Remember

Remember, a phrasal verb is the same as any other verb. It can be used in all tenses and has all the same forms as any other verb.

 

There are two kinds of verbs transitive and intransitive.

 

1. A transitive verb needs to have a direct object to complete its thought.
   Example (non-phrasal verb): Jason drinks coffee.
   Example (Phrasal verb): Megan picked out a new dress.
   

 

1. An intransitive verb does not use a direct object to complete its thought.
   Example (non-phrasal verb): Jason left.
   Example (Phrasal verb): Megan woke up.
   

 

When you use an intransitive phrasal verb, you don't have to worry about the structure. It is very clear. The structure always follows this pattern:

 

Subject	+	Verb	+	Particle
Megan	+	Woke	+	Up
Jason	+	Sits	+	Down

 

 

Transitive phrasal verbs are more complex because there are a couple more rules that determine the structure of the sentence.

There are two major situations that you will find.
1. The object is a noun.
2. The object is a pronoun.

1. When the object is a noun, you have two choices.

Subject	+	Verb	+	Object (noun)	+	Particle
Jason	+	looks	+	a word	+	up

Or

Subject	+	Verb	+	Particle	+	Object (noun)
Jason	+	looks	+	up	+	a word

 
 

2. When the object is a pronoun (me, you, them, it etc.), you have only one choice.

Subject	+	Verb	+	Object (noun)	+	Particle
Jason	+	looks	+	it	+	up

Note: There are some transitive phrasal verbs that are not separable (you can't separate the verb and particle). These always require that the object come after the particle.

 

From : learn_english_here@yahoogroups.com