Some phrasal verbs consist of a verb followed by a proposition. However, in the case of a phrasal verb, the verb followed by the preposition forms an expression with an idiomatic meaning. For example, the phrasal verb to come across is an idiomatic expression with the meaning to find. Similarly, the phrasal verb to frown on is an idiomatic expression with the meaning to disapprove of.
Example:
- We came across an old diary while we were cleaning out the attic.
- The workers frown on the practice of smoking in the office.
NOTE: It should be noted that some phrasal verbs consisting of a verb followed by a preposition can be used in the passive voice.
Example:
- The practice of smoking in the office was frowned on by the workers.
- The children were looked after by their aunt.
ç The following are some examples of phrasal verbs which consist of a verb followed by a preposition and each phrasal verb has its meaning.
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
| abide by account for ask for bank on bear with border on break into build on burst into call for call on come across come upon confide in count on cut across dawn on deal in deal with decide on dispense with dispose of dwell on enlarge on enter into expand on frown on get at get into get over get through go against go over go through go with grow on guard against hinge on inquire into keep to laugh at launch into leaf through live on look after look into look through part with pick on prey on provide for reason with reckon on rise above run across run into run over see through send for settle for side with sit through stand by stand for stick to stumble across survive on take after tamper with touch on verge on wade through watch over | adhere to explain request depend on be patient with be near, be next to enter by force develop from suddenly enter demand ask, order find accidentally discover share a secret depend on use a short route realize stock, sell handle successfully settle on proceed without get rid of emphasize say more about begin, commence say more about disapprove of reach become involved with recover from survive, finish oppose review examine in detail look good with become more attractive to take precautions depend on investigate adhere to mock, make fun of start turn the pages survive using take care of investigate examine quickly give up reluctantly be unkind to hunt and eat; disturb prepare for try to persuade calculate be superior to find accidentally meet accidentally injured by a vehicle not be deceived by ask to be sent reluctantly accept support in a dispute sit and endure support represent adhere to find accidentally survive using resemble an ancestor interfere with mention approach slowly peruse guard |
1) The position of an object of the preposition
The object of preposition usually follows the preposition, whether the object is a noun or a pronoun. In the following examples, the objects are underlined.
Example:
- We have launched into a new project. or
- We have launched into a new it.
NOTE: In these examples, the noun project and the pronoun it are the objects of the preposition into of the phrasal verb to launch into. Both the noun object and pronoun object follow the preposition.
2) The position of an adverb of manner modifying the verb
If a verb is followed by a preposition, an adverb of manner may be placed between the verb and the preposition. In the following examples, the adverbs of manner are underlined.
Example:
- They reasoned patiently with the little girl.
- I leafed quickly through the book.
NOTE: In the first example, the adverb of manner patiently is placed between the verb reasoned and the preposition with of the phrasal verb to reason with. In the second example, the adverb of manner quickly is placed between the verb leafed and the preposition through of the phrasal verb to leaf through.
3) Stress in spoken English
When a verb followed by a preposition occurs at the end of a clause, it is usually the verb which is stressed in spoken English. In the following examples, the words which are stressed are printed in bold type.
Example:
- No one likes to be laughed at.
- I need someone to confide in.
NOTE: In the first example, the verb laughed followed by the preposition at occurs at the end of a clause and the verb laughed is stressed. In the second example, the verb confide followed by the preposition in occurs at the end of a clause, and the verb confide is stressed.
ç It should be noted that, when used in a phrasal verb at the end of a clause, the prepositions after, into, and over are often pronounced with somewhat greater emphasis than the verb. In this case, both the verb and the preposition are stressed.
Example:
- The twins are easy to look after.
- The building would be difficult to break into.
- You’ll never guess whom I ran into.
- I heard that someone was run over.
ç The prepositions above, across, and through are also occasionally emphasized in this way.
Example: The research papers were difficult to wade through.
4) Expressions in which the verb has an object
In the case of some phrasal verbs consisting of a verb followed by a preposition, the verb and the prepositions may each have an object. In the following examples, the objects are underlined.
Example:
- I can make nothing of the situation.
- We talked my sister into agreeing.
NOTE: In the first example, the verb make of the phrasal verb to make of has the object nothing, and the preposition of has the object situation. In the second example, the verb talked of the phrasal verb to talk into has the object sister, and the preposition into has the object agreeing.
ç The following examples of the phrasal verbs consisting of a verb followed by a preposition, where the verb may have an object and each phrasal verb has its meaning.
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
| drag into draw into drum into frighten into hold against lay before let into make of read into set against set on talk into trust upon write into | involve unwillingly involve gradually teach by repetition control by fear blame for present to allow to share understand find other meanings make antagonistic order to attack persuade force upon add to in writing |
