1

5. PREPOSITIONAL AND PHRASAL VERBS

A. PREPOSITIONAL VERBS There are many verbs after which a particular preposition is used. The prepositional phrase is followed by an object (mostly a noun or a clause). If the object is a verb, the verb must be in the gerund form ('ing' form). There are two types: . verb ! preposition ! object ". verb ! object ! preposition 1. Verb + preposition + object
e.g. Have you applied for the job?

#ometimes the meaning of the prepositional verb can be e$plained from the meaning of the separate parts e.g. run away. In other cases the combination of the verb and preposition gets a new meaning which cannot be e$plained from the separate parts e.g. to look after. %ere follows a non&e$haustive list of prepositional verbs ! object: a ree to so!et"in (' accept) e.g. The unions have agreed to the employer's proposals a ree #it" so!et"in e.g. I don't agree with the terms stated in the contract. a$$o# %or so!et"in (' include in the planning) e.g. We must allow for some e tra e penses if we e pand. a!o&nt to so!et"in (' be e(uivalent to) e.g. !osses amounted to over "# million. apo$o ise ' to so!eone( %or so!et"in e.g. I apologised to the customer for being late. app$) %or e.g. I applied for a job yesterday. atten* to 'so!et"in ( e.g. I will attend to the matter as soon as possible be$ie+e in so!et"in e.g. $o you believe in free trade? be$on to so!eone e.g. This briefcase belongs to %r &aunders.

)*++ ,ortrij/01 "" 23 0

)*++ *euven / 1 3" 01 4 www.blcc.be 5 info6blcc.be

)*++ .ilvoorde /" 2"0 // 0"

care abo&t so!eone,so!et"in (' thin- someone or something is important) e.g. 'ur company cares about the environment. care %or so!eone (' loo- after, nurse) e.g. (s an insurance company we care for our customers in many ways. care %or so!et"in (' to li-e : in (uestions and negative sentences) e.g. Would you care for a drink ? con%or! to so!et"in (' comply with) e.g. $uring the )ulf crisis Ira* refused to conform to +, resolutions. ta-e care o% so!eone,so!et"in (' loo- after) e.g. %y assistant will take care of our visitors when we have lunch. co!e across so!eone,so!et"in (' to meet by chance) e.g. -esterday I came across a computer programme that we can use. co$$i*e #it" so!eone,so!et"in e.g. $elivery will be late as our driver collided with a lorry. co!p$ain to 'so!eone( abo&t 'so!et"in ,so!eone( e.g. &ome customers complained to me about the *uality of our goods. consist in (' to have something as its main characteristic) e.g. The job of our receptionist consists in welcoming visitors and giving information. consist o% so!et"in (' be composed of) e.g. The committee consists of financial e perts *epen* on so!eone,so!et"in e.g. The success of our company depends on the demand for lu ury goods "appen to so!eone,so!et"in e.g. I don't -now what happened to the shipment. "ear abo&t (' be told about) e.g. I have just heard about the crisis. "ear o% (' -now that someone or something e$ists) e.g. I have never heard of that company before. "ear %ro! so!eone (' receive a letter or telephone call from someone) e.g. Have you heard from our &ales %anager in .aris yet? insist on so!et"in e.g. We insist on prompt delivery. $a& ",s!i$e at so!eone,so!et"in 7hen I entered the room the 8anaging 9irector smiled at me. $isten to so!eone,so!et"in e.g. !et's listen to the news/ the *uarterly figures of H. will be announced today. $oo- at so!eone,so!et"in e.g. !ook at the monitor. It's flickering. $oo- %or so!eone,so!et"in (' search)
)*++ ,ortrij/01 "" 23 0 )*++ *euven / 1 3" 01 4 www.blcc.be 5 info6blcc.be )*++ .ilvoorde /" 2"0 // 0"

