Verb+ preposition word order in sentences

Question

Hello Community,My name is Christina and I'm trying to level up my my english writing skills by using a book called "Thematischer Grund und Aufbauwortschatz Englisch"Now you can easily guess I'm German, right? Well here comes a question:I came across several different ways "Verb+ preposition+ object constructions" are used while browsing through that book.The two main types seem to be :1. Verb+ preposition+ object: Proffesor Doolittle laid down his book and looked up at Eliza. ( preposition right after verb)2.Verb+ object + preposition : My Mother took my breakfast away and brought me my medicine.                                           Will you put that knife down! ( preposition after object)Is there any kind of grammatical rule i can refer to?Thanks in advance!

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

NanukaIs there any kind of grammatical rule I can refer to?

You appear to be interested in phrasal verbs. These consist of a verb to which is added a short word that is variously called a preposition, an adverb, or a particle. You might try using Google to find out more about phrasal verbs.

Most phrasal verbs are "separable".

took away my breakfast and took my breakfast away are both correct.
put down that knife and put that knife down are both correct.

The object must come before the particle when the object is a pronoun.

took it away— not took away it
put it down— not put down it

The most usual particles are in, out, on, off, up, down, away, and back.
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A few phrasal verbs are "inseparable". The particle always comes before the object.

do without money; do without it— not do money without; do it without
come across an interesting coin; come across it— not come an interesting coin across; come it across
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See also "prepositional verbs" and "phrasal prepositional verbs". Google should help.
If you want to see other posts of mine on these topics, use the search box at the upper left of this page. Enter

phrasal prepositional verb CJ

CJ

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Hello Nanuka;

Welcome to English Forums!

Here is a very nice reference on phrasal verbs:
http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/phrasal-verbs-list.htm

Note that the phrasal verb often has a meaning that is different than the verb by itself.

A phrasal verb can have more than one meaning;

I wonder if John and Sue will make up?
Mom used to make up wonderful stories that made us laugh.
Make up your bed before breakfast.

Nanuka · Answer

Ok, now i begin to see.
Thanks to both of you for supporting me in my english learning!

Verb+ preposition word order in sentences

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