Questions tagged [phrasal-verbs]

a combination of a lexical verb and one or two particles having the same form as prepositions or adverbs, employed as a single verb. The term is sometimes reserved for combinations in which the particle may follow the object of the verb and is not fronted with a WH- relative object.

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Construction of phrasal verbs

I was thinking about how phrasal verbs are constructed. You take a verb and add a preposition to it. Like, Put off, Break up, Make out e.t.c. As a learner of English I kind of have to memorize them if ...
Ujjwal Dixit's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
3k views

Is it natural to use the phrase "run something by someone" in the sense of passing information on to someone?

Is it natural to use the phrase run something by someone in the sense of passing information on to someone? For example: You can give me a list of everything you want to buy and I'll run it by Kate ...
Dmytro O'Hope's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
1k views

"Go off of something" vs. "go from something"

Would you tell me if there is any difference in meaning between go off of something and go from something in the sense of making a decision based on something? For example: I'm not sure if the ...
Dmytro O'Hope's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
2k views

Is there any difference between "buy something from someone" and "buy something off someone"?

Could you tell me if there is any difference between buy something from someone and buy something off someone? For example: I bought these off the wedding photographer. I've come across this in the ...
Dmytro O'Hope's user avatar
0 votes
3 answers
107 views

Cut off a finger vs cut down a finger vs cut up a finger

Below is my take of the three phrasal verbs of cut: cut off a finger means your finger is separated from your hand as if by a kitchen knife while you prepare for dinner. cut up a finger means you’ve ...
Ray's user avatar
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1 answer
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What is the phrasal verb that has similar meaning to 'unfriend'?

So I kind of remembered this phrasal verb cut + somebody + off, note that I'm not sure about the adverb particle, it's possibly either off or out or else I couldn't remember. Anyway I saw this when I ...
user516076's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
3k views

What does pull out mean exactly in the context of a car?

“The two of them walked toward the road and the stone marker. Behind them, other cars were pulling out. A woman began screaming abruptly. Unconsciously, Garraty and McVries drew closer together. ...
Ray's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
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Can I say (have go this through)?

I saw this sentence from my friend's WhatsApp story. He's an English learner like me. This is the sentence by the way: Had I not been a jerk I would not have been going this through. I think, there'...
user516076's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
81 views

Is there any difference between "come to one's place" and "come out to one's place"?

Could you tell me if there there is any difference between come to one's place and come out to one's place? For example: Is it OK with you if we have a technician come to your place and fix the stove....
Dmytro O'Hope's user avatar
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1 answer
76 views

Is there any difference in meaning between "call a company back" and "call back in to a company"?

Could you tell me if there ss there any difference in meaning between call a company back and call back in to a company? For example: When you are providing a customer with a solution, make sure that ...
Dmytro O'Hope's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
128 views

Is it correct and natural to say "hire someone into the sales department"?

Could you tell me if it's correct and natural to say hire someone into the sales department? For example: Kate has been hired into the sales department for her ability to connect with people. If it ...
Dmytro O'Hope's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
74 views

Is additional preposition required for phrasal verbs with double object?

Firstly, sorry for my ignorance. I am studying about phrasal and prepositional verbs in these days. My question is "Is additional preposition required for phrasal verbs with double object?". ...
Sukru Araci's user avatar
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1 answer
33 views

Is it correct and natural to say "leave off on something" meaning to stop discussing something at a particular point?

Could you tell me if it's correct and natural to say leave off on something meaning to stop discussing something at a particular point? For example: In the last class we left off on what saturated ...
Dmytro O'Hope's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
405 views

"Repeat something to someone" or "repeat back something back to someone"?

Could you please tell me if there is any difference between repeat and repeat back in the context below? Do you mind if I repeat the problem's details (back) to you just to make sure I got everything ...
Dmytro O'Hope's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
262 views

"Don't hesitate to call us" or "don't hesitate to call us back"? [closed]

Could you please tell if there is any difference between call and call back in the context below? If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to call us (back).
Dmytro O'Hope's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
440 views

Is there any difference between "send something to someone" and "send something over to someone"?

