The category 'phrasal verb' is mainly used in English as a second language teaching. 5 Similar constructions in other languages.

1.3 Verb + particle + preposition (particle-prepositional verbs).

1.2 Verb + preposition (prepositional verbs).

I came some old photos across in a drawer.

I came across some old photos in a drawer.

Some phrasal verbs are always inseparable. If the object is a pronoun, however, the preposition/adverb has to be placed after the pronoun (object).ģ.

Mary made up a really entertaining story.Ģ.

Sometimes, the preposition/adverb is placed either after the verb or after the object. It means to let someone stay in your house. It has, however, an idiomatic/figurative meaning. The phrasal verb 'put up' here does not mean to build (as in putting a fence up). Phrasal verbs can also have a figurative or idiomatic meaning which makes them difficult to understand.

She was walking across the street when she heard the sound of an explosion.

She opened the door and looked outside.Some phrasal verbs have a literal meaning. Before looking them up in a dictionary, it would be helpful to use the context to understand them. Sometimes, it is difficult to understand the meaning of phrasal verbs. So she looked it up in her dictionary The meaning of phrasal verbs look up to try to find a piece of information by looking in a book or on a computer: She didn't understand the word. look forward to await eagerly/anticipate with pleasure She is looking forward to visiting Paris. Here are some examples: Phrasal verb Meaning Example look for search/seek He is looking for his keys look up to have a great deal of respect for a person His father is his model. When added to the verb the preposition or adverb may change completely the meaning of the verb. Sometimes phrasal verbs consist of three elements: Verb Preposition / adverb 1 Preposition / adverb 2 look forward to put up with sit in for Phrasal verbs consist of a verb and a preposition or an adverb: Verb Preposition/adverb get up go through write down take after Examples of such verbs include: turn down, come across and run into. They are generally used in spoken English and informal texts. Phrasal verbs are phrases that indicate actions.

Phrasal verbs list with examples