Phrasal Verbs & Multi-word Verbs: Separable/Inseparable, Transitive/Intransitive
Phrasal verbs and multi-word verbs are essential for natural English expression and sophisticated communication. Understanding their patterns, separability, and usage contexts is crucial for professional and academic discourse.
Phrasal Verb Structure
Components
Main Verb: carries the core meaning
Particle/Preposition: modifies or changes the meaning
Optional Object: receives the action
Transitive vs. Intransitive Phrasal Verbs
Transitive Phrasal Verbs (Require Object)
- The team carried out the research.
- She brought up an important point.
- The company put off the decision.
Object Patterns
Direct Object:
- turn on the light, look up the information, write down the address
Indirect Object Patterns
- explain the situation to someone, describe the process to the team
Intransitive Phrasal Verbs (No Object)
- The system broke down.
- negotiations fell through.
- The plane took off on time.
Common Intransitive Patterns
- get up, go on, grow up, hold on, sit down, stand up
Separable vs. Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
Separable Phrasal Verbs
Object can come between verb and particle:
With Noun Objects
- turn on the light = turn the light on
- pick up the book = pick the book up
- fill out the form = fill the form out
With Pronoun Objects (Must Separate)
- turn it on (NOT: turn on it)
- pick them up (NOT: pick up them)
- fill it out (NOT: fill out it)
Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
Object must come after the particle:
Examples
- look after the children (NOT: look the children after)
- run into an old friend (NOT: run an old friend into)
- call on the professor (NOT: call the professor on)
Common Phrasal Verbs by Category
Business and Professional
Communication and Interaction
- follow up (separable): follow up the meeting = follow the meeting up
- bring up (separable): bring up a topic = bring a topic up
- point out (separable): point out an error = point an error out
Planning and Organization
- draw up (separable): draw up a plan = draw a plan up
- carry out (separable): carry out research = carry research out
- put off (separable): put off the meeting = put the meeting off
Progress and Development
- move ahead (inseparable): move ahead with the project
- carry on (inseparable): carry on with the work
- follow through (inseparable): follow through on commitments
Academic and Research
Investigation and Analysis
- look into (inseparable): look into the matter
- find out (separable): find out the results = find the results out
- figure out (separable): figure out the solution = figure the solution out
Research Process
- carry out (separable): carry out experiments = carry experiments out
- write up (separable): write up the findings = write the findings up
- go over (separable): go over the data = go the data over
Technical and Scientific
System Operations
- set up (separable): set up the system = set the system up
- turn on (separable): turn on the equipment = turn the equipment on
- shut down (separable): shut down the computer = shut the computer down
Problem Solving
- troubleshoot (inseparable): troubleshoot the issue
- work out (separable): work out the solution = work the solution out
- sort out (separable): sort out the problem = sort the problem out
Advanced Phrasal Verb Patterns
Multi-Particle Phrasal Verbs
Three-Word Phrasal Verbs
- look forward to (inseparable): look forward to the meeting
- get along with (inseparable): get along with colleagues
- run out of (inseparable): run out of resources
Complex Combinations
- come up with (inseparable): come up with a solution
- face up to (inseparable): face up to challenges
- get down to (inseparable): get down to business
Phrasal Verbs with Multiple Meanings
Take Off
- remove clothing: take off your coat
- airplane departure: the plane takes off at 3 PM
- become successful: the business really took off
- imitate humorously: take off the teacher's accent
Break Down
- stop functioning: the car broke down
- analyze components: break down the problem
- emotional collapse: she broke down in tears
- divide into parts: break down the budget by category
Put Off
- postpone: put off the meeting
- discourage: the smell put me off my food
- distract: don't be put off by the complexity
Contextual Applications
Business Communication
Professional Emails
- I need to follow up on our conversation.
- Could you draw up the proposal by Friday?
- Let's put off the decision until we have more data.
Meeting Discussions
- She brought up an excellent point during the meeting.
- We need to go over the quarterly results.
- The team carried out the research efficiently.
Project Management
- Let's carry on with the current plan.
- We should look into alternative approaches.
- The system set up will take approximately two hours.
