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Cup cake Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

'On' as an adverb.

Hi Everyone,

I'm confused about a sentence that I've just seen online in the Cambridge dictionary. Here it is:

' I tried on a few jackets, but none of them look good.'

Isn't - a few jackets - a noun phrase, thus making 'on' a preposition, rather than an adverb in this sentence?

Miss baffled. Emotion: it wasnt me

Thanks
CC.
  

Top answer

Cup cake Isn't - a few jackets - a noun phrase, thus making 'on' a preposition, rather than an adverb in this sentence? No. , lint).

— CalifJim

  • Cup cake Isn't - a few jackets - a noun phrase, thus making 'on' a preposition, rather than an adverb in this sentence?
  • No.
  • , lint).
  • "tried on" is a phrasal verb.
  • Note that you can say "tried a few jackets on", so "on" doesn't even have to go in front of the noun phrase.
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6 Answers
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Cup cakeIsn't - a few jackets - a noun phrase, thus making 'on' a preposition, rather than an adverb in this sentence?
No. There's nothing "on the jackets" (e.g., lint). "tried on" is a phrasal verb.

Note that you can say "tried a few jackets on", so "on" doesn't even have to go in front of the noun phrase.

CJ
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Thanks CJ. Emotion: mmm

I always thought that prepositions come before nouns.

If I said... 'I tried on a jacket'
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Cup cakeIf I said... 'I tried on a jacket'; is 'on' a preposition here?
No. It's a phrasal verb particle or an adverb, depending which terminology you prefer.
Cup cakeI need to get a full grasp of phrasal verbs.
True.
Cup cakeis - in - an adverb in my last sentence?
It is. You must be ca
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Lol... Emotion: angel

Can you recommend a good book on phrasal verbs?

I do know what they are, but I think I need more....
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Cup cakea good book on phrasal verbs
You don't need a book. Google 'phrasal verbs' and you'll find a ton of sites that explain them.

If you really want a book, though, Amazon should have plenty of choices.

CJ
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That's what all my colleagues say too. Emotion: giggle

Maybe not. Thanks for the tip.
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