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Tema 22: 
Multi‐word verbs  
 Topic 22:
“Multi-word verbs”
v
2

Topic 22:
2
“
“Multi-word v
verbs”

Ta
able of contents

1. Verb-particcle combinaations _____

____________________
_________________________ 3
2. Phrasal Vss. ___________________
____________________
_________________________ 4
2.1. Type I: (Intransitivve) Phrasal Vs. __________________
___________________________ 4
2.2. Type III: (Transitivve) Phrasal Vs.
V __________________
___________________________ 5
3. Preposition
nal Vs _______________
____________________
_________________________ 6
3.1. Type I: Prepositional Vs. _________________________
___________________________ 6
3.2. Preposiitional Vs coontrasted wiith phrasal verb.
v ______
___________________________ 6
3.3. Type III: Prepositioonal Vs. _________________________
___________________________ 7
4. Phrasal-Prrepositionall verbs ____
____________________
_________________________ 8
5. A summaryy of the typees of multi--word verb _________
_________________________ 9
6. Some semaantic and syyntactic disttinctions. __________
_ _________________________ 9
6.1. Semanttic criteria for
f idiomaticc status. ______________
___________________________ 9
6.2. Syntacttic criteria for
f Prepositiional Vs. _____________
__________________________ 10
6.2.1. The prepositionall passive.____________________________
_____________________________ 11
6.2.2. The criterion of question
q formss. ______________________
_____________________________ 11
6.3. Criteriaa for distingguishing phrrasal and Prrepositional Verbs ____________________ 12
7. Other multti-word verbb constructiions _______________
________________________ 13
Brrief summarry __________________
____________________
________________________ 14
Biibliography __________
_ __________
____________________
________________________ 15

Iván Matella
anes’ Notes
 Topic 22:
“Multi-word verbs”
3

1. Verb-particle combinations
PhrVs, PpVs & PhrPpVs.
The main category of multi-word Vs consists of such combinations as
drink up, dispose of, get away with, which I will categorize under the
headings of Phrasal V (PhrV), Prepositional V (PpV) and phrasal-
prepositional V (Phr-PpV) respectively.
Since the verb has been considered a class of word, it may seem a Verb=1 word
Multi-word?
contradiction to speak of multi-word Vs. The term “word” is frequently
used, however, not for a morphologically defined class, but also for an item Multi-word → single
lexical or syntactical
which acts as a single word lexically or syntactically. The word disposed
remains morphologically a V (dispose, disposes, disposed …), but the sequence
disposed of also functions in various ways as a single unit, such that for some
purposes the sentence can be divided into:
[We] [disposed of] [the problem]

The words which follow the lexical verb in expressions like drink up, Particle: morphologic
invariable item which
dispose of and get away with are morphologically invariable, and will be occurs in multi-words.

given the neutral designation PARTICLES. They actually belong to 2 distinct

Pps or Spatial Advs.
but overlapping categories: Pps and spatial advs. The term “PARTICLE”
will therefore apply to such words, when they follow and are closely associated
with Vs. Not all multi-word Vs consist of lexical Vs followed by particles
(take pride in, see fit, cut short …)
PARTICLES:
Against, among, as, at, beside, for, [1] The dog went for me
A PPS ONLY Require a NP as a Pp complement [1]
from, into, like, of, onto, upon, with … [2] * The dog went for
About, above, across, after, along, around, by, down, in, EITHER PPS OR Both [1] [1] Jack fell down the hill
B
off, on, out [AmE], over, past, round, through, under, up … SPATIAL ADVS & [2] [2] Jack fell down
Aback, ahead, apart, aside, astray, away, back, SPATIAL There isn’t such [1] *We must not look back the past
C
forward(s), home, in front, on top, together, out [BrE] … ADVS ONLY requirement [2] [2] We must not look back

Iván Matellanes’ Notes

 Topic 22:
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2. Phrasal Vs. Phrasal verbs

Type I: Intransitive PhrV
2.1. Type I: (Intransitive) Phrasal Vs.
One common type of multi-word V is the Type I, or intransitive PhrV, Lexical V + B/C Particle.
consisting of a V and an adv particle, as in:
The plane has now taken off.
The prisoner finally broke down.
When will they give in?
The tank blew up.

Such Vs are usually informal. The particle come from class B, or C, and it
cannot usually be separated from its lexical V. Usually inseparable.

MEANING
Although some PhrVs are more IDIOMATIC & cohesive than others, I PhrV: Meaning cannot be
predicted from the parts in
will draw a distinction between such PhrVs, on the one hand, and FREE isolation.

