Phrasal-prepositional verb
Definition
A phrasal-prepositional verb combines a verb, a particle, and a preposition as one lexical unit: put up with, look forward to, come up with, get away with. Its object normally follows the final preposition.
Examples
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I cannot put up with the noise.
The three-word verb means tolerate.
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We look forward to the holiday.
The complete unit expresses positive anticipation.
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Maya came up with a practical solution.
The verb means produced or devised.
Phrasal verb vs. phrasal-prepositional verb
Please turn off the light.
The structure contains a verb and particle.
I cannot put up with the noise.
The structure contains a verb, particle, and preposition.
A phrasal-prepositional verb has three lexical parts, and the final preposition introduces its complement.
The object does not split the three-part verb
Unlike many separable phrasal verbs, a phrasal-prepositional verb normally keeps its particle and preposition together before the object.
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We need to cut down on unnecessary costs.
The object follows the complete verb cut down on.
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She gets along with her colleagues.
The complement follows the final preposition with.
Common mistakes
I cannot put the noise up with.
I cannot put up with the noise.
Do not place the object inside the three-part verb.
We look forward the holiday.
We look forward to the holiday.
Use the complete lexical unit, including its final preposition.
Quick check
Question 1 of 3
Which expression is a phrasal-prepositional verb?
Put up with contains a verb, particle, and preposition.Which sentence places the object correctly?
The object follows the complete verb cut down on.Which sentence uses the complete three-word verb?
The lexical unit is come up with.Nice work — you've completed the quick check.
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