Multi-word verb
Definition
A multi-word verb combines a lexical verb with one or more particles or prepositions to form a single unit of meaning. Major types include phrasal verbs, prepositional verbs and phrasal-prepositional verbs.
Examples
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Please turn off the light.
Turn off is a phrasal verb meaning to stop a device from operating.
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Mina looks after her nephew on Fridays.
Look after is a prepositional verb meaning to take care of someone.
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I cannot put up with the noise.
Put up with is a three-word verb meaning to tolerate.
Multi-word verb vs. literal verb + preposition
She looked up the word.
Look up means to search for information.
She looked up the stairs.
Looked keeps its ordinary visual meaning, and up the stairs expresses direction.
A multi-word verb functions as a lexical unit. A similar sequence can sometimes have a literal, compositional meaning instead.
Some phrasal verbs are separable
With a separable transitive phrasal verb, a noun object may appear before or after the particle, but a pronoun object normally goes between the verb and particle. Many other multi-word verbs are inseparable.
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Turn the light off.
A noun object can separate turn and off.
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Turn it off.
A pronoun object normally appears between the verb and particle.
Common mistakes
Turn off it.
Turn it off.
With a separable phrasal verb, place a pronoun object between the verb and particle.
She looks her nephew after.
She looks after her nephew.
Look after is inseparable, so the object follows the complete verb.
Quick check
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence correctly places a pronoun object?
With separable write down, the pronoun it goes between the verb and particle.Which sentence contains a three-word verb?
Put up with functions as one lexical unit meaning tolerate.Which sentence uses look up with a literal directional meaning?
In looked up at the ceiling, up expresses direction rather than forming the search verb look up.Nice work — you've completed the quick check.
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