Read Webster's New World American Idioms Handbook Online
Authors: Gail Brenner
Separable and Non-Separable Phrasal Verbs
Transitive phrasal verbs (verbs that require a direct object) can be either
separable
or
non-separable,
which affects the placement of the direct object. The words
separable
and
non-separable
look a lot like
separate
and
not separate,
and that’s exactly what they mean:
Separable phrasal verb:
The direct object can separate (go between) the two words of the phrasal verb.
Non-separable phrasal verb:
The direct object cannot separate the two words of the phrasal verb; it must follow the phrasal verb.
Helpful Hints on What’s Separable and What’s Not
Although there are no exact rules to help you learn which phrasal verbs are separable and which are non-separable, the following tips will give you a head start and help you to make a good educated guess when you aren’t sure:
The following examples show a separable and a non-separable phrasal verb in context. In the first example, the direct object, the party, is separating the phrasal verb
call off.
In the second example, the direct object, you, cannot separate the phrasal verb
call on,
because this phrasal verb is non-separable.
Separable:
We
called
the party
off.
Non-Separable:
I’ll
call on
you tomorrow afternoon.
Placement of the Direct Object in Transitive Verbs
In order to use phrasal verbs accurately, it’s important to know where to place the direct object. The following discussions and examples explain the rules and show you a few exceptions.
Separable Phrasal Verbs
With a
separable
phrasal verb, the direct object can either go between or after the phrasal verb. For example, the idiom
look up
(check a dictionary or reference for information) is separable. The following examples show you the two possible locations for the direct object, which is shown in bold.
Exceptions:
Here are two exceptions to the general rule above:
Non-Separable Phrasal Verbs
A
non-separable
phrasal verb cannot be separated by its direct object. The direct object must follow the entire phrasal verb. The idiom
look for
(search, try to find) is non-separable. Its object can’t go between the two parts. The following examples show you both the correct and incorrect placement of the direct object, “the book”:
Correct:
I
looked for
the book at the bookstore, but I didn’t find it.
Incorrect:
I
looked
the book
for
at the bookstore, but I didn’t find it.
Even when the direct object is a pronoun, it cannot separate a non-separable verb. Here is an example in which the direct object is the pronoun, “you”:
Correct:
We were
looking for
you all morning!
Incorrect:
We were
looking
you
for
all morning!
It may seem mind-boggling to figure out where to place the direct object, so here are a few helpful tips: When in doubt, it is almost always safe to place the direct object
after
the phrasal verb, except in the few cases discussed under “Exceptions.” Also, if you separate a phrasal verb with a direct object, and it sounds very strange or wrong, it probably is!
[See Chapter 20, for three-word verbs that require both a direct and indirect object, and for information on their placement.]
Using Active and Passive Voice with Phrasal Verbs
Many transitive verbs (verbs that require a direct object) can be expressed in both active and passive voice. Most intransitive verbs can only be expressed in active voice.
Active voice exists when the subject of the sentence does the action of the verb. In the sentence, “Lynn teaches our son,” Lynn (the subject) does the action (teaching). So, the verb
teaches
is in active voice. Our son (the direct object) receives the action (the teaching).
Passive voice exists when the subject of the sentence does not do the action of the verb, but receives the action of the verb; in other words, the subject is “passive.” In the sentence “Our son is taught by Lynn,” our son (the subject) does not do the action (he does not teach), so the verb
is taught
is in passive form.
Note:
Essentially, the passive voice can be created when the direct object is used as the subject of the sentence. The passive voice requires the verb
to be
and the past-participle form of the verb.
Here is another example of a phrasal verb in active and passive form:
Active form:
The professor
handed out
(distributed) the exams.
Passive form:
The exams
were handed out
by the professor.
Intransitive verbs are generally expressed only in active form because there is no direct object that can be used as the subject of the sentence. It’s usually not possible to use passive form when there is no direct object, with no person or thing that is affected by the action of the verb. In the following example, the verb
take off
(to begin flight in a plane) is intransitive and therefore can only be expressed in active form:
Correct:
The plane
took off
an hour late.
