4

For example, suppose some words comes between two parts of a compound verb

I turned the radio on

Which sentence describes this better? (in fact I want it for a Persian construction, but couldn't bring my own example)

My description sentence is:

An example of a compound verb with interleaving elements.

But as I checked the meaning of interleaving in google translate:

insert pages, typically blank ones, between the pages of (a book). "books of maps interleaved with tracing paper"

mix (two or more digital signals) by alternating between them.

Then I am doubtful about my usage of "Interleaving"!

Improve this question
28
  • 1
    The first thing came to my mind: in-between. If you have A-B-C, you can say that B is an in-between letter (i.e., it's between A and C).
    – Damkerng T.
    Aug 5, 2016 at 20:00
  • 1
    @fjack I didn't recognize "multi-part" as "phrasal," which perhaps speaks to the ancient nature of my education. My instructor would have broken his eyebrows if I had dared to refer to "brush up" as a "multi-part" verb. He would have diagrammed "up" as an adverb modifying "to brush," and then delivered a peroration on "phrasals," even then with a gimlet eye.
    – P. E. Dant Reinstate Monica
    Aug 5, 2016 at 20:21
  • 1
    @Cardinal Yes, I see the reference there. I suppose multi-part is easier to understand than phrasal, and if that's the reigning terminology, I bend the knee. I still think it's a dumbing-down, though. I think a Question is in order...
    – P. E. Dant Reinstate Monica
    Aug 5, 2016 at 20:25
  • 1
    @Cardinal I know you're in the midst of study and I hope by now you have completely discredited my rant above. Of course "brush up" is a phrasal - er, multi-part verb, and the Cambridge book is an excellent resource.
    – P. E. Dant Reinstate Monica
    Aug 5, 2016 at 20:57
  • 2
    @BillJ This equine may be deceased, but in "turn on the radio," isn't "turn on" a phrasal (or "two part") verb? It fails the adverb insertion test: "turn quickly on the radio" doesn't make sense except as a call to action against talk show hosts. (None of this is relevant to OP's question of course.
    – P. E. Dant Reinstate Monica
    Aug 5, 2016 at 21:23

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
4

The English word you seek is intervening.

In your example, the radio is an intervening element between I turned and on.

Note: in English, we do not have "compound verbs," with the exception of such things as kickstart, stirfry, etc. We do refer to phrasal verbs (or multi-part verbs) as discussed at this link.

Improve this answer
0

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .