Prepositions / Phrasal Verbs

Prepositions A preposition is a small word (usually six letters or less) that is used to show the relationship between nouns in a sentence. – The squirrel is in the tree. (“in” shows the relationship of the squirrel to the tree, in this case the location of the squirrel.) – The meeting is on Friday. (“on” shows the relationship of the meeting to the day of the week, in this case the time of the meeting.)

Prepositions show relationships of – Time: They are going to Italy in June. – Location: I am waiting at the bus stop. – Direction: She is going to the bank. – Position: Her purse is under the table. For explanations of the most common prepositions please see: up/grammar/prepositions up/grammar/prepositions

Prepositions used in combinations There are some verbs that take a preposition after them. – Please forgive me for crashing your car! There are some adjectives that take a preposition before them. – I’m finished with this computer. You can use it now. There are no rules for these situations. They need to be memorized.

Phrasal Verbs Phrasal verbs are a combination of a verb and a particle that together have a special meaning. The particle can be a preposition (e.g. in) or an adverb (e.g. away) In this lesson, we will be focusing on particles that also serve as prepositions. The meanings of phrasal verbs are not literal (and sometimes not logical). They must be memorized. PUT (verb)+ OFF (particle) = to postpone “We will have to put off the meeting until everyone can attend.”

Phrasal verbs and academic writing It is common to use other synonyms instead of phrasal verbs in academic writing. E.g. – They threw out the flawed results. – They discarded the flawed results. However, phrasal verbs may be used when paraphrasing or explaining. – When asked what person they most looked up to, many of the teens were evasive.

Separable Phrasal Verbs Some phrasal verbs can be separated by a noun or a pronoun. – I figured out the answer. (verb + particle + noun) – I figured it out. (verb + pronoun + particle) If a phrasal verb is separable it can only be followed by a noun. It CANNOT be followed by a pronoun. – I figured out the answer. NOT – I figured out it.

Nonseparable Phrasal Verbs Some phrasal verbs can NOT be separated by a noun or a pronoun. A noun or pronoun will always follow these kinds of phrasal verbs. – I ran into Ryan at the gym. – I ran Ryan into at the gym. NOT POSSIBLE

Three Word Phrasal Verbs Some phrasal verbs use three words and must be used together. – run out of: to finish a supply of something. “I’m so sorry! We ran out of toilet paper!” Three word phrasal verbs are always followed by an object and are non-separable. – ran out of (phrasal verb) + toilet paper (object)