COMBINATIONS in which the V and the adv have distinct meaning on the other.
In a PhrV like blew up (=explode), the meaning of the combination
cannot be predicted from the meanings of the V and the particle in
Free combinations:
isolation. But in FREE COMBINATIONS the V acts as a normal intransitive V, V acts as a normal
intransitive V, and the adv
and the adv has its own meaning. has its own meaning.

He walked past [=past the object/place] → The separability of the V and adv in
terms of meaning is shown by possible substitutions: [Run / swim / jump] past Parts not related in
meaning: Substitution.
There are also syntactic signs of cohesion. In FREE COMBINATIONS, it a. SYNTAX
Free combinations:
is often possible to place the modifying adv right (or sometimes straight) Place a right/straight btw
the particle and the V.
btw the adv particle and the V. This insertion is unacceptable with PhrVs.
PhrV: Such insertion is
Go right/straight on Walk straight in. unacceptable.
* She turn right up at last [Idiomatic PhrV]
b. SYNTAX

Free combinations:
Another sign of FREE COMBINATIONS is the possibility of placing the adv Place the particle before
the V in subj-V inversion.
before the V with subj-V inversion. This combination is not possible with PhrV: Such inversion is
not possible.
PhrVs.
Out come the sun. Up you come.
* Up blew the tank
However, the distinction is not so clear cut. Some FREE COMBINATIONS do not
follow these characteristics, and some PhrVs neither.

Iván Matellanes’ Notes

 Topic 22:
“Multi-word verbs”
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2.2. Type II: (Transitive) Phrasal Vs. Type II: Transitive PhrV

Many PhrVs may take a direct object (=DO) and may therefore be May take a direct obj.
described as transitive. However, to simplify comparison with PpVs, we will
call them Type II PhrVs, as contrasted with Type I (or intransitive) PhrVs.
Shall I put away the dishes? They have call off the strike.
Find out if they are coming? She turn on the light.
With most Type II PhrVs, as with FREE COMBINATIONS of the same
pattern, the particle can either precede or follow the DO. Particle can either
precede/follow the DO.
They turned the light on =They turned on the light
Bearing in mind the adverbial status of the particle, we would indeed SVOA order +usual.

expect the SVOA to be more usual, even though it means a separation of the
When Obj is a pers
particle from its V. When the Obj is a pers pron, the SVOA order is in fact pron, SVOA order
only one available.
the only one allowable.
* She switched on it. She switched it on.
As before, the PhrV have to be distinguished lexically from free
syntactic combinations of V and Ppal Adv:
She took in the box. [“Brought inside” → FREE COMBINATION.]
She took in her parents. [“Deceive” → PHRV]

MEANING
The V and the particle in put out the cat preserve their separate meanings PhrV: Meaning cannot be
predicted from the parts in
in that combination, as well as in a wide range of comparable combinations: isolation.
Free combinations:
put + down/outside/away/aside. A highly idiomatic expression like put off V acts as a normal
Transitive V, and the adv
[postpone] has no such variants at all, for the two variants are fused into a has its own meaning.

unit which does not allow any substitution of the individual elements.
b. SYNTAX

With Type II phrVs, there is no sensitive method of testing Free combinations &
PhrVs: No use to place
syntactic cohesion by placing the particle before the subject, as this the particle before the V in
subj-V inversion as it’s not
construction is scarcely possible even with FREE COMBINATIONS. The other possible in neither of them
a. SYNTAX

test of independence, insertion of the adv right/straight before the particle, Free combinations:
Place a right/straight btw
can however be used. the particle and the V.
PhrV: Such inversion is
She took straight in the box. [FREE COMBINATION] not possible.
* She took straight in her parents. [PhrV]
Like transitive Vs have a spatial meaning, type II PhrVs can normally1 be
Can be turned into
turned into the PASSIVE without stylistic awkwardness. passive.
Aunt Ada brought up Roy = Roy was brought up by Aunt Ada.

1
Of course, there are exceptions: When the object is idiomatically limited to a particular N.

Iván Matellanes’ Notes

 Topic 22:
“Multi-word verbs”
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3. Prepositional Vs Prepositional Vs

3.1. Type I: Prepositional Vs. Type I: PpVs

Now, as before, I use Type I as a label for multi-word Vs without a DO. Without a DO.
A PpV consists of a lexical V followed by a Pp with which it is
The Pp is semantically or
semantically and/or syntactically associated. The Pp, as is to be syntactically associated
with the lexical V.
expected, precedes its complement.
Look at these pictures I approve of their action.
Can you cope with the work. We must go into the problem.
In these examples, the lexical V is followed by a particle which is Particle → CLASS A.

unequivocally a Pp (that is, from CLASS A).

