There are many verbs in English that can be followed by prepositions and/or adverbs (also known

as adverb(ial) particles). Different authors give them different names: phrasal verbs prepositional
verbs two!word verbs multi!word verbs. "e will refer to them as phrasal verbs.
#irstly$ how do we know if the word(s) after the verb is/are (a) preposition(s) or (an) adverb(s)%
&wan ('ractical English (sage$ )*ford (niversity 'ress$ +,,-) provides a clear answer:
."ords like down$ in and up are not always prepositions. /ompare:
I ran down the road.
Please sit down.
He's in his office.
You can go in.
Something's climbing up my leg.
She's not up yet.
0n the e*pressions down the road$ in his office and up my leg$ the words down$ in and up are
prepositions: they have ob1ects (the road$ his office and my leg).
0n sit down$ go in and &he2s not up$ the words down$ in and up have no ob1ects. They are adverbs$
not prepositions..
p. +3
&econdly$ is this difference important% There are two answers here: on the one hand$ they are not
important if you understand the meaning of the phrasal verbs$ and can use it confidently. )n the
other hand$ however$ understanding the information above can help you to decide the position of
the preposition or adverb$ especially when the phrasal verb is new to you$ or you are trying to use
it in a new or unfamiliar situation.
4gain$ &wan (idem) e*plains the positions of prepositions and adverbs.
.'repositions and (adverb) particles do not always go in the same place in clauses with ob1ects.
'repositions normally go before ob1ects.
He fell off the bridge (NOT He fell the bridge off.)
'articles can go before or after noun ob1ects.
She switched off the light.
She switched the light off.
5ut particles can only go after pronoun ob1ects.
She switched it off. (N! She switched off it.)"
p. 6+7
This general information might help you to understand phrasal verbs a bit better. (nfortunately$
though$ there is no 8uick and easy way to learn them. 0t is a 8uestion of practice makes perfect. &ee
the links below for more information and hours of practice.
Phrasal Verb Practice -Assorted Verbs
+. The concert was 999 because of the rain.
a. called off
b. blacked out
c. turned off
4nswer a
7. :ow did he 999 their bad behavior.
a. come to
b. account for
c. 1ot down
4nswer b
;. :e must be about ,<. :e is really 999.
a. getting on
b. bringing up
c. bringing forward
4nswer a
3. 0n the end everything 999 )=.
a. turned out
b. wore out
c. climb up
4nswer a
>. /an you 999 all right or should 0 get a ladder%
a. fall through
b. climb down
c. barge in
4nswer b
6. 0 am sorry that 0 am late. 0 got 999 in traffic.
a. lifted off
b. held down
c. caught up
4nswer c
-. 0 was so angry that 0 999 in protest.
a. gave up
b. walked out
c. ran over
4nswer b
?. The man was 999 of 1ail early for good behavior.
a. let out
b. bent down
c. sent down
4nswer a
,. Even though he was tired$ he 999 going.
a. kept on
b. brought out
c. fell over
4nswer a
+<.4fter the accident a lot of people 999.
a. turned out
b. set out
c. crowded around
4nswer c