Phrasal verb with preposition and with adverb

Question

What is a clear difference between a phrasal verb with preposition and with adverb

Persian Learner · Accepted Answer

towel train
What is a clear difference between a phrasal verb with preposition and with adverb

If it's a preposition, it gets a noun phrase (as its object); otherwise, it is an adverb.

They went so fast we couldn't catch up. 'up' is an adverb here.

Dianne is carrying on the family tradition by becoming a lawyer. 'on' is a preposition here because it gets the noun phrase 'the family tradition'.

GPY · Answer

If it's a preposition, it gets a noun phrase (as its object); otherwise, it is an adverb.

This isn't correct actually. Phrasal verbs with adverb can also take objects. For example, "I'll look up his name in the phone book". However, if the object can go before the second word then it's an adverb, e.g. "I'll look him up in the phone book".

Dianne is carrying on the family tradition by becoming a lawyer. 'on' is a preposition here because it gets the noun phrase 'the family tradition'.

In fact it is an adverb.

Persian Learner · Answer

GPY
In fact it is an adverb.

So, what's the function of 'the family tradition'?

GPY · Answer

So, what's the function of 'the family tradition'?

It is the object of the phrasal verb "carry on".

Persian Learner · Answer

So, can one argue that if a transitive multiword verb is not separable by its object, it is in fact a prepositional verb; otherwise, it is a phrasal verb-- with the small particle being an adverb?

GPY · Answer

Persian Learner
So, can one argue that if a transitive verb phrase is not separable by its object, it is in fact a prepositional verb; otherwise, it is a phrasal verb-- with the small particle being an adverb?

Normally, yes. I couldn't absolutely guarantee off the top of my head that there are no odd exceptions. Note also that some people include prepositional verbs in the term "phrasal verb".

AlpheccaStars · Answer

According to the definitions below, "prepositional verbs" are a subset of "phrasal verbs."

Phrasal Verbs can be separated. An object can be optional.
Prepositional Verbs must not be separated. An object is required.

Phrasal Verb (Grammar)

a combination of verb and one or more adverbial or prepositional particles, as catch on, take off, bring up, or put up with, functioning as a single semantic unit and often having an idiomatic meaning that could not be predicted from the meanings of the individual parts..

Prepositional Verb (Grammar)

a combination of verb and preposition, often with idiomatic meaning, differing from other phrasal verbs in that an object must always follow the preposition, as take after in The children take after their mother.

The http://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/grammar/british-grammar/about-verbs/verbs-multi-word-verbs describes a third type: Phrasal-prepositional verbs which have three parts: a verb, a particle and a preposition. The particle and the preposition cannot be separated. Many of these verbs are often used in informal contexts, and their meaning is difficult to guess from their individual parts. They can't get along with each other.

CalifJim · Answer

AlpheccaStars
According to the definitions below, "prepositional verbs" are a subset of "phrasal verbs."
Phrasal Verbs can be separated. An object can be optional.
Prepositional Verbs must not be separated. An object is required.
Phrasal Verb (Grammar)
a combination of verb and one or more adverbial or prepositional particles, as catch on, take off, bring up, or put up with, functioning as a single semantic unit and often having an idiomatic meaning that could not be predicted from the meanings of the individual parts..
Prepositional Verb ( Grammar)
a combination of verb and preposition, often with idiomatic meaning, differing from other phrasal verbs in that an object must always follow the preposition, as take after in The children take after their mother.
The http://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/grammar/british-grammar/about-verbs/verbs-multi-word-verbs describes a third type: Phrasal-prepositional verbs which have three parts: a verb, a particle and a preposition. The particle and the preposition cannot be separated. Many of these verbs are often used in informal contexts, and their meaning is difficult to guess from their individual parts. They can't get along with each other.

I like that definition, but I more often see it said that phrasal verbs can be 'separable' and 'non-separable'.

AlpheccaStars
According to the definitions below, "prepositional verbs" are a subset of "phrasal verbs."
Phrasal Verbs can be separated. An object can be optional.
Prepositional Verbs must not be separated. An object is required.
Phrasal Verb (Grammar)
a combination of verb and one or more adverbial or prepositional particles, as catch on, take off, bring up, or put up with, functioning as a single semantic unit and often having an idiomatic meaning that could not be predicted from the meanings of the individual parts..
Prepositional Verb ( Grammar)
a combination of verb and preposition, often with idiomatic meaning, differing from other phrasal verbs in that an object must always follow the preposition, as take after in The children take after their mother.
The http://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/grammar/british-grammar/about-verbs/verbs-multi-word-verbs describes a third type: Phrasal-prepositional verbs which have three parts: a verb, a particle and a preposition. The particle and the preposition cannot be separated. Many of these verbs are often used in informal contexts, and their meaning is difficult to guess from their individual parts. They can't get along with each other.

Indeed, and I believe 97% end with the preposition with.

CJ

Phrasal verb with preposition and with adverb

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