Incorrect:
The plane
was taken off.
(by whom or what?)
[For more examples and information on using
come
and
go
correctly, see Chapter 19,
Two-Word Phrasal Verbs,
“Phrasal Verbs with Up and Down.”]
Coming and Going
Knowing when to use
come
or
go
can have you
wondering if you’re coming or going
(feeling very confused). But there are some general rules to help you decide:
1.
Use
come
to refer to the place where you are (or where the person you’re talking to is) at the time of speaking.
I
came
to the U.S. last year. (speaker is still in the U.S.)
Do you
come
to this bookstore often? (speakers are in the bookstore)
Hi, Mom. I called to tell you that I’m
coming
home for the holidays. (the mom is at home)
2.
Use
go
to refer to any place where you aren’t (or where the person you’re talking to isn’t) at the time of speaking:
I
went
to the U.S. last year. (speaker is no longer in the U.S.)
Do you
go
to that bookstore often? (speakers aren’t in the bookstore)
I decided to
go
home and see my mom for the holidays. (speaker isn’t at home)
3
. Use
come
to invite someone to join you in a pre-planned activity or to meet you at a place where you will be. In this case,
come
implies
join me/us.
Can you
come
to my house for dinner tonight? (speaker may or may not be at home at the time of speaking, but will meet the guest there)
Yes, I can
come
. Thanks.
We’re going camping this weekend; do you want to
come
? (to join us)
Note:
In the last example above, you can also say, “Do you want to go?” but in that case, people usually say “Do you want to go
with us?”
or “‘Do you want to go
along?”
4.
Use
go
to talk about doing something that is not yet planned or to talk about going somewhere together.
Do you want to
go
to a movie later?
Sure, I want to
go
.
Let’s
go
to the beach this weekend.
CHAPTER 19
TWO-WORD PHRASAL VERBS
Two-word verbs are either transitive (they require a direct object) or intransitive (they don’t require a direct object). Transitive phrasal verbs are separable (they can be separated by the direct object) or non-separable (they cannot be separated by the direct object). You can learn more about this aspect of phrasal verbs in Chapter 18.
The following notations are used in this chapter: Transitive phrasal verbs are marked as either
(S)
for separable or
(NS)
for non-separable. A phrasal verb with multiple definitions may be separable or non-separable depending on the definition. In those cases, each definition is marked either
(S)
or
(NS).
Intransitive phrasal verbs are not marked.
Phrasal Verbs with
On
and
Off
Many idioms are formed with the prepositions
on
and
off.
Phrasal verbs with the preposition
on
often mean to enter or start, acquire or hold, stay, continue, or increase. For example,
keep on
means to continue and
take on
means to assume or add responsibility. Phrasal verbs with the preposition
off
often have a meaning of to exit, stop or delay, go away from or release, leave, or decrease. For example,
hold off
means to delay,
keep off
means to stay away from, and
take off
means to leave or to deduct.
Note:
Phrasal verbs using the prepositions
on
and
off
are often transitive and separable, though there are exceptions, especially when the idiom means to enter or exit, board or disembark from a mode of transportation. [For more information on transitive and intransitive, separable and non-separable verbs, see Chapter 18.]
On/Off Opposites:
Phrasal Verbs with Opposite Meanings
In some cases, the same verb can be used with either
on
or
off
to express opposite meanings. For example,
climb on
and
climb off
can mean to board and to disembark or exit a bus or other mode of transportation. This section includes phrasal verbs with
on
and
off
that are
antonyms
(opposite in meaning).
Using a Mode of Transportation
The following idioms have a general meaning of to board or exit a vehicle structure or ride, or to mount or dismount an animal like a horse or donkey.
