Multi-word Verbs

Aka phrasal verbs

Quick overview of the Grammar Focus
What are multi-word verbs?

Multi-word verbs consist of a verb and one or two particles.

● James came up with a new idea on how we can improve the
education system of our country.

Sometimes, the meaning is clear (e.g. sit down), but often you
have to learn the meaning of each multi-word verb separately.
Transitive & Intransitive Multi-word Verbs

● Transitive: These multi-word verbs need objects.

Sonia threw the ball away.

Sonia looked after her little brother when her mom wasn’t home.

● Intransitive: These multi-word verbs do not have objects.

Zuhal went away.

Types of Multi-word Verbs

● Type 1: No direct object. (Intransitive): verb + particle

○ Ali woke up at 7.
● Type 2: Has object (Transitive): verb + particle + obj OR verb + obj + particle
○ He took off his hat.
● Type 3: Has object (Transitive): verb + particle + obj
○ Sasha focused on her lessons.
● Type 4: Has 2 particles and an object: verb + particle 1 + particle 2 + obj
○ Ahmad goes on about geography every chance he gets.
Tip
● Many multi-word verbs are both transitive and intransitive (e.g. wake up).
○ She woke up.
○ She woke her mother up.
● If the object of a type 2 multi-word verb is a long noun phrase, you can put it
after the particle.
○ Don’t let down the American people who have recently moved back into
town.
● If the object of a type 2 multi-word verb is a pronoun, it almost always comes
before the particle.
○ You can throw it away.
● If the object of a type 2 multi-word verb is a short noun phrase, it can come
before or after the particle.
○ John didn’t pick up your old shoes.
○ John didn’t pick your old shoes up.
Thank You! 🙏