Phrasal Verbs

Introduction

A phrasal verb is formed when a verb combines with a preposition (at, on, over, etc.) or an adverb particle or both. (A particle is a word that is used in a phrasal verb and has little meaning, but serves a purpose in grammar. Some examples of particle are at, in, away, back, down, off, on, over, up). Such a combination creates a new verb that has its own special meaning. For example, get away means escape; and speak up means speak louder. Phrasal verbs are described as idiomatic, that is their meanings cannot be arrived at by looking at the individual words that make up the phrasal verb.

Some phrasal verbs retain the meaning of the original verb while others have meaning completely different from the verb.

I asked them to come in. (The phrasal verb come in means enter which is easily understood as we are familiar with the meaning of the words: come and in.)
The deal fell through at the last minute. (The phrasal verb fell through means not completed successfully which is different in meaning to the verb fell.

Phrasal verbs can be non-separable or separable. Phrasal verbs can also be intransitive when they don't take an object, or a three-word combination.

Phrasal Verbs (transitive): non-separable

When a phrasal verb is described as non-separable, it means the verb and the preposition that follows it cannot be separated, and a noun or pronoun object cannot come between the verb and the preposition. The object can only come after the verb and the preposition. Transitive phrasal verbs take an object.

Example: I ran into my ex-wife this morning.

(When a phrasal verb is non-separable, the noun or pronoun always comes after the preposition or particle of the phrasal verb. Not: I ran my ex-wife into this morning.)

Example: They called on her when she was hospitalized.

(The phrasal verb called on which means ‘paid a brief visit ’ cannot be separated. Not: They called her on when she was hospitalized. The phrasal verb is transitive as it has the object her.)
Phrasal Verbs (transitive): separable

When a phrasal verb is separable, the noun object follows the particle or comes between the verb and the particle that make up the phrasal verb.

Example: The rescuers called off the search because of the worsening weather. / The rescuers called the search off because of the worsening weather. / The rescuers called it off.

(The phrasal verb called off is separable: (1) the noun object (search) comes after the particle (off) of the phrasal verb, and (2) the noun (search) or pronoun (it) comes between the verb (called) and the particle).
Phrasal Verbs: Intransitive

Some phrasal verbs are intransitive because they do not take a noun or pronoun object.

Example: We have been sitting here for hours - it's time to move on. (No object here)
Three-word phrasal Verbs

A phrasal verb can be a combination of three words. The three-word phrasal verbs are made up of verb + adverb + preposition and are non-separable. They are mostly transitive because the third part preposition must take a noun or pronoun object.

Example: I fell down on the pavement.

(See comprehensive List 14 of phrasal verbs)