Multi-word verbs

There are four types of multi-word verbs:

Type 1

Verb + particle (no object)

A He put on his coat and went out.
B I didnt put enough wood in the fire and it went out.
In A the word and particle are used literally. In B they are used idiomatically. To
go out means to stop burning.
Examples with literal meaning:
Sit down.
She stood up and walked out.
Please go away.
She walked right past the shop without noticing it.
Examples with idiomatic meaning:
The meat has gone of.
The marriage didnt work out.
Our plans fell through (failed).

Type 2

Verb + particle + object (separable)

A I put up the picture.
B I put up my sister for the night.
In A the verb and particle are used literally. In B they are used idiomatically. To
put up means to give someone food and a place to sleep usually for the night
or a few days.
Type 2 multi-word verbs are separable. The object can come between the verb
and the particle.
I put up the picture.
I put the picture up.

I put up my sister.
I put my sister up.

But if the object is a pronoun it always comes between the verb and the
particle.
I put it up.
I put her up.
Examples with literal meaning:
The waiter took away the plates.
Dont throw it away.
Theyre pulling that old building down.
Examples with idiomatic meaning:
I put of the meeting (postponed).

She told her boyfriend of for being late.

Dont let me down (disappoint).

Type 3
Verb + particle + object (inseparable)
A She came across the room.
B She came across an old friend while she was out shopping.
In A the verb and particle are used literally. In B they are used idiomatically. To
come across means to find by accident.
Type 3 multi-word verbs are inseparable. The object (noun or pronoun) always
comes after the particle.
Examples with a literal meaning:
Im looking for Jane.
They ran across the park.
We drove past them.
Examples with an idiomatic meaning:
Ill look after it for you (take care of)
She takes after her father.
He never got over the death of his wife. (recover from)

Type 4

Verb + particle + particle

I get on very well with my boss.
Im looking forward to it.
How can you put up with that noise?
Type 4 multi-word verbs are always idiomatic. The object cannot change
position. It cannot come before the particles, or between the particles.
Not * Im looking forward it to.

PRACTICE MATCHING
Match each of these multi-word verbs with its equivalent:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to

get into
make it
get sorted
get spotted
be out and about
tag along
put on hold
get through

to organize
to postpone
to follow
to enter (a new career)
to pass (a test)
to be noticed
to travel
to succeed (finally)

EXERCISES
In the following groups of sentences one meaning of the multi-word verb is
literal and two are idiomatic. Say which is which:
1 A The plane to Hong Kong has just taken off.
B Take the vase off the table. Its going to fall.
C Hes very famous now. His popularity really took off when he made that
film.
2 A Ill bring you up some water when I come to bed.
B Have you brought up the question of borrowing the money?
C They brought up six children with very little money.
3 A Her health has really picked up since she moved to a sunny climate.
B Can you pick up my pen for me? Its under your chair.
C I picked up a little Italian when I was working in Rome.
4 A It took me a long time to get over the operation.
B Mario doesnt speak much English so it was difficult to get over to him what
I
wanted.
C Can you help me get over this wall? The gate is closed.
5 A I looked up Bobs number in the phone book.
B The new manager is very good. Sales have really looked up since he came.
C We looked up the tree and there was the cat on the top branch.

Separable or inseparable?
Check whether the multi-word verb in the following sentences is separable or
not. Replace the italics with the pronoun.
He turned on the light.
She takes after her father.
Ive just looked up the word in my dictionary.
Hes looking after my cats while Im away.
She has brought up those children really well.
We picked up Spanish very quickly.
I dont think theyll ever get over the shock of her death.
Hes taken up golf because he has a lot of free time since he retired.

VERBS WITH TWO PARTICLES

Complete the pairs of sentences with one of the following multi-word
verbs.
Put up with
Go out with
Get on with
Run out of
Look forward to
A I dont
Our teacher told us to
quietly.

_____________________

my sisters husband.
our work

B Has the photocopier

The children always
as the bell

_____________________

paper again?
school as soon

Goes.
C Why dont you ever
We always
holiday.

_____________________

Christmas?
going on

D I must
been for

_____________________

the dog. She hasnt

A walk yet.
Tom and Flora used to
they

each other when

were teen-

agers.
E How do you manage to
Some parents
behaviour

______________________
the noise from your
neighbours?
a lot of bad
from their kids.

In which pairs of sentences is the meaning the same? In which is the meaning
different?