In using the term prepositional V we indicate that we consider the
nd
The 2 NP of the
sentence is the
Many people looked at the pictures. complement of the Pp, so
that a PpObject of the V.
This is so despite the fact that the passive is frequently possible (with some
stylistic awkwardness, though): The picture was looked at by many people.
So, It is not a direct Obj,
The intransitive interpretation, on the other hand, is justified by the despite the fact that the
passive construction is
potentiality of a adverbial insertion, as insertion btw V and Direct Obj is allowed.

usually avoided: Intransitive

Many people looked disrespectfully AT THE PICTURE. [PpsV Type I – intransitive-] interpretation
is justified by the
Many people examined disrespectfully THE PICTURE. [Transitive V] potentiality of advbl
There are, therefore, two complementary analysis of a sentence like: insertion, as insertion
btw V & DO is usually
avoided.
(SVA) ANALYSIS 1: Subject Verb Advbl → Type 1 PPVS.

She looked after her son

(SVO) ANALYSIS 2: Subject Verb DO Table 1.

3.2. Prepositional Vs contrasted with phrasal verb.

I must now briefly attend to another distinction between similar-
looking constructions. The following Type I Pps Vs which contain CLASS
B particles & therefore are capable of confusion with type II PhrVs.
She called on her friends The car ran over a bump.
She saw through his imposture You should invest in property.

Iván Matellanes’ Notes

 Topic 22:
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Type I PpVs vs. Type II PhrVs
Type I CLASS B PpVs are distinguished from almost all Type II PhrVs
Type II PhrVs: Inability of
by the inability of the particle to be moved to a position after the the particle to be moved
to a position after the
following NP: following NP.

She called on her friends - * She called her friends on. [Type II PhrsV]
She switched on the light – She switched the light on. [Type I CLASS B PpV]
Similarly, the order of the particle & pronoun is different. Type II PhrVs:
Subj + T2PhrV + pron.
She called on them – NOT - *She called them on. [Type II PhrsV]
She switched it on – NOT - *She switched on it. [Type I CLASS B PpV] - Type I CLASS B PpVs:
Subj + pron + T1PpVs.
Another criterion is stress in their corresponding passive constructions, but in
the Type II PhrV, a higher degree of stress usually falls on the adv Type II PhrVs:
+ stress on the particle.
particle. In the PpV, on the other hand, the stress normally occurs on the
- Type I CLASS B PpVs:
lexical V preceding the particle. + Stress on the lexical V.

He ‘called on the dean ≈ The dean was CALLED on.

She switched ‘on the light ≈ The light was switched ON.

3.3. Type II: Prepositional Vs. Type II: PpVs

The Type I / Type II opposition applies not only to PhrV, but to PpVs:
Type I (W/out Dirct Obj) Type II (W/Direct Obj)
Phrasal V Please drink up Please drink IT up
Prepositional V He invested in property He invested his money in property

Type II PpVs are followed by two NPs, normally separated by the Pp: the Are followed by two NPs,
st
separated by a Pp, the 1 a
first is the DO, the second the Prepositional object. Three subtypes may be nd
DO, the 2 a Ppal Obj.

distinguished:
TYPE IIa: Type IIa:
This clothing will protect you from the worst weather = You will BE protected from the weather. Regular passive constrution.
May I remind you of our agreement?
TYPEIIb:
Type IIb:
They have made a (terrible) mess of the house. = [1]A (terrible) mess HAS BEEN made of the [1]Regular passive constrution.
house or [2]The house HAS BEEN made a (terrible) mess of. [2]Ppal obj becomes the subj
Mary took care of the children. of the passive.
TYPEIIc:
Give way to traffic on the major road = Traffic on the major road should always be given way to. Type IIc:
[2]Ppal obj becomes the subj
I have lost touch with most of the family.
of the passive.
The first and numerous type has a passive of the regular kind, the Direct
Obj becoming subject of the passive VP. With TYPEIIb, there are two
possible passives: the regular passive and the less acceptable passive
construction in which the Ppal obj becomes the subject. In TYPEIIc, on
the other hand, the only acceptable passive is the irregular passive in
which the Ppal obj becomes subject.

Iván Matellanes’ Notes

 Topic 22:
“Multi-word verbs”
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To a great extend, membership of types IIa-IIc above depends on Idiomatic status of the PpV.

the idiomatic status of the prepositional V.

In TYPEIIa, the lexical V and the Pp form an idiomatic TYPEIIa: lexical V & Pp
form an idiomatic
combination. In Vs such as accuse DO of & thank DO for, the V governs combination. Pp selected
by the V.
the Pp, in the sense that the Pp is selected by reason of the V, rather than
by semantic choice.
The PpP is optional in some cases, but not in others. PpP is optional
sometimes.
They [cheated / deprived] the boy of his savings.
They [cheated / *deprived] the boy.
In TYPEIIb, as well as the V word and the Pp, the head of the N of TYPEIIb: The V, the Pp
and the head of the DO
the DO forms part of the idiom. form part of the idiom.

