Phrasal verbs
What are phrasal verbs?
1. A phrasal verb is (a verb + a preposition) or (a verb + an adverb) which creates a meaning different from the original verb.
Example:
I ran into my teacher at the movies last night. run + into = meet
He ran away when he was 15. run + away = leave home

2. Some phrasal verbs are intransitive. An intransitive verb cannot be followed by an object.
Example:
He suddenly showed up. "Show up" cannot take an object

3. Some phrasal verbs are transitive. A transitive verb can be followed by an object.
Example:
I made up the story. "Story" is the object of "make up"

4. Some transitive phrasal verbs are separable. The object is placed between the verb and the preposition. In this, separable phrasal verbs are marked by placing between the verb and the preposition / adverb.
Example:
I talked my mother into letting me borrow the car.
She looked the phone number up.

5. Some transitive phrasal verbs are inseparable. The object is placed after the preposition.
Example:
I ran into an old friend yesterday.
They are looking into the problem.
6. Some transitive phrasal verbs can take an object in both places. In this Phrasal Verb Dictionary, such phrasal verbs are marked with both.
Example:
I looked the number up in the phone book.
I looked up the number in the phone book.

7. WARNING! Although many phrasal verbs can take an object in both places, you must put the object between the verb and the preposition if the object is a pronoun.
Example:
I looked the number up in the phone book.
I looked up the number in the phone book.
I looked it up in the phone book. correct
I looked up it in the phone book. Incorrect















Verb Pattern
There are many verb patterns which are common in English. When two verbs are used, it is especially important to notice which form the second verb takes (infinitive – to do - base form – do - verb-ing – doing).
Verb Pattern Structure Examples


Verb + to-infinitive
This is one of the most common verb combination forms.

Afford, decide, agree, fail, hesitate, learn, manage, offer, prepare, pretend, propose, refuse, seem, strive, tend, undertake, volunteer, claim, hope, promise, threaten
- I waited to begin dinner.
- They wanted to come to the party.

Verb + verb-ing
This is one of the most common verb combination forms. - They enjoyed listening to the music.
- They regretted spending so much time on the project.

Verb + verb-ing OR to infinitive – no change in meaning
Some verbs can combine with other verbs using both forms without changing the basic meaning of the sentence.
Begin, continue, start

- She started to eat dinner. OR
- She started eating dinner.






Verb + verb-ing OR verb infinitive – change in meaning

Some verbs can combine with other verbs using both forms. However, with these verbs, there is a change in the basic meaning of the sentence.
Hate, love, like, prefer + Verb-ing for general preference.
+ To-infinitive for a particular situation.
Forget, regret, remember + Verb-ing for a past action.
+ To-infinitive for an action happening later.


Try + Verb-ing means experiment with an action that might be a solution to your problem.
Try + To-infinitive means to make an effort to do something.



- They stopped speaking to each other. => They don't speak to each other anymore.

- They stopped to speak to each other. => They stopped walking in order to speak to each other.

- I can’t get in touch with Carl. “Have you tried emailing him?”
- The doctor tried in vain to save his life.



Verb + object + infinitive
This is the most common form when a verb is followed by both an object and a verb.
Allow*, advise*, ask, elect, expect, help, want, wish, encourage, force, challenge, enable, inspire, invite, order, persuade, require, teach, tell
The (*) verbs can follow by a gerund without an object.

- She asked her to find a place to stay.
- They instructed them to open the envelope.

Verb + object + base form (infinitive without 'to')
This form is used with a few verbs.
Let, help, make, have (in causative form).
- She made her finish her homework.

- They let him go to the concert.

- He helped him paint the house.

Verb + verb-ing with passive meaing
This form is used with a few verbs.
Want, need, deserve
- Your proposal deserves discussing (to be discussed).



Verb + object + ‘that’ clause
Use this form for a clause beginning with 'that'.
There is no object between “command, direct, order, require, trust” and a that-clause
There is ALWAYS an object between “persuade, remind” and athat-clause.
The object between “instruct, teach, warn” and a that-clause is optional.
- She told him that she would worker harder.
- He informed him that he was going to resign.
- She taught us that poetry was valuable.
- She taught that poetry was valuable.




Wh-question word + to infinitive


Use this form for a clause beginning with wh- (why, when, where)
-They were instructed where to go.














Gerund or Participle

Gerund or Participle: Deciphering the Difference
Both gerunds and participles are verbal; that is, they are both formed by adding +ing to a verb and both express action or a state of being. The difference between the two lies in their function within the sentence.

Part A: GERUNDS have the same functions as NOUNS in sentences. They can be single words or gerund phrases.
Subject Gerunds:
1. Learning is a lifelong process. .
2. Learning to speak and write English well takes a lot of practice.
Direct object Gerunds:
1. Bertha hates shopping. She'd rather save her money.
2. She prefers putting her money in a savings account.
Gerunds as objects of prepositions:
1. James is not known for studying
2. He failed his last exam on identifying the parts of speech.
Subject complements Gerunds after linking verbs:
1. All summer long, Lisa's favorite pastime has been surfing.
2. Meanwhile, her younger brother's favorite activity has been surfing the internet.

Punctuation Note: Gerunds and gerund phrases never require punctuation because we never separate subjects or objects from verbs.




Part B. Unlike Gerunds, which function as nouns in sentences, PARTICIPLES can function as ADJECTIVES in sentences. The examples and exercises in this activity focus on present participles, which suggest action and come from active verbs. As adjectives, participles modify nouns or pronouns. They can have the following sentence positions:
Adjective + Noun: I was awakened by the screaming child. (The participle modifies child.)
Subject + Linking Verb + Adjective complement: The horror film was extremely frightening. (The participle modifies horror film).
Participial Phrase: The police noticed the thief hiding on the rooftop. (The participial phrase modifies thief).
Introductory Participial (Adjective) Phrase: Looking for a place to hide, the thief climbed the fire escape to the rooftop.

Three things to remember about introductory participial phrase modifiers:

- An introductory participial phrase can only be used if its "understood" subject is the same as the stated subject of the sentence.

Having found the right partner, marriage was extremely happy for Katie.

Note that it was Katie who found her partner, so Katie must be the subject of the sentence.
The correct order is Having found the right partner, Katie was extremely happy in her marriage.

- The noun or pronoun subject must be clearly stated to avoid confusion.

- The introductory phrase is set off with commas.

The above tips on placement and punctuation are very important for correct use of introductory participial phrases.