Phrasal verb

Informal, idiomatic English has a large set of lexicalized composite verbs, in which a verb (often a "light" base verb, such as get, set, turn, take) is combined with a preposition (the most common being up, out, back, down, away, with, over, around, to, etc.) to form a single unit, called a phrasal verb (e.g., put up, put on, take off, turn up, come across). Lexicalization has caused the preposition to lose its independent semantic meaning and function, becoming the verb's extension, referred to as a particle. The old term "phrasal verbs" remain in circulation as a way to differentiate such verbs from prepositional verbs (verb phrases comprised of a verb and a preposition).

For example, compare the phrases below. Note how the particle on is merged with the verb put to produce the phrasal verb put on, with a direct object inserted between the base verb and the particle:

(1) put the dress on

verb + direct object + particle = phrasal verb (transitive, separable)

Now, notice the shift in the status of on in the prepositional verb below: unlike the particle on (above), the preposition on conveys a specific meaning, being separate from the verb. Furthermore, it can take a noun phrase as its complement to produce a location adverbial (on the table):

(2) put the dress [on the table]

verb + direct object + prepositional phrase (as adverbial) = prepositional verb (transitive)

The first phrase above is an example of a separable phrasal verb, because the verb can be separated from the particle by an inserted direct object. Phrasal verbs can also be inseparable, whose direct objects must follow the verb and particle:

(3) put on airs

verb + particle + direct object = phrasal verb (transitive, inseparable)

As seen above, as well as being transitive, phrasal verbs can be intransitive:

(4) pass away

phrasal verb (intransitive)

Other more complex verbs are phrasal-prepositional, often taking with, to, in, or for as prepositional complements:

(5) put up with me

phrasal verb + preposition (inseparable)

In passive sentences, with phrasal or prepositional verbs, particles and prepositions remain attached to the verbs:

Combining basic short verbs with a set of mostly monosyllabic prepositions, phrasal verbs are "light" and prolific in expressing actions of everyday life, which may vary depending on the culture, region, or community. As single semantic units (whose individual parts are not meaningful on their own), routinely used by English speakers in conversations and informal settings, phrasal verbs are an ultimate expression of English nativity.