Page 96 - Perfect English Grammar: The Indispensable Guide to Excellent Writing and Speaking

turn makes it difficult to know what a verbal phrase means by trying to separate
it into its component parts.

To see how different similar phrasal verbs can be, take a look at common
■phrasal verbs using break plus a preposition: break down: fail or stop

■functioning; collapse physically or mentally break in: interrupt a
discussion; illegally enter a building with intent to steal; become well used

■■break off: discontinue; separate a small piece from something break

■out: escape from prison; begin suddenly break up: end a relationship;
separate something into pieces A phrasal verb can be separable—where, for

example, objects can be inserted in the phrase—or inseparable—where the parts
of the phrasal verb cannot have other parts of speech inserted. Some phrasal

verbs can put the object either right after the verb or right after the whole phrase.

■ I looked over the contract carefully before signing.

■ She looked me over before driving me to my photo shoot.