Note:
Get on
and
get off
are the most commonly used idioms in this group, and they have a number of additional meanings, as shown below.
get on/get off (NS)
1.
to board or enter/exit or leave a vehicle or moving transport such as a bus, boat, plane, train, subway, bicycle, or motorcycle, but
not
a car or taxi, in which case you use the preposition
in
♦
Please wait until passengers
get off
the bus before you
get on.
2.
to sit on or mount/get down from or dismount any structure, an amusement park ride, or an animal such as a horse ♦
Lea
got on
a pretty painted horse on the carousel.
3.
to enter/leave a freeway or road ♦ Get on
highway 46 at Smith Road.
♦
After three miles,
get off
at Hill Street.
4.
to be accepted onto a team or committee/to quit a team or committee ♦
Her experience helped her
get on
the planning committee.
climb on/climb off (NS)
1.
to board or enter/exit or leave a vehicle or moving transport such as a bus, boat, plane, train, subway, bicycle, or motorcycle, but
not
a car or taxi, in which case you use the preposition
in
♦
I
climbed on
my motorcycle and fastened my helmet.
2.
to sit on or mount/get down from or dismount any structure, an amusement park ride, or an animal such as a horse ♦
My cat always tries to
climb off
the table at the veterinarian’s.
Note:
If the vehicle, structure, ride, or animal is very tall or high, people often say
get up on/get
down from
or
climb up on/climb down from.
jump on/jump off (NS)
1.
to board or enter/exit or leave a vehicle or moving transport such as a bus, boat, plane, train, subway, bicycle, motorcycle, but
not
a car or taxi, in which case you use the preposition
in
♦
To catch a trolley car in San Francisco, you often have to
jump on.
2.
to sit on or mount/get down from or dismount any structure, an amusement park ride, or an animal such as a horse ♦
Bobby was able to
jump off
his bike before it hit a tree.
3.
to enter/exit a freeway or highway when you have very easy access ♦
My office is close to home. I just
jump on
the freeway, and I’m there in five minutes.
Note:
Use
jump on
and
jump off
when you’re in a hurry to get on or off a vehicle, structure, ride, or animal, or when it is about to leave without you.
let on/let off(S)
1.
to allow someone to board/exit a vehicle, structure, or amusement park ride; to mount/dismount an animal ♦
The ride operator stopped the Ferris wheel to
let
some people
off.
2.
to allow someone to enter/exit a freeway or road ♦
When traffic is heavy, a courteous driver will signal you to
let
you
on
the freeway.
3.
to allow someone to join/quit a team or committee. ♦
He’s hoping the coach
lets
him
on
the swim team.
Note:
The idiom is also said as
let (
someone)
get on/off
.
Grammar Note:
This idiom is usually separated by its direct object.
Getting Dressed and Undressed
The following idioms have a general meaning of to dress or undress in clothing, jewelry, glasses, or to apply or remove cosmetics, body products, medicine, and bandages. The idioms
put on
and
take off
have various additional meanings.
Note:
Notice that the opposite of
put on
is
take
off
(not
put off)
. The idiom
put off
has several meanings, unrelated to the idiom
put on,
and is shown later in this section.
put on/take off(S)
1.
to dress/undress in clothes, jewelry, eyeglasses, contact lenses ♦
Some people
take
their shoes
off
when they enter the house.
2.
to use or apply/remove cosmetics and health-care products (deodorant, lotion, sunscreen, cologne, after-shave, medication, bandages, and so on) ♦
You should
take off
that bandage and
put
more antiseptic
on
your cut.
3.
to gain/lose weight ♦
Exercise will help me
take off
the extra pounds I
put on
during vacation.
4.
to place a music CD, cassette, or record in or on a stereo/remove a record from a stereo ♦
Let’s
take off
that blues record and
put on
this jazz CD.
Note:
Use
take out
for removing CDs and cassettes.
throw on/throw off (S)
1.
to hurriedly and maybe carelessly dress/undress in clothes, jewelry, eyeglasses (but not contact lenses, which require care and time) ♦
We’re late! Just
throw on
your shoes, and let’s go!
