains.