multi-word verbs (phrasal verbs, etc.)

I will give here a brief overview of what multi-word verbs are. I will write a list of verbs on a separate page. If you want to have a copy of this list, please contact me, as I think you cannot copy it directly from the blog.



1) Prepositional Verbs

This is a verb + preposition + object  (inseparable)

examples:  to look after, to care for, to believe in  list of verbs

"He's caring for his elderly mother."



2) Intransitive Phrasal Verbs

This is a verb + preposition (inseparable, no object)

examples: to grow up, to hurry up, to go away list of verbs

"We're going away".

What is interesting is that these verbs are often translated by Pronominal Verbs in French:

to hurry up = se depêcher



3) Transitive Phrasal Verbs

This a verb + preposition / particle + object  (separable)

examples: to ring up, to switch off, to look up   list of verbs

"I'll look up this word"
"I'll look this word up."
"I'll look it up."



4) Phrasal verbs + Preposition

This is a phrasal verb + a preposition + object (inseparable)

examples: to run out of, to put up with, to keep away from

"We've run out of milk." list of verbs

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Some of the phrasal verbs have latin-based (or French-based) synonyms. Example: to go on = to continue.

Here you will find a list of some of these phrasal verbs and their more formal synonyms.