English Grammar Point - All together vs Altogether

All together

All together means everyone or everything together.

It's time to practice singing. All together now!

The last time we were all together was in 1997.

Put the books all together on the table.

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Tip: If the two terms can be separated, that's a sure clue that the term you want is all together.

It's time for all of us to sing together now!

The last time all of us were together was in 1997.

Put all the books together on the table.

Notice how all and together are apart and the meaning of the sentence does not change.

Altogether

Altogether is an adverb and means "all in all," "all told," "wholly" or "completely."

That was altogether (completely) too difficult

Altogether (all in all) , not a bad day's work.

It cost over a thousand dollars altogether (in total).

The Bottom Line

If you can replace the term with something like "completely" or "all in all," you are altogether better off with altogether. If you can rewrite the sentence to use all and together separately, the term you want is all together.

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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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English Grammar Point - Phrasal Verb List

Phrasal Verb List

Sometimes it is best to memorize phrasal verbs to become familiar with how they are used in the language.

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About.com has a great listing for quick reference. Make sure to make it a bookmark in your English language folder.

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Do phrasal verbs or other parts of English grammar bedevil you? Hire your personal English coach, Professor Winn, to help iron out any rough spots!

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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English Grammar Point: Three Word Phrasal Verbs

Three Word Phrasal Verbs

If phrasal verbs were not complex enough for intermediate or advanced English language learners, enter the three word phrasal verb.

Some verbs are followed by two prepositions (or adverbs). These three word phrasal verbs are ALWAYS inseparable.

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Example of Three Word (Transitive) Phrasal Verb

1) I was talking to Mom on the phone when the operator broke in on our call.

2) Unfortunately, I wasn't able to keep up on the news while I was away on vacation in Bora Bora.

Note the verb and its two prepositions/adverbs are all together and not separated.

Hire your English Coach

Do phrasal verbs or other parts of English grammar bedevil you? Hire your personal English coach, Professor Winn, to help iron out any rough spots!

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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English Grammar Point - Separable or Inseparable Phrasal Verb Tip

Phrasal Verb Tip:

If you are not sure whether a phrasal verb is separable or inseparable, ALWAYS use a noun or nouns phrase and DO NOT separate. In this manner, you will always be correct!

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Separable Phrasal Verbs: bring up, take off

• John and Mary brought up their children to respect others.
• Liz took off her jacket before she began the lesson.

Inseparable Phrasal Verbs: look for, set off

• Sara was looking for her books when Juani arrived.
• The Johnson family set off for a wonderful holiday in Bora Bora.

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Do you have doubts about English grammar? Hire your own personal English coach, Professor Winn, to improve your English today!

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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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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Do phrasal verbs or other parts of English grammar bedevil you?

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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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.

Hire your English Coach

Do phrasal verbs or other parts of English grammar bedevil you? Hire your personal English coach, Professor Winn, to help iron out any rough spots!

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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