e.g. We are always looking for new opportunities. $oo- a%ter so!eone,so!et"in (' ta-e care of) e.g. The government should look after the interests of the citi0ens. $oo- %or#ar* to so!et"in e.g. We look forward to hearing from you. pa) 'so!eone( %or so!et"in e.g. They have not paid for the internet connection yet . re$) on so!eone,so!et"in e.g. We have to rely on our computer programmer for our software. searc" 'a person,a p$ace,.( %or so!et"in e.g. I have searched the whole office for my planning1 but I can't find it. spea- to,ta$- to so!eone e.g. I would like to speak to %s 2ollins1 please. s&ccee* in so!et"in e.g. 23W succeeded in doubling its profits in three years. s&%%er %ro! an i$$ness e.g. %any elderly managers suffer from high blood pressure. t"in- abo&t so!eone,so!et"in (' reflect, use the mind) e.g. We are still thinking about the take4over bid. t"in- abo&t,o% so!et"in (' consider) e.g. The government is thinking about privatising the telephone company. t"in- o% so!eone,so!et"in ( ' have an opinion on) e.g. What do you think of his suggestion? #ait %or so!eone or so!et"in e.g. We had to wait for an hour before the meeting started. #rite to so!eone e.g. 'ur 2hief 5uyer is writing to one of our suppliers to complain about delivery.

)*++ ,ortrij/01 "" 23 0

)*++ *euven / 1 3" 01 4 www.blcc.be 5 info6blcc.be

)*++ .ilvoorde /" 2"0 // 0"

/. Verb + object + preposition These verbs have two objects. :or e$ample, to charge someone with something. ; lot of prepositional verbs with two objects can also be used with one object. %ere follows a non&e$haustive list of prepositional verbs with " objects: acc&se so!eone o% '*oin ( so!et"in e.g. 'ne of our cashiers accused a customer of theft. as- 'so!eone( %or so!et"in e.g. The 6mployment &ecretary asked the Treasurer for more money. as- so!eone to *o so!et"in e.g. I asked the helpdesk employee to change my password. b$a!e so!eone,so!et"in %or '*oin ( so!et"in e.g. %y boss blames the %arketing %anager for the lower profits. b$a!e so!et"in on so!eone e.g. 7ohn blames the mistake on the .ersonnel %anager borro# so!et"in %ro! so!eone e.g. I borrowed some money from my assistant. con rat&$ate so!eone on '*oin ( so!et"in e.g. %y boss congratulated me on my success con+ince so!ebo*) o% so!et"in e.g. I convinced the bank of the potential of our new products. *i+i*e,c&t,sp$it so!et"in in'to( e.g. We were split into two groups for the guided tour. *o so!et"in abo&t so!et"in e.g. We have to do something about shoplifting in our shops. e0p$ain so!et"in to so!eone e.g. I e plained to the ta inspector that we suffered a loss last year. e0p$ain to so!eone #"at,"o#,#"en to + in%initi+e e.g. 'ur bookkeeper e plained to us how the computer program worked. in+ite so!eone to (a reception, a ceremony...) e.g. We have invited all our suppliers to the reception. $ea+e 'a p$ace( %or 'anot"er p$ace( e.g. That clothes manufacturer left 8rance for India because of the wages. point,ai! so!et"in at so!eone,so!et"in e.g. $uring the presentation I pointed the pointer at the wrong graph. pre%er so!eone,so!et"in to so!eone,so!et"in e.g. We prefer high *uality to low prices. pre+ent so!eone %ro! *oin so!et"in e.g. This commercial should prevent consumers from buying rival products.
)*++ ,ortrij/01 "" 23 0 )*++ *euven / 1 3" 01 4 www.blcc.be 5 info6blcc.be )*++ .ilvoorde /" 2"0 // 0"

protect so!eone,so!et"in %ro!,a ainst so!eone,so!et"in e.g. &ome governments try to protect their industry from international competition. re ar* so!eone,so!et"in as (' consider as) e.g. I regard my boss as a coach rather than a superior. re!in* so!eone o% so!eone,so!et"in (' cause to remember) e.g. -our story reminds me of my business trip to &ao .aulo. re!in* so!eone abo&t so!et"in (' tell someone not to forget) e.g. %y secretary reminded me about the luncheon vouchers for the conference. spen* '!one)( on so!et"in e.g. !ast year %ethane spent "#991999 dollars on new software. spen* 'ti!e( *oin so!et"in e.g. The new international students spend a lot of time learning 6nglish. trans$ate so!et"in %ro! one $an &a e into anot"er $an &a e e.g. We have translated the contract from )erman into 6nglish. #arn so!eone o% a so!et"in e.g. The government warns youngsters of the dangers of smoking.

