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| 7-I) Phrasal verbs (Englishbox) |
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UNIT 7 lesson I |
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Before reading this video, read the explanations to understand what a phrasal verb is. Then watch this video and try to understand the phrasal verbs they use here.
PHRASAL VERBS
A phrasal verb is a verb followed by a particle (an adverb or a preposition). The particle changes the meaning of the verb, sometimes a little, sometimes a lot:
- look + for = look for = search
- calm down = relax
- blow off = explode
- get away = escape
- give up = stop doing something
- get up = rise from bed
- turn on = connect an electrical thing
Phrasals can be intransitive (they have no object), transitive (they have an object) or prepositional (they have a preposition introducing a prepositional phrase). The structure of the sentence is different:
INTRANSITIVE PHRASAL VERBS
- I get up at 9:00
- Please, calm down!
TRANSITIVE VERBS
The object may be after the verb or after the particle, but when we use a pronoun, it's always between the verb and the particle:
- turn on the lights when you leave the house
We can say 
turn on the lights = turn the lights on
But we have to say turn them on
PREPOSITIONAL VERBS
The preposition is part of the verb (because it changes its meaning), but it's also part of the prepositional phrase, so we can't move the preposition, the order is always VERB + PREPOSITION + PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE:
- I'm looking for Susan
- I'm looking for her
(you can't say: I'm looking Susan for OR I'm looking her off)
Now, the $1000 question: How do I know if a phrasal verb is transitive or prepositional? Pay attention
Sorry, there are no rules, you have to pay attention.
1- Phrasal verbs: introduction (slideshow)
2- Phrasal verbs: examples (slideshow)
3- Phrasal verbs: more examples (slideshow)
4- Phrasal verbs: and yet more examples (slideshow)
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