Phrasal Verbs

TO THE STUDENT

Phrasal verbs are combinations of ordinary verbs like put, take, come, and go and particles like in, out, on, and off. They are a very important part of everyday English. Every student of English needs a basic understanding of the most com­mon phrasal verbs and also of common nouns and adjectives made from phrasal verbs.
Most phrasal verbs are nor informal, slang, or improper for educated speech or formal writing. Exactly the opposite is true — most phrasal verbs are accept­able at all levels of spoken or written English. In fact, for many of the phrasal verbs in this textbook, there is no alternative to the phrasal verb — there is no other way to say it.

Some phrasal verbs are very easy to understand. For example, it is not diffi­cult to understand sit down or come in because their meanings are obvious. But many phrasal verbs are very idiomatic. Idiomatic means that there is no way to know what the verb and particle mean together by knowing what the verb and particle mean separately. For example, every beginning-level student learns what the words call, run, off, and out mean, but that does not help the student to know that call off means cancel or that run out means use all of something.


1. FOCUS ON: separable and nonseparable phrasal verbs
Phrasal verbs are either separable or nonseparable. Unfortunately, there is no rule that will help you to look at a phrasal verb and always know whether it is separable or nonseparable.
Separable phrasal verbs
Separable phrasal verbs can be separated by their object. When the object is a noun, it is usually entirely optional whether the object is placed between the verb and the particle or placed after the particle. Both sentences below are correct:
I took my shoes off.
I took off my shoes.
However, when a pronoun is used instead of a noun, the pronoun must be placed between the verb and the particle:
I took them off.
I took off them.
But in one type of sentence, separable phrasal verbs must be separated — when the phrasal verb has two objects:
She put a blanket on. She put on a blanket.
She put a blanket on the bed. She put on a blanket the bed.
Nonseparable phrasal verbs
Nonseparable phrasal verbs cannot be separated by their object:
He ran into a tree. He ran a tree into.
Throughout this book, phrasal verbs that can be separated have three dots (...) between the verb and the particle.
Infinitive_____________________________________________
present tense -ing form past tense past participle
come from
come from & comes from coming from came from come from
1. come from p.v. When you come from a place, you were born there or lived there previously. When you come from a family or a social situation, your past experience helps to explain your present attitudes and behavior.
Mike comes from Alaska, so he's used to cold weather.
Jane had a difficult childhood. She came from a broken home.

1
2. come from p.v. When something comes from a source, that is where it originated.
The word "admiral" comes from an Arabic word. The mechanic heard a strange sound coming from the engine.
Infinitive


present tense -ing form past tense past participle

figure out





figure out & figures out figuring out figured out figured out

1. figure ... out p.v. [the object can be a noun or a noun clause] When you figure out something, such as the answer to a question, the solution to a problem, or why a person is a certain way or acts a certain way, you think about and succeed in under­standing it.
Joe's so hostile all the time. I can't figure him out. I looked everywhere for my keys, but I couldn't figure out where I put them.
give back

give back & gives back giving back gave back given back

1. give ... back (to) p.v. When you return something to someone, you give it back.
Can I use your pen? I'll give it back after the test.
Timmy, give that toy back to your sister right now!
look for


look for & looks for looking for looked for looked for

1. look for p.v. When you look for things or people, you try to find them.
/ looked for you at the party, but I didn't see you. Excuse me, can you help me? I'm looking for 303 Main St.
put on

put on & puts on putting on put on put on

1. put... on p.v. When you place something on or apply something to your body, you put it on.

I put on my new dress before going to the party. Eric forgot to put suntan lotion on, and now he's as red as a lobster.
2. put... on p.v. When you place something on or apply something to another surface, you put it on.

I put the book on the table.

Jerry put too much fertilizer on his lawn , and now he has to cut it twice a week.
3. put... on p.v. When you attach or affix something to another thing, you put it on.
The Wilson’s put a new roof on their house last year.
I told the tailor to put red buttons on the dress he's making for me.
4. put... on p.v. When you put on weight, you gain weight.