Make a (horrible) mess of Take (some) notice of.

Pay (careful) attention to Take (unfair) advantage of
The object is still variable to some extend, because an open-class adj or a DO is variable.

determiner can be added. To this extend, the idiomatic bond is

weakened, and it is easier, especially when the obj contains a
modifier/determiner, to separate the obj from the rest of the construction by
the regular passive transformation.
In TYPEIIc, the DO is more firmly fused in its idiomatic position, so TYPEIIb: DO is firmly fused
in its idiomatic position.
that its separation by means of the regular passive is awkward if not
possible. The DO is typically invariable, and cannot easily be DO is invariable.

complemented by an adj or a determiner.

Phrasal-Prepositional Vs
4. Phrasal-Prepositional verbs
Type I: Phr-PpVs.
There is a further major category of multi-word Vs which will be labelled
as PHARSAL-PREPOSITIONAL VERBS, because they contain, in addition to the The lexical V has both an
adv and a Pp as particles.
lexical V, both an adv and a Pp as particles. These combinations are
largely restricted to informal English.
We are all looking forward to your party. He thinks he can get away with everything.
A common sight of idiomatic status here is the existence of a one-word
Idiomatic status: there is
paraphrase: Put up with = “tolerate” & Look in on = “visit”. a one-word paraphrase.

The prepositional passive with such Vs is not too common, and is Ppal passive: Not too
common, though
probable to sound awkward. Sometimes though, are normal and acceptable. sometimes acceptable.
The death penalty has been recently done away with (=abolished).

Iván Matellanes’ Notes

 Topic 22:
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Type II: Phr-PpVs.

In addition to the typeI phr.PpVs already illustrated, there are also
Require a DO.
TYPEII ones requiring a DO:
Don’t take it out of me! (=vent your anger, “desahogarse”)
We put our success down to hard work. (=attribute to)
Only the regular passive occurs with these: Only the regular passive.

Our success can be put down to careful planning.

5. A summary of the types of multi-word verb

Lexical Particles
DO + Pp Obj
Table 2 verb Adv Pp
1. (free combination) -A- Come In
Type I PhrV -B- Crop Up
2. (free combination) -A- Send Someone Away
Type II PhrV -B- Turn Someone Down
3. (free combination) -A- Come With Me
Type I PpV -B- Come Across A problem
4. (free combination) -A- Receive Something From Me - Example –A- and –B- of each type illustrate
Type II PpV -B- Take Someone For A fool respectively nonidiomatic and idiomatic
variants. Thus –A- is a free combination,
5. (free combination) -A- Run Away With It whereas –B- is a multi word V.
Type I Phr-PpV -B- Come Up With An answer
- The bold words are those which make up
6. (free combination) -A- Send Someone Out Into The world
the idiom of the lexical unit.
Type II Phr-PpV -B- Put Someone Up For Election

6. Some semantic and syntactic distinctions.

6.1. Semantic criteria for idiomatic status. Idiomatic vs. nonidiomatic status.
(a) The semantic unit of multi-word Vs can often be manifested in (a) Replacement by a
single word V.
replacement by a single-word V (visit → call for; summon → call up; omit
Exceptions: get
→ leave out). This criterion, however, is not always reliable. First, there away with, run out of.

are multi-word Vs, like get away with or run out of, which do not have a
one-word paraphrase. Second, there are nonidiomatic combinations, Some nonidiomatic
combinations can have
such as sail around (=circumnavigate) which do have such paraphrase. such paraphrase.

(b) The fact that the meaning of an idiom is not predictable from the (b) meaning of an idiom is
not predictable from the
meaning of its parts can be verified by noting that the meaning of meaning of its parts.
the V or particle in combination does not remain constant when
other parts of the idiom undergo substitution. 3 main categories:
a. FREE, non idiomatic CONSTRUCTIONS, where the individual
FREE COSNTRUCTIONS

(b.a) Free constructions:

No idiomatic meaning.
meanings are clear from their constancy in possible constructions.
Bring in Walk up
Take out Run down
…. …. …. ….

Iván Matellanes’ Notes

 Topic 22:
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MULTI-WORD VS b. SEMI-IDIOMATIC CONSTRUCTIONS which are variable but in a (b.b) Semi-idiomatic:

variable but in a more
more limited way. The relation btw the V and the particle is limited way.

similar to that btw the stem and an affix in a word formation, V + Particle ≈ Stem + Aff.

in that the substitution of one V for another, or one particle for

another, is constrained by limited productivity. The particle
may establish a family resemblance in the following groups: Family resemblance.

