English Grammar: Multi-word verbs

English Grammar: Multi-word verbs. English learners hate PHRASAL VERBS but English speakers love them! So, there is no avoiding them. This post takes a look at how to use multi-word verbs, which include four types.

Multi-word verbs

Multi-word verbs are verbs that are followed by particles and/or prepositions. Although they are commonly all referred to as phrasal verbs, it is important to know the difference so as to know how to use them.

TRANSITIVE PHRASAL VERBS

Transitive Phrasal Verbs are the only type of multi-word verbs that can be separated as seen on the left.
Throw away
- Throw is the verb
- away is the particle
They need to be followed by an object.
- I pick up my son at 4 o’clock.
- I picked my son up at 4 o-clock.

NOTE

When the object of the transitive phrasal verb is a pronoun, the particle MUST come after the object.
- I picked him up already.
- I looked it up on the internet.
The verb and particle are not usually separated when the object of the transitive verb is a long noun phrase.
- She needs to pick up his favorite chocolate cake from the store.
- I have to look up some important dates for history class.
We do not usually separate the verb and participle when the transitive phrasal verb is part of a relative clause.
- We can wrap the present with the paper I picked up today.
- The money I paid back was for the school trip.
When the verb is modified by an adverb, it can come either at the end of the clause or before the verb
- He paid his mortgage off immediately.
- He immediately paid off his mortgage.

INTRANSITIVE PHRASAL VERBS

Intransitive Phrasal Verbs consist of a verb and a particle
Broke down
- broke is the verb
- down is the particle
They CANNOT be separated.
- The plane will take off on time.
- They are always eating out.

NOTE

Some phrasal verbs have more than one meaning. Some may be transitive and others intransitive

TAKE OFF is intransitive when it means to leave.
- The plane will take off on time.
- What time are you planning on taking off?
TAKE OFF is transitive when it means to remove.
- You can take your jacket off once we are on the plane.
- Don’t take the sticker off.

PASS OUT is intransitive when it means to lose consciousness
- Julie passed out at lunch this afternoon.
- It is kind of scary when someone passes out.
PASS OUT is transitive when it means to give something to someone
- The teacher always passes the exams out as soon as we get there.
- Can you help me pass these pamphlets out after work today?

PREPOSITIONAL VERBS

Prepositional Verbs are always followed by a preposition
go over
- go is the verb
- over is the preposition
They are transitive so they need to be followed by an object
Unlike transitive verbs, You CANNOT separate them.
- Someone broke into the bank!
- How are you dealing with this loss?

NOTE

Some examples of prepositions are:
- into
- with
- on
- over
- of
- after
When a prepositional verb is modified by an adverb, it must go (1) at the end of the sentence or (2) before the preposition. It cannot go after the preposition.
- 1. He’s coping with the loss of his mother really well.
- 2. He’s coping really well with the loss of his mother.
- ~~He’s coping with really well the loss of his mother.~~

PHRASAL-PREPOSITIONAL VERBS

Phrasal-Prepositional Verbs are followed by a particle and then a preposition.
Came up with
- came is the verb
- up is the particle
- with is the preposition
The particle and the preposition must always stay together

NOTE

Other examples of Prepositional-Phrasal Verbs:

do away with
- Emma did away with all the old toys she used to play with.
get away with
- She’s always getting away with everything because she’s the youngest.
look down on
- I think it is ridiculous to look down on someone for having an accent.