Academic Writing
Research Papers
- The study looked into the effects of sleep deprivation.
- Researchers carried out experiments under controlled conditions.
- The findings point out significant correlations between variables.
Methodology Sections
- We set up three experimental groups.
- Data was analyzed using statistical software.
- The results were written up according to APA guidelines.
Literature Reviews
- Previous research has pointed out several limitations.
- Few studies have looked into this specific aspect.
- Recent findings build upon earlier work in the field.
Technical Documentation
User Manuals
- Turn on the device by pressing the power button.
- Set up the software following the installation wizard.
- If problems occur, refer to the troubleshooting section.
System Administration
- Back up the database regularly to prevent data loss.
- Shut down the system maintenance mode.
- Monitor system performance to optimize operations.
Formal vs. Informal Usage
Formal Contexts
Preferred Alternatives to Phrasal Verbs:
- look into → investigate, examine
- find out → discover, ascertain
- put off → postpone, delay
- go over → review, examine
Formal Academic Examples
- Researchers investigated the effects rather than looked into them.
- The committee postponed the decision instead of putting it off.
- We need to examine the data thoroughly rather than just go over it.
Professional Contexts
Appropriate Phrasal Verbs:
- follow up, carry out, draw up, point out
- set up, work out, figure out, bring up
Professional Examples
- The team carried out the analysis as planned.
- We need to follow up with the clients immediately.
- She pointed out several areas for improvement.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Incorrect Separation
Incorrect: I looked up it in the dictionary.
Correct: I looked it up in the dictionary.
2. Wrong Inseparable Usage
Incorrect: I looked the matter into.
Correct: I looked into the matter.
4. Object Placement with Pronouns
Incorrect: She turned on it.
Correct: She turned it on.
Real-World Examples
Business Report
"The team carried out extensive market research and looked into various expansion opportunities. We need to follow up with potential partners and draw up detailed proposals. The board meeting was put off until next quarter to allow for thorough preparation."
Research Paper
"Researchers carried out experiments under controlled conditions to investigate the phenomenon. The study looked into factors that influence participant responses. Results point out significant correlations that warrant further investigation."
Technical Manual
"To set up the system, follow the installation wizard carefully. Turn on all devices and check connections. If problems occur, refer to the troubleshooting section or contact technical support for assistance."
Exercices pratiques
Exercice 1: Classification des phrasal verbs
Identifiez si les phrasal verbs suivants sont : transitifs (T) ou intransitifs (I), et séparables (S) ou inséparables (I) :
- turn on the light
- the plane took off
- look after the children
- pick up the book
- bring up a topic
- the car broke down
- fill out the form
- run into an old friend
Exercice 2: Placement correct des pronoms
Corrigez les phrases en plaçant correctement les pronoms avec les phrasal verbs séparables :
- She turned on it.
- I looked up it.
- He filled out it.
- They picked up them.
- We wrote down it.
- She brought up it.
- I put off it.
- He figured out it.
Exercice 3: Application en contexte professionnel
Complétez le texte avec les phrasal verbs appropriés (carry out, look into, set up, bring up, follow up, put off, point out, draw up) :
Our team needs to _ (1) the research project we discussed last week. First, we should _ (2) the new equipment in the laboratory. During yesterday's meeting, Sarah ......... (3) several important issues that require attention.
I will _ (4) these matters with the department head and _ (5) a detailed proposal for your review. We cannot afford to ......... (6) this decision any longer as the deadline approaches.
The research team will _ (7) the experiments according to the established protocol. They will also _ (8) any unexpected results that may emerge during the process.
Next week, I need to _ (9) with the stakeholders to get their feedback. The technical report should _ (10) the advantages of our proposed solution and ......... (11) potential challenges we might face.
🎯 ASTUCE RAPIDE
Phrasal verbs séparables : "Turn on the light" ou "Turn the light on".
Phrasal verbs inséparables : "Look after the baby" (jamais "look the baby after").
Règle de séparation : Avec un pronom (me, him, it, them), toujours séparable : "Turn it on" (jamais "turn on it").
Transitif vs intransitif : Transitif = avec objet (make up your mind), intransitif = sans objet (plane took off).