Phrasal Verbs

English Dept; Intermediate A; Dr. N. Nakhla

 Outline
1. Definition of Phrasal Verbs
– 2 verbs
– 3 verbs

2. Types of Phrasal Verbs

– Separable
– Non-separable

3. Double Meaning Phrasal Verbs

English Dept; Intermediate A; Dr. N. Nakhla

 1. Definition of Phrasal Verbs

• Phrasal verbs are basic verbs which can

combine with different propositions or
particles to make verbs with completely
new - and often un-guessable - meanings.

• Phrasal verbs are used more in speaking

than in writing. They are specially common
in informal English.

English Dept; Intermediate A; Dr. N. Nakhla

 Definition of Phrasal Verbs
• The term “Phrasal Verb” refers to:
A verb + A preposition

Ex: Put off = means Postpone

The manager put off the meeting for next
week

Ex: Go over = means Review

You need to go over your notes before the
exam
English Dept; Intermediate A; Dr. N. Nakhla
 Definition of Phrasal Verbs
• Phrasal Verb consists of 3 verbs

Ex: Put up with = means tolerate

I cannot put with my noisy neighbor.

Ex: Make up for = means compensate for

The superb food at the hotel made up for the
uncomfortable rooms

English Dept; Intermediate A; Dr. N. Nakhla

 2. Types of Phrasal Verbs
• A Phrasal Verb maybe either

– Separable

– Non-Separable

English Dept; Intermediate A; Dr. N. Nakhla

 Separable Phrasal Verbs
• Separable: with a separable phrasal verb a
noun may come either between the verb &
the preposition or after the preposition:

Ex: Handed in

- I handed my paper in yesterday.

- I handed in my paper yesterday.

English Dept; Intermediate A; Dr. N. Nakhla

 Separable Phrasal Verbs
• A noun comes between a noun and a
preposition if the phrasal verb in Separable:

Ex: Handed in

I handed it in yesterday.

English Dept; Intermediate A; Dr. N. Nakhla

Non-Separable Phrasal Verbs
• With a non separable phrasal verb, a noun
or a pronoun must follow the preposition:

Ex: Ran Into

- I ran into an old friend yesterday.

- I ran into her yesterday.

English Dept; Intermediate A; Dr. N. Nakhla

Non-Separable Phrasal Verbs
Ex: Take after

- The girl took after her mother (resembles).

Ex: Do without

- You will have to do without a holiday this

year as money is short (manage without).

English Dept; Intermediate A; Dr. N. Nakhla

 3. Double - Meanings of Phrasal
Verbs
• Some phrasal verbs have a number of
different meanings.

Ex: Do up
Can mean “Fasten” and/ or “ Renovate”

Ex: Make out

Can mean “ Claim”, “ Understand” &/or
“Manage to see”
English Dept; Intermediate A; Dr. N. Nakhla
 Double - Meanings of Phrasal
Verbs
Ex: Make up
Can mean “ Compose” and/or “Invent”

Ex: Get back

Can mean “ Return from a place”, “ Receive
again” and/or

Ex: Get out of

Can mean “ Leave”, “ Avoid” and/or

English Dept; Intermediate A; Dr. N. Nakhla

 Double - Meanings of Phrasal
Verbs
Ex: Pass out
Can mean “ Distribute” and/or “ Loose
consciousness”

Ex: Pick up
Can mean “ Go to get someone” and/or
“Take in one’s hand”

English Dept; Intermediate A; Dr. N. Nakhla

 Exercises

English Dept; Intermediate A; Dr. N. Nakhla