Page 237 - Advanced English Grammar in Use

a n d t h r e e - w o r d v e r b s : w o r d
T w o -Two- and three-word verbs: word o r d e rorder

Some verbs are commonly used with a particular particle (preposition or adverb). We can
with
used
particular
a
are
verbs
commonly
Some
particle
or
(preposition
adverb).
can
We
call these two-word verbs:
call
verbs:
two-word
these
• ¢ She had to let out her dress because she'd put on weight. (= made it larger)
larger)
had
she'd
put
on
She
her
out
(=
because
dress
to
it
weight.
let
made
• ¢ The company's debts were mounting up. (= increasing)
debts
The
company's
were
(=
increasing)
mounting
up.
• ¢ Tommy's fallen over again. Can you help him up?
you
fallen
help
Can
again.
over
Tommy's
him
up?
A good dictionary will tell you if a particle is a preposition or adverb and explain the meaning ofof
A good dictionary will tell you if a particle is a preposition or adverb and explain the meaning
two- and three-word verbs.
verbs.
three-word
two-
and
Some verbs are commonly used with an adverb + preposition. These are three-word verbs:
Some verbs are commonly used with an adverb + preposition. These are three-word verbs:
• * Do you think he's really likely to go through with his threat? (= do it)
Do
it)
threat?
you
think
he's
(=
with
likely
through
go
to
really
do
his
• ¢ They'd sold out of washing powder at the supermarket. (= it had all been sold)
at
(=
supermarket.
been
the
sold
washing
all
of
had
it
out
powder
They'd
sold)
These two- and three-word verbs are sometimes called 'phrasal' and 'prepositional' verbs. It is
and
'prepositional'
and
are
is
called
verbs
sometimes
These
verbs.
three-word
It
two-
'phrasal'
understand
separate
mean
from
of theirtheir
to
parts.
meaning
what
they
difficult
the
oftenoften difficult to understand what they mean from the meaning of separate parts.
Verb + particle + noun phrase
Verb + particle + noun phrase
With some two-word verbs (verb + preposition), the noun phrase goes after the particle:
1 1 With some two-word verbs (verb + preposition), the noun phrase goes after the particle:
I'm afraid that Simon met with an accident as he was driving home.
• ¢ I'm afraid that Simon met with an accident as he was driving home.
The back door opens onto a small garden.
• ¢ The back door opens onto a small garden.
With other two-word verbs (verb + adverb), a noun phrase usually goes
after the particle
2 2 With other two-word verbs (verb + adverb), a noun phrase usually goes after the particle
unless the noun phrase is a pronoun:
unless the noun phrase is a pronoun:
She followed out the instructions exactly, (rather than ...followed the instructions out...)
I • ¢ She followed out the instructions exactly. (rather than ...followed the instructions out...)
them
them...)
...followed
followed
and
She
out
the
(not
out
@ • «+ She read the instructions and followed them out precisely, (not ...followed out them...)
instructions
read
precisely.
Verb + noun phrase + particle
Verb + noun phrase + particle
few two-word verbs (verb + adverb), a noun phrase is usually placed or must be placed
With
With a a few two-word verbs (verb + adverb), a noun phrase is usually placed or must be placed
before the particle:
before the particle:
I • ¢ She told the children off for stealing her apples, (rather than ...told off the children...)
than
...told
for
stealing
her
(rather
apples.
She
the
off
told
children...)
off
children
the
forget
go
pull
(/tu:/)
to
when
the
to
Don't
(not
you
® • + Don't forget to pull the door to (/tu:/) when you go out. (not ...pull to the door...)
door...)
the
out.
...pull
door
to
Verb + particle + noun phrase or verb + noun phrase + particle
Verb + particle + noun phrase or verb + noun phrase + particle
With some two-word verbs (verb + adverb), a noun phrase can go either before the particle
With some two-word verbs (verb + adverb), a noun phrase can go either before the particle oror
after it. Compare:
it.
after
Compare:
Buying the new car has eaten up all my savings,
or
• ¢ Buying the new car has eaten up all my savings. or
Buying the new car has eaten all my savings up.
• ¢ Buying the new car has eaten al/ my savings up.
However, we use verb + noun phrase + particle when the noun phrase is a pronoun:
a
when
use
phrase
we
+
is
phrase
noun
+
noun
the
However,
pronoun:
particle
verb
Pam had to get rid of her car, and she sold it off at a very low price,
(not
¢
• Pam had to get rid of her car, and she sold it off at a very low price. (not ...sold...sold off it...)
off
it...)
I won't be able to go to the party. You'll have to count me out. (not ...count out me.)
• ¢ • ¢ • ¢ we won't be clean to go the mess party. phrase when the count me than is ...clean the mess ...up.)
...count
out
You'll
the
(not
to
I
able
have
out.
me.)
to
and we prefer verb + particle + noun phrase when the noun phrase is long. Compare:
Compare:
long.
phrase
+
verb
particle
+
noun
noun
and
prefer
Passives => few three-word verbs have the noun phrase immediately after the verb. A second
to
had
She had to clean the kitchen up. (or ...clean up the kitchen.) andand
She
the
kitchen
...clean
kitchen.)
up
the
(or
up.
She had to clean up the mess on the kitchen floor, (rather than ...clean the mess ...up.)
had
(rather
to
the
up
on
clean
She
kitchenfloor.
Verb + adverb + preposition + noun phrase
Verb + adverb + preposition + noun phrase
With most three-word verbs, the noun phrase goes
after the preposition:
1 1 With most three-word verbs, the noun phrase goes after the preposition:
The government is to cut back on spending on the armed forces.
• ¢ The government is to cut back on spending on the armed forces.
He really looks up to his older brother.
• ¢ He really looks up to his older brother.
However, a
2 2 However, a few three-word verbs have the noun phrase immediately after the verb. A second
after the preposition:
noun phrase will go
noun phrase will go after the preposition:
I helped Lucy on with her coat. (= helped her to put it on)
• ¢ [helped Lucy on with her coat. (= helped her to put it on)
She tried to talk me out of the plan. (= persuade me not to do it)
• ¢ She tried to talk me out of the plan. (= persuade me not to do it)
Passives => I
Preposiiions (1), (2)and
Prepositions after verbs (1), (2) and (3) (3) =>
after
verbs