)*++ ,ortrij/01 "" 23 0

)*++ *euven / 1 3" 01 4 www.blcc.be 5 info6blcc.be

)*++ .ilvoorde /" 2"0 // 0"

Re!ar-s1 7e do <=T use a preposition after these verbs: ans#er e.g. I:d prefer to answer that *uestion at the end of my talk. ase.g. 6 cuse me but I:d like to ask you a *uestion. ca$$,p"one,rin e.g. .lease could you call me back later? *isc&ss e.g. We can discuss this matter tomorrow. enter e.g. $on:t enter this area without prior authorisation. reac" e.g. We finally reached an agreement at # o:clock in the morning. s&it e.g. $oes a meeting on 8riday suit you? te$$ e.g. I told them not to worry too much about it. but/ !eet e.g We are to meet a delegation from 7apan. ;)5< e.g. We are to meet with a delegation from 7apan. ;+&<

)*++ ,ortrij/01 "" 23 0

)*++ *euven / 1 3" 01 4 www.blcc.be 5 info6blcc.be

)*++ .ilvoorde /" 2"0 // 0"

B. PHRASAL VERBS ; phrasal verb is a verb ! an adverb phrase. It consists of: verb ! e.g. fill turn adverb in up (!object) ! rest of the sentence

this form

in duplicate early at work

The following alternative word order is also possible: 1( e.g. /( e.g. 2( e.g. +erb + a*+erb + object fill in the form +erb + object fill the form + a*+erb in + a*+erb

+erb 3 object prono&n fill it in

+ommon adverbs used in phrasal verbs are: abo&t %or#ar* in o%% t"ro& " &p a$on on #a) o&t baco+er *o#n ro&n*

%ere again some phrasal verbs -eep the individual meaning of the verb and the adverb.
e.g. I:ve brought back the plans. Would you like to see them?

=ther phrasal verbs have a different meaning from the individual parts:
e.g. He made up a wonderful story about his adventures abroad.

In style most p"rasa$ +erbs are in%or!a$, but this doesn>t mean they are not commonly used. %ere follows an non&e$haustive list of common phrasal verbs: a** &p (' find the total) e.g. What's the total of those bills? 2ould you add them up and see? bac- &p (' confirm a story, facts or information) e.g. If you don't believe me1 talk to $ave. He'll back me up. brea- *o#n (' stop wor-ing) e.g. I:m going to call the engineers because the machine has broken down again.
)*++ ,ortrij/01 "" 23 0 )*++ *euven / 1 3" 01 4 www.blcc.be 5 info6blcc.be )*++ .ilvoorde /" 2"0 // 0"

brea- o%% (' end) e.g. ,egotiations broke off after three hours of serious disagreement. brin abo&t (' cause to happen) e.g. The crisis was brought about by 5renda 's resignation. brin ro&n* (' influence someone to your point of view) e.g. ;fter much discussion, I brought the committee round to my point of view. brin &p (' mention as a topic of discussion) e.g. Why didn:t you bring up the topic of overtime pay? ca$$ o%% (' to cancel) e.g. I:m afraid I:m going to have to call of the meeting. c"ec- in (' to report your arrival) ?@ c"ec- o&t e.g. 7ack took a ta i to the hotel and checked in. c$ose *o#n (' to shut) e.g. (fter long negotiations they have decided to close down the plant. co!e &p (' occur 5 usually for a problem) e.g. !ook1 something has come up1 and I can't meet you. *ra# &p (' create a formal document) e.g. Their lawyers will draw all the official documents up sometime this month. *rop o%% (' deliver something) e.g. I can take those letters to the post office. I'll drop them off as I go home from work. %i$$ in (' to complete a form) ' %i$$ o&t e.g. It took me an hour to fill in the application form. %i$$ in (' supply information) e.g. I wasn't able to attend the meeting yesterday. 2ould you fill me in? %in* o&t (' to discover) e.g. 2an you find out how long they:ve been buying from 2arters32o? et on (' ma-e prrogress) e.g. &ue is getting on very well in her new job. et t"ro& " (' to contact someone, especially by telephone) e.g. Hello1 =oger. I've been trying to get through to you for hours> "an &p (' to end a phone conversation by replacing the receiver) e.g. I'd like to talk longer1 but I'd better hang up. %y boss is coming my way. "o$* on (' to wait, especially on the phone) e.g. )eorge phoned his office because he wanted some information. 'Hold on a minute and I'll get it for you1' said his assistant. -eep &p (' to continue) e.g. Well done> ?eep up the good work. $a) o%% (' to stop employing because there>s not enough wor-) e.g. !ast year the manager of 8inns !td laid off #@9 workers because business was bad.
)*++ ,ortrij/01 "" 23 0 )*++ *euven / 1 3" 01 4 www.blcc.be 5 info6blcc.be )*++ .ilvoorde /" 2"0 // 0"

