Phrasal verbs are verb phrases constructed from a normal, single-word verb (e.g., run, drink, or play) and one or more additional words (usually words that otherwise normally function as prepositions). Phrasal verbs can be transitive (e.g., to walk into someone") or intransitive (e.g., to sing along ). In the case of transitive phrasal verbs, the supplementary word can be required to come before the direct object (e.g., to hit someone up (for money)--the verb being to hit up ), after the direct object (e.g., to take up a collection) or either (e.g., to bring a movie over or to bring over a movie). Sometimes the supplementary word is superfluous (e.g., to bring over a movie vs. to bring a movie), though in most cases it is necessary (e.g., to bring up the accident vs. to bring the accident).

The distinction between phrasal verbs and idioms is not always clear, as is the case with a phrase like to get around to doing something. Similarly, the distinction between a phrasal verb and a verb with a preposition is not always clear either, as is the case with to go into detail about something. As with the last example, the construction is frequently metaphorical. In other cases, the supplementary word is directional (e.g., to sit up or to sit down). In still other cases, the supplementary word is used in an idiomatic way (e.g., to get off on something or to hit someone up ).

Articles in category "English phrasal verbs"