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Harry1999 Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Grammar question about a typical phrasal verb.
The word is “bog down.” I know its semantic meaning. I am confused about the sentence structure and how it is used in passive manner. I am trying to figure out the object of the passive voice sentence.
The sentence given below is a dictionary example.
http://oald8.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/dictionary/bog_2
I mustn't get bogged down in details (meaning to prevent somebody from making progress in an activity.)
It’s given in the dictionary that “bog down” is usually used in passive sentences. Also, it says this phrasal verb can be used as “bog something/somebody down in something.” Is it a separable phrasal verb?
If it is a separable phrasal verb, then can a direct object be placed between the verb its particle or after the entire phrasal verb?
If above sentence is true, then the sentence should also be,
*I mustn't get bogged in details down.
I think it’s not correct, and I don’t know how.
Please advice.
The sentence given below is a dictionary example.
http://oald8.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/dictionary/bog_2
I mustn't get bogged down in details (meaning to prevent somebody from making progress in an activity.)
It’s given in the dictionary that “bog down” is usually used in passive sentences. Also, it says this phrasal verb can be used as “bog something/somebody down in something.” Is it a separable phrasal verb?
If it is a separable phrasal verb, then can a direct object be placed between the verb its particle or after the entire phrasal verb?
If above sentence is true, then the sentence should also be,
*I mustn't get bogged in details down.
I think it’s not correct, and I don’t know how.
Please advice.
Top answer
Active / Passive: The process of arranging all the details bogged down the peace talk negotiations. The peace talk negotiations were bogged down by the process of arranging all the details. The phrasal verb is inseparable.
- Active / Passive: The process of arranging all the details bogged down the peace talk negotiations.
- The peace talk negotiations were bogged down by the process of arranging all the details.
- The phrasal verb is inseparable.
- You have to put the particle directly after the verb.
- X I mustn't get bogged in details down.
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6 Answers
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Active / Passive:
The process of arranging all the details bogged down the peace talk negotiations.
The peace talk negotiations were bogged down by the process of arranging all the details.
The phrasal verb is inseparable. You have to put the particle directly after the verb.
X I mustn't get bogged in details down.
The process of arranging all the details bogged down the peace talk negotiations.
The peace talk negotiations were bogged down by the process of arranging all the details.
The phrasal verb is inseparable. You have to put the particle directly after the verb.
X I mustn't get bogged in details down.
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Thanks for the reply and help. 
In your sentence it's very easy to find out subject and object.
In "I must
In your sentence it's very easy to find out subject and object.
In "I must
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harry1999In "I mustn't get bogged down in details", there is no object.Correct.
Many verbs never take an object. (I slept well last night. She wept after her dog died.)
Some verbs always take an object. ( I took my son to the doctor. I put the spoon beside my plate.)
And for some verbs, the object is optiona
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Thanks.
Just curious,
I got bogged down in details.
Is "details" a prepositional object?
Just curious,
I got bogged down in details.
Is "details" a prepositional object?
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Some grammars call it an object of the preposition; others call it the complement of the preposition. It is a matter of terminology, and I don't want to start any arguments!
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AlpheccaStarsSome grammars call it an object of the preposition; others call it the complement of the preposition. It is a matter of terminology, and I don't want to start any arguments!Me too. I asked it, because that was on my mind, not in my mind.
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