PHRASAL VERBS WITH A VERB + AN ADVERB

Many phrasal verbs consist of a verb followed by an adverb. Some of these phrasal verbs are intransitive and some are transitive.

I. Intransitive verbs followed by adverbs

Here are some intransitive phrasal verbs which consist of a verb followed by an adverb and each phrasal verb has its meaning.

Intransitive Phrasal Verb

Meaning

blow over

boil away

boil over

bounce back

buckle down

catch on

cloud over

die down

double up

drop in

fade away

fall off

get away

get by

give in

go on

grow up

keep on

level off

log on

log off

move in

move out

nod off

pass out

pitch in

play along

pull in

pull out

set off

settle down

settle in

show up

stay up

step down

step in

take off

touch down

tune in

watch out

wear off

pass

disappear by boiling

overflow by boiling

recover

work seriously

be widely accepted

become overcast

become less

bend over

visit

become less

become less

escape

barely succeed

admit defeat

continue

became an adult

persist in

stop rising

contact a computer

break contact with a computer system

take possession of living quarters

give up possession of living

go to sleep

faint

help

pretend to agree

arrive (of vehicles)

leave (of vehicles)

leave

become peaceful

become used to

arrive

not go to bed

resign

intervene

leave the ground

land (of places)

find a station on the radio

beware

gradually disappear

NOTE: The intransitive phrasal verb to show up is formed by the verb to show followed by the adverb up. In the following example, the phrasal verb does not have an object.

Example: At ten o’ clock, her brother showed up.

II. Transitive verbs followed by adverbs

Here are some transitive phrasal verbs which consist of a verb followed by an adverb and each phrasal verb has its meaning.

Transitive Phrasal Verb

Meaning

back up

bail out

break in

breathe in

breathe out

bring back

bring around

bring up

butter up

call in

call off

call up

cheer on

chop down

clean up

fend off

ferret out

figure out

fill in

fill out

fill up

give back

give off

hand down

hand in

hand on

hand over

hang up

hold back

iron out

knock out

lap up

lay off

leave behind

leave out

let down

live down

look up

make up

pass up

pension off

phase in

phase out

pick up

pin down

play down

point out

polish off

pull down

pull off

put away

put back

put off

reel off

rope in

rub out

rule out

scale down

sell off

set back

shout down

shrug off

single out

size up

sort out

sound out

stammer out

sum up

summon up

take in

take out

take over

talk over

tear up

think over

think up

track down

trade in

try on

try out

turn away

turn back

turn off

turn on

water down

wear out

write down

write off

write up

support

rescue

make something new fit for use

inhale

exhale

return

persuade

raise

flatter

ask to assist

cancel

telephone

cheer, encourage

fell

tidy

repel

find with difficult

solve, understand

complete

complete

make full

return

send out

give to someone younger

give to person in authority

give to another person

transfer

break a telephone connection

restrain, delay

remove

make unconscious

accept eagerly

put out of work

leave, not bring

omit

disappoint

live so that past faults are forgotten

find (information)

invent

not take advantage

dismiss with a pension

introduce gradually

cease gradually

collect

get a commitment

de-emphasize

draw attention to

finish

demolish

succeed

put in proper place

return to original location

postpone

recite a long list

persuade to help

erase

remove from consideration

reduce

dispose of by selling

delay

stop from speaking by shouting

dismiss as unimportant

select from others

assess

organize

talk with to learn the opinion of

stammer

summarize

gather

absorb

invite to a restaurant

assume control

discuss

destroy by tearing

consider

invent

search for and find

give as part payment

test clothes by putting them on

test by using

refuse admission

reverse direction

deactivate by using a switch

activate by using a switch

dilute

gradually destroy by wearing or using

make a note

cancel, regard as

compose in writing

NOTE: The transitive phrasal verb to sort out is formed from the verb to sort followed by the adverb out.

Example: We sorted out the papers.