Could you tell me what if there is any difference between send something to someone and send something over to someone? For example: Can you please send those files to me by Friday? Can you please ...
Dmytro O'Hope's user avatar
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2 answers
83 views

Is it correct and natural to say "take off $25" meaning "make a discount of $25"?

Could you tell if it is correct and natural to say take off $25 meaning make a discount of $25? For example: We ask $200 for that job, but I can take off $25 and bring that to $175. If it's not ...
Dmytro O'Hope's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
220 views

"The meeting had been over by five o'clock"

There is the sentence from an Android English studying app: The meeting had been over by five o'clock. But I was told that this sentence is wrong. The correct sentences are The meeting had finished ...
Inversus's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
269 views

How to tell if a verb is followed by preposition or adverb particle?

I learn from Oxford English Grammar Course:Advanced by Swan that verbs with adverb particles are often called Phrasal Verbs. An example to illustrate my confusion, I'm doing the exercise about ...
user516076's user avatar
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"Smash down on" when the meaning is not about a thing that breaks

I have some troubles with figuring out whether "smash down on" in the following sentences is the phrasal verb (smash down) or the regular verb "smash" + down on sth. A two-year-...
John V's user avatar
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1 answer
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Is it correct to say "work with a particular amount of money" meaning to consider if it will be enough?

Would you tell me if it is correct and natural to say work with a particular amount of money meaning to consider if it will be enough? For example: I'm sure if I can knock the price down to 200. I ...
Dmytro O'Hope's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
356 views

Hearing you speak or hearing you speaking [closed]

Would you say : 1 -I really appreciated hearing you speak about the strategy that you have for your company. Or 2 - I really appreciated hearing you speaking about the strategy that you have for your ...
PQZAER's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
101 views

what does it mean?: 'what gets you by'

I was watching this video and the person in the video was saying at 0:33: So college really opened my eyes to different types of people, and now even when I go, when I come back home, start a new job,...
catwith's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
266 views

What does (someone is just F-ing with somebody else) mean?

I'm sorry if it's inappropriate, that phrase I heard while I was watching American Horror Stories, but I don't think it has something to do with having s3x. In order to avoid something vulgar around ...
user516076's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
595 views

Should we say "pull something on someone" or "pull off something on someone"? (Please see examples below)

Which one is correct? Or are they both correct? 1.) John pulled a scam on Jane. 2.) John pulled off a scam on Jane.
user146201's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
132 views

A phrasal verb that means to prepare/cook something casually

There's a phrasal verb that I forgot again, I think it has similar meaning to "grab a bite"; if I got it right it means to prepare something casual, quick to eat, even kinda of like to snap ...
Angyang's user avatar
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0 answers
22 views

the Phrasal Verbs ''RUN INTO'' + SB is used in english?

I've been checking out a lot time some lists of Phrasal Verbs and I've found this : run into run into run into another website 'I've checked out this phrasal verbs and I've been asking myself if this ...
Ninja's user avatar
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11 votes
5 answers
2k views

Does "peer down on somebody" include the meaning of contempt?

Does "to peer down on somebody" mean "to look at somebody with contempt, as if you think you are better"? The context is this: The sculptures peer down on visitors to America's ...
Anait's user avatar
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1 answer
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A phrasal verb meaning make someone speak more

As I asked in the title, the phrasal verb means to get sb talking, but I can't recall it, can anybody help?
Angyang's user avatar
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1 vote
3 answers
314 views

Overtake, cut off usage

I have two questions: Relating to the usage of the word 'overtake'. Is this word common in colloquial English? If I say 'I overtook the truck in front of me', does this sound unnatural or very formal ...
userJu's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
492 views

Word or phrase for water coming out of clothes

I was looking for a simple word or phrase to describe how sometimes, water comes out of wet clothes and spill on the floor. For example if you handwash your clothes and hang them up to dry but you don'...
userJu's user avatar
  • 11
1 vote
2 answers
38 views

Drag on vs Last, what's the difference?

There was a quiz-posting on Facebook that I wasn't sure to pick the answer: Choose the more probable! 'Urgh! The lecture __ for three hours and it was super boring.' A) dragged on B) lasted I've ...
user516076's user avatar
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0 votes
2 answers
44 views

Is 'be' before associated with always omitted?

