315 UNITÀ DIDATTICA 30 PREPOSITIONAL AND PHRASAL

UNITÀ DIDATTICA 30
PREPOSITIONAL AND PHRASAL VERBS
Phrasal Verb
A phrasal verb is a MULTI-WORD VERB made up of a VERB and ADVERB. For
example, The toaster blew up. Give up teasing your sister. The meaning of the phrasal
verb is not usually obvious from the meaning of the parts. For example, blew up means
'exploded' and give up means 'stop'.
Phrasal-Prepositional Verb
A MULTI-WORD VERB comprising a VERB, an ADVERB and a PREPOSITION:
Jenny is looking forward to meeting youI don't know how you put up with him.
Four Phrasal Verb Structures
1
VERB + PREPOSITION + OBJECT
(Transitive verb taking an object)
The preposition is placed between the basic verb and the object.
Blowing up the balloons for the party was easy.
2
VERB + ADVERBIAL PARTICLE + OBJECT
(Transitive verb taking an object)
If the object is a NOUN, the adverbial particle can be placed after the verb or after
the object.
The old man gave away his houses.
The old man gave his houses away.
If the object is a PRONOUN, the adverbial particle is placed at the end.
The old man gave them away.
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VERB + ADVERBIAL PARTICLE + PREPOSITION + OBJECT
3
(Transitive verb taking an object)
The first particle is adverbial and the second one is a preposition. No extra word can
be placed between both particles.
Helen ran out without saying goodbye.
VERB + ADVERBIAL PARTICLE
4
(Intransitive verb not taking an object)
The adverbial particle is placed immediately after the basic verb.
Our car broke down yesterday morning.
Vi sono, in inglese, alcuni verbi monosillabici che sono seguiti da una preposizione atta
a variare il significato del verbo stesso.
Qui di seguito si riportano i principali e i più comunemente usati nel linguaggio scritto e
parlato:
− to look at = guardare.
− To look after = badare.
− To look for = cercare.
− To look up = cercare una parola sul dizionario.
− To look into = investigare.
− To look like = assomigliare.ò
− To look forward to = essere impazienti, non veder l’ora di.
− To look through = dare un’occhiata.
− To look back = ricordarsi.
− To look over = controllare.
− To check in = registrarsi
− To check out = fare un controllo.
− To get across = farsi capire.
− To get along = essere in amicizia.
− To get around = evitare, fare a meno di; andare in giro.
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− To get by = sopravvivere, farcela.
− To get in = entrare (in un veicolo piccolo), arrivare.
− To get on = entrare (in un veicolo grande), salire.
− To get off = uscire (da un veicolo grande), scendere.
− To get out of = uscire (da un veicolo piccolo).
− To get over = finire.
− To get rid of = liberarsi di.
− To get up = alzarsi.
− To make up = truccarsi, inventare.
− To make fun of = prendere in giro.
− To make out = comprendere, capire.
− To make for = andare verso, causare.
− To put away = rimettere a posto.
− To putoff = rimandare.
− To put on = mettersi addosso, indossare.
− To put out = spegnere (di sigaretta, ecc.); disturbare.
− To put up = sistemare qualcuno (per dormire); rimettere a posto.
− To put up with = tollerare.
− To put back = riportare.
− To run into = imbattersi.
− To run out of = rimanere senza.
− To take after = assomigliare.
− To take back = riportare.
− To take care of = prendersi cura di.
− To take off = rimuovere; partire.
− To take up = iniziare.
− To turn around = girarsi; trasformare qualcosa in positivo.
− To turn down = abbassare il volume; rifiutare.
− To turn in = consegnare; andare a letto.
− To turn off = spegnere.
− To turn on = accendere.
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− To turn up = aumentare il volume; farsi vivi inaspettatamente.
Repeat in English!
Phrasal-prepositional Verbs
Phrasal-prepositional verbs are a small group of multi-word verbs made from a verb
plus another word or words. Many people refer to all multi-word verbs as phrasal verbs.
On these pages we make a distinction between three types of multi-word verbs: prepositional verbs, phrasal verbs and phrasal-prepositional verbs.
On this page we look at phrasal-prepositional verbs.
Phrasal-prepositional verbs are made of:
Verb + Adverb + Preposition.
Look at these examples of phrasal-prepositional verbs:
phrasal-prepositional
meaning
examples
verbs
direct
object
get on with
put up with
have a friendly
He doesn't get on
his wife.
relationship with
with
tolerate
I won't put up
your
with
attitude.
look forward to
anticipate with pleasure
I look forward to
seeing you.
run out of
use up, exhaust
We have run out
eggs.
of
Because phrasal-prepositional verbs end with a preposition, there is always a direct
object. And, like prepositional verbs, phrasal-prepositional verbs cannot be separated.
