To rob somebody of something

Question

To rob somebody of something[~ + object + of + object] to take away from (someone) some right or cheat (someone) out of something:robbed her of her inheritance.Hello, Is [to rob somebody of something] a phrasal verb or a transitive verb? It looks to be a phrasal verb because of [of] but I don't know why dictionaries haven't called it a phrasal verb. What's that?1. To strip somebody of something = phrasal verb 2. To deprive somebody of something = phrasal verb 3. To rob somebody of something = transitive verb You see now? Why are 1 and 2 phrasal verbs but 3 isn't?(I have asked this question in WR forum but I haven't got a clear answer.)Thank you.

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

In this dictionary, none of the verbs (strip, deprive, rob) are described as phrasal verbs.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/rob?s=t
A second object (after "of") is needed for deprive to make a complete sentence, but with rob and strip, the second object is not required. So I would call "deprive of" a phrasal verb, but not strip or rob.

He deprived her of sleep.
He robbed her.
He stripped the bed.

Sb70012 · Answer

You say [to strip sb of sth] is not a phrasal verb.

But in Cambridge dictionary it is regarded as a phrasal verb.

Look at this link: http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/strip-sb-of-sth

I got more confused.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

sb70012I got more confused.

Different dictionaries explain the words in a language in different ways. Some give examples of usage. Others use labels.

He stripped the bed. This is a perfectly good sentence.
He stripped the bed of its sheets. This is a perfectly good sentence.

Sb70012 · Answer

I didn't receive a good or comprehensive answer for my post #1.

But thanks for answering. I wish one other could give me some more analysis on my post #1.

Thanks for answering Alphecca Stars.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

sb70012Is [to rob somebody of something] a phrasal verb or a transitive verb?

The verb is "to rob." It is transitive.
A transitive verb has (or takes) an object.
A transitive verb can be used in the passive voice.
He robbed me (of my possessions).
I was robbed (of my possessions).
Note that the "of-phrase" just adds more detail. It is a usage pattern.
It is not like a typical phrasal verb, as in "to hold up" which also means "to rob"
He held me up. = He robbed me (of my wallet.)
He held up the bank. = He robbed the bank (of its money.)

Note that you cannot write this: He robbed me of.

Some verbs are both transitive and intransitive, but only one at a time. Context determines which one.
The rose smells nice. (intransitive)
She smelled the rose. (transitive)

The labels "transitive" and "phrasal" are independent descriptors.
A verb is phrasal if it consists of two (or more) words - a verb and a particle that creates a new meaning.
A phrasal verb can be transitive or intransitive or both.

Read more about phrasal verbs here:
http://www.dailywritingtips.com/facts-about-phrasal-verbs/

GPY · Answer

sb70012You say [to strip sb of sth] is not a phrasal verb.But in Cambridge dictionary it is regarded as a phrasal verb.Look at this link: http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/strip-sb-of-sth I got more confused.

The term "phrasal verb" does not (as far as I know) have a definition precise enough for everyone to always agree on what is and isn't a phrasal verb. A usual requirement is that the verb + particle/preposition combination must create an idiomatic meaning that is more than the sum of the parts, but of course this can be subjective in borderline cases.

To rob somebody of something

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