Particles versus prepositions
Definition
A particle combines with a verb to form a phrasal verb, while a preposition introduces a following complement, usually a noun phrase. The same short word can function differently depending on the structure.
Examples
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Please turn off the light.
Off is a particle forming the phrasal verb turn off.
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The picture fell off the wall.
Off is a preposition introducing the noun phrase the wall.
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Maya looked up the number.
Up is a particle in the phrasal verb meaning search for information.
Particle vs. preposition
Maya looked up the number.
Up belongs to the verb look up, and the noun object can move: looked the number up.
Maya looked up the chimney.
Up introduces the directional complement the chimney and cannot move after it.
Particles form part of a multi-word verb. Prepositions head phrases that express relationships such as place, direction, time, or association.
Movement and stress can help identify particles
With many separable phrasal verbs, a noun object may move before the particle and a pronoun object must do so. A preposition remains before its complement. In speech, particles are also more likely to carry stress.
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Turn the radio off.
Movement after the object supports the particle analysis.
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Walk across the bridge.
Across remains before its complement and functions as a preposition.
Common mistakes
Turn off it.
Turn it off.
A pronoun object normally comes before the particle in a separable phrasal verb.
She walked the bridge across.
She walked across the bridge.
A preposition stays before its noun-phrase complement.
Quick check
Question 1 of 3
In which sentence is off a particle?
In switch off, off forms a phrasal verb meaning deactivate.Which sentence shows that up is a particle?
The movement of up after the object shows that it is a separable particle.Which sentence correctly places a pronoun with a separable particle?
A pronoun object goes between the verb and particle.Nice work — you've completed the quick check.
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