$ea+e o&t (' forget, omit) e.g. When I made the list of those who attended the meeting1 I left your name out> $et *o#n (' disappoint) e.g. &orry to let you down1 but I can't give you a lift today. $oo- o+er (' chec-) e.g. I think I may have some typos in this report. 2ould you look it over? pic- &p (' collect someone or something) e.g. 'f course we can go there together. What time should I pick you up? p&t o%% (' to delay an event or arrangement until a later date) e.g. 'lga put off writing that mail until the ne t day. p&t t"ro& " (' to connect a telephone caller to the number he or she wants) e.g. 'Who would you like to speak to?' asked the switchboard operator. '.ut me through to %r )uhn please1' %r .ratt replied. r&n into (' to meet by chance) e.g. I was on my way to work when I ran into 7eremy Thomas. set bac- (' to cause a delay in scheduling) e.g. We've had some problems with the project that have set us back at least two days . set &p (' to ma-e arrangements for something) e.g. -ou'll see %r. Thomas tomorrow. I've set a meeting up for A/B9 (%. s"o# &p (' arrive, appear) e.g. The boss was very upset when you didn't show up for the meeting. What happened? sort o&t (' find a solution) e.g. $on't worry1 %ary will sort out your problem. stan* o&t (' be noticeably better than other similar people or things) e.g. )ood job1 (nn> -our work really stands out> stan* o&t (' be noticeably better than other similar people or things) e.g. )ood job1 (nn> -our work really stands out> step *o#n(' resign) e.g. The 2hairman has stepped down after criticism from shareholders. ta-e o%% (' leave, depart) e.g. Was something wrong with 7ill? &he took off without saying goodbye. ta-e o%% (' ma-e arrangements to be absent from wor-) e.g. &usan isn't here today. &he's taking today and tomorrow off. ta-e on (' do something e$tra) e.g. &he has taken on too much with a full4time job as well. tic- o%% (' show that something has been completed by putting a tic(chec-) beside it)
)*++ ,ortrij/01 "" 23 0 )*++ *euven / 1 3" 01 4 www.blcc.be 5 info6blcc.be )*++ .ilvoorde /" 2"0 // 0"

10

e.g. Here are the things you need to do. Tick each one off when you finish it. t&rn *o#n (' to refuse or reject) e.g. (nother company offered me a job but I turned them down. t&rn &p (' to come) e.g. ,ot many people turned up for the IT session. #rap &p (' finish something) e.g. We've been talking about the problem for nearly three hours. I hope we'll be able to wrap the discussion up soon. #rite *o#n (' record something in writing) e.g. 2ould you tell me your e4mail address again? I want to write it down. Re!ar-s1 #ometimes a phrasal verb is followed by a preposition: c&t bac- on e.g. If we want to survive as a company we have to cut back on personnel. %a$$ bac- on e.g. If the worst comes to the worst1 we've got our savings to fall back on. %a$$ o&t #it" (' to (uarrel) e.g. .eter has fallen out with his boss.

)*++ ,ortrij/01 "" 23 0

)*++ *euven / 1 3" 01 4 www.blcc.be 5 info6blcc.be

)*++ .ilvoorde /" 2"0 // 0"