Away = “persistent action” Up = “completion”

Work away Chatter away Drink up Use up
Fire away Beaver away Finish up Break up

Around = “aimless behaviour” Out = “endirance”

Play around Mess around Draw out Eke out
Fool around Wait around Last out Hold out
(b.c) Highly-idiomatic:
c. HIGHLY-IDIOMATIC CONSTRUCTIONS such as bring up (=rear),
MULTI-WORD VS

No possible contrastive
distribution.
come by (=acquire) … These are thoroughly idiomatic in that
there is no possibility of contrastive substitution. A 3rd
category V does not mean that its meaning is completely
opaque. We can see a metaphorical appropriateness in bring
up (=educate).

6.2. Syntactic criteria for Prepositional Vs. PpVs vs. Free combinations.
In distinguishing PpVs such as He called on the dean [=visit] from free
combinations of V + Pp as call before he called before lunch, the semantic
criteria of idiomaticity must be supplemented by syntactic criteria.
I am chiefly concerned here with Type I Vs, whether PpVs (call on) or Phr- Type I PpVs & Phr-PpVs:
SVO (w/a PpObj) or SVA?
PpVs (put up with). How am I to choose btw the two analysis in 3.1., that of SVO
SVO=
(with a Pp Obj) and that of SVA? He + called on + the dean.
SVA=
There are good reasons for arguing that even an idiomatic case like He He + called + before lunch.

called on the dean contains a phrase boundary btw the V and the particle:

1. The whole PpP may be fronted: On whom did he call? PpP may be fronted.
Adv can be inserted btw
2. An adv can be inserted btw the V and the particle: the V & the particle.
He called unexpectedly on the dean
3. The PpP can be isolated in other constructions (responses, PpP can be isolated in
other constructions.
coordinated constructions …): Did he call on the dean or (on) the mother.
SVA analysis is not rejected, but SVO version is a suitable alternative.

Iván Matellanes’ Notes

 Topic 22:
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6.2.1. The prepositional passive. Prepositional Passive.

The possibility of turning the Prepositional complement into the
subj of a passive sentence is acceptable as the 1st criterion favouring the Turn the Pp complement
into the subj of a passive
SVO analysis. This construction, which leaves the Pp stuck in its post-verbal sentence.

position, will be called PREPOSITIONAL PASSIVE.

The dean was called on. The war was put up with.
* Lunch was called after. * Andy has gone out with.
Notice that ambiguous combinations like arrive at take the passive only when
the Pp is part of the idiom:
We arrived at a station → * A station was arrived at.
We arrived at a conclusion → A conclusion was arrived at.
Here are some more usual cases of the PREPOSITIONAL PASSIVE, where the Usual cases of PpPassive:

passive V is a Type I PpV:

This matter will have to be dealt with immediately.
Other possibilities are talked of by many of our colleagues.
Be asked for Be done for Be shouted at
Be believed in Be hoped for Be started at
Be talked to Be done away with Be sent away for
However, the passive is also acceptable with Pps which have a locative However, PpPassive is
also possible with Pps of
meaning [1a/2a], & which must be judged as introducing a PpP of place. locative meaning.

[1a] They must have played on this field last week. [2a] Visitors are not to sit on these Louis XV chairs.
[1b] ≈ This field must have been played on last week. [2b] These Louis XV chairs are not to be sat on.

I cannot, therefore, invariable regard the PREPOSITIONAL PASSIVE as a

marker of a PpV.

6.2.2. The criterion of question forms. Qs Forms.

The second criterion for PpVs is the formation of Wh-Qs with the PpV: formation of Wh-Qs
with the prons who(m) &
pronouns who(m) and what (for personal and nonpersonal Pp objs what.

respectively), rather than with advbl Qs forms such as where, when, Free combination:
formation of Wh-Qs with
how or why: the advbl Ws where,
when, how & why.
PpV Free combination
John called on her mother ≈ Who(m) did John call on? John called from the office ≈ Where did John call?
John looked for it ≈ What did John look for? John called after lunch ≈ When did John call?

Once again, the criterion is not clear-cut. There is firstly considerable Criterion not clear-cut.

overlap btw the two Qs types: She died of pneumonia could be the answer of Overlap btw Qs types.

to either How did she die? or (more usually) What did she die of? Secondly, there Many PpP correspond
w/Qs in who(m) or what.
are many types of PpP which regularly correspond with Qs in who(m)
or what.

Iván Matellanes’ Notes

 Topic 22:
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12

Since none of the criteria for PpVs or PhrPp-Vs are compelling, it is best
to think of the boundary of these categories as a scale, such as depicted in:
PPPASSIVE PRON WH-QS ADV WH-QS2
+ + + The police have asked for details [3]
+ + - The queen slept in this bed [4] PpV
- + + White wine goes with poultry [5]
- + - She died of pneumonia [6] Free combination
- - + His job also comes into the picture [7]
- - - She left before noon [8]
Table 3
Ask for in [3] is thus the combination which most clearly meets the
requirements of the SVO analysis, and left before in [8] is to be analysed
with equal clarity as: She [S] left [V] before noon [A].

