Phrasal Verbs

Question 1

What Are Phrasal Verbs?

Answer 1

A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb like come, go, get, take, put, and look and a particle like to, in, out, from, back, and about. Adding the particle changes the original meaning of the verb.

Question 2

Some phrasal verbs are transitive. This means the verb has an object.

Answer 2

I come from Rome.

In the example, “Rome” is the object of the transitive phrasal verb, “come from”.

Question 3

Some phrasal verbs are intransitive. This means the verb does not have an object.

Answer 3

The taxi broke down on the way to the airport.

This happened to the taxi naturally, without anyone’s action. There is no object. In this example, “broke down” is an intransitive phrasal verb.

Question 4

Nonseparable Phrasal Verbs

Answer 4

In nonseparable phrasal verbs, you cannot separate the verb and the particle.

Correct: They come from Germany
Wrong: They come Germany from

Question 5

Separable Phrasal Verbs

Answer 5

In separable phrasal verbs, you can separate the verb and the particle.

Correct: He gave back the book
Correct: He gave the book back

Question 6

Separable Phrasal Verbs - object as pronoun

Answer 6

If, however, the object is a pronoun like, me, you, her, him, it, us, them, the pronoun must be placed between the verb and the particle.

Correct: She gave it back
Wrong: She gave back it

Question 7

Separable Phrasal Verbs - two objects

Answer 7

Finally, if a separable phrasal verb has two objects, you have to separate the verb.

Correct: He put a table-cloth on the table
Wrong: He put on a table-cloth the table