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Defining Phrasal Verbs
Defining Phrasal Verbs
A phrasal verb is the combination of a verb with one or more prepositions or adverbs. The resulting set of words operates as a unit with a meaning different from the literal meanings of its individual parts. For example, the phrasal verb "look up" has the words "look" and "up". “Look” and “up” have their own meanings, but when combined into the phrasal verb "look up," it means to search for information, rather than to direct one's eyesight upward.
Verb + Preposition or Adverb = Phrasal Verb
Verb + Preposition or Adverb = Phrasal Verb
Avoiding Phrasal Verbs
Avoiding Phrasal Verbs
Understanding the reasons to avoid phrasal verbs can be challenging, especially given their widespread use. Although phrasal verbs are common in colloquial English, phrasal verbs do not belong in formal academic writing because phrasal verbs do not adequately communicate just one idea. An effective sentence in scientific writing is unlikely to be misinterpreted. When a phrasal verb is used, the original meaning of the verb used is altered. For example, consider the phrasal verb “get back”. As a phrasal verb, this can mean to return from a location. However, the original meaning of the verb “get” is to have or acquire something. Since these two meanings differ from each other, the reader. The same phrasal verbs can have different meanings in different contexts, which can result in ambiguity in a sentence. Consider the same phrasal verb, “get back”. While this phrasal verb can mean to return from a location, “get back” can also mean to retaliate or seek revenge.
In scientific writing, there should be as little room for interpretation as possible. Phrasal verbs, as a structural phenomenon, are specific to the English language, and cannot directly translate. Those who have learned English as a second language often struggle with deciphering the meaning of phrasal verbs. Information conveyed using phrasal verbs becomes inaccessible for those who are not familiar with English colloquialisms. The use of a phrasal verb in scientific contexts can restrict people's ability to interpret content correctly and should be avoided in formal academic contexts.
Identifying Phrasal Verbs
Identifying Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs are commonly used in everyday speech and informal writing, so identifying them can be challenging. However, there are tools and characteristics of phrasal verbs that can assist in recognizing them in writing.
Tips to Help Identify Phrasal Verbs:
Pay attention to the order of the word types.
Phrasal verbs usually have a preposition or adverb that follows the main verb.
Example: Look up
The main verb is look which precedes the preposition up.
Example: Find out
The main verb is find which precedes the preposition out.
2. Pay attention to the meaning of the individual words.
In the context of the sentence, phrasal verbs often mean something different than if the words were on their own.
Example: Take off
Take off as a phrasal verb means to depart.
Take, alone, means to get into one's hands or one's possession, power, or control.
Off, alone, means from a place or position
Examples With Tips (all definitions are from Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary):
“Get up”
Tip 1
The verb in this case is get.
The preposition or adverb in this case is up.
Tip 2
Get up: rise or increase
Get: to gain possession of
Up: in or into a higher position or level
“Brought about”
Tip 1
The verb in this case is brought.
The preposition or adverb in this case is about.
Tip 2
Brought about: caused
Brought: to convey, lead, carry, or cause to come along with one toward the place from which the action is being regarded
About: reasonably close to
“Cut out”
Tip 1
The verb in this case is cut.
The preposition or adverb in this case is out.
Tip 2
Cut out: remove
Cut: to penetrate with or as if with an edged instrument
Out: in a direction away from the inside or center
Types of Phrasal Verbs
Types of Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs can be categorized in two ways: Transitive vs. Intransitive and Separable vs. Inseparable. Understanding these categories, and how they are affiliated with the phrasal verb, will inform the writer of the best way to correct that phrasal verb usage.
Type of Phrasal Verb
Type of Phrasal Verb
Examples
Examples
Corrected Examples
Corrected Examples
Transitive
A Transitive Phrasal Verb utilizes a direct object.
“First, turn on the computer.”
“The researchers have been looking for evidence to support their claims.”
“First, activate the computer.”
“The researchers have been investigating evidence to support their claims.”
Intransitive
An Intransitive Phrasal Verb does not utilize a direct object.
“As a result, the bacteria broke down.”
“The required equipment for the experiment was sold out.”
“As a result, the bacteria decomposed.”
“The required equipment for the experiment was depleted.”
Separable
A Separable Phrasal Verb has a particle and base verb pair that can be separated. IMPORTANT: All Separable Phrasal Verbs are ALSO Transitive, as there would be no object to separate.
“The doctor began by picking up the forceps,” and
“The doctor began by picking the forceps up.”
“The researchers checked out the factory,”
and
“The researchers checked the factory out.”
“The doctor began by acquiring the forceps.”
“The researchers examined the factory.”
Inseparable
An Inseparable Phrasal Verb has a particle and base verb pair that cannot be separated. IMPORTANT: All Intransitive Phrasal Verbs are Inseparable, as there is no object to separate from the verb.
“The study carried on regardless,”
not
“The study carried regardless on.”
“The samples were looked after by the scientist,”
not
“The samples were looked by the scientist after.”
“The study continued regardless.”
“The samples were observed by the scientist.”
Context Matters
Context can change whether a phrasal verb is separable or inseparable. For example in the phrasal verb, “Take Off.”
Separable: “Take off the bandages,” and “Take the bandages off.”
Inseparable: "The aircraft is about to take off."
What Verbs To Use Instead
What Verbs To Use Instead
Avoiding phrasal verbs is difficult in writing. Although using a phrasal verb may seem like the best way to convey a message at times, there is often a better verb to use, known as a single-word verb. Here is a link to a spreadsheet displaying 75 common phrasal verbs according to Grammarly. In the second column are four examples of single-word verbs that are alternative options to the corresponding phrasal verb. The third column contains sentence examples to identify that phrasal verb within a sentence. This chart is a tool to easily check writing for common phrasal verbs and provides stronger alternatives.
Works Cited
Easy Learning English, “Phrasal Verbs | Common Phrasal Verbs With LOOK For Daily Use | Esl | Learn English.” YouTube, 19 August 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=FgI95UXZcUs&vl=ar&ab_channel=EasyLearningEnglish.
“How to Avoid Phrasal Verbs in Academic Writing.” Enago Academy,
https://www.enago.com/academy/how-to-avoid-phrasal-verbs-in-academic-writing/, Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
“List of English Prepositions (with Examples).” Preply.com, 23 Mar. 2023, preply.com/en/blog/list-of-prepositions/.
“List of Separable And Inseparable Phrasal Verbs - Your Ultimate Guide.” My English Pages, 2023, https://www.myenglishpages.com/english/grammar-lesson-list-separable-inseparable-phrasal-verbs.php, Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
“Merriam-Webster Dictionary.” Merriam-Webster.com, 2023, www.merriam-webster.com/, Accessed 28 Nov. 2023. [Form of reference authorized by Dr. Hamilton on Dec. 5]
“Overview of Two-Part (Phrasal) Verbs (Idioms).” Purdue Online Writing Lab, https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/mechanics/two_part_phrasal_verbs_idioms/index.html, Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
“Transitive and Intransitive Phrasal Verbs.” Woodward Education, 2023, https://www.woodwardenglish.com/lesson/transitive-intransitive-phrasal-verbs/, Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
“80 Most Common Phrasal Verbs.” Grammarly, 15 May 2023, https://www.grammarly.com/blog/common-phrasal-verbs/, Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
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