6.3. Criteria for distinguishing phrasal and Prepositional Verbs PpVs vs. PhrVs.

The question here is not one of gradience (as before), but of how to
distinguish two superficially like constructions, that of a Type I PpV like
He called on the dean, and that of Type II PhrV such as He called up the dean.
Differences btw Type I
The differences are both syntactic & phonological: PpV & Type II PhrV.
a. PhrV→ Particle
a. The particle of a PhrV can stand either before or after the NP before/after the NP;
PpV→ particle before NP
following the V, but that of the PpV must (unless deferred) precede
the NP.
b. When the NP following the V is a pronoun, it precedes the b. NP following the V
is a pronoun: PhrV→
particle in the case of the PhrVs, but follows the particle in the case Before the particle;
PpV→ After the particle.
of the PpVs.
c. An adv (functioning as adjunt) can often be inserted btw V & c. PpV→ Adv inserted
btw V & particle; PhrV→
particle in PpVs, but not in PhrVs. Not in this case.

d. The particle of the PhrV cannot precede a relative pron at the d. PhrV→ Particle
cannot stay before a
beginning of a relative clause. relative pron.

e. Similarly, the particle of a PhrV cannot precede the interrogative e. PhrV→ Particle
cannot stay before a
word at the beginning of wh-Qs. interrogative Wh-word.

f. The particle of a PhrV is normally stressed, and in final position f. PhrV→ Particle
stressed, in __# nuclear
normally bears the nuclear tone, whereas the particle of a PpV is tone; PpPV→ unstressed.
normally unstressed.

2
It is expressed in the negative form, that is, a plus in this column means “the PpV canNOT
be the answer to a Wh-Qs”

Iván Matellanes’ Notes

 Topic 22:
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v
13

Th
hese criteria are displlayed in the next tab
ble:
TYPE I PREPOSITIO ONAL VERB TYPE
Y II PHRASA
AL VERB
Call on = “vvisit” Call
C up = “sum mmon”
[a]] They called
ed on the de
ean Th
hey called up the dean n
≠ *They calle
led the dean
an on ≠ They calle
ed the dean n up
[b]] They called
ed on him Th
hey called him
h up.
≠ *They calle
led him on. ≠ *They callled up him.
[c]] They called
ed angrily on
n the dean *T
They called angrily
a up the
t dean.
[d]] The man on
o whom the hey called. *T
The man up whom
w theyy called.
[e]] On which man did the ey call? *U
Up which man
ma did they call?
c
[f] Which man did they CÀLL
ÀL on? Wh man did
Which d they call ÙP
Ù ?

7.. Other multi-w

word verrb construction
ns Other
O multi-w
word
constructions
c s.
Apart from the types of multi-word
m V summarrized in tab
ble 2 (secttion 5),
so
ome other idiomatic
i V constructtion may be
b briefly noted:
(a) VERB-ADJ COMB
BINATIONS: They are similar to PhrVs.
(a) V-Adj: Similar to
Meg
eg put the clo
loth straightt. Meg
g put the catt out. PhrVs.

Like PhrVs,
P V-a
adj comb
binations form coh
hesive un
nits; but unlike Cohesive
units.
PhrVs
s, some off them allo
ow compa
arative modificatio
m on.
Allow comparative.
Joh
hn didn’t putt [the cloth as straight / *the cat ass out] as Meg
g
OC.
SVC or SVO
They may be either copu
ular (SVC) or compllex transitive (SVOC
C):
C: Plead giltyy, lie low …
SVC
OC: cut N sh
SVO hort, work N loose
l …
Sometimes the idiom co
ontains additiona
a l elemen
nts, such as an
infiniitive or a Pp.
P
(b) VERB-VERB COM S: In these
MBINATIONS e idiomatic constructiions, the s
second (b) V-V: 2nd V is nonfinite.

verb is nonfinite, and may

m be eith
her an infin
nitive …
Infinitive.
Mak
ake do with, make
m (N) do,
o, let (N) go, let (N) be
… Or a particip
ple, with or without a following
g Pp:
e.
Participle
putt paid to, gett rid of, havee done with …
leav
ave N standingng, get going,g, knock N flyying …
(c) Vs w/2 Pps:
P
(c) VERBSS GOVERNING TWO PPS
P : These are
a a furth
her variant on PpVs. of PpVs.
A variant

It developed
d f
from a smalll club into a mass organ
nization in thr
hree years.
Stru
ruggle with N for N, App
ply to N for N,
Commpete with N for N, Talkk to N aboutt N,
Norma
ally, eithe
er one or both
b PpP can be om
mitted. Either on
ne or both
PpP can be omitted.
It developed
d i
into a mass organization
n in three yea
ars.

