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Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

prepositions after verbs

Is there any general rule for prepositions after verbs? I mean, e.g. out: sort out, break out, point out - does the preposition "out" change these verbs in the same way like the preposition "up" changes common verbs to perfective verbs?
  

Top answer

I don't know what you mean by 'the preposition "up" changes common verbs to perfective verbs ', but I doubt it. Anyway, those are not prepositions; they are adverbs.

— Mister Micawber

  • I don't know what you mean by 'the preposition "up" changes common verbs to perfective verbs ', but I doubt it.
  • Anyway, those are not prepositions; they are adverbs.
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4 Answers
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I don't know what you mean by 'the preposition "up" changes common verbs to perfective verbs', but I doubt it.

Anyway, those are not prepositions; they are adverbs.
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AnonymousIs there any general rule for prepositions after verbs?
You are referring, of course, to those adverbial particles that create phrasal verbs. No. There is no general rule. The most common are in, out, on, off, up, down, away, and back. Some of these have more than one core meaning. For example up can suggest wakefulness:
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Thank you very much CalifJim. That is what I was interested in. So, when there is no general rule, how can I learn these phrasal verbs? Do I have to learn every combinations of verbs and adverbial particles? Isn't there any simplification? It is quite difficult for me to learn those phrasal verbs.
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AnonymousDo I have to learn every combinations of verbs and adverbial particles?
Yes. I'm afraid so. After you learn quite a number of them, they will begin to form patterns in your mind, and it will become easier. It is most difficult at first, but it gets easier as you learn more.
CJ
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