Phrasal Verb

Question

How to know which phrasal verbs take an object  before the adverbial particle? Like cut (it) off.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Anonymous How to know which phrasal verbs take an object before the adverbial particle? Like cut (it) off.

Take a deep breath.

You have to memorize that information.

If you have to guess, then note that when the particle is in, out, on, off, up, down, away, back, together, or apart, you can probably put an object before the particle; otherwise, you probably can't. This is just a general guide. It's not a rule.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

The verbs cut off, cut close, cut back, and cut loose can have this pattern. So:

I cut it off.
I cut it close.
I cut it back.
I cut it loose.

Note however, that there are other patterns, for example:

I cut off the projecting piece.
I cut close the bristling hair.
I cut back the encroaching bushes.
I cut loose the boat.

And these verbs can also be intransitive, and as such do not have an object:

I cut off, wanting to save the batteries.
I cut close to the leading boat, trying get past him and into first place.
I cut back on entertainment when times are hard.
I cut loose with a flood of angry words.

The verb cut in, however, does not have this pattern:

I cut in the line. (You can't say, "I cut it in.", where "it" is "the line.")
I cut in, hoping to save time. (This is intransitive.)

Phrasal Verb

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