Phrasal Verbs

1. Phrasal Verbs

2. Definition : The term phrasal verb is commonly applied to two or three distinct but related constructions in English: a verb and a particle and/or a preposition co-occur forming a single semantic unit. This semantic unit cannot be understood based upon the meanings of the individual parts in isolation, but rather it must be taken as a whole.

3. Some notes on terminology The terminology of phrasal verbs is inconsistent. Modern theories of syntax tend to use the term phrasal verb to denote particle verbs only; they do not view prepositional verbs as phrasal verbs. The EFL/ESL literature (English as a foreign or second language), in contrast, tends to employ the term phrasal verb to encompass both prepositional and particle verbs. The terminology used to denote the particle is also inconsistent. Sometimes it is called an adverb, and at other times an intransitive prepositional phrase. The inconsistent use of terminology in these areas is a source of confusion about what does and does not qualify as a phrasal verb and about the status of the particle or a preposition.

4. A diagnostic When a particle phrasal verb is transitive, it can look just like a prepositional phrasal verb. This similarity is another source of confusion, since it obscures the difference between prepositional and particle phrasal verbs. A simple diagnostic distinguishes between the two, however. When the object of a particle verb is a definite pronoun, it can and usually does precede the particle. In contrast, the object of a preposition can never precede the preposition: a. He is getting over the situation. – over is a preposition. b. *He is getting it over. – The object of a preposition cannot precede the preposition. a. He is thinking over the situation. – over is a particle. b. He is thinking it over. – The object of the particle verb can precede the particle.

5. Shifting A confusing aspect of phrasal verbs concerns the distinction between prepositional phrasal verbs and particle phrasal verbs that are transitive, as discussed and illustrated above. Particle phrasal verbs that are transitive allow some variability in word order depending on the relative weight of the constituents involved. Shifting often occurs when the object is very light, e.g. a. Mary made up a really entertaining story. – Canonical word order b. Mary made it up. – Shifting occurs because the definite pronoun it is very light. c. ??Mary made a really entertaining story up. – Shifting is unlikely unless it is sufficiently motivated by the weight of the constituents involved

6. Shifting :continue .. Shifting occurs between two (or more) sister constituents that appear on the same side of their head. The lighter constituent shifts leftward and the heavier constituent shifts rightward, and this happens in order to accommodate the relative weight of the two. Dependency grammar trees are again used to illustrate the point:

7. Origin of phrasal verbs Prepositions and adverbs can have a literal meaning which is spatial or "orientational", and then, as happens with all words, metaphorical meanings develop that are systematic extensions from the original core meaning. Many verbs in English can interact with an adverb or a preposition, and the verb + preposition/adverb complex is readily understood when used in its literal sense. He walked across the square. She opened the shutters and looked outside. When he heard the crash, he looked up.

8. Examples : One can discern at least three main types of phrasal verb constructions depending upon whether the verb combines with a preposition, a particle, or both. The words constituting the phrasal verb constructions in the following examples are in bold: Verb + preposition (prepositional phrasal verbs) a. Who is lookingafter the kids? – after is a preposition that introduces the prepositional phrase after the kids. b. They pick on Joseph. – on is a preposition that introduces the prepositional phrase on Joseph. c. I ran into an old friend. – into is a preposition that introduces the prepositional phrase into an old friend. d. She takes after her mother. – after is a preposition that introduces the prepositional phrase after her mother.

9. Examples :continue .. Verb + particle (particle phrasal verbs) a. You should think it over. – over is a particle, not a preposition. b. Where do they want to hang out? – out is a particle, not a preposition. c. Why does he always dress down? – down is a particle, not a preposition. d. You should not give in so quickly. – in is a particle, not a preposition. Verb + particle + preposition (particle-prepositional phrasal verbs) a. Who can put up with that? – up is a particle and with is a preposition. b. She is looking forward to a rest. – forward is a particle and to is a preposition. c. We loaded up on Mountain Dew and chips. – up is a particle and on is a preposition

10. Summary : This presentation talks about “phrasal verbs” , the definition and about some notes of terminology as well. It talks about the diagnostic and what makes confusional. And it talks about the “shifting” and how it occurs. It also talk about the origin of phrasal verbs, and finally the examples of phrasal verbs in multiple ways.