Posted by: Carlo A. Sangutan
Sources: English Plus A Communicative Approach by Ida Yap Patron
http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwesl/egw/three.htm
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This module intends to let the students to:
- acquire knowledge on the proper use of verb-preposition combination;
- use correct verb-preposition combination to complete sentences; and
- identify the meaning of verb-preposition words as used in sentences.
Introduction
People always find new ways just to satisfy their wants. Some made to create new things to give their lives happiness. Some just tried to stay on things they have in order to survive. In making new things, we cannot deny the fact that there are instances that we combine things just to make us satisfied just like in food and drinks. Some of us combine or mix coffee and milk to form new product as well as mixing two flavors like of juices. Now, there are flavors such as orange-mango, pineapple-mango, and others. Like in English grammar, two or more words are combined to form new word or idea which has its own meaning.
Language Focused
Verb-preposition combination dominates the English language today especially in grammar. Verbs are words expressing actions and prepositions are words denoting different relationships. To other sources, the combination is sometimes called a phrasal verb.
Q: How can we determine if the combination is a phrasal verb?
There are three rules that we should know to determine whether the combinations can be considered as phrasal verbs or pure verb-preposition combinations.
1. Wh- question Rule
The combination is not a phrasal verb if the preposition can be moved to the front of a wh- question.
Examples:
☻ I come from Cebu.
→From where do you come?
*Not a phrasal verb - because "from" can be put before the wh- question and it sounds formal and acceptable to our ears.
☻ She threw out the old newspaper in the trash bin.
→Out where did she throw the old newspaper?
*A phrasal verb - because if we put "out" before the wh- question, the sentence becomes awkward and ungrammatical. It is not formal-sounding.
2. Relative Clause Fronting Rule
The combination us not a phrasal verb if the preposition can front a relative clause.
Examples:
☻ They learned about water skiing.
→Water skiing, about which they learned, is not as easy as it looks.
*Not a phrasal verb - because "about" can be put before the relative pronoun in a relative clause. The sentence still has correct grammar even though it sounds stodgy.
☻ I should hand in my paper early.
→My paper, in which I should hand early, is my last one this term.
*A phrasal verb - because if we put "in" before the relative pronoun, the sentence becomes ungrammatical and awkward to hear.
3. The Insert Adverb Rule
The combination is not a phrasal verb if an adverb can be inserted between the verb and the preposition.
Examples:
☻ My wife argued with the waiter.
→My wife argued endlessly with the waiter.
*Not a phrasal verb - because the sentence is still grammatically correct even if the adverb "endlessly" is inserted between the combination.
☻ Can you pick up my friend from the airport?
→Can you pick quickly up my friend from the airport?
*A phrasal verb - because if we put "quickly" between the combination, the sentence becomes ungrammatical.
Q: By the way, how do these combinations work?
A great number of transitive verbs are combined with prepositions. Every time the preposition changes, the meaning of the phrasal verb also changes. For example, the verb “call + up” means to telephone someone, while the verb “call” means to ask someone to recite or to come forward.
Q: What is the common structure of sentences with verb-preposition combination?
In some groups of verbs, the direct object follows the verb and preposition.
Examples:
1. Danny looks into a problem positively. (to investigate)
2. He came across an interesting statement. (meet by chance)
Q: Aside from the given examples, what are other verb-preposition combinations used the same way as above?
*build up – make up/increase/strengthen
*get up – arise
*get along with – befriend
*get over – recover
*go on – take place; proceed
*look out – beware
*show up – appear
*sign off – stop broadcasting
*slow down – reduce speed
*take over – take control 0f
Q: Is that the only structure?
Actually, there is another structure. In some instances, the direct object separates the verb and the preposition. However, when the direct object is a pronoun, it comes between the verb and the preposition.
Examples:
1. Mildred’s father backed it up with gentle persuasion and concern.
2. Fear suddenly swallowed Mildred up.
Q: What are some examples of verb-preposition combination in the second structure?
* break down - fail to work; disassemble; dismantle
* check in - register at a hotel
* fill out - complete
* give up - surrender
* hold back - keep from acting
* keep up - maintain
* pick out - choose
* take off - remove; fly
* take down - record in writing
* turn on - put into operation
Q: Is it possible for the verb-preposition combination to be structured in both ways?
Yes, some verb-preposition combinations are patterned both ways. However, when the direct object is a pronoun, the pronoun appears between the verb and the preposition.
Example:
hold(held) back
→Cleofe's mother held back her feelings.
→Cleofe;s mother held her feelings back.
Test of Learning
A. Choose the appropriate verb-preposition combinations to complete the sentences.
1. A person with a pleasant personality can _______ others.
a. get along
b. get along with
c. get on
d. get by
2. A strong and hopeful person can _______ his or her problems and failures very easily.
a. get over
b. get on
c. get by
d. get rid
3. At any appointment, you should _______ as scheduled.
a. show off
b. show up
c. show down
d. show in
4. Local TV stations _______ at 12 midnight.
a. sign off
b. put off
c. call off
d. take off
5. Sometimes classes are _______ for very important reasons.
a. put off
b. signed off
c. called off
d. held back
6. Always _______ notes when important issues are discussed.
a. take up
b. take down
c. fill out
d. fill in
7. When you enter schools, you don't have to _______ your shoes.
a. take off
b. put off
c. take out
d. put out
8. Student-teachers _______ the class to develop their teaching skills.
a. take over
b. look over
c. look into
d. take down
9. Students have to _______ before they enter the room.
a. clear out
b. try out
c. hand in
d. sign in
10. The aging process _______ when there is less stress and tension.
a. wears down
b. slows down
c. puts off
d. takes off
B. Choose the most appropriate meanings of the phrasal verbs or the verb-preposition combinations.
1. Keep up the good work.
a. work harder
b. carry on with it
c. work more efficiently
2. My family always looks forward to Christmas.
a. expects
b. plans
c. anticipates
3. Please give up drinking.
a. drink softdrinks only
b. drink moderately
c. stop drinking
4. The speeding, new car broke down on the highway.
a. was unloaded
b. became useless
c. was caught in a puddle
5. Never laugh at other people's misfortunes.
a. enjoy
b. make fun of
c. ridicule
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