By: Matthew Shaw Multiword Verbs

The English language has a large variety of multiword verbs. Definition: Multiword verbs consist of a combination of a verb and one or two other elements

Types of Multiword Verbs Phrasal Verbs Prepositional Verbs Phrasal Prepositional Verbs

Phrasal Verbs Verbs that are made up of verb and a following particle Particle = preposition or adverb (Do not function as a preposition or adverb) Ex. set up, handed in, give up Daniela handed in her homework early.

The meanings of phrasal verbs cannot be predicted from the meanings of its individual elements Ex. rule out Meaning of rule + meaning of out Together these two words create one verb with one meaning

Phrasal Verb Types Transitive Phrasal Verbs Separable Inseparable Permanently Separated Intransitive Phrasal Verbs Pure Ergative

Separable Transitive PV Its parts may be separated by an object Ex. looked up Maggie looked up the address. Maggie looked the address up. Seen above is use of the particle movement rule

Particle Movement Rule As long as the direct object of a separable phrasal verb is not a pronoun, the particle movement rule is optional Pronouns: him, her, it, them, this/that, these/those Ex. John looked up the telephone number. John looked it up. *John looked up it.

Inseparable Transitive PV These verbs do not permit the particle to move over the direct object even if it is a pronoun Ex. pick on Don’t pick on my brother. Don’t pick on him. *Don’t pick him on.

Permanently Separated Transitive PV These verbs require that the direct object occur between the verb and the particle Ex. let off The judge let the thief off with a light sentence. The judge let him off with a light sentence. *The judge let off the thief with a light sentence.

Pure Intransitive PV These verbs usually cannot be separated from the following particle by an adverb Ex. took off The plane took off quickly and climbed to cruising altitude. *The plane took quickly off and climbed to cruising altitude.

Ergative PV These verbs describe an action that is experienced by the subject Ex. die down, taper off After about an hour, the storm began to die down At the end of December, sales of consumer goods usually taper off.

Prepositional Verbs Verbs that consist of a verb and a following prepositional phrase Ex. applied for He applied for the job. *He applied the job for.

Phrasal Prepositional Verbs Verbs that consist of a verb and the first element, a preposition, followed by a prepositional phrase Ex. put up with, looks up to I guess I will have to put up with his bad behavior. Joan really looks up to her father. *Joan really looks up her father.