♦
When I get home from work, I
throw off
my work clothes and take a shower.
2.
to hurriedly and maybe carelessly apply cosmetics and health-care products (deodorant, lotion, sunscreen, cologne, after-shave lotion, medication, bandages, and so on) ♦
On Saturday, I get up late,
throw on
some old clothes, and go out to my backyard.
3.
to casually put a music CD, cassette, or record in or on a stereo without much care about the choice of music ♦ Throw on
some music while I get us a drink.
Note:
People often use
throw on
when they’re unconcerned about or give no thought to what they’ll wear. For hurriedly applying cosmetics and health products, you can also use the idiom
slap on.
pull on/pull off (S)
to dress/undress in clothes that are somewhat heavy, bulky, or require some effort to put on or take off ♦
He
pulled on
his jeans and ran outside to play.
♦
When she got home, she
pulled off
her boots and heavy jacket.
Note:
Slip on
and
slip off
are often used when clothes are easy, quick, and comfortable to get into or out of.
Starting and Stopping the Power
The following idioms have a general meaning of to start or stop the power on electrical, mechanical, or other power-driven products; they also mean to start or stop mental, physical, or emotional energy.
turn on/turn off (S)
1.
to operate electrical lights, appliances, and other electrical or gas-driven products ♦
Let’s
turn on
the air conditioner. It’s too hot in here.
2.
to start or stop the power on a machine, motor, or engine ♦ Turn off
your engine when you’re filling your car with gas.
3.
to consciously start or stop mental activity or emotions ♦
It’s impossible to simply
turn
your feelings
off
and
on.
4.
to inspire someone’s intense interest/disinterest or disgust (often used in passive form) ♦
We were really
turned off
by the speaker’s arrogant tone.
Note:
Turn
(someone)
on/off
can have a sexual connotation.
When
Off
Means to Start Rather Than to Stop
The word
off
in phrasal verbs frequently means or implies to decrease, stop, or end, but in a few phrasal verbs, it means
to start.
For example, the idiom
touch off
means to start or initiate something that has far-reaching results or major consequences. Here are a few examples:
The idiom
start off
refers to beginning a presentation, project, or journey.
Set off, push off,
and
head off
mean to start a journey. And every space mission begins with the
blast off
from the launch pad. Here are a few more examples:
switch on/switch off(S)
1.
to start or stop electrical lights, appliances, and other electrical or gas-driven products ♦
In the winter, we have to
switch
the lights
on
in the afternoon.
2.
to start or stop the power on a machine, motor, or engine ♦
Let’s
switch on
the motor, and see if it works.
3.
to consciously start or stop mental activity or emotions ♦
Sometimes it’s hard to
switch off
my thoughts at night and fall asleep.
log on/log off (
or
sign on/sign off) (S)
to enter information (like a username or password) into a computer to begin a session, and to end a computer session that requires that information ♦
I
log on
every morning to check my e-mail.
♦
You can’t end your session without
signing off. ♦
My computer automatically
signed
me
off
before I was finished.
[See
sign on
later in this chapter.]
Common Phrasal Verbs with the Preposition
On
The preposition
on
is frequently used to form phrasal verbs. Two-word verbs with
on
are almost always transitive, and are often separable.
Accepting or Acquiring
The following idioms have a general meaning of to accept, assume, acquire, or cause to be acquired.
take on (S)
1.
to accept or undertake a project, challenge, extra work, or responsibility ♦
Today, many seniors are
taking on
the responsibility of raising their grand-children.
♦
We
took on
a few extra clients this month to boost our income.
2.
to accept a challenge or compete against someone or something in a challenge or game ♦
The Hornets
take on
the Fighting Tigers tonight at the arena.
3.
to assume or acquire the quality or character of ♦
My white clothes
took on
a pink hue when I washed them with red socks.