Phrasal verbs starter pack and task! ;-)

After teaching a lesson on phrasal verbs, I thought it a must- to share some information on the subject, a tricky subject indeed- so, thank you to Diana for the inspiration today- for the laughter and smiles! We moved mountains in class :)  I trust that this blog entry proves helpful!

Question: What are Phrasal Verbs?

A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and a preposition/adverb that has a figurative meaning-

You cannot always guess their meaning by looking at the verb alone!

There is an important aspect to consider in order to use a phrasal verb correctly:           Is it TRANSITIVE or INTRANSITIVE?

A tricky type of phrasal verb is a TRANSITIVE VERB- because they need an object. 

Some of them can be separated and others not at all! :) This is why we should learn them as we meet them!

If the phrasal verb is followed by an object, it's what we call, transitive.

Some transitive verbs are separable.( There are lists available- e-mail me, of you need help with finding the necessary!) This means that the object can be placed between the verb and the preposition/adverb, or after the preposition/adverb.

Examples:

Don't put off your homework to the last minute.

Don't put your homework off to the last minute.

Lets look at some examples to make the idea more tangible/understandable:

Stick around-------------------------> Phrasal verb

(To understand the meaning- we can use the logic of the particle...)

*(PARTICLE) around---> in this area/place...

*(VERB)stick--> fixed-glued...

So---> ''stick around'' would mean to stay in one place.

EXAMPLE:

''Stick around, don't leave yet! we have more Grammar to learn!''.

......................................................................................

put off-------------------->phrasal verb

*Off= remove/away from...

*put= to place something somewhere

So- ''put off'' would mean to delay something or to feel disgusted/sickened by something or someone:

EXAMPLE:

I put off the meeting until next Tuesday/ I put the meeting off until next week Tuesday.

*** I put off the meeting/ I  put the meeting off ...

I was put off when I found hair in my food! The hair in my food put me off!

NOTA BENE:

  

When the direct object is a pronoun, it must go between the verb and the particle.

a.   We put off the engagement.

b.   We put the engagement off.

c.   We put it off     but NOT We put off it.

RECAP:

- transitive phrasal verbs have a direct object;

- intransitive phrasal verbs do not have a direct object.

BOOK A LESSON TO LEARN MORE ABOUT USING PHRASAL VERBS, PRONOUNCING THEM AND EXACTING MEMORIZATION!

TASK:

Listen the the following song and then search for the highlighted phrasal verbs in a good dictionary, also finding whether they are transitive or intransitive:

Turn around, every now and then I get a

little bit lonely and you're never coming round

Turn around, Every now and then I get a

little bit tired of listening to the sound of my tears

Turn around, Every now and then I get a

little bit nervous that the best of all the

years have gone by

Turn around, Every now and then I get a

little bit terrified and then I see the look in

your eyes

Turn around bright eyes, Every now and

then I fall apart

Turn around bright eyes, Every now and

then I fall apart

And I need you now tonight

And I need you more than ever

And if you'll only hold me tight

We'll be holding on forever

And we'll only be making it right

Cause we'll never be wrong together

We can take it to the end of the line

Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time

I don't know what to do and I'm always in the dark

We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks

I really need you tonight

Forever's gonna start tonight

Forever's gonna start tonight

Once upon a time I was falling in love

But now I'm only falling apart

There's nothing I can do

A total eclipse of the heart

Once upon a time there was light in my life

But now there's only love in the dark

Nothing I can say

A total eclipse of the heart

INSTRUMENTAL

Turn around bright eyes

Turn around bright eyes

Turn around, every now and then I know

you'll never be the boy you always

you wanted to be

Turn around, every now and then I know

you'll always be the only boy who

wanted me the way that I am

Turn around, every now and then I know

there's no one in the universe as

magical and wonderous as you

Turn around, every now and then I know

there's nothing any better and there's

nothing I just wouldn't do

Turn around bright eyes, Every now and

then I fall apart

Turn around bright eyes, Every now and

then I fall apart

And I need you now tonight

And I need you more than ever

And if you'll only hold me tight

We'll be holding on forever

And we'll only be making it right

Cause we'll never be wrong together

We can take it to the end of the line

Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time

I don't know what to do and I'm always in the dark

We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks

I really need you tonight

Forever's gonna start tonight

Forever's gonna start tonight

Once upon a time I was falling in love

But now I'm only falling apart

There's nothing I can do

A total eclipse of the heart