Что такое two word verbs

Phrasal verbs in English are verbs that consist of two or sometimes three words, such as check in or come up with.

These expressions always begin with a verb, but also include a preposition, an adverb, or both.  Although phrasal verbs have at least two words, their meanings are usually different from the meanings of each individual word in the expression.  Since English uses a lot of phrasal verbs, it is important to understand as many of them as possible.

Today I give you examples of three types of phrasal verbs: separable, inseparable, and common English phrasal verbs in families At the end there will be a sheet you can download to give you more practice with phrasal verbs.

Here is the video lesson I taught on phrasal verbs in English:

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Some phrasal verbs in English are separable.

In phrasal verbs that are separable, you can separate the verb and the the preposition or adverb (also called the particle), and it still makes sense. All separable phrasal verbs are transitive, which means they take a direct object. In a separable phrasal verb, the direct object may be placed between the verb and the preposition or adverb. However, you can also keep the entire expression together. Both ways are correct. Separable phrasal verbs can be used in any tense. Here are some examples.

To call off    –This means to cancel.

Everyone is sick, so we need to call off the committee meeting. In this case, call off is together.

Everyone was sick, so we  called the committee meeting off. Here, the committee meeting, the direct object, is between called and off.

To pick up  –This means to go somewhere and get someone.

I have to pick up my son from school. Pick up  is together.

I have to pick my son up from school. My son is a direct object. It is between pick and up.

Some phrasal verbs in English are inseparable. Verbs that don’t take a direct object are always inseparable. However, some phrasal verbs that do take a direct object are inseparable, as well.

When phrasal verbs are inseparable, it means that the verb and the preposition or adverb must stay together. If we separate them, the meaning doesn’t make sense. Inseparable phrasal verbs may or may not have a direct object. They can, like separable phrasal verbs, be in any tense.Here are some examples of inseparable phrasal verbs.

To go over  — to review.

The teacher went over the chapter to prepare us for the test. You cannot say,”The teacher went the chapter over.” If you said that, it would be incorrect and many people would not understand you.

To cut down on  — to use less of something.

I need to cut down on sugar because I have too many cavities in my teeth.

To chip in  –to help

Everyone needs to chip in so we can get this mess cleaned up. There is no direct object here.

Now that you know about separable and inseparable phrasal verbs, you may wonder,” How do I know if a phrasal verb with a direct object is separable or inseparable?” Unfortunately, there are no rules to guide you. Native speakers, of course, simply know.  Others, however, have to learn them, verb by verb. If you are not sure, look the phrasal verb up in a good online or paper dictionary, and then you will know.

Some phrasal verbs come in families. Even though they are in the same family, however, these verbs may have many different meaning from each other, and some may have more than one meaning. Below I talk about three common phrasal verb families. I give you the phrasal verb, the meaning or meanings, example sentences, and I tell you whether it is separable or inseparable.

The give family

The go family

The put family

• To put off (separable)–(1) to delay doing something, or (2) to have a bad impression of someone or something
  • I am putting off doing my homework. (or I am putting doing my homework off.)
  • His bad attitude put me off. (or I felt put off by his bad attitude).

• To put on (separable)–(1) to wear, or (2) to produce a show,  (3) to trick someone
  • Put your boots on. (or Put on your boots.)
  • They are putting on a great concert at the Pepsi Center. (or They are putting a concert on.)
  • You didn’t win the lottery! You’re putting me on!  When we use put on to mean trick, we always separate the verb and the particle.

• To put out (separable)–(1) to get rid of a fire, or (2) to publish something, or (3) to inconvenience someone.
  • The fire fighters put out the fire.  (or They put the fire out.)
  • The Denver Post puts out a newspaper every day (or They put a newspaper out.)
  • Would it put you out if I stayed for dinner? ( or Would you be put out if I stayed for dinner?)

• To put up with (inseparable)–to tolerate something unpleasant.
  • I can’t put up with my nephew’s terrible behavior.

You now know the phrasal verbs are very important parts of English. You know know that these verbs consist of two or three words and may be separable or inseparable. The download contains a list of many common phrasal verbs, their meanings, and whether they are separable of inseparable.

You can download the practice sheet NOW!

Idioms of the Day

1. 1. To think twice  –to think very carefully before making a decision. I would think twice about driving too fast in this neighborhood. There are policemen everywhere.
   2. To roll with the punches  –to survive and do well, even though things have been hard for you. My friend’s father died when he was small, his mother was often sick, and last month he lost his job. But he always rolls with the punches and never gives up.