1) The position of an object of the verb

In the case of transitive phrasal verbs consisting of a verb followed by an adverb, if the object of the verb is a nun, the object can usually either follow or precede the adverb. In the following examples, the verb objects are underlined.

Example:

- I called off the meeting.

- I called the meeting off.

NOTE: In the first example the object meeting follows the adverb off, while in the second example the object meeting precedes the adverb off.

ç However, in the case of a few phrasal verbs, a noun object must usually follow the adverb.

Example: We attempted to smooth over is the disagreement.

NOTE: In this example, the phrasal verb to smooth over is followed by the noun object disagreement. In this case, the object disagreement cannot be placed before the adverb over.

The following are examples of transitive phrasal verbs where a noun object must usually follow the adverb. Each phrasal verb is accompanied by its meaning and an example

The following are examples of transitive phrasal verbs where a noun object must usually follow the adverb. Each phrasal verb is accompanied by its meaning and an example of its use. The objects of the verbs are underlined.

Verbs followed by adverb followed by noun object

Phrasal Verb

Meaning

drum up

paper over

smooth over

raise

repair superficially

improve

Example:

- She has drummed up support for the plan.

- They attempted to paper over their differences.

- We tried to smooth over the station.

ç In the case of transitive phrasal verbs consisting of a verb followed by an adverb, if the object of the verb is a pronoun, the object must usually precede the adverb. In the following examples, the pronoun objects are underlined.

Example:

- I called it off.

- We attempted to smooth it over.

NOTE: In these examples, the object pronoun it precedes the adverbs off and over.

ç Most transitive phrasal verbs may be used in the passive voice.

Example:

- The meeting was called off by me.

- The disagreement was smooth over.

NOTE: In these examples, the phrasal verbs to call off and to smooth over are used in the passive voice.

2) The position of an adverb of manner modifying the verb

In the case of a phrasal verb consisting of a verb followed by an adverb, the verb and the adverb usually may not be separated by an adverb of manner. In the following example, the adverb of manner is underline.

Example: I hurriedly called off the meeting.

NOTE: In this example, the adverb of manner hurriedly precedes the phrasal verb called off. The adverb hurriedly may also be placed at the beginning or the end of the sentence, but may not be placed between the verb called and the adverb off.

3) Stress in spoken English

When a phrasal verb consisting of a verb followed by an adverb occurs at the end of a clause, it is usually the adverb which is stressed in spoken English. In the following examples, the words which are tressed are printed in bold type.

Example:

- How did that come about?

- Please drop in whenever you have time.

NOTE: In the first example, the verb come followed by the adverb about occurs at the end of a clause, and the adverb about is stressed. In the second example, the verb drop followed by the adverb in occurs at the end of a clause, and the adverb in is stressed.

4) Ergative verbs

It should be noted that there are a few phrasal verbs consisting of a verb followed by an adverb, which have the same meaning whether they are used transitively or intransitively.

Example:

- The engineer slowed down the train.

- The train slowed down.

NOTE: In the first example, the phrasal verb to slow down is used transitively, with the object train. In the second example, the phrasal verb to slow down is used intransitively, without naming the originator of the action. In these two examples, it can be seen that the object of the transitive verb is the subject of the intransitive verb. However, the general meaning of the two sentences is the same. Verbs which can be used in this way may be referred to as ergative verbs.

Ergative phrasal verbs

The following are examples of expressions which can function as ergative phrasal verbs and each ergative phrasal has its meaning.

Phrasal Verb

Meaning

Blare out

Blow up

Break up

Burn down

Calm down

Dry out

Get across

Liven up

Pull through

Rol up

Shut down

Wake up

Wash out

Wear away

Wear out

Make a loud sound

Destroy by an explosion

Break into pieces

Detroy by fire

Become calm

Become dry

Transmit

Become lively

Recover from, survive

Wrap into a cylinder

Close, stop working

Stop sleeping

Remove by washing

Gradually remove

Gradually destroy by using