Iván Matella
anes’ Notes
 Topic 22: Brief summary
14
Brief summary: Multi-word verbs
1- VERB-PARTICLE COMBINATIONS: Multi-word Vs are words which consist of two/three items (V + one/two particles). Both the
words disposed & the sequence disposed of may function in various ways as a single unit.
- The words which follow the lexical V in expressions like drink up, dispose of & get away with are morphologically invariable, & will be
given the neutral designation PARTICLES. They actually belong to 2 distinct but overlapping categories: Pps & spatial advs

PARTICLES:
Against, among, as, at, beside, for, from, [1] The dog went for me
A PPS ONLY Require a NP as a Pp complement [1]
into, like, of, onto, upon, with … [2] * The dog went for
About, above, across, after, along, around, by, down, in, EITHER PPS OR [1] Jack fell down the hill
B Both [1] & [2]
off, on, out [AmE], over, past, round, through, under, up … SPATIAL ADVS [2] Jack fell down
Aback, ahead, apart, aside, astray, away, back, forward(s), SPATIAL ADVS There isn’t such [1] *We must not look back the past
C
home, in front, on top, together, out [BrE] … ONLY requirement [2] [2] We must not look back

2- PHRASAL VS (PHRVS)
- Type I (Intransitive): Lexical V + Adv Particle [+Informal] → The tank blew up.
♦ They usually are inseparable (particle and lexical V must occur together).
♦ Meaning cannot be predicted from its parts = Idiomatic meaning.
→ * He blew up / down
♦ Syntax: Such insertion is unacceptable
→ * It blew straight up
♦ Syntax: Such inversion is not possible
→ * Up blew the tank
- Type II (transitive): May take a DO → Shall I put away the dishes?.
♦ SVOA order preferred (When Obj is a pers pron, the only possibility)
* She switched on it vs. She switched it on
♦ Syntax: Place the particle before the V in subj-V inversion.
♦ Particle can either precede or follow the DO.
→ They turned the light on =They turned on the light
♦ Meaning cannot be predicted from its parts = Idiomatic meaning.
→ He took in her parents (=deceive)
♦ Syntax: Such construction is not possible.
→ * She took straight in her parents. [PhrV]
FREE COMBINATIONS
♦ Parts are not related in Meaning = Substitution.
→ John run / swim / jump past
♦ Syntax: Place a right/straight btw the particle and the V.
→ John run right past
♦ Syntax: Place the particle before the V in subj-V inversion.
→ Past run John
-
♦ Syntax: Place the particle before the V in subj-V inversion.
♦ Particle can either precede or follow the DO.
♦ Parts are not related in Meaning = Substitution
→ She took in the box. (=Brought inside)
♦ Syntax: Place a right/straight btw the particle and the V.
→ She took straight in the box.

3- PREPOSITIONAL VS (PPVS)
- Type I (Intransitive): Lexical V + Pp (both elements are semantically associated) → Look at these pictures.
nd
The 2 NP (the complement of the Pp) at and not as the DO of the V look at.
♦ Despite the fact that the passive is frequently
possible.
→ Her son was looked after
♦ The intransitive interpretation is justified by
the potentiality of a adverbial insertion, as
insertion btw V and DO is usually avoided:
→ Many people looked disrespectfully at the pic.
- Type II (Transitive): Lexical V + DO + PpObj → He invested his money in property.

♦ Type IIa: REGULAR PASSIVE CONSTRUCTION: ♦ Type IIb: LESS ACCEPTABLE PASSIVE ♦ Type IIc: ONLY ONE ACCEPTSABLE PASSIVE
DO becoming subj of the passive VP: CONSTRUCTION: CONSTRUCTION: Ppal obj becomes the subj
→ This will protect you from the weather → They have made a (terrible) mess of the house. of the passive.
= You will be protected from the weather. = A (terrible) mess has been made of the house. → Give way to traffic on the major road
= Traffic on the major road should always be
_Lexical V & the Pp form an idiomatic _The V, the Pp and the head of the DO form given way to.
combination. The Pp is selected by the V. part of the idiom, though an adj or det can be
added and the idiomatic bond weakened _The DO is more firmly fused in its
idiomatic position, so that its separation by
4- PHRASAL-PREPOSITIONAL VS (PHRS-PPVS): means of the regular passive is awkward if
not possible. DO cannot be complemented
- Type I (Intransitive): Lexical V + AdvParticle + PpParticle [+Informal UK]
by an adj or a det.
♦ Idiomatic status: existence of a one-word paraphrase.

