Phrasal Verbs

 Definition

A phrasal verb is a verb followed by a

preposition or an adverb; the combination
creates a meaning different from the original
verb alone.
- often have more than one meaning

verb + preposition
+ adverb
 when we use the same verb with a different
particle, the meaning changes
BUT
some phrasal verbs can have more than one
meaning:
take off = leave
My plane takes off in 5 minutes
take off = remove (usually clothing)
Take off your shoes and come in the lake!
 Kinds of Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal
Verbs

Transitive Intransitive

Separable Must be
Separated
Inseparable

Three-word
Verb
Separable Phrasal Verbs
the verb and the particle
can be separated
 noun between the verb
and the particle
Tom put his coat on.
 pronoun between the
verb and the particle
Tom put it on.
 we can separate the verb
and the particle when the
object consists of just a
few words
Mr. Wilson called his
appointment off.
Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
 the verb and the particle
can’t be separated
we cannot separate the
verb and the particle
when the object is longer
than four words
Mr. Wilson called off his
appointment with Dr.
Smith.