INSEPARABLE PHRASAL VERBS

INSEPARABLE PHRASAL VERBS

1. Phrasal verbs consist of a verb and one or more prepositions. They are often used, especially in informal spoken English. The meaning of phrasal verbs is often completely different from the meaning of the verb alone.

2. 1.

   • Some phrasal verbs never use an object.
     • get up
       • get out of bed
         • I get up at seven o’clock every morning.
     • take off
       • leave the ground
         • The plane took off on time.
     • make up
       • become friends again after an argument
         • The kids often fight but they always make up afterwards.
     • look out
       • beware! be careful!
         • Look out! That car is going to hit you!
     • break down
       • stop working (for vehicles)
         • Our car broke down on the way home from Scotland.
     • get on
       • be good friends
         • My dad and my brother don’t get on.

3. 2.

   • Some phrasal verbs need an object.
     • get on / off
       • something = exit transport
         • Get off the bus at the next stop.
     • look after someone
       • something = take care of someone / something
         • Please can you look after our cats while we’re on holiday?
     • get to
       • arrive at
         • When you get to the end of the street, turn right.
     • see to
       • something do, arrange, prepare, organise
         • Don’t worry about dinner. I’ll see to it.
     • look into
       • something = investigate
         • There has been a burglary at the school. Police are looking into it.

4. 3.

   • Some phrasal verbs contain three words and an object.
     • look up to someone
       • respect someone
         • I look up to my teachers.
     • put up with something
       • tolerate
         • I can’t put up with that noise any longer!
     • look forward to something
       • be excited about (a future event)
         • I’m looking forward to the party.
     • get on with something
       • continue doing something
         • Please be quiet and get on with your work.
     • get on with someone
       • be good friends with someone
         • I don’t get on with Karen.

5. Separable phrasal verbs

   • Separable phrasal verbs consist of two parts. They always require an object. They are often used, especially in informal spoken English. The meaning of phrasal verbs is often completely different from the meaning of the verb alone.
     • 1.
       • The object of a phrasal verb can go either between the verb and the preposition or after the preposition.
         • I handed in my homework.
         • I handed my homework in.
     • 2.
       • If the object of the sentence is a pronoun, it must go between the two parts of the phrasal verb.