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Look at these examples:
phrasal-prepositional verbs are
inseparable
OK
We
ran out of
fuel.
OK
We
ran out of
it.
Now check your understanding
It is a good idea to write
something/somebody" in your vocabulary
book when you learn a new phrasalprepositional verb, like this:
get on with somebody
put up with sthg/sby
run out of something
This reminds you that this verb needs a direct
object (and where to put it).
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Test
1. Traduci le frasi seguenti.
a) Volevo accendere la radio, ma dovetti andare a letto in fretta.
b) Sono rimasti a casa a prendersi cura dei loro bambini.
c) Perché non riesci a tollerare il loro comportamento?
d) Spegni quella sigaretta. È nociva alla salute.
e) Non vediamo l’ora di liberarci di questo esame.
f) Non abbiamo ancora dato un’occhiata a quel documento.
g) Tornato a casa, sono andato verso il frigo a prendere una birra.
h) Anche se lei guadagna poco, ce la farà ugualmente.
i) Scendi dal treno, perché hai preso quello sbagliato.
j) Avevate cercato la chiave anche nel cassetto della camera da letto?
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2. Scegli la preposizione adeguata.
Expressions with Get.
1. The manager failed to get his ideas ___ to the employees.
a. Across
b. Down
c. In
2. I don't think they can easily get ___ from prison.
a. Away
b. Into
c. Down
3. She is very well-paid, so she can get ___ without any help from him.
a. about
b. over
c. by
4. Ok. It's time to get ___ to business.
a. In
b. Down
c. Away
5. I hope you don't get ___ trouble again.
a. Into
b. On
c. In
6. The teacher was lucky to get the truth ___ of him.
a. Up
b. Out
c. Away
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7. Stop getting ___ my nerves!
a. On
b. At
c. Down
8. I doubt she'll ever get ___ her trauma.
a. Out
b. Over
c. In
9. I can't get ___ all this work. I need some help.
a. About
b. Away
c. Through
10. What time do you usually get ___ ?
a. On
b. Up
c. About
11. The rumours of his dismissal will soon get ___.
a. Along
b. Away
c. About
12. If you're in trouble, get ___ to a lawyer.
a. By
b. On
c. In
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3. Scegli la preposizione giusta.
Phrasal Verbs with "Keep/Bring".
1. She couldn't keep ___ the payments so she lost the house.
a. On.
b. Off.
c. Up.
2. She likes to keep ___ with the latest fashions.
a. Away.
b. Off.
c. Up.
3. The doctor said that I have to keep ___ alcohol.
a. On.
b. Off.
c. Up.
4. This spray will keep ___ the bugs.
a. Away.
b. Off.
c. On.
5. She keeps ___ about him even though he has left.
a. Away.
b. Back.
c. On.
6. Does this bring ___ memories.
a. In.
b. On.
c. Back.
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7. She had to bring ___ the children by herself.
a. On.
b. Up.
c. Out.
8. Did he ever bring ___ that book?
a Back.
b. Up.
c. On.
9. Can I bring ___ my friend?
a. Up.
b. Along.
c. Out.
10. Being a teacher doesn't bring ___ much money
a. Up.
b. Back.
c. In.
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4. Scegli la preposizione che meglio si abbina a Go o Come. Inizio modulo
What colour did he go ___?
a. Over.
b. With.
c. For.
Let's go ___ for dinner tonight?
a. In.
b. Around.
c. Out.
Why did the alarm go ___ like that?
a. Out
b. Off
c. Through
Put the milk in the fridge or it will go ___.
a. Out.
b. Off.
c. Down.
Let's go ___ to the river to swim.
a. Out.
b. Down.
c. Through.
Will the stain come ___ if I wash it?
a. Out.
b. In.
c. Up.
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His aunt just died so he will come ___ a lot of money.
a. Out.
b. Up.
c. Into.
Phrasal Verbs Quiz
Write the Italian meaning of the phrasal verbs in bold and say if their position
in the sentence is correct.
1
Why do we always talk the weather about?
2
My mother switched the radio off this morning.
3
I will look your letter forward to.
4
He was nice, but we turned down him.
5
I believe in ghosts, don't you?
6
We will have to wait the bus for at the corner.
7
Melissa is going to look after the children.
8
I have to put the baby down while I sweep the floor.
9
Why don't you switch the music over while you wait?
10
Can you go to the store before we run milk out of?
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