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Questions and Answers
What is a phrasal verb in the traditional grammar of Modern English?
What is a phrasal verb in the traditional grammar of Modern English?
- A combination of a verb and a preposition
- A combination of two verbs
- A single semantic unit composed of a verb followed by a particle (correct)
- A combination of three verbs
How are phrasal verbs different from other multi-word verbs?
How are phrasal verbs different from other multi-word verbs?
- They are always used in w-question formation
- They are non-compositional and unpredictable in meaning (correct)
- They are always composed of three parts
- They are always replaced by a single-word verb
What is the main use of the category 'phrasal verb' in English?
What is the main use of the category 'phrasal verb' in English?
- Technical documentation
- Formal writing
- Second language teaching (correct)
- Casual conversation
Why can't phrasal verbs be understood based on the meanings of the individual parts alone?
Why can't phrasal verbs be understood based on the meanings of the individual parts alone?
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What are alternative terms for a phrasal verb?
What are alternative terms for a phrasal verb?
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Study Notes
Phrasal Verbs in Modern English
- A phrasal verb is a fixed expression consisting of a verb and a particle, such as a preposition or an adverb, that functions together as a single unit of meaning.
- Phrasal verbs are different from other multi-word verbs, such as idiomatic expressions, because they have a specific grammatical function and can be used in a variety of sentence structures.
Characteristics of Phrasal Verbs
- Phrasal verbs cannot be understood based on the meanings of the individual parts alone, as their meanings are often idiomatic and cannot be deduced from the individual words.
- For example, the phrasal verb "pick up" means "to lift something" or "to improve", but its meaning cannot be inferred from the individual words "pick" and "up".
Main Use of Phrasal Verbs
- The main use of the category 'phrasal verb' is to describe a specific type of verb phrase that has a unique grammatical function and meaning.
Alternative Terms
- Phrasal verbs are also known as "prepositional verbs", "verb-particle combinations", or "multi-word verbs".
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