♦ The prepositional passive with such Vs is not too common, and is probable to sound awkward.

- Type II (Transitive): Lexical V + AdvParticle + PpParticle [+Informal UK]

Iván Matellanes’ Notes

 Topic 22: Brief summ
mary
15
- SEMANTIC CRITERIA
C OR IDIOMATIIC STATUS:
FO
4 - Replacem
ment by a single word V → call for (=visit); leave out (==omit) …
♦ Exceptions
s: get away with
h, run out of.
♦ Also, Some h paraphrase → sail around (=
e nonidiomatic combinations can have such =circumnavigate
e).
- Meaning of an idiom is not pred
dictable from
m the meaning of its parrts can be verified by noting that
t the meanin
ng
of the V or pa
article in comb
bination does not
n remain constant when oth
her parts of the
e idiom underg
go substitution
n.

♦ Free consttructions: No ♦ Semi-idiomatic con nstructions: vaariable but in a ♦ Highly--idiomatic cons structions: Theese are
idiomatic mea
aning. mited way. V + Particle ≈ Stem
more lim m + Aff.. thoroughlyy idiomatic in that there is no possibility
p
→ Bring some ething in … → Bringg something inn; … of contrastive substituttion.
Up = “completion”
“ → Look fo
or; …
Drink up se up
Us
Finish up Break up

MULTI-WORD
W VS

5- CRITERIA FOR
Typ
F
pe I PpV like He
GUISHING PHRSVS & PPVS:
DISTING
o Type II PhrV
e called on the dean and that of
how to distinguish two superficially like consttructions, that of a
V such as He called up the dea
an.
a. PhrV→ Parrticle before/afte
er the NP; TYPE I PREPOSITTIONAL VERB TYPPE II PHRASAL VERB
E
PpV→ particle
e before NP Call on = “visit” Caall up = “summoon”
[a] Thhey called on the
t dean They calle
ed up the dean n
→ Before the
b. NP following the V is a pronoun: PhrV→ ≠ *They
* called the dean on ≠ They called
c the deann up
→ After the particle.
particle; PpV→ [b] Thhey called on him
h They calle
ed him up.
≠ *They
* called himm on. ≠ *Theyy called up him.
c. PpV→ Adv inserted btw V & particle; [c] Thhey called angrrily on the dean
n *They callled angrily up the
t dean.
PhrV→ Not in
n this case. [d] Thhe man on who om they called. *The man up whom theyy called.
[e] On
O which man did d they call? *Up whichh man did they call?
c
d. PhrV→ Particle cannot sta
ay before a relattive pron. [f] Which
Wh man did they CÀLL on? Which man did they call ÙP
Ù ?

e. PhrV→ Parrticle cannot sta

ay before a interrrogative Wh-wo
ord.

f. PhrV→ Parrticle stressed, in one; PpPV→ un

n __# nuclear to nstressed.

6- OTHER MULLTI-WORD V CONSTRUCCTIONS: Othe

er idiomatic V co
onstruction

- Verb-Adj Combinatio
ons: They mayy look like PhrVss → Meg put thhe cloth straight.
→ Plead gilty,, lie low …

- Verb-Verb Combinattions: secondd verb is nonfinnite, and may bee either an infinnitive or a participle, with or without
w a followin
ng Pp.
→ Make do with,
w make (N) do o, let (N) go, lett (N) be
→ Put paid to, get rid of, have
e done with; lea ave N standing, get going, knoc
ck N flying …
- Verbs go
overning two
o Pps: These are a further vaariant on PpVs → It developedd from a small club into a masss organization.
→ Struggle wiith N for N, Com
mpete with N forr N, Apply to N for N, Talk to N about N,

Lexical Parrticles
DO + Pp Obj
Table 2 verb Adv Pp
1. (free com
mbination) -A- Come In
Type I PhrVV -B- Crop Up
2. (free com
mbination) -A- Send Someone Away
Type II PhrrV -B- Turn Someone Down
3. (free com
mbination) -A
A- Come With M
Me
Type I PpV V -B- Come Across A problem
4. (free com
mbination) -A
A- Receive
e g
Something From M
Me
Type II PpVV -B- Take Someone For A fool
5. (free com
mbination) -A
A- Run Away With Itt
Type I Phr--PpV -B- Come Up With A
An answer
6. (free com
mbination) -A
A- Send Someone Out Into T
The world
Type II Phrr-PpV -B- Put Someone Up For E
Election

Bibliogra
aphy
Idio
oms: http://angli02.kgw.tu-berlin.de/lexicography/data/IDIOMM.html
Quiirk, Randolph. A comprehensive
ve grammar of the
th English langu
uage.
Edittorial MAD

Iván Matellanes’ Notes