There's a sentence from my book that makes me wonder about the construction. My work is concerned with the structure and function of the organic molecules associated with living organisms. At first, ...
user516076's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
95 views

Is the phrase 'as to' always followed by a noun?

I was reading an article regarding idioms, and one of the contributors complained about the incorrect usage of grammar in professional writing. The exact topic isn't important, but something caught my ...
MJ Ada's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
67 views

Bringing up an unpleasant topic

I'm new here so I hope I am doing this right. I heard a phrasal verb (or an idiom, not sure) months ago, but I can't remember what it was and it's driving me crazy. Worse thing is I can't even ...
nouyeah's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
23 views

Is there a way to say a wheel split in half with a phrasal verb instead?

Is there a way to say a wheel split in half with a phrasal verb instead? The wheel split in half after some rock tore a hole on it. Is there a way to use for example "* off", but "...
Sayaman's user avatar
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0 votes
0 answers
33 views

What is an appropriate verb to fit in all the three blanks of sentences?

Questions. Below are the three sentences with "xxx" indicating a blank. They often have blazing rows but they soon xxx over. These photographs are too small: why don't you xxx them up a bit?...
IncredibleSimon's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
215 views

What does “to work out your life is a catastrophe” mean?

Tell me the meaning of this sentence. I'm not able to understand it please explain A moment of dramatic revelation when suddenly the hero works out their life is a catastrophe. Link to the video ...
Sameer 's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
4k views

"take me along with you" vs "take me along"

As I see it in a dictionary, "take someone along" means "take someone along with you when you are going somewhere". Why do you add "with you" after "take me along&...
Sergei's user avatar
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0 votes
0 answers
42 views

to bite on, to work on, to stay on

Can you explain to me the usage of "on". Texts are: Chad felt dizzy when he saw the bones sticking through the skin. Dad coached him on how to pull his right forearm from the wrist and ...
ZWA's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
32 views

"Joseph visits Beneatha after she learns that Walter had lost the money in an investment opportunity."

Is had appropriate in the below sentence? Joseph visits Beneatha after she learns that Walter had lost the money in an investment opportunity.
Ellis's user avatar
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0 votes
0 answers
46 views

Is there a transitive phrasal verb for dance?

I am looking for a transitive phrasal verb that means "danced X dance" He spun out the Duck dance in front of everyone. I don't think spun out a dance is idiomatic. I am looking for ...
Sayaman's user avatar
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0 votes
0 answers
33 views

"Type" or "type in" context

Could you tell me if I should use type or type in the sentence below? If need to know where our retail stores are located, you could just go to Google Maps and type/type in the name of out shops and ...
Dmytro O'Hope's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
914 views

Is it correct and natural to say "your account is pulling up" meaning the computer is processing info to show it on the screen?

Could you tell me if it is correct and natural to say your account is pulling up meaning the computer is processing info to show it on the screen? For example: Sir, would you please hang on a bit. ...
Dmytro O'Hope's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
315 views

Plugged vs plugged-in

I'd like to know if these two sentences: These Electric Vehicles (EVs) are plugged-in to domestic plugs, while those EVs are plugged-in to public charging stations. Both of them should be plugged-out ...
rainbow's user avatar
  • 103
0 votes
1 answer
36 views

track them down vs track them

"They laid mines and he had to track all of them so he doesn't step on one of them." "They laid mines and he had to track all of them down so he doesn't step on one of them." Does ...
Sayaman's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
42 views

We don't say "hear out" so what do we say?

Please help me determine what to say when we can't quite "pick out" the words that someone is saying. For example, say you're a student of a given language. You hear a native speaker ...
troysantos's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
201 views

Hold phrasal verb for “waiting until something happens”

I'm looking for the "hold" phrasal verb that means that I will stop doing something until something else is ready. John's report is input to my task so I will wait for that Would that be: ...
thiagoh's user avatar
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0 votes
0 answers
60 views

tilted slippers?

They painted their lips and theirnails, they darkened their lashes and lightened their hair, and scent seemed to shimmer fromthem. They wore thin, bright dresses, tight aver their breasts and high on ...
Uza Wu's user avatar
  • 1
0 votes
1 answer
72 views

go along to ... vs. go to

Is there any difference if "along" in the following is omitted? What function does it serve? I might go along to the meeting tonight.
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