Grammar Minute

Phrasal Verbs

To follow along, load this in your browser: https://www.ryanpatrickrandall.com/talks/engl5581.html

What's a phrasal verb?

It's a verb that requires multiple words for its meaning.

Can you give me an example?

  • blew up
  • Example: The volcano blew up.
  • took on
  • Example: The ambitious sophmore took on too many advanced classes that semester.

"She looked it up on her computer."

woman lying down on her back, reaching up and typing on a laptop held by a stand

"She looked it up on her computer."

Duck Duck Go search engine

Strategies?

In small groups, take two minutes to brainstorm strategies that help you evaluate if a verb is a phrasal verb.

What makes sense to you?

Transitive verbs

  • Can you move the verb particle around?
  • Example: The student looked up the assignment in Moodle.
  • Example: The student looked the assignment up in Moodle.
  • took on
  • Example: The ambitious sophmore took on too many advanced classes that semester.

Intransitive verbs

  • Can you use a synonym?
  • Example: The volcano blew up.
  • Example: The volcano exploded.

Thank You!