What are phrasal verbs?

We use phrasal verbs a lot, but many people don't know what they are. Do you?

They are two-word or three-word phrases that consist of a verb and one or two words from the preposition list. 

The words work together to perform the job of one verb, and they create a meaning different from the meaning that the words have by themselves.

Their name might remind some of you of verb phrases, but they aren't the same thing. 

Let's take a closer look at three of those example sentences. We'll also look at how to diagram them!

If you're new to diagramming sentences, don't fret. Diagrams give us a way to SHOW the structure of sentences. If you want to learn more about diagramming, this page will help.

Dress up contains two words that are performing the job of one verb. Dress is a verb, and up is a word from the preposition list. Dress up has a different meaning than the words have individually. Dress up means to wear nice clothing.

Since phrasal verbs are functioning as one verb, you diagram them just like you would diagram any other verb. That means you don't have to do anything fancy.

Work out contains two words that are performing the job of one verb. Work is a verb, and out is a word from the preposition list. Work out means to exercise.

Turned in contains two words that are performing the job of one verb. Turned is a verb, and in is a word from the preposition list. Turned in means to go to sleep.

As you know, phrasal verbs are formed from a verb and a word from the preposition list. Why do I keep writing "a word from the preposition list" instead of just writing "a preposition"? 

Well, if you’ve been with me for a while, you know that prepositions are one of the parts of speech, and you also know that they are always in prepositional phrases.

When words that we often think of as prepositions (such as out, into, up, and off) are being used in phrasal verbs, they are NOT being used as prepositions. Why? Because they’re not preforming the job of a preposition. They’re part of the verb. 

They even have a special name when they’re being used like this. They’re called particles. 

So if we want to sound fancy, we can say that phrasal verbs are made of a verb and a particle.

These word combinations don't always create phrasal verbs. These only occur when the words combine to create an entirely new meaning. 

Let's study this phenomenon with the words work out. We saw above that the words work out can create a phrasal verb.

I work out in the morning.

But, that is not always the case. Look at the next sentence.

I work out of my office.

What do you think? 

In this sentence, work out is not a phrasal verb. Work is a verb, and out is working together with of to form a preposition. 

You can see from the diagrams that one sentence contains a phrasal verb and one does not.

Yep

I work out in the morning.

Nope

I work out of my office.

If you'd like to teach or learn grammar the easy way—with sentence diagrams—check out our Get Smart Grammar Program.

It starts from the very beginning and teaches you grammar and sentence diagramming in easy, bite-size lessons.