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English Grammar Point - Separable Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are a sticky point for students of English grammar. However, your personal English coach, Professor Winn, makes it easy for you.

In our previous post, we discussed the Intransitive Phrasal Verb whose parts are inseparable and does NOT take an object.

Transitive Phrasal Verbs - Separable

Transitive verbs in general require a direct object.

Transitive phrasal verbs can either be separable or inseparable. That is to say, the preposition or adverb can be together or apart from the original verb forming the phrasal verb.

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Example

1) I picked Bob up. OR I picked up Bob.

"Bob" is the direct object. "To pick up" in this context means to usually drive by Tom's location and take him by car to another location. You do not literally pick him up off the ground...ha.

Notice the position of "Bob," the object. In the first instance it is between the two parts of the phrasal verb. In the second instance it appears at the end of the sentence.

2) They put their hands up. OR They put up their hands.

"Hands" is the direct object. "To put up" in this context means to raise. Again, in the first instance it is between the two parts of the phrasal verb. In the second instance it appears at the end of the sentence.

Separable Phrasal Verbs with a Pronoun

The rule changes when a pronoun in involved.

Separable phrasal verbs MUST be separated when a pronoun is used.

Example

We picked her up at the station. NOT We picked up her at the station.

Note the separation of the phrasal verb with the direct object "her."

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If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

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Grammar Point: Phrasal Verbs - Intransitive

Ah, the phrasal verb! If there is one part of English grammar that bedevils my students, it is the multi-part verb as called in British English.

Simply, a phrasal verb consists of a verb and a preposition or adverb that modifies or changes the meaning of the original verb - thus the "multi-parts."

There are three main types of phrasal verbs. Today we tackled the Intransitive Phrasal Verb.

English Grammar - Intransitive Phrasal Verb

Any intransitive verb does NOT take an object.

Intransitive phrasal verbs do NOT take an object and are inseparable. That is, the preposition or adverb remains with the original verb. Let's look at some examples below.

Example

1) They had an argument, but they've made up now.

"to make up" in this context means to resolve differences and to patch up any problems that may have contributed to the argument. Notice "made up" is all together, not separated, in the sentence.

2) The bus broke down on the way to work.

"to break down" in this context means something is no longer functioning or working correctly. Again, notice "broke down" is all together, not separated.

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Grammar Point: Since vs. For with Present Perfect

Since

Since is used with the present perfect to express that something has happened since a point in time.

Examples:

I've lived here since 1998.
She's been working hard since two this afternoon.

For

For is used with the present perfect to express that something has happened for a period of time.

Examples:

I've worked at this job for 15 months.
Peter's been playing tennis for nearly three hours.

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Grammar Point: The Present Simple

Present Simple

Use the present simple to express regular routines and habits. The present simple is often used with adverbs of frequency.

Example Sentences

John likes to play baseball. (habit)
Juan eats chocolate ice cream for dessert every day. (routine)

Of course, eating chocolate ice cream could be a habit, too! :)

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If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

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Grammar Point: Express Yourself with Present Perfect!

Present Perfect to Express Duration

When an action begins in the past and continues into the present moment we use the present perfect. The present perfect expresses duration over time FROM the past moment TO the present moment.

Use the auxiliary of helping verb 'to have' to form the Present Perfect.

Example Sentences

I have lived in Argentina for five months. (I began living in Argentina and to this day it has been five months). See the connection of the past to the present? That's the present perfect!

He has lived in the city since 1998.
They have worked at that company since last April.

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Grammar Point: Have Got = To Have

Have Got = Have

Use 'have got' to mean the same as 'to have' for possession.

Example Sentences

She's got a new car. = She has a new car.
They've got a number of friends. = They have a number of friends.

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If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

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Grammar Point: In Time vs On Time

Do you know the difference in using in time vs on time?

In time indicates that someone will do something before a given time in the future.

On time indicates that someone will do something at a given time in the future.

Example Sentences

I hope he arrives in time for the meeting at 8pm tonight.
Maria is always on time for work.

Do you need help with English? Hire your own English coach, Professor Winn!

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in English-language services or translations (Sp/Fr/Pt>En) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

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6 Tips to Expand Your Vocabulary

1. Get a good dictionary and thesaurus

Two of the most loyal companions on your desk should be a dictionary and a thesaurus. Use the dictionary to learn the meanings and derivations of new words you encounter. Also use it to check the exact meanings and spellings of words that you are not sure of. The thesaurus is very helpful whenever you are writing and need an alternative to a word in order to avoid repetition or to achieve a variation in meaning.

2. Read, Read, Read!

In the modern world we are so busy with work and we are bombarded with so much information by TV broadcast, telephone and internet that reading books and articles can be squeezed out of our agenda. Reading the works of really good writers is one of the best ways to develop our abilities with words. Modern and classic novels, leading non-fiction books and top quality newspaper and magazine articles are all important sources for us.

3. Capture new words

Whenever we bump into new words we should turn to the dictionary and spend a moment learning the meaning and derivation of the word. Write down the word and look it up later in the dictionary or use a thesaurus to find a synonym. As you build your vocabulary you should try to use the new words in context as this helps you to remember them.

4. Write, rewrite and edit

We all write, whether it is a text message on a cell phone, an email message or a novel, and we can all improve our writing. A good way to improve your writing is to read over what you have written and ask yourself these questions:

1. Does what I have written express exactly what I mean?
2. Will it be clear and comprehensible to the reader?
3. Can I make it more concise or more accurate?

Weed out wordiness. Use an economy of words. Be pithy.

5. Play with Words

Word games will increase your verbal dexterity and intelligence rating. Many standard IQ tests use word puzzles. Scrabble is ideal in this regard. If you want to play it seriously you will have to learn many obscure short words that use the high value letters. The dictionary game is simple but fun. One person reads out a definition from the dictionary and others have to identify the word. The reader can choose a common word but start with one of its less common meanings.

6. Listen to Yourself

If it is possible, try to view some video clips of yourself speaking or record yourself with a tape or CD recorder. This is particularly useful it you are rehearsing for an important talk or presentation. Most people are surprised to discover that they display a number of errors or bad habits in their everyday speech. Hesitation, repetition, rambling and mumbling are other common faults.

If you need to improve your English vocabulary, please contact Professor Winn.

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If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in English-language services or translations (Sp/Fr/Pt>En) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

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American vs British English I

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

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English-language texts today!

The haffs and haff nots - English Pronunciation Tip

Patricia O'Connor's Grammarphobia blog has a great explanation of the voiced (vocal cord vibrations) and unvoiced pronunciation of the letter "v" in English.

For more on what linguists calls "voice assimiliation, " please visit her blog for an in-depth look at how in some cases the pronunciation changes.

Learning these tips will greatly improve your English pronunciation!

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in English-language services or translations (Sp/Fr/Pt>En) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

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